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Developers of a proposed Walgreens pharmacy presented tweaks to their plan to the Steamboat Springs City Council on Tuesday.

The project, called Steamboat Crossing North, would be at U.S. Highway 40 and Pine Grove Road. It includes two linked proposals, one commercial and one residential. The commercial element includes retail buildings, an office building and the Walgreens, which would be 14,820 square feet.

Because the Walgreens would be more than 12,000 square feet, the city's "big box" ordinance would apply. The project will therefore have to go through a process that requires that the project's public benefits outweigh the negative environmental effects. The project has a proposed inclusion of 15 percent affordable housing units; however, the developer raised that number Tuesday to 20 percent.

Scott Pedersen of Pedersen Development Co. told council members that he made several other changes based on the Planning Commission's comments several days before. The changes included: the addition of seating along Fish Creek, changes to the garages, a plan to use environmentally friendly building techniques, the addition of studio units above garages and traffic and parking improvements.

Young Tracks Preschool & Childcare representatives have expressed concern about the project.

Jill Brabec, an attorney representing the school, told council members on Tuesday that she would like to see a buffer between the development and the school's playground.

"It's a big responsibility, and we take it very seriously," Brabec said of keeping children safe.

Brabec said that Pedersen had addressed concerns about traffic and parking and that she thought the two groups could come to a resolution about a possible buffer.

Council members suggested that the project could provide additional public benefit. Ideas for this included: more amenities on the creek, more affordable housing and trail improvements.

-- To reach Dana Strongin, call 871-4229 or e-mail dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com.