Elkins Meadow

Development Concept

Elkins Meadow is a portion of land that was originally homesteaded in 1891 and eventually became Elkins Ranch, a well-known landmark in Steamboat Springs. For many years the Meadow was used for growing hay and cattle grazing. Today, the Meadow is no longer used for ranching, but it is a unique setting within Steamboat Springs: an intimate valley nestled between Sanctuary Ridge and Elkins Ridge, dramatic views of soaring mountains to the east and long views to the Yampa Valley to the west. The meadow is a transitional habitat for elk, and the wetlands of Little Fish Creek support a variety of riparian wildlife species.

The development at Elkins Meadow has been carefully planned to take advantage of, and preserve, its remarkable beauty, natural values, and unsurpassed views. The twenty home sites have been clustered around the Meadow, leaving it open and in a natural condition. Each home site has been specifically selected to take advantage of distant views as well as views of the meadow. Home sites are separated from each other by subtle landforms and stands of trees. Each home site has unique characteristics and assets.

Because of this unique development pattern around the meadow, although widely separated, some home will be visible from each other. Therefore, it is important that all of the homes have common design characteristics that allow them to blend with each other and blend with the setting. The objective is to have beautiful, spacious homes that do not call attention to themselves or detract from the overall environment of Elkins Meadow. This approach will allow all the residents to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Meadow much as it is today.

The Elkins Meadow property consists of 20 homes on approximately 105 acres. However, as a Planned Unit Development, the lots have been reduced in size, and clustered, to leave over 53% of the property in common-ownership open space. To further preserve open space, a building envelope has been designated on each lot. All built improvements will be contained within the building envelope. With this additional clustering of development, over 90% of the Elkins Meadow property will be undeveloped.

These Design Guidelines have several key objectives:

Bring about an overall consistency to architectural design, yet allow broad flexibility and personal expression in the design of individual homes;
Respect and enhance views of the meadow and hillsides, for residents as well as the public that passes by on Fish Creek Falls Road;
Site buildings, roads, and driveways to minimize disturbance to the land and vegetation;
Allow humans and wildlife to coexist on the property.

The Design Guidelines apply to everyone who constructs, refinishes, or alters any part of a building exterior, or makes and landscape changes, including grading and installing utilities.

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

A Design Review Committee (DRC) will administer the Design Guidelines. More than a regulatory body, the DRC helps you and your design consultants interpret the Design Guidelines and develop creative responses. The DRC does not dictate taste or advocate particular design solutions. Instead, the DRC oversees the preservation of the rural and ranching character within the parameters of the Elkins Meadow Design Guidelines. The DRC may allow exceptions or modifications to these guidelines when an applicant demonstrates that proposed changes still reflect the spirit of the Design Guidelines.

The Design Guidelines may be occasionally amended. When contemplating the design or modifications to your property, you should obtain the most recent issue of this booklet any amendments that may have been adopted. You should also consult the Declaration of Protective Constraints for Elkins Meadow at Little Fish Creek (the "covenants"). In the event of a conflict between these Design Guidelines and the Covenants, the Covenants are controlling.