Open space is under attach on Longmont’s southwest side

During the many decades I have lived in Boulder County, I have voted in favor of every open space initiative or extension thereof. I appreciate how open space and particularly conservation easements limit sprawl in Boulder County. But open space is once again under attack.

Bestall Collaborative is proposing a high-density development on open land outside of the Longmont city limits on the east side of Airport Road, between the southern end of the Clover Creek subdivision and the Diagonal Highway.

Longmont’s long range development plan has long identified this potential annexation as a

“Rural Neighborhood” with a density of “up to 1 unit per acre, but will typically be lower.” The Bestall project proposes over 400 residences on the 40-acre plot and includes three story condominium buildings. The Longmont Planning Department is already working with Bestall to change the land use designation to one that envisions up to 18 units per acre in parts of the development. Currently, there are just two homes on the entire 40-acre site. If built, the gentle shift from rural ambiance to residential neighborhoods as you enter Longmont from the southwest will be destroyed.

However, before this additional sprawl can be formally evaluated by Longmont for annexation, a Boulder County conservation easement attached to the property, called the Kanemoto Estates Easement, must be extinguished.

The Boulder County Planning Department and then the Boulder County Commissioners must agree to that extinguishment.

I oppose this plan. I urge Boulder County residents, both in and out of the city of Longmont, to oppose this action as well. Please contact Hannah Hippely with the Boulder County Planning Department at hhippely@ bouldercounty.org to indicate opposition and to be placed on the notice list of any Boulder County meetings regarding this conservation easement.

Let’s keep open space open. — Brian Jeffries,

Longmont