Article Contributed on: 12/7/2006 12:54:47 PM
Lakewood voters will receive ballots the week of December 11 on this important open space issue. This is a mail-in only election so voters will need to mail their ballots to the City or drop them off at city hall. Ballots MUST be received at the City by January 2.
As you consider your vote, don't forget:
1. A vote against this land exchange WILL NOT stop the development in this area. I wish that were true, but it is not. Construction will proceed regardless of how the vote comes out. The ONLY issue that the vote will decide is where 22 acres of the remaining open space will be located. (KEEP IN MIND that Forsberg and Iron Springs parks comprise some 162 acres and only 22 acres are at issue in this election - 140 acres will remain open space regardless of the vote). The bottom line is do we want this 22 acres of open space to be located in a long corridor where established trails already exist and connecting Green Mountain, Coyote Gulch and Bear Creek parks, or do we want 22 acres of open space closer to Alameda and bisected by the entrance road into the new development?
2. This land exchange did not originate with this developer or for the benefit of this developer. Rather, the exchange comes from the Master Plan for the area that was developed ten years ago, with citizen input and in concert with Jefferson County and the Town of Morrisson, long before this developer came on the scene.
3. Our elected representatives have approved this land exchange three times: by a 6-0 vote at Planning Commission and twice by 11-0 votes at City Council. The issue of the relative values of these equal-sized parcels was discussed at length and much testimony was received on the issue at the hearings that preceded these votes. There were NO dissenting votes ever, not one.
4. The land exchange has been endorsed by Lakewood Citizens for Open Space, which took a hard look at the issue including the valuation evidence before making their decision in support of the exchange.
5. The land the City is receiving in the exchange is far superior as far as usefulness to the many people who hike and bike in the area than the land that the city is giving up. Anyone who has used the area to connect up to Green Mountain can tell you that, but, don't take their word for it, come see for yourself as many have done aready.
The land exchange is smart and a very positive move for future open space use in the City of Lakewood. Vote for the exchange - it makes sense.