Article Contributed on: 5/31/2009 1:27:56 PM
The Chatfield Community Association, comprised of land owners who live north of Titan Road, has announced its opposition to the development of the Sterling Ranchproject in Northwest Douglas County.
The President of the 400-member CCA, Roisin McEwen and CCA spokesperson, Dennis Larratt expressed their opposition at the May 26th meeting of the Roxborough Park Foundation Board of Directors. A spokesperson for Sterling Ranch said he disagreed with many of the CCA statements and that a response reflecting the project management's position on the issues raised would soon be available.
Sterling Ranch has submitted its initial County application, a document exceeding 500 pages. As is customary, the application has been sent out to interested parties for comments. This "Referral" process calls for comments to be submitted by mid-month. Dennis Larratt said, "We hope that the Roxborough Park Foundation will look closely at the application. At a minimum, please demand that the developer exceed all Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan and Zoning standards. Optimally, we would like you to join us in pushing for accountability." Pat Gallagher, former Rox Park Board of Directors member, and author of the "Eleven Themes" for growth in the area, is expected to analyze the Sterling Ranch application and present his recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Board will then decide if it wants to provide comments in the "Referral" process.
Larratt said that the CCA review of the Sterling Ranch proposals presents many difficult issues for residents. Several include:
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Water--Larratt says Sterling Ranch wants a waiver of County Zoning requirements to provide
0.28 acre foot of water per dwelling unit rather that the
0.75 acre feet currently specified. He said the Sterling Ranch Metro District would require "draconian" water use limitations and would have the right to enter a resident's home for an inspection if water use is over the water budget. If proven, the Metro District could claim the right to suspend water service. Overall, CCA says "Inadequate water from the start is asking for trouble."
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Density--Sterling Ranch would have high home density, "about 2.2 tmes that of HIghlands Ranch."
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Transportation--"Sterling Ranch explicitly states that they will not pay for off-site improvements. This means no improvements to Titan East of Moore Rd., or Waterton Rd. west of Rampart Range.
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State Parks--"Bringing in this level of development and population could forever change the character of these parks."
The full Sterling Ranch application may be found on the County's Web site,
www.douglas.co.us.