HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121535 Sarah Hodgson,David Albiero,Thomas Biecker
2604 CR 12
Erie,CO 80516
303-885-6590
June 21,2012
Dear All,
We would like to go on record about the proposal of the annexation and
the re-zoning of a planned urban development of the property south of Highway
52,east of CR 5,west of CR 7 and north of CR 12.We would like to also inform
Community Development Group(Boulder,CO)and Section 14 LLC(investors
that own the land—includes CDG and Oil companies),who have petitioned for
the annexation that there are federal laws that protect the eagles that presently
are nesting as well as the federal laws that apply to an unattended eagles nest
(Bald and Golden Eagle Act and The Migratory Bird Act).
Secondarily,we will go on record that we strongly disagree with the
planned development that is filed with the Erie Planning Department as of June
12,2012.It is not in the best interest of the people of Erie or those who live in
unincorporated Weld County adjacent to the property.Please refer to the
attached excel document of population growth.Erie has had a population growth
of 188.30%between 2000 and 2010.In comparison,the highest population
growth of nearby communities is the city of Loveland with a 10-year growth rate
of 31.10%.The present population density of Erie is 655.3 people per square
mile.With this annexation and re-zoning,a density of nearly double the amount
of that of Denver.(Wikipedia)is being voted upon by the Erie Board of Trustees.
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According to the Town of Erie Community Development Department, there are at
present 6,485 households. According to the US Census Bureaus statistics of the
town of Erie, the average number of people per household size is 2.91. The
present population density of Denver, CO is 3874.4 per mile.
See Boulder Camera article links:
http://www.dailvcamera.com/erie-news/ci 20359952
http://www.erieco.qov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/336
The thought that Erie needs an additional 2200 dwellings in this one
square mile would make it one of the most densely populated areas in the state
with 6,402 people per square mile. Those of us who border the property to the
east, west and south, have lot sizes between 3 - 35 acres; it is not in the people's
best interest to re-zone this property from agricultural zoning to a planned urban
development. If you pass this change in zoning to a PUD, our quiet way of life we
have known will forever be destroyed. At present there does not exist an
infrastructure to support this amount of additional citizens. We propose the
cancellation of this proposed annexation and PUD.
At present, less than 50 cars travel on CR 12 per day, and even fewer on
the weekend. The present plat map shows two entrances to the site off of CR 12,
increasing the amount of traffic exponentially. With more people there is
additional crime, theft, car accidents and noise that affects the rural businesses
that are present here. None of those high-density attributes is in the best
interests of the people that have chosen to live in a smaller community.
I (Sarah) moved away from Louisville, CO, known as one of the best
places to live in America because we prefer the lifestyle that the town of Erie
provides/provided us. We would like to understand why the Erie Town
Commissioners and Planning Board have allowed a 188% growth rate in 10
years? This type of development will not only affect our way of life, but the life of
every citizen and the children who presently reside here.
We also would like to know whether the school district is aware of this
proposed development. If it follows the same demographics that Erie has at this
point, that would be an additional 1600 students between the ages of 5 and 18
that will need to go to Erie schools.
Knowing that the state department of transportation makes decisions
about all state highways, HWY 52 is already a nightmare to try and turn onto
between 6 and 9 am and 4-6 pm. With thousands of additional cars entering Hwy
52, it is certain to be a public safety issue unless traffic lights are installed. In
addition, CR 5 and or CR 7 will need to have turning and merging lanes built for
safety reasons, similar to what was done for Erie Village.
We understand the vision of the Erie Town Commissioners is to bring
more business and therefore tax dollars to the city of Erie. The amount of land
that is proposed for commercial business will provide jobs for less than 20
people. On the plat map that is registered with the Planning Commission, the
zoning of commercial property is approximately 400 x 600 feet and 240,000
square feet, approximately one-fifth of that is slated to be a retention pond,
leaving 192,000 square feet for business development.
The same developers (CDG) that are making this proposed annexation
have not finished the Wyndham Hill project on the north side of Hwy 52 and CR
7. The planned business development remains as empty dirt lots. It is an
unfinished "neighborhood" in flux. We are strongly opposed to the re-zoning and
over-development of rural Erie. Once these developments are approved, who is
tasked with monitoring the developer to assure that they are completed in a
timely manner and that the promises made to the residents are complied with?
CDG also planned another neighborhood in Dacono nine years ago.
Sweet Grass, off of CR 8 in Dacono, promised a school to be built within 3 years.
Quest Academy is still housed in temporary buildings after 7 years. The
community center and swimming pool have never been built and the residents
are livid. We ask again, who is responsible to the people that have bought homes
in these neighborhoods that the developers keep their promise of the plan?
On June 12`" at 6:30 pm at the Board of Trustee meeting, the agenda item
to make a decision on the annexation and re-zoning of this property was granted
a continuance. Ordinance 15-2012. The reason it was tabled is because the
planning commission received a letter from Peter Plage of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service describing the federal laws pertaining to the protection of Eagles.
