Article Contributed on: 7/1/2009 9:25:41 AM
The initial, formal application of Sterling Ranch, LLC, over 700 pages long, submitted to the Douglas County Community Planning and Sustainable Development Department several months ago, is the subject of over twenty "Referral Responses" from homeowner associations, public and private groups who might be impacted with the plan to build 10,000 to 12,000 dwelling units on 1,900 acres in Northwest Douglas County.
One Roxborough is a voluntary association that is a collaborative effort to bring together Homeowner Associations, Special Districts, the business community and other organizations to "communicate, coordinate and provide leadership to improve the lives of the Residents of the Greater Roxborough Area. ( www.onerox.com). As an organization, One Roxborough did not provide comments in the Referral process. In early 2007, One Roxborough sought the leadership of long-time resident and former Roxborough Park Board Member, Patrick Gallagher, (r.) to formulate a position on the major growth issues facing Northwest Douglas County. A subcommittee was formed and sought broad opinions on issues such as housing growth, water, transportation, preservation of wildlife corridors, etc. Under Gallagher's leadership, eleven "Themes," were developed, adopted by One Roxborough, and presented to Douglas County in connection with the 2008 Revision to the Comprehensive Master Plan. All of the "Themes" became part of the final document.
At the request of the Roxborough Park Board of Directors, Gallagher studied the 700-page filing, conferred with Sterling Ranch representatives on several occasions, helped direct presentations by both Sterling Ranch and the Chatfield Community Association, and then prepared a comprehensive report . He has provided specific information on each of the One Roxborough "Planned For Success Themes." He provided a reference in the Sterling Ranch Application that applied to each theme.
The Roxborough Park Foundation Board of Directors received the Gallagher report, discussed many issues, and agreed with Mr. Gallagher's conclusion that the Sterling Ranch Application does address the key issues formulated in the "Planned For Success Themes." The Board accepted Gallagher's report as its response to the County in the Referral process.