Larkspur Neighbors Unite Blog

Town Council Takes Time – Public Muzzled

larkspurneighborsunite — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:22:07 +0000

It’s interesting how they’ve stated that the time limit is waived and it could go well beyond midnight. This is clearly a tactic to discourage attendance. If they’re trying to get enough information from the applicant to make an informed decision exactly how “one-sided” is this process. Hopefully they will give the public a chance to give their thoughts and concerns at a future date or maybe at midnight.

Gerry Miale

Bear View Light/Noise Issues

larkspurneighborsunite — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:38:23 +0000

I am pretty much against this development if it goes as planned.

If they have generators going between 6-9, how can they let
entertainment go later? Someone said 11:30? Fiddlers Green only
goes until 10.

They need to openly adopt a low noise environment. Not just an
environment of a “resort” (bunch of screaming people).

They also need to openly adopt a low light environment. From what I
have seen in the memo to the planning commision, they are just going
with existing ordinances and for full cut off lights. They need to
specify actual lumens and not just adopt a “normal” plan. Different
lumens and their use. Here is one from Tucson, not sure if it is
precisely what we need, but when I stayed at Starpass Resort, we
indeed could see the stars a couple of hundred feet from the Hotel.
http://www.dsd.pima.gov/Building/PDFs/2007/2006%20Outdoor%20Lighting%20Code.pdf

So many questions-so few answers

larkspurneighborsunite — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:49:30 +0000

Our community continues to have concerns about this development. So many questions remain not fully answered. What will happen if the current developers should go bankrupt and leave the development in the middle of the process? What will happen if the water in their water rights is not sufficient? What will happen when a camper decides to go around the “emergency vehicle only” gate and enters our community? Who will control the polution from the generators and motors from the campers in the park? We moved to Larkspur because of its beauty and quietness, let’s not lose that.

Concerned Resident

Enough is Enough

larkspurneighborsunite — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:05:16 +0000

From a 50 year old COLORADO NATIVE -

It is never going to stop. By that, I mean taking pristine Colorado areas and DESTROYING THEM.
Please let this “developer” go somewhere else other than one of the last remaining pleasant places in Colorado’s Front Range. Enough is enough. CITIZENS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN A HANDFUL OF DEVELOPERS.
Stop it…. Be Strong… Take the High Road… Don’t Bend or Break…

Dave Heyliger

To Planning Commission

larkspurneighborsunite — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:40:02 +0000

Chairperson Buss and members of the Planning Commission; Mayor West, members of the Town Council, Barb Cole, Scott Krob, Matt Krimmer~

I hope I have left no one out. I just wanted to thank all involved in the continuing discussions of the proposed Bear View development.

Last night the Planning Commission, Town Planner, Town Attorney and Town Clerk conducted themselves in the most professional manner and with extraordinary patience and stamina. You are all to be commended for the serious attention and consideration you have demonstrated in these meetings. Thank you.

Regards to all,

Lorelei LaFortune

Letter to Planning Commissioners

larkspurneighborsunite — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:35:02 +0000

To: Commissioners Shannon Buss, Cindy Cramer, Kat White, Matais Cumsille, Gary Craven,
Mayor Sherilyn West, Town Clerk Matt Krimmer, Town Attorney Scott Krob, Town Planner Barb Cole

I wish to thank the members of the planning commission for their comments and conduct in last night’s meeting. I think that hearing that some of the concerns of the impacted neighbors and local businesses were thought about, was refreshing. I also wish to thank them for their transparency in conducting this meeting.

I appreciate that a couple of town council members were present to listen, even though public comments were not allowed. I hope that the same level of transparency and consideration will occur in future meetings on this topic.

De’Anna Tilley

Another Letter to Douglas County Commissioners

larkspurneighborsunite — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:11:35 +0000

I’m writing in regards to the Bear View Annexation issue before the Larkspur Town Council. It is my understanding that this proposed project was denied by Douglas County for numerous reasons. We find it strange that the developer can sidestep the county and move forward via an annexation proposal to the “city” of Larkspur. Our subdivision (Hidden Forest) borders the proposed development and we have a Larkspur address and are protected by the Larkspur Fire Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s department, yet for all practical purposes, have no say in this proposal before the Larkspur council.

We object to the development and to the annexation proposal before the Larkspur council.

Ron & Marcy Schram

7873 Taylor Circle

Larkspur, CO 80118

To the Douglas County Commissioners:

larkspurneighborsunite — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:53:35 +0000

My husband and I moved to the Sage Port area of unincorporated Larkspur with the knowledge that the property now called Bear View RV Resort was zoned as agricultural and would not be developed. On June 24, I saw the newly put up sign telling us that it was public notice of hearings to change the zoning and to annex the property to the town of Larkspur. When I tried to find out when the meeting was held, I found out it had already occurred on June 8. Isn’t notice to be given before the hearing/meeting? Who can help us be sure that the proper procedures are followed and the community concerns heard?

