Some 45 people turned out at Thursday night’s meeting of the Montezuma County Planning and Zoning Commission to voice opposition to a proposed “glamping” development near Mancos. At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour hearing on the proposal, the commission voted 3 to 2 to recommend denial. The company Under Canvas had sought approval for a Planned Unit Development, Special Use Permit, and High Impact Permit on a 346-acre parcel off Road 40. Under Canvas operates luxury camping sites near national parks around the country. Spokesperson Jamie Schmidt said the development, which is described as a “guest ranch,” would offer 75 sleeping units that could hold families of four. She said it would be quiet and Dark Sky-certified.
But local residents raised a host of concerns. One was how Road 40 could handle the increased traffic. Another was noise. People commented that the target clients are from large urban areas and might want to party. Other concerns included how local agencies could handle possible fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and law-enforcement issues at the site. P&Z Commission member Mike Lynch noted that the property is zoned AR 35 plus and questioned whether a Planned Unit Development would be appropriate. He said, “This is a way to end up with a commercial operation in the middle of agricultural land.”
The developers can appeal to the county commissioners.
