HomeMy WebLinkAbout740624.tiff larimer-weld regional planning commission
Room 201 at 201 East 4th Street, Loveland,Colorado
Zip Code 80537 Phone: (303) 667-3288
February 22, 1974
Mr. Fred Carpenter, Manager
Upper Thompson Sanitation District
P.O. Box 1998
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
Dear Fred:
Thank you for your thoughtful letter of February 19, 1974, concerning
your suggestions on possible objectives for the Council of Governments
during the year.
You have certainly offered some food for thought, and I will keep them
in mind as we progress through the year--thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Glenn K. Billings
Chairman
GKB/gc
740624
P.0.Box 1998
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
February 19, 1974
MR. GLENN BILLINGS, Chairman
Council of Governments (Larimer-Weld)
Suite 201
201 East 4th Street
Loveland, Colorado 80537
Dear Glenn:
Relative our conversation at the January meeting, may I take this opportunity
to encourage your efforts toward the following objectives afforded the Council
during these days of crucial policy formulation.
1. Land use should be primarily based upon water, and its use agriculturally.
Historically, good farm land has been "below the ditch," and irrigatable.
A determination will have to be made in the future relative acreage going
under large sprinklers. Basically, the legal structure of well adjudicaton
and regulation now provides the instrument through which land and surface
water can be best utilized. The determination to be made is then a matter
of enforcing land use policy, whatever its final form.
2. Since this region is dominated by the supply of water from the Western
Slope, it would certainly be more objective for the Council of Government
regions to be established on water drainages, rather than county lines.
It is difficult to argue that regional divisions should fall on the Con-
tinental Divide or County lines when so much depends upon the Colorado Big
Thompson Water Diversion Project.
Denver Metro has the same problem -- the "Western Slope" versus the "Eastern
Slope." In addition, the oil shale development will definitely affect our
access to future Western Slope water.
Time is of the essence in the establishment of a viable, cohesive, local
governmental agency for the benefit of the whole State and a strengthening
of local government. COG offers this opportunity.
3. With 6 million square feet of new office space becoming a reality in Denver,
thought and policy must be crystallized as to the future consequences
and their effects on Larimer and Weld Counties.
Public investment should be concentrated on improving urban infrastructure
such as roads , water, and sewerage, and all other utilities in order to
maximize best use of land.
MR. GLENN BILLINGS 2. February 19, 1974
The current Grubb and Ellis Company, Denver, survey indicates a unique
expansion exceeding any other in America.
Denver expansion will affect our COG region. "Bedroom" communities will
develop dictated by "commuter time" to house the 12,000 (est. ) workers
estimated to man the offices.
With 64% of the Denver families with incomes of $10,000.00 or more (See
1974 Denver Post Consumer Analysis Survey) coupled with air transportation
(Stapleton is one of the seven busiest airports in the U.S. ) the demand to
use agricultural land in Larimer and Weld counties cannot be underestimated.
With 20,000 acres of good agricultural land in Larimer County now con-
verted to urban development, the objectionable and adverse trend is clearly
indicated.
Basically, people move because of jobs and employment. Other nations
have found they can enhance land use patterns by relocating industry - thereby
using non-productive agricultural land and protecting the valuable resource
represented in good agricultural land.
With relocation of manufacturing and other industry to non-productive
rural areas , local cities can be developed, and tertiary industries will
grow up along side primary industries. As plants are built in rural commu-
nities , whether as industrial parks or individually, Those leaving agricul-
ture can readily find local employment. Having industry close to farms will
also contribute to higher productivity and better farm management.
4. Much effort and planning should be given highways and major arterials in
the Denver area. It is important that a "people mover" system be immediaely
planned to grow with Denver providing the beneficial results of the mega-
lopolis community and its economic base, without the plagues of congestion,
crime, pollution, and other popular ills of uncontrolled growth.
Yours very truly
44
red R. Carpenter
FRC:DS
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