Craig Daily Press

Two up and one down.

The city of Craig Planning and Zoning Commission re­­viewed sketch plans for two residential subdivisions at its Monday meeting, approving one and tabling the other until the developers address certain problems.

Western Skies subdivision, planned for 149 homes across about 50 acres, got the go-ahead to enter the preliminary draft phase, when developers will create a draft plan implementing comments from the city, with one condition.

The Commission’s main issue with Western Skies had nothing to with building plans. Instead, officials are concerned about the Ninth Street right of way, half of which is in the county’s jurisdiction.

The developers must address this issue in the future, the Commission decided. One option is to buy the private land where the street’s right of way exists and then petition the city for annexation.

Other than that, Commission members were largely approving of the development, which includes a three-acre park and trails across another 3 1/2 acres.

“Of all the sketch plans we’ve seen for subdivisions through the years,” Mayor Don Jones said, “this is one of the best ones.”

Commission members had more reservations about the Meadows at Pine Ridge, a subdivision of patio and townhomes near the current Colorado Northwestern Community College campus.

The property’s southern border sits against a steep incline along Pine Ridge Drive. That street presents a “great concern” to the city because it has washed down before, City Engineer Bill Earley said.

Earley and Commission members wanted to make sure Pine Ridge subdivision developers took precautions against the road coming down again.

Marcus York, representing the project’s designers, Steamboat Engineering and Architectural Design, said the townhomes along that hillside will have retaining walls and drainage precautions to keep the hill stable.

Roads made up another concern, one which the Commission would not approve without changes.

Developers plan for Pine Ridge to have all private roads, maintained by the Homeowner’s Association and not the city.

The Commission felt the width of the roads, however, did not allow for emergency vehicle access and also did not properly plan for snow buildup.

Revised plans could see wider streets along with through roads and fewer cul-de-sacs, which Commission members worried might be too small for emergency vehicles to turn around in.

York did not press for the Craig City Council to review current Pine Ridge plans but agreed to return with revised plans in the future. The Commission tabled its vote until that happens.

Commission members said they liked the project but did not want to vote for an approval that would include numerous “vague conditions.”

“I think this kind of housing is really needed in our town,” Commission member Mike Tucci said, referring to more manageable and affordable residences such as town homes.

Collin Smith can be reached at 875-1794 or cesmith@craigdailypress.com