Swan Landing Replaces Skyline Apartments Proposal in Dillon
A revised housing proposal aiming to replace the Skyline Cinema in Dillon has cleared a key planning hurdle under a new name, following public pushback against earlier designs. Pagewest partners Zak Holt and Adam Wallace presented the updated 139-unit project, now called Swan Landing, at an Oct. 7 Dillon Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
The Dillon Town Council rejected the previous proposal on Sept. 15 after developers incorporated adjustments from community feedback. Council members directed the updated plans back to the planning and zoning commission to give residents another opportunity to comment. Four of five commissioners had originally recommended approval for the initial 150-unit Skyline Apartments proposal on Aug. 5, but the commission ultimately recommended the revised Swan Landing project on a 3-1 vote on Oct. 7.
Building Heights and Density Adjustments
The revised proposal scales back several physical dimensions across the 4.1-acre site, lowering building profiles and reducing overall density compared to the original Skyline Apartments plan. Pagewest is proposing 139 units, resulting in a density of about 34 units per acre, down from 150 units. For comparison, the neighboring Dillon Ridge Apartments contain 36 total units on 1.8 acres, or roughly 20 units per acre.
To address neighborhood concerns regarding blocked views from properties above the parcel, developers lowered the heights of buildings one and two on the south end of the property by maximizing excavation. According to documents included in meeting agendas, maximum elevation heights for buildings one and two under the original Skyline plan reached 9,075.5 feet. The Swan Landing plans lower those maximum elevations to 9,067.6 feet for building one, 9,070.1 feet for building two, and 9,075.4 feet for building three. Project documentation indicates Swan Landing’s maximum elevations sit between 4 and 12 feet lower than those of the adjacent Dillon Ridge Apartments.
Public Criticism and Planned Unit Development Variances
Despite the reductions, public commenters at the Oct. 7 meeting continued to criticize the project for requesting building height variances beyond standard zoning code allowances, converting commercial property to residential use, and providing workforce housing without specific income restrictions. Commissioner Diane Perrigo-Hicks, who cast the sole dissenting vote against Swan Landing, noted that the commission received “a whole lot more” letters opposing the project than supporting it and referenced a successful 2024 resident-led effort to overturn a separate lakefront planned unit development approved by the Town Council.
Town engineer Dan Burroughs addressed questions regarding height exceptions during the meeting, explaining that the planned unit development measures building height as a total rather than adding separate allowances for rooftop mechanical enclosures. The proposed variances would set the official height of building one at 45.5 feet and building two at 42 feet. Tim Pillow also entered a letter into the public record from public supporter Carter Moore, which alleged that two project opponents have financial conflicts of interest.
Dillon Town Council Review Schedule
The Swan Landing application moves next to the Dillon Town Council for its upcoming meeting. The council must hold a first reading to establish a public hearing date, though the agenda for the session had not yet been released.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Swan Landing Project
What is the total unit count and acreage for Swan Landing?
The Swan Landing proposal includes 139 residential units spread across 4.1 acres, averaging approximately 34 units per acre. This is a reduction from the 150 units proposed in the earlier Skyline Apartments plan.
How do Swan Landing’s building heights compare to neighboring developments?
Maximum elevations for Swan Landing reach 9,067.6 feet for building one, 9,070.1 feet for building two, and 9,075.4 feet for building three. According to developer documents, these maximum elevations sit between 4 and 12 feet lower than the neighboring Dillon Ridge Apartments.
How did the Dillon Planning and Zoning Commission vote on the revised proposal?
The planning and zoning commission recommended approval for Swan Landing with a 3-1 vote on Oct. 7.