Steamboat Springs City Council sends 12th and Yampa development proposal back to Planning Commission

Concerns over project's size, design, and requested variances prompt Council to return proposal for further review

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:32am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a deserted city street intersection at dusk, with a lone streetlight casting warm, diagonal shadows across the pavement, conceptually representing the tension between development and preservation in Steamboat Springs.The Steamboat Springs City Council's decision to send a proposed development back for further review reflects the community's ongoing struggle to balance growth and preservation.Steamboat Springs Today

The Steamboat Springs City Council voted 4-3 to send a proposed mixed-use development at 12th and Yampa streets, submitted by local entrepreneur Collin Kelley, back to the city's Planning Commission. The Council cited concerns over the project's overall size, design, and the cumulative impact of nine requested variances as reasons for the decision.

Why it matters

This decision reflects the ongoing tension between development and preservation in the Steamboat Springs community, as the city balances the need for new housing and commercial spaces with maintaining the character and livability of the area. The Council's move to send the proposal back for further review suggests a desire to ensure any new development aligns with the city's long-term vision and planning guidelines.

The details

Kelley's proposal called for a mixed-use development that would include residential units, retail spaces, and underground parking. However, the Council expressed reservations about the project's overall size and the number of variances requested, which included changes to height restrictions, setback requirements, and parking standards.

  • The Steamboat Springs City Council voted on the proposal on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The proposal was originally submitted to the city's Planning Commission for review.

The players

Collin Kelley

A local entrepreneur who submitted the proposed mixed-use development at 12th and Yampa streets.

Steamboat Springs City Council

The governing body of the city of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which voted 4-3 to send the development proposal back to the Planning Commission.

Steamboat Springs Planning Commission

The city's planning and zoning review board, which will now re-evaluate the 12th and Yampa development proposal.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure any new development aligns with the city's long-term vision and planning guidelines.”

— Steamboat Springs City Council Member

What’s next

The 12th and Yampa development proposal will now go back to the Steamboat Springs Planning Commission for further review and consideration.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing balancing act between growth and preservation in Steamboat Springs, as the city works to find the right balance between new development and maintaining the community's character and livability.