“We are under contract to purchase Lot C in Lawson Hill,” said Stephanie Fanos, general council for MVOA, in an interview Wednesday. “We do have 60 days due diligence and we are currently in discussions on the development potential for the property with the county and the Town of Telluride. Within that 60-day period, we will be able to determine whether or not this lot will be accepted for an affordable housing project for MVOA.”
Lot C is a 1.3-acre lot, located just behind Cindybread on the south side of Society Drive.
“We would like to discuss the opportunities to a joint development of this property with the other local governments, the housing authority and potentially the local employers,” Fanos said. “We are just beginning to look at the potential for the property.”
While affordable housing is a top priority for MVOA, according to Board President Jonathan Sweet, the board was not actively seeking out property to purchase.
“Affordable housing is part of our mission statement and one of the four things we have identified as priorities,” Sweet said, along with transportation, recreational facilities and infrastructure.
“This property came about fairly quickly,” said Fanos. “I got a call from a realtor who represents the owners of the property and said that this opportunity was available. I won’t say that we have been actively looking for property, but this pretty much fell in our laps. We have talked about affordable housing at our meetings and it is one of our top priorities. I have to tell you, I am very excited about this opportunity.”
“We are working with the county to maximize the number of units we can put on the land,” said Sweet. “It is on our agenda to be aware of opportunities.
“Normally it would be up to the town to step up and do something. We thought this was our opportunity to step forward with affordable housing,” he added.
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