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Steamboat Springs — One project looks worthy of a medal, the other needs more training.

The Steamboat Springs Planning Commission reviewed two large-scale development projects Thursday night. The commission unanimously supported The Olympian, a proposed 41,100-square-foot commercial and residential building planned for the northwest corner of Fifth and Yampa streets, currently three vacant lots. The planning commission unanimously did not support Steamboat Crossings North, a 10-building project on the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 40 and Pine Grove Road.

Commission members praised virtually all aspects of The Olympian, including its predominant use of brick and stone, creative architecture, varied rooflines, inner courtyard, and on-site affordable housing units that commission member Nancy Engelken said "set a nice precedent" for attractive, affordable residences.

"This is going to change the face of Yampa Street," commission member Dick Curtis said. "I hope the citizens of Steamboat Springs are prepared for that."

The commission's support of The Olympian's development plan and final development plan means the project will move forward to the Steamboat Springs City Council, which could take action on the building Dec. 5. The Olympian includes 20 market-rate residential units, three affordable housing units, underground parking and about 7,000 square feet of commercial space.

Steamboat Springs resident Paul Franklin bought the property in 2004 and said he hopes to break ground in the spring.

Franklin has developed the Elkins Meadow and Aspenview Estate projects, in the Fish Creek Falls Road area.

"This is the best-received project I've had in Steamboat," Franklin said of The Olym-pian.

The applicants for Steamboat Crossings North did not get a good reception from the planning commission.

"This is very average," commission vice-chairwoman Dana Stopher said. "The site plan looks like any shopping center in America. We're looking for something that creates excitement."

The project includes a retail store of more than 11,000 square feet, three additional retail or office buildings, and six residential buildings containing at least 24 residential units.

Although Walgreens had shown initial interest in the large retail store, Karen Blumenstein of THF Realty in Denver said Thursday that there are currently no applicants for the building.

Commissioners criticized much of the project's design, citing its inability to take advantage of the adjacent Fish Creek and modular layout of the residential buildings.

"There is a tremendous amo-unt of sameness here," Engelken said.

The commission tabled the project's development plan, final development plan and preliminary plat, meaning architect Jeffrey Pedersen, of Overway & Pedersen Architects of Boulder, can revise the site plan and return to the commission at a later date.

"It's been a difficult process," Pedersen said Thursday.

Blumenstein said he plans to "absorb" the commission's recommendations and continue work on the project.

- To reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203 or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com