Builders on construction site with framed walls in the background.

Missouri Heights subdivision request approved

Forty-one-acre property to be divided into two lots off Harmony Lane

PRESS RELEASE
March 3, 2023

Garfield County has approved a minor subdivision application for a 41.3-acre property off Harmony Lane in Missouri Heights that is designed for residential units. The Fussner Minor Subdivision (on behalf of SkyFooze1, LLC) is a proposal to subdivide the property into two parcels, on which two single-family homes and potentially accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be built.

Lot one is proposed to encompass 36.2 acres of the property, while lot 2 covers 5.1 acres. The property, which was recently the proposed location of the unrealized Ascendigo Ranch, is zoned rural and has traditionally been home to agricultural use.

“The purpose of this application is to subdivide the subject property into two lots that offer terrific views of the Roaring Fork Valley, Mt. Sopris, and the Elk Mountain Range,” the application reads. “Each lot is well-suited for the construction of a single-family home and ADU or SDU (secondary dwelling unit) and offer several options for a building site.

The property is operated by the Whitecloud Ridge Homeowner’s Association and home to two existing wells, Levitt Well numbers 2 and 3. The application, which was prepared by Western Slope Consulting, LLC, noted that irrigation water will be available to the properties “to the extent that it is legally and physically available and delivered to Missouri Heights and Mountain Meadows Irrigation Company (MHMMIC) shareholders.”

Additional exhibits (70 pages) were submitted at the Feb. 21 public hearing and the applicants had requested a continuation until Feb. 27 to review the materials. Garfield County Community Development staff had issued a director’s decision letter in favor of conditional approval of the application.

“As I read through this proposal, I kept going back to our staff, which I think did a good job on this,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “Staff reviewed what needs to be done and what needs to be considered, so my hat’s off to you. I don’t believe that approving this request would adversely affect the quality of life in the neighborhood.”

The application was approved 2-1, with Commissioner John Martin opposing, citing his desire to see the lots remain as they were originally approved and noting concerns about the amount of available water on the property.

“I’m not in favor of dividing up these lots into smaller lots and still including ADUs,” Martin said. “This is creating a very large demand on the natural resources, transportation corridors, and neighborhood disputes are coming down the pike.”