Pot Belly plan raises concern

By Linda Bell
Red Feather Lakes Correspondent

About 80 residents of Red Feather Lakes packed the newly remodeled Pot Belly Restaurant on St. Patrick's Day for a contentious community meeting about a plan to build an amphitheater on the property.

Owner Steve Kolle told the crowd that he envisions a large fenced area on his property with a permanent covered stage for afternoon concerts, cowboy poetry readings or plays. Family-oriented events would be scheduled once a month during the summer. The Pot Belly would serve food and bottled beverages to the crowd--as many as 4,000--and provide adequate off-road parking and sanitary facilities. Kolle said lights would not be necessary since all the events will take place in daylight.

Kolle confirmed he has already contracted with Charlie Daniels, a country western singer and band, for a June 26 concert beginning at 6 p.m. He said he could request a onetime event permit from the county for this concert and rent equipment if his request for a permanent amphitheater is not approved. Kolle told residents that if they are opposed to an events site, he wouldn't build it, but he has to make the commercially taxed land pay its way.

Larry Peterson, who owns 11 acres adjacent to the restaurant and favors the project, said Kolle will use his land for parking and may buy it in the future.

Larimer County required a neighborhood meeting as part of Kolle's application to the county board of adjustment for a special exception from zoning regulations to build the amphitheater. In addition to his concerts, Kolle said the facility could be rented to the community for events throughout the summer months.

The board of adjustment hearing was not set at press time. A date will be announced in the May paper. Kolle must convince four of five board members to grant the variance if he is to proceed with his plans.

Planner Casey Stewart said board approval could also include a wide variety of conditions such as limits on operating hours and numbers of vehicles parked at the site.

If either Kolle or other Red Feather residents don't like the board's decision, their next option is to file an appeal in district court, Stewart said.

At the March meeting in Red Feather Lakes, residents raised questions about noise, trespassing, sanitation, property values, increased traffic, law enforcement, and most of all, increased fire danger from people who might use cigarettes or campfires irresponsibly. Steve Robinson, chief of the Red Feather Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, stated that he didn't think the volunteer department could support the venture, especially in a bad fire season.

Local resident Tom Barker passed out flyers listing specific concerns in having a concert site in Red Feather Lakes and encouraged residents to voice their opinions by either writing or calling the county's board of adjustment.

Further details about this project will be posted at the Red Feather Lakes Post Office and other public places, Kolle said.

Tess Heffernan, a professional mediator who conducted the meeting, said the large number of people who turned out surprised her. As an impartial witness, part of her job is to report back to the county on the nature of the meeting.