County commissioners keep LaPorte advisory board

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

The group of LaPorte volunteers that serves as a link between the community and county government will remain in operation for at least another four years.

Following a sunset review of the LaPorte Area Planning Advisory Committee on Feb. 19, Larimer County Commissioners agreed the group will continue to review land use proposals for the area and relay concerns from local residents.

Noting that LaPorte is becoming a "hotbed for growth," LAPAC chairman Tim O'Hara said, "I feel this board is very valuable for speaking for the citizens."

The group recently completed an update of the LaPorte Area Plan, a two-year process that involved numerous meetings for local residents to reflect on what they want to see in LaPorte's future.

"I think citizens felt like they got a fair shake and had a lot of input," O'Hara said.

County planner Jill Bennett told the commissioners that "LAPAC is taken very seriously in LaPorte."

O'Hara noted that the volunteers serve as a buffer on controversial land use issues by getting answers to citizen questions before issues reach the county commissioners. Other government agencies also call on LAPAC to provide perspective on issues such as Dial-A-Ride service and water storage plans.

Commissioner Glenn Gibson said he is concerned that residents of LaPorte, which is not incorporated as a town, will want city services that the county cannot provide.

"You really need to start paying your own way," Gibson told the LAPAC members at the review meeting. "If you really want yourself to be a community, it's going to cost you."

For example, he said, the county has no funding for community centers or road improvements in LaPorte.

The county sheriff's department provides law enforcement for the community, and LaPorte area residents pay taxes to Poudre Fire Authority for fire protection.

O'Hara responded that at this time there are too few businesses to provide a tax base to support a town government.