This is an exploration of two parcels on Ute Highway east of Lyons, Colorado. Creating complete neighborhoods with food growing, community services, small businesses, and retail and restaurants to attract visitors are the primary objectives.
The proposed site plan for the northern parcel (6.3 acres) includes 52 residential green court-facing units, 20,000 s.f. of office and retail in modest suite sizes, and grow towers located in a green house complex with a footprint of 18,000 s.f.
A water treatment facility with a three-story building and treatment ponds currently occupy the southern parcel (3.4 acres). The site plan suggests renovating the treatment center and building short-term rental units over the ponds using their concrete walls as foundations. The southern parcel accommodates 50 residential units (30 apartments, 6 live-work townhouses, 14 tiny cottages), and 30,800 s.f. of non-residential floor area (small offices, retail, restaurant, and community services).
The 14 tiny cottages are located on the southeast corner between a surface parking lot and the St. Vrain Creek. As such, they block the view to the parking lot from the creek trail and take advantage of the southern orientation as well as the view to the creek. The porches encourage outdoor use and neighborly interaction. All plans take advantage of the attic volume to locate sleeping lofts. They are intended to be either short-term rentals or employee housing.
A bird’s-eye perspective drawing of the northern parcel. On the southwest corner are the green houses with grow towers; on the southeast corner, facing Ute Highway, are potential buildings for a restaurant, tasting room, and other businesses. Two-story apartment buildings face the common green courts.
Site plan
Tiny cottages