This project is a bad idea for this location, is fundamentally flawed, and does not serve the greater civic good. Having said that, however, this society wishes to make it clear that it is not opposed to “development” or “progress” per se. Rather, we believe that any fitting and appropriate development must harmonize with currently viable and substantially well-established surrounding lands, and be representative of honorable intentions. This proposed project does not and cannot so harmonize, and it runs counter to the basic spirit and essence of the area. Surrounding land usage ranges from ranches to rural residential to agriculturally based rural church settings to conservation easements. Hundreds of lives and scores of homes and businesses that rely upon the existing agricultural zoning for their livelihoods, life-style, and well-being would be undermined and detrimentally affected by the proposed concert venue.
The project is ill advised on these merits alone. Furthermore, any one of the following points, by themselves, could also easily justify dismissal of this proposal: 1) Traffic issues are crucial and substantial. A CDOT “level of service” rating of “F” is predicted by the applicant’s own study; 2) This project repeatedly violates the Larimer County Master Plan in several areas of established public policy; 3) The property rights of the many are threatened by the presumed rights of the one, seeking to develop indiscriminately; 4) Tourist zoning drastically increases the probability of unintended consequences down the road. Serenade Park wishes to sell alcohol, and the inevitable problems created by inebriated concert-goers would unnecessarily strain fire, ambulance, and police services; 5) Wildlife and the environment would suffer deleterious and long lasting impacts; 6) Infrastructure issues of water, sewage, natural gas and road expansion are extensive. The project demand on some services would create an unneeded drain upon the already increasing demand for these services elsewhere in the county; 7) County taxpayers would inevitably have to foot the bill. The small amount of revenue garnered from the project would not offset the increased burden of additional money, manpower, and services required to accommodate Serenade Park; 8) Noise and light pollution would greatly diminish the quality of life for the many people who have been living in the area for decades; 9) Finally, the scenic quality and character of the Rock Ridge scenic corridor and the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon would be forever lost.
In closing, we would underscore the plain fact that there is absolutely no shared communityneed for a major commercial amphitheater - a “Red Rocks of the North” - in a rural setting,especially one that lacks the infrastructure to support it. This is truly a beachhead moment,a turning point, for Larimer County. “Up-zoning” the current agricultural zoning would establish an unnecessary and irresponsible precedent for future zoning “erosion,” not just in this area, but in all other similarly zoned properties in the county.
The outline below provides further expansion on these main points. This summary, however, is designed to ask that the Planning Commission and County Commissioners take a look at the “big picture” and to see how much is at stake here, both for county residents and for any visitors seeking to access Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. In sum, we simply ask that an approach rooted in integrity, decency, and basic common sense be utilized in assessing and objectively examining this proposal, and encourage the same perspective and methodology be shared by others. If it is, then this re-zoning effort will not prevail. Please do not let this defective and selfish, albeit ambitious proposal backed by large funding and slick marketing deter you from your own honest and thoughtful consideration of its grave consequences. Thank you for your consideration and interest. (more...)
