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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR04-021 Adopting Open Criteria Selection of Eligible Landsf Commissioner~~~~~~~ii~~~. moved adoption of the~following Resolution: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO RESOLUTION N0.2004- ~?.~/ RESOLUTION ADOPTING OPEN SPACE CRITERIA TO PRIORITIZE THE SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE LANDS FOR OPEN SPACE WHEREAS, on November 5, 2002, the voters of Eagle County approved County Ballot Referendum 1H which provides for an increase in county taxes (herein referred to as the "Open Space Tax") to establish earmarked funding for the purpose of acquiring, maintaining, or permanently preserving Open Space in Eagle County; and WHEREAS, on February 3, 2004, a resolution (Resolution No. 2004-015) approving the amendment and restatement of Resolution No. 2003-97, providing for the establishment of the Eagle County Open Space Program, Citizens' Open Space Advisory Committee and Eagle County Open Space Fund was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, County of Eagle, State of Colorado; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2004-015, within one hundred and twenty (120) days after its appointment, the Eagle County Open Space Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Open Space Advisory Committee" or "Committee") shall recommend to the Board of County Commissioners for the Board's adoption, criteria to prioritize the selection of eligible lands; and WHEREAS, the Open Space Advisory Committee has drafted criteria to prioritize the selection of eligible lands attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and WHEREAS, the Committee has reviewed the criteria and opined that the criteria is ready for recommendation for approval by the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO: THAT, the criteria to prioritize the selection of eligible lands for Open Space is hereby adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. THAT, The Board may amend or modify this Resolution or any condition or provision contained herein if the Board determines and declares that amending or modifying this Resolution is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. THAT, this Resolution is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare of the citizenry of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of Count commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held thisf~ay of February, 2004 O~ FJ~~F ~~ ~~ * ~~~~g~ ~ AT~ST: ~ ~ f ~'c'~c~aA~'~ erk to the Board of County r/ Commissioners COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO By and Through its BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS By Commissioned-=~ , econded adoption of the foregoing Resolution. The roll having been called, the vote s as follows: Commissioner Stone ~'~~~ ~.... = Commissioner Gallagher !,~~_ Commissioner Menconi ~`~~ This Resolution passed bye%~~~~,~~o~e of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. EXHIBIT A Eagle County Open Space Criteria For the Evaluation of Land Suitability, and the Prioritization of Potential Acquisitions Utilizing Eagle County Open Space Funds February, 2004 Criteria Summary No ranking of relative importance is inferred by the following order I. Scenic Landscapes and Vistas Preserve and protect Eagle County's outstanding natural beauty and visual quality II. Regional Heritage, Agriculture and Ranching Retain Eagle County's history, culture and agricultural land uses III. Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat and Migration Routes Set aside areas critical to the long term health and vitality of indigenous wildlife IV. Sensitive Lands & Environments Protect riparian areas, flood plains, and other sensitive, unique or endangered ecosystems or environments. V. Physical and Visual Buffers Promote community separation and distinction, and provide separation between developed areas and sensitive lands VI. Access to Streams, Rivers, Public Lands and Dispersed Recreation Opportunities Provide access to public lands, and improve opportunities for high quality dispersed recreation In-County Regional Weighting In recognition of 1) the elevated risk of loosing critical open space in areas subject to high development pressure; 2) the present-day economic realities of ranching, and the resulting risk of loosing significant elements of County's ranching heritage and culture, and; 3) the importance and sensitivity of the County's higher elevation environments and watersheds, three regions have been identified within which certain criteria will receive stronger, or "weighted", consideration. Those in-county regions are: Agriculture and Ranching Uses, DeveloRment Corridors and Upland Watersheds. Page 10 of this document summarizes the weighting of criteria within these "target" areas, and relevant information is also found in the left hand column of each criteria description on pages 3 through 8. Additional Criteria In addition to the above criteria, which will be used to evaluate qualities inherent to the land -its location, topography, size, vegetation, use, etc. -additional criteria will be used to evaluate the quality of the business transaction and other more or less subjective factors associated with the proposed acquisition. Those additional criteria include, but are not limited to, partnering, funding or other factors that would reduce the County's portion of the purchase cost, anticipated long term maintenance costs, conformance with County Master Plans, project urgency, property encumbrances, community support, potential educational benefits, and potential benefits of regional or state wide significance (see page 9). 