Planning commission approves Steven Alba’s campground permit with fire and road conditions

The San Juan County Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use permit Feb. 12 for a campground application by Steven Alba, subject to conditions discussed at the meeting addressing fire safety and roadway access.

Corey Coleman, planning staff, told the commission that Alba’s prior approval had expired and staff recombined the applicant’s prior materials into a consolidated packet. Coleman presented two alternative approaches for fire safety: a less prescriptive option requiring the applicant to maintain a fire-safety plan, install approved manufactured fire rings at campsites, and comply with the most restrictive applicable county, state and federal regulations; and a more stringent option requiring a fire-safety plan reviewed and approved by the fire official.

Commissioners pressed staff about what constitutes an acceptable "manufactured" fire ring; Coleman said the intent is a durable, non‑rock manufactured device ("something that's like a 6 foot culvert pipe") rather than wood or unapproved rings, and identified David as the county fire official who would coordinate technical details.

The commission also discussed road access: staff said the access road (D1152) is classified as an unmaintained county D road and that any use of the road for access must be coordinated with the San Juan County Road Department and meet conditions identified by the Road Department.

After discussion, the commission moved to approve the conditional-use permit using the staff‑recommended findings and the options chosen during the hearing. TC Garcia moved the motion and it was seconded; the chair read the conditions assembled by staff. The commission recorded multiple "ayes" and one voiced opposition, and the chair declared the motion carried.

Alba, the applicant, told commissioners he has widened the two‑track access and provided pullouts for campers. He thanked staff and the commission after the vote.

Staff said it will finalize the permit language to reflect the chosen fire‑safety and road coordination options and include the relevant enforcement conditions in the permit document.