RFL to weigh in on land plan

By Linda Bell
Correspondent

The Red Feather Lakes Planning Advisory Committee is coming closer to consensus on a revised draft area plan that will be presented to residents during a community meeting on June 3 at the Property Owners Association building in the village.

Using an open house format from 1:30 to 4 p.m., the Larimer County planning staff will have displays that highlight key elements of the draft plan. Participants will be asked to comment on the ideas, and there will be discussion sessions on community issues.

County planners will eventually look to a final version of this area plan for guidance when applications for future development are submitted or variances are requested within the plan's boundaries. The plan is expected to provide planning guidance for at least 20 years.

The main point of debate for PAC members is the direction future business growth should take in the village so that it can maintain its present characteristics and dramatic natural vistas, often referred to by county officials as the view-shed. The PAC agreed to expand the perimeter area around the present historic Red Feather Lakes Village business district for potential commercial zoning.

PAC member Dennis Frydendall pointed out that water and sewer in the core historic business district would have to be expanded to support future commercial growth, while if adequate water and sewer were first established elsewhere, new growth - especially commercial - would naturally follow that lead.

The question of future business, public or residential development along either side of the County Road 74E corridor is an area where the PAC is proceeding cautiously and with more restrictions on the visual impacts of such growth. The current zoning along the corridor is O-Open. Some residential, business and two church properties already occupy the north side of the corridor, and a church and several residences are located to the south. Much of the area along the south corridor is designated wetlands, and development is not an option.

A final form of a revised draft plan will be hammered out at the May 11 PAC meeting in anticipation of sharing it with the entire community on June 3. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend all PAC meetings, scheduled the second Thursday of the month beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the POA building.

The PAC is an outgrowth of several community meetings held the summer of 2004 that proved the community wanted some kind of land-use plan in place to guide future growth in the area.

In October 2004 the county commissioners officially designated the Red Feather Lakes Plan Area and appointed 13 PAC members. The planning area includes the Red Feather Lakes Fire Protection District, adjacent undeveloped private land, and the land around the public fishing areas at Dowdy and Parvin Lakes.

Further background, plan updates and maps of the area can be accessed on the Larimer County web site at www.larimer.org/redfeather. The revised draft plan will be on the site as soon as it is ready, well in advance of the June community meeting.