2 Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score I. Scenic High (4 points): Relatively larger tract, the Landscapes size is significant relative to its location and and Vistas surrounding parcels. High visual exposure from primary highway or travel route. Factors: Outstanding and/or unique scenic quality of regional importance or scale. Contains Location prominent Eagle County features, ridgelines or Visibility landmark(s), strongly associated with Quality County's identity or sense of place. Land is Relative Contribution contiguous with other highly valued existing Contiguity or potential open space lands. Preservation Size (relative) enhances perceived and economic value to residents and tourists and supports the reasons for living/visiting here. Property generally undisturbed, in natural state. Long term visual Region Weighting benefits are free of potential obstruction from Factor: For this adverse uses on adjacent or surrounding Open Space Value properties. Geology and vegetation is stable. multiply the Point property an "in-holding" whose protection Score by the from development would greatly add to the Weighting Factor community and the open space surrounding it. shown for the Region in which this Project is located: Med (2 points): Significant visual exposure from secondary travel route. High visual Ag. and Ranching quality, diversity, contributes to community [x3] identity or sense of place. Contains prominent local features, ridgelines or local landmark(s). Development Corr. Of more local importance or scale. [x3 ] Upland Watershed Low (lpoint): Witnessed only from less [x2] traveled roads. Low visual diversity, interest. Disturbances or improvements on the land lessen scenic quality. Contribution to scenic quality in a very limited geographic area. NA (0 points: Land cannot be seen by the public, provides no contribution to the landscape. Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score II. Regional High (4 points): Historic working ranch with Heritage, long term viability. Large size (500 acres or Agriculture and greater). Extensive areas of pasture, irrigated Ranching land, prime soils. Productivity predominately rated as 10 or above according to the State of Factors: Colorado uniform productivity evaluation system, which includes assessment of water Agricultural quantity and availability. Site of significant production historical or cultural value. Preservation Economic enhances perceived and economic value to viability residents and tourists and supports the reasons Water rights Historic uses/ for living/visiting here. Senior water rights structures intended to stay with the land. Excellent water Relative total size delivery system. Contiguous to other ranches or and fraction that is protected open space. No present or proposed in production non-ranching businesses or activities that would diminish values important to open space preservation. Region Weighting Factor: For this Open Space Value Med (2 points): Working ranch of smaller scale. multiply the Point productivity predominately rated as 7 or above Score by the Weighting Factor according to the State of Colorado uniform shown for the productivity evaluation system. Long term Region in which this viability less certain. Adequate water, perhaps Project is located: less senior in right, will stay with the land. Historical or cultural value of less significance. Contiguous to other ranches or protected open Ag. and Ranching space. No adverse non-ranching activities that [x3] place or would potentially place ranching as a secondary activity on the land. Development Corr. [x3] Upland Watershed Low (1 pointZ Productivity predominately rated [x2] as 5 or below according to the State of Colorado uniform productivity evaluation system. Relatively small. Minimal water rights. Some history or cultural connection, but of minimal value NA (0 points Land with no ranching activities, agricultural production, or connection to Eagle County history Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score III. Wildlife, High (4 points): Relatively larger tract. Wildlife Habitat Contains significant mapped winter range or and Migration winter concentration areas for elk and deer. Routes Contains significant big game calving areas or migratory routes. Contains critical habitat, Factors: breeding or nesting areas for grouse, waterfowl, or raptors. Known presence of Quality of Habitat threatened or endangered species. Excellent Species species and habitat diversity. Has significant Intensity/type water in the form of streams, rivers, ponds or of use Contiguity to Other lakes for wildlife use. Is contiguous with other Sensitive Habitats existing or potential open space or public lands Size (relative) of importance to wildlife. Long term wildlife benefits are free of obstruction from potential uses on adjacent or surrounding properties. Region Weighting Factor: For this Open Space Value Med (2 points): High quality habitat, but land multiply the Point somewhat fractioned or isolated in nature. Score by the Used extensively by deer and elk as summer Weighting Factor shown for the range, but less in winter. Less species and/or Region in which this habitat diversity. Significant use by non- Project is located: game species. Ag. and Ranching [x3] Low (1 pointZ Only occasional use by non- game wildlife, little use by deer and elk. Poor Development Corr. diversity. Habitat disturbed/degraded by [x3] historic activities, uses, improvements. Upland Watershed [x3] NA (0 points): Little or no documented current use by, or value to, wildlife. Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score IV. Sensitive High (4 points): Large property, contains Lands & significant undisturbed areas designated Environments (mapped) as riparian or wetland, and/or areas within mapped flood plain. Significantly areas of potential geologic hazard. Contains ground Factors: water re-charge or surface source water areas. Contains outstanding example of native plant Riparian community, or known presence of rare and/or areas endangered plant species. Benefits are free of Floodplains obstruction from potential uses on adjacent or Geology surrounding properties. Protection would Watershed contribute to the long-term viability of larger characteristics Vegetation ecosystem. Is contiguous with other existing communities or potential open space or public lands. Sensitivity Contiguity Size (relative) Med (2 points): Smaller property, contains riparian, wetland or flood plain or geologic Region Weighting hazard areas, but to a lesser degree. Smaller Factor: For this pockets of rare, threatened or endangered Open Space Value vegetative species. Potential contribution to multiply the Point ground water/surface water