July 2014 Recap – In and Around Jeffco Open Space

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Well, since I don’t monitor the news feeds every day, there’s a lot that I’ve missed…but this is what I’ve been able to glean as I career through my work-week. Please feel free to participate by commenting on the events and adding things that I’ve just plain missed.

Cheers,

Michelle

 Golden Gets Grant For West 44th Avenue Trail (Golden Transcript, July 1st, 2014):

“The City of Golden received a $210,386 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) in order to build the West 44th Avenue Trail. Partnering with Jefferson County Parks and Open Space, the City of Golden applied for the grant through GOCO’s Path to Parks Program in March…”

Read the whole story at http://goldentranscript.net/stories/Golden-Awarded-grant-to-build-West-44th-Avenue-Trail,160956?

 

Team Evergreen Proposes Bike Series in Jeffco Open Space (Canyon Courier, July 23rd, 2014):

“Members of Team Evergreen Cycling are exploring the possibility of holding biking events at Jefferson County open space parks. The Mountain Bike Series of the organization would raise funds for trail construction and renovation, said Tom Hoby, director of Jeffco Parks and Open Space.’’

Read the whole story at http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/team-evergreen-proposes-mountain-bike-series-jeffco-open-space (subscription may be required)

 

Working Group Recommends Arvada Site for Outdoor Shooting Range in Jeffco (Canyon Courier, July 23rd, 2014):

“A working group charged with finding an acceptable location for an outdoor public shooting range in Jefferson County has narrowed the choices to a former quarry in Arvada or another site within that city.

Tom Hoby, Jefferson County Parks and Open Space director, said issues regarding proximity to residents and impacts on natural resources have made the selection process difficult, during a presentation about the shooting-range study to the Jeffco Open Space Advisory Committee on July 10…”

Read the whole story at http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/working-group-recommends-arvada-site-outdoor-shooting-range-jeffco (subscription may be required)

[This section of the article has me a little concerned…] Hoby said that a funding source for the shooting range has not been determined, but it would possibly be a public-private enterprise. If the county commissioners decide to move forward with the project, grants would be pursued along with proceeds from the state lottery, he said.

Development cost for the facility is estimated at $200,000 to $1 million, plus operational, insurance and staff costs, Hoby said.

If the county commissioners decide to hire a consultant to work on the shooting-range project, Hoby said he would recommend that the cost be shared between the county and open space.

Hoby is planning to present the working group’s finding and recommendations to Jeffco commissioners on July 22.  [Note that BCC meetings most often take place at 8AM…but check the website http://jeffco.us/bcc/meetings/ for a full schedule]

Most members of the Open Space Advisory Committee listened quietly to Hoby’s presentation on the shooting range.

However, committee member Tookie Nemchak expressed concern about a perception that the shooting range may be an open-space project.

“The public is going to think this is an initiative we have undertaken. That’s a shame,” Nemchak said.

 

Neglected Trails in No-Man’s Land (YourHub, July 24th, 2014):

“JEFFERSON COUNTY —At the Morrison exit of Interstate 70, signs direct travelers to a point of geological interest. But anyone who follows the signs finds destruction and neglect, and local agencies do not seem to know who is responsible for addressing the situation…”

Read the whole story at http://www.denverpost.com/News/ci_26194768/Dinosaur-Ridge-trails-near-Morrison-showing-signs-of-vandals-neglect

[Is this an example of left-hand, right-hand, and no one really knows what’s going on?]

Representatives of CDOT initially said the path was likely part of Jefferson County Open Space, but that agency’s communication manager said the trail is not within its park system and, if it were, it would be better maintained.

The property likely does fall within CDOT right-of-way, public information officer Bob Wilson said after looking into the situation further.

Wilson said that if CDOT does conclude that the trails are its responsibility, it will look into the next steps toward maintaining the property.

Group Earns Oil Income Despite Pledge on Drilling

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This is a link to a disturbing article in the New York Times about the Nature Conservancy. I’m not sure what to make of it; I’d appreciate your feedback. Read the article and comment on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/PLAN-Jeffco/129286367169585

Changes to Zoning Resolution Section 35, Drilling & Production of Oil & Gas

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I suspect this update to our zoning regulations is in response to the recent Colorado Legislature ruling which stated that city and county regulations cannot override State. That was specifically in regard to fracking, but our county, ever on the leading edge of caving in to big industry, is obviously ready to fold. Read for yourself the the red-lined regulation with proposed changes: ZR Section 35 D&P O&G 073114 draft 14_107842AM

and the email cover letter follows. If you have any concerns regarding these changes to the drilling offsets from residences, or any of the other proposed changes, please contact Patrick O’Connell at poconnel@jeffco.us or 303-271-8707, and plan to submit comments by August 13, 2014. If you plan to attend the hearings, the Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm, and the Board of County Commissioners hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2014 at 8:00 am.

From: Pat OConnell [mailto:poconnel@co.jefferson.co.us]
Sent: Friday, 01 August, 2014 11:16 AM
Subject: Jefferson County Zoning Resolution Section 35, Drilling and Production of Oil and Gas, Proposed Amendments – Case No. 14-107842AM

The County is proposing changes to the Zoning Resolution, Section 35, Drilling And Production of Oil And Gas

Jefferson County staff is drafting an amendment to Section 35 of the Zoning Resolution regarding the Drilling And Production of Oil And Gas. This Section is being amended to clarify the process for drilling and production of oil and gas in different zone districts and to address the discrepancies between setback requirements with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules and regulations.  The setbacks are being amended to match those in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules and regulations.

The remarked version for the following Section is available for public review and comment, Case Number 14-107842AM:

  • Zoning Resolution – Section 35 – Drilling And Production of Oil And Gas

Information can also be found on the Regulation Revision webpage which can found here: http://jeffco.us/planning-and-zoning/regulations/regulation-revision/

For more information contact Patrick O’Connell at poconnel@jeffco.us or 303-271-8707.

Please submit comments by August 13, 2014. Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm. The Board of County Commissioners hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2014 at 8:00 am. Both hearings will be held in Hearing Room 1 of the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden. Public testimony is encouraged at both hearings.

Pat OConnell, poconnel@co.jefferson.co.us

“50 Years of Conserving America the Beautiful”

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The LWCF (Land & Water Conservation Fund) coalition published a report July 23, Land & Water Conservation Fund 50 Years of Conserving America the Beautiful, under the signatures of former Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar and Beveridge & Diamond PC Senior Counsel Henry Diamond.  The report is available at: http://lwcfcoalition.org/

front and center on the home page. Click the link on that page to download a PDF copy of the report, or Click here to view the 50th Anniversary Report of LWCF