Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — It took the Steamboat Springs Planning Commission less than an hour to recommend approval of a revised major development permit for the Christie Base Townhomes Thursday night.

"I thought it was well-thought out and very attractive from an architectural standpoint," said Kathi Meyer, vice chairwoman of the commission.

The final decision on the plan will be up to City Council.

The condominium complex proposal is a revision of a plan that was part of the Christie Club time-share development approved by City Council in 1994 with the rest of the Christie Club complexes. Developers Jon Peddie and Ken Gold want to reduce the number of units in the original permit from 25 to 18, but hope to increase the size of each unit. The upscale ski-in, ski-out condos in Ski Time Square would have anywhere from three to five bedrooms. Units will go for about $1 million apiece, depending on size. The owners would have access to a pool and spa, as well as a private locker room.

The townhomes would have been Building D of the four Christie buildings in the original permit, but that complex was never built. In its place now sits the Ski Time Square bus turnaround. One condition of approval for the revised permit is that the developers find a new spot for the turnaround.

"We think we've got that resolved," Peddie said, adding that he has met with the owner of an adjacent lot who has agreed to accommodate at least a temporary turnaround.

Likewise, the American Skiing Co.'s ski patrol headquarters sits partially on the site of the proposed development. The commission made sure that the patrol would be able to move into a new building before recommending the project. The ski patrol will move into a modular structure on one of the Christie Club or Christie Base Townhome parcels or lease space from an adjacent building, said Tim Greene, vice president of real estate for ASC.

The commission also was worried about parking for the development. The developers plan on participating in a shuttle service from the condominium complex. Bob Milne, president of Steamboat Resorts, was at the meeting and confirmed that shuttle service alleviates the need for parking.

Eric Smith of Eric Smith Associates is doing the architectural work for the buildings.

The new proposal lowers the height of the buildings and staggers them in a stairstep design. The commission approved of that amendment to the original building proposal, which was deemed too high by some.

"As opposed to one linear building paralleling the road, by creating this shape we give the building more character," Peddie said.