SILVERTHORNE – When Silverthorne’s zoning regulations changed, Galkom, LLC saw rezoning as the way to build the proposed River Trail Lodge to its desired height.

The building, which has been in the works since July, is slated to be built along the Blue River in Silverthorne. The property is the vacant space across from the Silverthorne Recreation Center, Silverthorne Planning Manager Michael Johnson said.

It was originally zoned as riverfront mixed-use, but it was changed to mixed-use planned unit development to take advantage of previous town codes that would allow the building to reach 38 feet, Johnson said. But when town codes changed – the riverfront mixed-use zoning regulations allowed a 45-foot height – Galkom, LLC opted to switch back.

“The project was ahead of where the town code was,” Johnson said. “We didn’t think it was a problem, because (the project) was originally zoned riverfront mixed-use.”

He added that the plan remains consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan for riverfront property, upon which the riverfront mixed-use zoning regulations are based.