We found out on their website for the Bear View Resort RV and Campground that they have 178 campsites being advertised.

The agricultural zoning from the County is one house per 35 acres. Is this zoned as agricultural land? If so, what is the County doing to make sure he is in compliance.
Is there water and sewer present on site for an increase from 54 campsites to 178?
Is this expansion being done legally with the County’s permission?
Is off-road ATV’s allowed on land with their current zoning?

This goes against all of ideas of open space. We are concerned about water and increased fire danger. Can the County help?

My concern is that I see large trucks driving through Sage Port and entering a gate I was told was for a home. They have already started building cabins and expanding this RV Resort, and advertise that a shopping center is coming. I received a copy of a draft property development plan submitted to the town of Larkspur. It will allow 350,000 square feet of retail and office space – that is bigger than the Founder’s Parkway Wal-Mart and Kohl’s shopping center. Is this true? Can this be done without the public having a right to any hearings?

Without proper notice and modification of his zoning, why is the Bear View Campground being allowed to move ahead with a vast development? It is Douglas County and we would like to see the County zoning enforced. Would you direct my questions to the appropriate county officials? Who enforces county zoning? Who stops advertising and development being done in violation?

We are concerned that without your timely intervention, this shopping mall, theatres, RV and campsites, junkyards, outdoor amphitheaters, dense housing, attached housing, and polluting businesses such as auto paint and body shops may be started and completed without proper procedure being followed. We left California because we saw this happen. Developers rushed ahead with construction even when not permitted. This is our concern here.

This is County land – at least for now. What can you, as commissioners, do to help us?

Kind regards,

Mary and Larry Horwitz

More to Douglas County Commissioners

larkspurneighborsunite — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:47:34 +0000

My family urges the Commissioners of Douglas County to help us preserve our Douglas County open space to the west of I-25, south of the Tomah exit (Skyview Rd.). The developer wants to be annexed into the Town of Larkspur in order to rezone the A-1 property to commercial usage. The developer’s development plan calls for 350,000 square feet of commercial development (the size of the Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and appending retail shops shopping area in“Founders” area). Their plan IS DESIGNED with over 200,000 gallons of standing water (pools and ponds). Where are they going to get that much water? The Larkspur town water has radium and unfit for pools and ponds. Larkspur can barely manage sewage, water and trash issues for their 213 residents. How are they going to manage about 700 RV’er and CAMPERS?

The developers are planning a 2,000 seat arena and additional performance stages. Can the Tomah exit manage that much traffic without causing traffic “jams” on I-25.

The developer’s plan includes the commercial space for junk car storage, bars, gaming sites, car sales, auto repair and salvage all within a hundred feet of our peaceful and quiet Sage Port neighborhood. The A-1 property is currently used commercially by the ARVC company having 10’s of cars parked there at any one time.

The developer has expanded their previous 50 RV parking areas to over 178 without accommodations for expanded sewage and water needs. My research in the county offices indicates that there has been no permits approved.

The developer told our community that ATV’s and other motorized sporting vehicles would NOT be permitted in the facility. However, their website invites them. What would that do to our community as those noisy vehicles venture onto our roads? The developer also told our community at a public hearing that they intend to develop 100% of the property.

We moved to Douglas county to live the rest of our years in CO open space. Now it seems that Orange County California wants to move into DouglasCounty, CO. Please, help preserve “our” open space.

With Kindest Regards;

Larry S. Horwitz

Letter to Douglas County Commissioners

larkspurneighborsunite — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:41:38 +0000

To the Douglas County Commissioners,

The neighbors of the Sage Port area of Larkspur have been asked to write to you about our concerns on the proposed development of 107 acres adjoining our residential area. The Larkspur town council has been asked to annex the land, then change its status to commercial. The 35 acre residential land parcel with a residence was purchased and is currently the headquarters for this campground, although the land use has not changed. The developer does not seem to think the residents need a buffer zone between commercial and business and has offered the town of Larkspur money instead of a buffer area. This concerns us greatly with the noise, sound, lights and fire danger, to name a few, brought closer to home. The suggested plans call for an amphitheater for 2000 people. How can that be quiet? Is it only going to be used for silent movies?

Perhaps the biggest concern is in the planning documents presented by the developer, is that if this does not prove successful within 5 years, then the land can be used or sold for any other purpose. It seems that if this annexation process were allowed, all control is forfeited and the developer has free reign after a period of time.

We love the quaintness of the area of Larkspur. We look forward to business growth in the area where it it is suitable. Main street (Spruce Street) is growing and we look forward to supporting those businesses. This development would crush those businesses as well.

Please help us to come to a workable solution, while maintaining the reasons why the residents of Larkspur live here, Peace, quiet, starlit skies at night and wildlife…

Thank you,
Russ and Debi Ropken
7280 Marshall Road
Larkspur, CO 80118