An RV park that may be developed east of Boyle Park and north of Grand Avenue has raised questions during recent public debates about its potential environmental impact.
Some residents voiced their concerns at town meetings that the RV park might negatively impact the river.
Now that the town board has approved a change to the land-use code that allows RV parks on all lots zoned as multifamily residential, developers may start the permit process to build the park.
If the developers submit an application, the town wouldn't do an environmental-impact review, but it would require that the developer provide engineer-approved drawings that adhere to floodplain requirements, said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips.
Drainage is also part of the review, and the water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters, she said.
She said that she may ask for a statement of effects on wildlife, vegetation and wetland designations. But there is no formal requirement.
"Townwide, we do not require any special environmental review for development that abuts the Mancos River or Chicken Creek, but there is a required setback from those water channels of 25 feet," she said.
One of the town's options for permitting RV parks would have been to require a special-use permit, which would have required the RV park to be reviewed during two public hearings.
The town board members discussed this option. But at the June 25 meeting, the board voted to change the land-use code and adopt a strict set of guidelines that would apply to any RV park in a multifamily residential area.
The town's guidelines or "specific use criteria" say that any park can only operate from 8 a.m. to dusk, and would be subject to town laws regarding noise and lights. Generators would be prohibited.
The laws also require 6-feet-high screening around any park to allow for privacy. A developer could use hedges or fencing.
Phillips said a special-use permit would not necessarily have granted the town more control over the project because the RV park would still be subject to the same guidelines now in place.
If the developers submit an application, Phillips, who is also the planning and zoning administrator, will be assisted by the public works director and the building inspector in reviewing it.
mshinn@cortezjournal.com