Larimer County Parks Advisory Board to Consider Staff Recommendations on Big Thompson Properties at June 2011 Meeting

6/11/2011

As part of an ongoing process the Larimer County Parks Advisory Board will take public comment, input from county staff, and make recommendations to the Larimer County Commissioner concerning properties acquired after the 1970’s Big Thompson flood. The properties under consideration are

•Area 5 – Narrows
•Area 7 – Indian Village
•Area 12b – Drake – South of the bridge over the North Fork of the Big Thompson River
•Area 20 – Glen Haven Road – Large flat area
•Area 23 – Glen Haven - Bartel Parcel

Staff recommendations are:

Area 7 - Indian Village – County does not own river
1. Retain ownership of the County parcel along the river west of the drainage ditch for public access and parking.
2. Sell the small .3 acre parcel east of the drainage ditch to the adjacent owner as a non-buildable deed restricted sale and do not retain a buffer ownership above the top of the bank for public access. A fence will be placed east of the drainage ditch oriented north south separating this sale from the retained County ownership.
3. Sell the 2.5 acre parcel north of the Hwy. 34 to the adjacent owner as a non-buildable deed restricted sale.
4. Work with the City of Loveland for future public access to the river along the counties ownership including the portion of the river adjacent to the .3 acre parcel.

Area 5 – Narrows – Surveying is in process and nothing will be transferred until all surveying is complete.
1. Offer to sell the .58 acre triangle shaped parcel on a sealed bid basis to previous and adjacent owners as a non-buildable deed restricted sale. The bid will have a minimum amount established. The County will retain a 10’ wide fee simple ownership from the top of the bank to the north for public access.
2. After the sale of the .58 acre parcel above, propose a sealed bid offering process from all previous and adjacent landowners for the sale of the balance of the property north of the river. The bid will have a minimum amount established. The sale will be a non-buildable deed restricted sale and the County will retain a 10’ wide fee simple ownership from the top of the bank to the north for public access.
3. The County will retain full ownership of all lands within the river and the area commonly known as the Narrows Park south of the river.

Area 12b – Drake – South of the bridge over the North Fork of the Big Thompson River
Begin 60 day comment period
1. Staff recommends retaining the majority of this parcel for public access.
2. After 60 day comment period vote for formal PAB adoption as requested by the Loveland Fishing Club
3. Staff will be contacting adjacent landowners to inform and identify issues.

Area 20 – Glen Haven Road – Large flat area
Begin 60 day comment period
1. Staff recommends retaining the majority of this parcel for public access.
2. After 60 day comment period vote for formal PAB adoption as requested by the Loveland Fishing Club
3. Potential grazing lease opportunity
4. Staff will be contacting adjacent landowners to inform and identify issues.

Area 23 - Glen Haven - Bartel Parcel

Staff recommends that we enter into a contract for the sale of the Bartels parcel with Richard Bartel without the retention of public access to the property or the river. The sale price for the .7 acres is $10,700. The sale will be deed restricted, excluding the right to build any permanent structures, commercial use, overnight camping, and no storage of vehicles or equipment.

The Larimer County Parks Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Bison Visitor Center, 1800 S. County Road 31, Loveland, CO. For further information contact Gary Buffington, Natural Resources Director, 679-4560