Commissioners’ actions regarding
open space disappointing
Editor:
Re: The county commissioners’ meeting on Aug. 16
I wish to comment on my disappointment over the outcome of the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners meeting to consider the Clear Creek County Open Space Commission’s request to move forward in an effort to acquire the former Williams (now Snow Mountain) property just south of the Floyd Hill overpass.
I felt that Frank Young with the Open Space Commission and Jim White with SOLVE gave a highly professional presentation on the case for preservation. Their presentation was clear and well reasoned, and addressed questions that the commissioners raised in previous meetings.
Commissioner Mauck’s positive stance reflected his consistent enthusiasm for the preservation of our lands and lifestyle.
Commissioner Buckland’s negative stance, while not to my liking, was expected.
Commissioner Hayden’s negative stance was surprising to me because it was a complete reversal of his position during his campaign. Hayden said unequivocally on several public occasions that he would support the purchase of the property when elected. The strength of his statements won my vote.
Furthermore, Hayden pledged to focus commercial development in the county into areas where infrastructure already exists, indicating his understanding that development in other areas would lead to negative financial burdens for the county. His failure to support the Open Space Commission on this issue is simply a vote for commercial development of the Floyd Hill area, which would create a multitude of problems and ultimately cause all of our taxes to increase, not just the taxes for people on Floyd Hill, but every taxpayer in the county. This is not just a Floyd Hill issue.
He is hardly a newcomer to the county. This is not a new issue, and he had ample opportunity to study the question during his campaign. Hayden’s rebuttal of the Open Space Commission that this property fails to meet the OSC guidelines for property acquisition was based on his opinion, which he has so recently come to, and not on fact.
For Hayden to claim that he has become better informed on the issue since taking office strikes me as being disingenuous.
Since Hayden’s campaign, the property is the same property. The ability of the OSC to make the purchase without compromising its ability to complete other planned acquisitions has not changed. What seems to have changed is Hayden’s commitment to act as a representative of the constituency that put him in office. Fool me once.
Steve Axtell
Beaver Brook Canyon
Snow Mountain property
should not be open space
Editor:
In a county where close to 80 percent of the land is publicly owned, we can’t afford to add more to the tax-exempt status. Any farmer, rancher, miner or business owner will tell you they can’t make it on 20 percent of their assets.
About 11 or 12 years ago, the commissioners made the same decision that the current commissioners recently made. We told Clear Creek County Open Space to leave this property as commercial. At the same time, we allowed them to purchase a large parcel east of the quarry at the county line.
Prior to that, we led the charge to have the BLM land transferred to the county for private sales, many acres to cities and also to Open Space for trails, greenway, etc.
The 6,800-acre Beaver Brook Watershed was saved from a developer. We gave the support to Congress and later to Great Outdoors Colorado to purchase the land. It took several years, and it was a bipartisan effort from Congress and the county for the $2.1 million purchase that became federal forest land.
For you who are convinced our only future is developing a destination recreation area, you should know that last year our largest taxpayer paid about 30 times more than we collected from sales tax, much of that paid by county residents.
We have to look to the future for replacement income when our large tax providers go away. This parcel is our best future for real commercial development. It may be 10, 20, 50 years before water is brought to the hill, but that is our best hope for the future for Clear Creek County.
Bob Poirot
Clear Creek County commissioner
1992-2004
Commissioners’ decision
supports accountability
Editor:
I don’t know all of the issues surrounding the recent Floyd Hill open space decision by the Board of Commissioners.
I support the idea of open space there. But I also think that I understand the commissioners’ frustration with open space management issues.
Frankly, I would have a difficult time rendering a decision in this case as well. The public wants the goodies it sees but doesn’t always see the rest of the picture. The commissioners are responsible for maintaining managerial oversight at the risk of appearing to be the Scrooge and not just playing Santa Claus, handing out the goodies.
I favor the acquisition of open space for the public’s benefit. I would hope and expect that the commissioners would also view acquiring open space more favorably when their framework has been met.
Ultimately, the BOC has sent a message to the members of the county administration to march in order.
If I were to add a recommendation to this, it would be to start term-limiting volunteer members of boards, particularly chairpersons. Many these members have been there for over a decade and have built their own kingdoms.
The bureaucrats’ motto is “Commanders come and go, but we will still be here.”
So while I don’t have enough information to take a definite position on the Floyd Hill open space, I respect your decision to enforce accountability in the face of popular pressures.
Mike Caistor
architect, land planner,
landscape architect
Support the property-tax increase
for rec center renovation
Editor:
Four generations of my family have been using the Clear Creek Recreation Center since it opened, and we know that after 23 years in operation, CCMRD needs to make major upgrades to keep the pool operational and to expand the facility to meet the growing demands of the residents.
The original $2 million facility was constructed in 1989, paid off in 2009, and has been well maintained over the years. However, $1.5 million to $2 million in upgrades are now needed to keep the pool operating.
The pool and hot tub heating system is at the end of its lifespan. The sand filtration systems and associated pumps and motors are failing and struggle to meet the required water circulation requirements. Most of the pool water filtration piping, valves and gaskets have rusted from chlorine corrosion and crumble when repairs are made. The pool ceramic surface and tiles are rapidly deteriorating. Cracks are forming in the pool surface, and they must be repaired or our community risks losing the entire pool. The sealant on the wooden beams must be refinished to protect wood laminates from humidity, and the facility domestic hot water boilers are failing, resulting in higher energy consumption and loss of hot water.
Additionally, the fitness areas no longer comply with space requirements for people with disabilities. I know CCMRD is willing to make these needed maintenance repairs to the facility with funds from the current mill levy. However, I believe that if they are going to spend this much money, it is in the best interest of our community to have them invest in our facility for a better future while we have the industrial resources to bring the entire facility up to current recreation center standards.
In addition to making the required facility repairs, the CCMRD proposal includes adding amenities our community wants/needs such as: aquatics features like water slides, spray features, zero depth entry and a flow channel; an indoor walking/jogging track; dedicated space for a children’s play area and before/after school child care; expanded meeting rooms for community programs, activities and events; an indoor basketball/volleyball court; dedicated group fitness area; improved locker rooms; a steam room; and expanded free weight and fitness facilities.
This would be done while maximizing the energy efficiency of the building by using solar energy panels to assist with water heating and electrical systems; higher efficiency-rated mechanical systems, improved facility insulation and low energy consumption lighting systems.
CCMRD is asking the community to do what’s right for our future and support a $7 million project with a short five-year payoff to upgrade and expand the entire facility.
The mill levy increase will mean an additional $21.36 per $100,000 of residential value each year for five years. At the end of the five-year dedicated mill levy, taxes will automatically revert back to the current mil levy of 2.005 and cannot be extended without voter approval.
I support this effort and for the benefit of the residents, today and in the future, I hope you will as well.
Heather Campbell