Home Depot completes application in Silverthorne

SILVERTHORNE — Plans to build a 100,000-square-foot Home Depot along the Blue River In Silverthorne took a significant step forward last week, when town staff deemed the retail chain’s application complete.

Problems with the company’s initial application — submitted in November — had stalled the process, and put the ball back in the developer’s court. Now that it has met basic town requirements, the application can be sent out for evaluation to approximately 20 referral agencies, including groups such as the fire district, engineering firms, and environmental consultants.

The referral agencies have 25 days to review and comment on the completed application, said Silverthorne community development director Mark Leidal. The Town’s planning commission and Town Council will review the plan only after Home Depot has successfully addressed the concerns of the agencies.

Progress on the Silverthorne project coincides with Home Depot’s announcement of plans to close 15 of its existing U.S. stores, and pull the plug on 50 new stores the company had intended to build. Despite troubling financial times for the home improvement giant, however, Home Depot remains committed to the Silverthorne site.

“Even though there are problems with the national economy, the Western Slope of Colorado is holding its own,” Home Depot spokesperson Mike Ciletti said.

Because of the region’s relative prosperity, Silverthorne is one of the 36 new stores the company will continue to pursue.

“We are pushing forward,” Ciletti said.

<i>Harriet Hamilton can be reached at (970) 668-4651, or at hhamilton@summitdaily.com.</i>