The eagles that reside on this property are now in imminent risk of dying from
present activities. As human beings, we are ethically bound to protect animals
that cannot speak for themselves.
The Erie board of trustees has sole rights to vote on this annexation and
do not have to put this decision to a community vote. It is the stance of Weld
County to allow annexations such as this up to the municipalities. The Erie Board
of Trustees represents the people of Erie. There is no one to represent those of
us who live in unincorporated Weld County.
You, Mayor Joe Wilson, the Erie Board of Trustees and The Erie Planning
Commission have been elected to serve the public and the citizens of the town of
Erie. The Weld County Sheriff has been elected to protect the citizens of
unincorporated Weld County. I would expect all of you to make yourself
knowledgeable about the wishes of our community and the preservation of our
current way of life. Those of us who moved to Erie moved here for the same
reason that you moved here. Our quality of life will not improve by approving a
building development that doubles the density rate of Denver.
On the CDG website is this following statement:
We believe that successful communities are the result of carefully planned
growth with the highest standard of design that complements and enhances a
town's amenities, open space and history. To accomplish this, we take a hands-
on approach, building long-term relationships with all parties involved to
understand town wants and needs. Our vision respects restrictive growth policies
while integrating environmental sensitivities and the unique vision of each
municipality into a cohesive neighborhood with commercial viability.
The statement of the Erie Community Development Department is as
follows: The mission of the department is to help citizens create an increasingly
better, more healthful, effective and attractive community that Erie citizens are
proud to call home. The staff will strive to protect our natural resources and
provide quality planning and building services that are vital for Erie's future
growth. We will work in partnership with our co-workers, citizens and neighboring
jurisdictions.
So far, the track record for the visions listed above are far short of the
promises made to the people that live in Wyndham Hill and Sweet Grass.
I (Sarah) am also a servant in the true sense of the word. I have been a
nurse in Boulder County (BCH, LUH) and Weld County (NCMC) and the greater
Denver area since 1984. I, and the nurses that I lead, have helped save
thousands of lives, for it is my calling to help those in need. Nurses are one of the
most trusted professions, as are sheriffs, policemen and firefighters, often putting
our own lives before others. We live our lives with a great deal of passion for
what is good and right in our community. I would think as a public servant that
those of you who are on the Erie planning commission and the trustees would
make decisions based upon what is best for all people you serve.
I would like to ask our Weld county sheriff, John Cooke, who upholds the
Weld County Sheriffs mission statement to "do the right thing, at the right time,
the right way for all the right reasons" whether you support a PUD of this density?
Citizens of Weld County are at risk of having taken from them the value of our
properties and our way of life as we know it. Do you, Mr. Cooke have a comment
about how this type of development will affect your ability to protect and serve
this corner of unincorporated Weld County?
I have included a number of different links below that highlight the federal
protection Act that exists for Bald and Golden Eagles, including a document that
defines an inactive nest has to be vacated through 5 breeding seasons. I have
also included information related to obtaining a permit necessary to destroy a
nest or foraging area.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/recovery/qandas.html
http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/22-27-removal-eagle-nests-300057142
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MidwestBird/EaglePermits/eaglenestpermit.hml
http://www.fsa.u sda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&su b iect=ecrc&topic=waf-ma
http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-71.pdf
http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmba.htm
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/eo13186.pd
It is common practice for county governments to annex property to
municipalities. I ask again, who is looking out for the well-being of the people
that already live here? Who is tasked with monitoring the existing neighborhood
developments that have not been accomplished per the approved plan?
Sarah Hodgson
David Albiero
Thomas Biecker
2604 CR 12,
Erie, CO 80516
303-885-6590
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Jennifer Fuller
Subject: FW:People's of the state of CO rights
Attachments: Our_rights.pdf;Population_statistics.pdf
From:Ripley Casdorph
Sent:Monday,June 25,2012 3:22 PM
To:sarahbhodason@ aol.com
Cc:Christie Peters
Subject:RE:People's of the state of CO rights
Sarah,
An email was sent to the county containing a word doc with a virus. I don't know if it was your intent or not. I
opened the two documents that appeared to be valid and converted them to pdf so that they are safe. I will
forward them to the contactweld email for you.
Thanks
Ripley Casdorph
Weld county Web Administrator
ACS, A Xerox Company
Phone: 970.304.6570 ext. 2553
Mobile: 970.381.0714
Confidentiality Notice:This electronic transmission and any attached documents or other writings are intended
only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,confidential
or otherwise protected from disclosure.If you have received this communication in error,please immediately
notify sender by return e-mail and destroy the communication.Any disclosure,copying,distribution or the
taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication or any attachments by anyone other than
the named recipient is strictly prohibited.
From:Sarah Hodgson[mailto:sarahbhodason(aaol.com]
Sent:Saturday,June 23,2012 4:05 PM
To:
Subject:People's of the state of CO rights
Dear All,
Please read the attached letter.To our elected officials,please respond to all.
Regards,
Sarah Hodgson
David Albiero
Thomas Biecker
2604 CR 12,
Erie,CO
303-885-6590
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