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HomeMy WebLinkAbout972217.tiff I GRIFFITHS & TANOUE, P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW BLAKE STREET TERRACE TEL. (303) 298-1601 1860 BLAKE STREET, SUITE 550 FAX (303) 298-1627 DENVER, COLORADO 80202 E-MAIL grifftan@msn.com September 23 , 1997 - VIA FACSIMILE Mayor Edward Tagliente Board of Trustees Town of Frederick P.O. Box 435 Frederick, CO 80530 Re : Proposed Annexations to the Town of Frederick of Properties Adjacent to Road 20 Ladies and Gentlemen: We are the attorneys for the Town of Firestone . I am writing to state that Firestone respectfully objects to the following proposed annexations to the Town of Frederick: the Haley Land Company, LLC Parcel 2 annexation; the Solomon 77, LLC annexation; the Del Camino South, LLC annexation; the Duering/Modrall East Parcel (#1) annexation; and the Johnson Farms annexation. Firestone objects to these annexations for the following reasons : 1 . The parcels to be annexed are within the Town of Firestone' s municipal service area and primary growth area, as defined by the Town of Firestone' s Comprehensive Plan. 2 . These annexations conflict with the Town of Firestone' s position--and the County Commissioners previously expressed views--that Road 20 is a natural dividing line between the two municipalities . Also, these annexations to Frederick do not further the objectives of the Interim Coordinated Planning Agreement, including the objective to "achieve maximum efficiency and economy in the process of development . " They also violate Frederick' s policy of encouraging infill development, as stated in Policy 1 . 2 of its Comprehensive Plan. 3 . The above-mentioned parcels to be annexed are either adjacent to Road 20 , or will be primarily served by Road 20 east of I- 25 . The County Commissioners by voluntary petition annexed this portion of Road 20 to Firestone. Given that this is a Firestone street, the proposed annexations north of Road 20 and the Frederick boundary are not "reasonably contiguous in fact" as contemplated by the Interim Coordinated Planning Agreement . This language in the IGA requires Frederick to -T�Jv" C (`�� 2Lr ; /9L�'44) CA 972217 GRIFFITHS & TANOUE, P.C. Mayor and Trustees Town of Frederick September 23 , 1997 Page 2 examine contiguity in a broader context than simply whether contiguity may be achieved as a technical matter under the Municipal Annexation Act . Frederick should honor Road 20 as a dividing line between the municipalities . 4 . If Frederick chooses not to honor this line, it must adequately considered the impacts of development on the Town of Firestone road system. It has not yet done so. In particular, if the parcels are annexed to Frederick, the two Towns must establish mechanisms to ensure adequate improvements to and maintenance of Road 20 . To the extent Frederick' s annexations and developments increase road impacts . Frederick must ensure dedication of sufficient right-of-way and a coherent transportation access plan. Owners of these parcels will be required to obtain access permits from Firestone . Firestone will not rubber stamp access permits for plats that Frederick approves; rather, Firestone will issue permits in accordance with the Access Code and the reasonable access requirements of state law. Firestone encourages and invites early discussion of these issues . 5 . As with the No Name Creek Estates annexation, it is imperative that Frederick, prior to annexation, adequately address the technical and financial aspects of providing utilities and other services, such as potable water, fire flows, sanitary sewer (including any necessary lift stations) , stormwater drainage, road improvements, and police protection. As stated with regard to the No Name Creek Estates annexation, Firestone does not provide water service to property outside its boundaries . Firestone remains concerned that Frederick' s water system cannot provide effective or economic water service to these annexation parcels . 6 . Sewer service issues must also be adequately addressed. Certain parcels are not within the boundaries of either the Tri-Area Sanitation District or the St . Vrain Sanitation District . Services to some parcels by the Tri-Area District would require a lift station, and it is not clear whether this District would allow lift stations . 7 . For the Haley 1, Haley 2 and Del Camino South annexations, the legal descriptions in the maps, petitions, and resolutions of substantial compliance do not match. While the difference appears to be between aliquot and metes and bound descriptions of each parcel, it is not certain whether the two in fact match or, if not, whether there are significant discrepancies . GRIFFITHS & TANOUE, P.C. Mayor and Trustees Town of Frederick September 23 , 1997 Page 3 8 . It does not appear that there exists annexation impact reports which contain all of the maps, documents and other information required by C.R. S . §31-12-108 . 5 . Further, as of 23 days prior to the hearing, the impact report to be prepared by the Town was not yet available at the Frederick Town Hall . 9 . It does not appear that there exists an annexation plan which contains all information required by C.R. S . §31-12-105 (1) (e) . In addition to the objections listed above, the Town reserves the right to raise additional objections at the hearing, and to object to matters raised or made known at or after the hearing. The Town requests that this letter be made a part of the record for the public hearing on these annexations . At a most basic level, the Town of Frederick should ask whether these proposed annexations, and particularly those north of Road 20, conform to Frederick' s Comprehensive Plan, benefit the citizens of Frederick, and comply with the Interim Coordinate Planning Agreement . We believe Frederick' s annexation of these parcels will not meet these criteria and will only generate undesirable impacts . The Town of Firestone respectfully requests the Town of Frederick deny the requests for annexation or, at a minimum, delay action on the petitions until Firestone, Frederick, Weld County and other service providers can discuss and coordinate annexation, access, and service policies with respect to these parcels . The Town of Firestone strongly believes such actions would lead to stronger intergovernmental relationships and foster smart, coordinated responses to the increasing development in our area. Sincerely, GRIFFITHS & TANOUE, P.C. By: ,�frL141l/. /l�C! Samuel J.(Light , �<<I SJL: lab cc : Mayor and Trustees of the Town of Firestone Weld County Board of County Commissioners Donald Sandoval, Division of Local Government Trudy Peterson, Firestone Town Clerk Bruce Nickerson, Firestone Town Planner 092397/1446[latic:\Fireston\Annex.ltr Hello