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Lakewood [Change Location]

Land Swap Is a Good deal for wildlife, residents

Article Contributed on: 12/13/2006 1:57:11 PM

Land swap is a good deal for wildlife, residents

A recent Your Hub article contained a series of 11 questions from one viewpoint relating to exchanging 21.8 acres of city parkland for 21.8 acres of private land in the Rooney Valley. Following are responses to similar questions. To learn more about this important issue, visit www.voteforrvos.org.

1. What is the issue?

Voters are being asked if they want to TRADE 21.8 acres out of the total 168 acres of Iron Springs Park for 21.8 acres of private land that will serve as a buffer between the proposed land development and the existing subdivisions to the northeast.

2. What is all this about a 'wildlife' corridor? Will there be a connection between William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain and Bear Creek Lake Park?

The answer is yes.

This is the corridor that so many Lakewood citizens use every day for walking their dogs, hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, as well as for just taking a leisurely stroll. If the land trade is not approved there will be no wildlife corridor. The corridor that people currently use is private land that the developer would be free to develop if the land swap fails. The existing small portion of Iron Spring Park that is to be traded would simply dead end at the new development.

3. Are the land parcels of equal value?

Yes. The opponents of the land swap hired an appraiser who in a one page appraisal disagreed with the 34 page appraisal conducted by the licensed appraiser hired by the city of Lakewood. The one page appraisal proved to be worthless since that appraiser never walked the site to compare the land to be swapped.

4 . Why would the City Council ever approve such a swap?

The City Council as well as the City Planning Commission unanimously approved the land swap because it was the culmination of 10 years of coordinated planning in the Rooney Valley Joint Master Plan adopted by the City of Lakewood, Jefferson County and the town of Morrison.

5. How can the City of Lakewood trade parklands without a vote?

Our city charter does not prohibit the city from trading parkland. The sale of parkland requires a vote, but a trade does not.

6. How can the City of Lakewood trade this land when the Forsbergs gave Iron Spring to the people of Lakewood for parkland?

The land was donated to the city of Lakewood for parkland or other 'Public Use'. The land donors did not place restrictions on the city to require the land be used only as parkland. In fact, this exchange will promote the vision of the donors and create a continuous park connecting the two largest parks in Lakewood.

7. Some people are saying this sets a bad precedent for allowing otherparklands to be traded in the city. Do you think this would really happen?

No. The City Council has been elected as a representative form of government to act in the best interest of citizens of this city. Council actions are completed in a thoughtful, open public process. The City Council has executed their responsibilities wisely. If citizens did not agree with their actions they would not be elected or reelected.

8. How long has the city been planning this land swap?

The land swap has been a part of the Rooney Valley Master Plan for at least 10 years. This plan was drawn up by neighbors of Rooney Valley working with the city of Lakewood as well as Jefferson County and the town of Morrison.

9. Who is behind the campaign to encourage the swap?

The land swap is endorsed by the Alameda Gateway Community Association, the Lakewood Business Leadership Committee, the Jewell and Wadsworth Business Association, the West Colfax Community Association, the West Chamber, The Jefferson County Association of Realtors, the Jefferson Economic Council, and Lakewood Citizens for Open Space, the Lakewood City Police Union as well as many private citizens who see the benefit to the city if the land swap is approved.

10. Who is behind the campaign to stop the swap?

A group of citizens who have been opposed to nearly all measures endorsed by City Council.

11. How should I vote?

Mark your ballot 'Yes' in favor of the land swap. It is a good deal for the city of Lakewood and all of its citizens.

Guidelines: Be kind. Abusive commentary may be removed. If you believe someone has been abusive, please click "Report Abuse".

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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
Rita Bertolli wrote on 2/17/2007 @ 5:30:25 PM

We prevaied, 57% AGAINST the swap Jan 2, 2007.
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Lorna Fox wrote on 12/21/2006 @ 6:32:01 PM

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has said that a wildlife corridor needs to be a minimum of 200 feet wide to be effective. The land swap will provide this. The 3 corridors mentioned by Allan Berger would not provide a corridor for wildlife. I wonder how Curtis Jones explains the fact that deer are often seen outside the fences of the subdivision that adjoins the Carma property even though that same area is heavily traveled by dogs, horses and humans. As to Rita Bertolli's comment readers need to check out both web sites and then make their own decision about the truthfulness of the material presented.
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Curtis Jones wrote on 12/14/2006 @ 9:48:21 PM

Can someone explain to me why this is hyped as a "wildlife corridor" from the same people who talk about how often the area is used by "so many Lakewood citizens use every day for walking their dogs, hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, as well as for just taking a leisurely stroll."? Last I remember, wildlife is WILD and does not mingle with dogs, horses, or even humans out for a leisurely stroll. So if that is the case this isn't really about the wildlife at all is it? Or are we assuming that it will only be used in the dark of the night by wildlife? But if that's the case what is the big issue, is Carma planning on burying the drainage (ditch, gulley, nicely sculpled waterway, whatever you want to call it) and building homes up to the back fences of the current properties? If they are NOT planning on filling in the watershed then won't the "wildlife" just use this pathway during the dark hours?
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Allan Berger wrote on 12/14/2006 @ 9:34:02 AM

This is neither complete nor completely accurate. It is a rehash of arguments. For example, #3 does not indicate how the appraiser came to the conclusion that the land values are equal. Thus, this is not complete. And #2 is inaccurate. If the measure fails there will still be 3 corridors, although they will be smaller than the one the proponents want.
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Anne Stavig wrote on 12/13/2006 @ 9:05:42 PM

Thank you for an honest, factual summary of the issues. A vote FOR the land exchange promotes responsible land use planning and thoughtful enhancement of our precious open space. Lakewood Citizens for Open Space endorses the land exchange. Who understands land use issues better than this group which was established to protect and advocate for our public lands? Please vote FOR the exchange.
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Thomas Glenn wrote on 12/13/2006 @ 9:00:07 PM

Complete and accurate. Thanks. Tom G.
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Rita Bertolli wrote on 12/13/2006 @ 2:04:14 PM

Go to lakewoodvoter.com for the truth.
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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments