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While the west side of Steamboat Springs seems to be growing quickly, its growth will soon accelerate ever more.

Two weeks ago, a Carbondale-based developer purchased the Slate Creek parcel, a 58-acre tract immediately west of West End Village, on the north side of U.S. Highway 40. The property is the third largest vacant parcel in the city limits of Steamboat Springs, said Elk River Realty broker and project manager Norbert Turek.

Turek called the parcel "a key component in future development of the western boundary of Steamboat Springs." The area is included in the 1999 West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan and is zoned to allow several mobile homes among other home types.

The northwestern boundary of Steamboat has been viewed by many over the years as the most logical area for future housing development within current and possibly expanded city limits, Turek said.

The buyer, Jay Weinberg, principal in Overlook Park Investments of Carbondale, is working on a residential subdivision project in Carbondale called Aspen Equestrian Estates. He said his interest in developing property in Steamboat is to create a quality and appropriate development while being sensitive to ski-town growth issues.

"I think Steamboat is a great area with a tremendous future," Weinberg said. "I'm thrilled to be a part of that. ... So I want to stay open to the voices in the community."

Turek was chosen as project manager to develop and work with a design team, city and county planning staff, and area residents to create a plan that will work financially and, most importantly, help meet the needs of Steamboat's job-based growth over the next five to 10 years, Turek said.

Turek, who also works on the West End Village project, said the main discussion topics will continue to be the cost and design challenges of meeting Steamboat's need for affordable housing while developing a local-flavored neighborhood that will continue to improve over time.

"Trying to control the costs of housing in an isolated market like Steamboat requires a balance between planning assumptions and the unpredictable fortunes of today's infrastructure and construction expenses," he said.

Alpine Bank of Steamboat Springs President Scott Gordon arranged financing for the land transaction.