quality, though Score by the Weighting Factor less significant. Less contiguity with other shown for the open space or public lands. Good example of Region in which this native plant community, some contribution to Project is located: viability of larger ecosystem. Ag. and Ranching Low (1 point): Limited amount of riparian, [x3l wetland or flood plain area. Vegetation previously disturbed, non-native. Does not Development Corr. contain threatened or endangered vegetative [x3] species. Isolated from existing or potential Upland Watershed open space or public lands. [x3] NA (0 points): No unique or endangered environments. No contribution to larger ecosystem, no wetlands or contribution to ground or surface water system Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score V. Physical and High (4 points):. Relatively large tract. Of Visual Buffers itself, or in combination with other contiguous open space lands, would provide significant Factors: separation between developed communities, promoting separate community identity and Position in distinction. Preservation would provide County separation between identified sensitive lands Proximity to and existing or proposed development areas. sensitive lands In close proximity to identified urban growth Master Plan boundary, or areas proposed for urban Contiguity Size (relative) development. Land is in natural state or generally undisturbed. If disturbed, needed Region Weighting restoration is economically viable. Factor: For this Open Space Value multiply the Point Med (2 points): Contribution to goal of Score by the separation still considerable but less Weighting Factor significant. Properly positioned, but shown for the somewhat isolated from development centers, Region in which this development corridors. Less contiguity with Project is located: other existing or potential open space tracts Ag. and Ranching that could contribute to creation of buffer. [xl] Development Corr. Low 1 point): Property properly positioned, [x3] but overall contribution would be minimal. Upland Watershed [xl] NA (0 points): Would provide no buffer. Evaluation Criterion Rating Point Score Weighted Score VI. Access to High 4 points): Acquisition would permit or Streams, Rivers, significantly improve access to area of high Public Lands and desirability and suitability for dispersed- Dispersed recreational uses. Negative consequences to Recreation sensitive lands or environments non-existent, Opportunities or easily mitigated. On primary travel route, close to a community center, sufficient parking would be available. Proposed or existing Factors: dispersed-recreational use compatible with uses on surrounding properties, and not Existing access threatened by potential uses on adjacent lands Need for access that would diminish its value. Necessary Desirability improvements /maintenance /monitoring Sensitivity of projected to be reasonable, within budget. resource Maintenance Region Weighting Med (2 oip nts): Access already exists but Factor: For this would be improved or enhanced. Target use Open Space Value area less desirable, less utilized. Land suitable multiply the Point but less durable, considerable care J expense Score by the required to avoid impacts to sensitive lands/ Weighting Factor environments. Located on secondary travel shown for the route, some distance from a community center, Region in which this sufficient parking would be available. More Project is located: difficult to monitor. Ag. and Ranching [x2) Low (1 point): Adequate access already exists. Area is not desirable. Development of Development Corr. access would be overly expensive. Remote [x3) location. Environmental or maintenance costs would be prohibitively high. Dispersed Upland Watershed recreation use problematic given sensitivity of [xl] land. Other open space values would be materially compromised by dispersed- recreational use. NA (0 points): Would provide no access. Recreational uses are not available. Additional Criteria and Considerations A. Factors Favoring Land Protection, including but not limited to: • Discounts other funding_partnerships, land donation, and/or endowment contributions favorably reduce the County's portion of the purchase cost. • Land or development rights acquisition is supported by the intent and purposes of applicable Eagle County Master Plan documents. • Development of theproperty, to a degree that open space values would be significantly compromised, is imminent. • The subiect pro~erty is the only remaining or one of a very few remaining, opportunities to protect open space of its kind • Preservation would provide unique educational opportunities • The project sets positive precedent for open space preservation values and objectives, and may motivate other landowners to consider preservation alternatives. • There is wide-spread communitysupport for the project. • The project has significant benefit on a regional or state-wide basis. • The property is not negatively encumbered by mineral ri hts, ri hts of wav or easements. • The long term cost of maintaining and/or monitoring the land is expected to be reasonably low. B. Factors Weighing Against Land Protection, including but not limited to: • The cost to the Count is not reasonable. • Land or development rights acquisition would be in conflict with the intent and purposes of applicable Eagle County Master Plan documents. • There is not an urgent need for preservation at this time, as development that would result in open space values being significantly compromised is improbable. • The property is significantly burdened by environmental hazards (chemicals) or other waste or refuse. • There is significant public op osp ition to the transaction. • Mineral rights, rights of wav or easements place the property at risk for future resource extraction or other improvements that would diminish open space values. • The project sets negative precedent relative to open space preservation initiatives and values. • The long term cost of maintaining and/or monitoring the land is expected to be unreasonably high. 9 ~. Summary of Criteria-Weighted Regions For Lands within Historic Agriculture and Ranching Use Areas: Points Criteria and weight factor High Med Low Regional Heritage, Agriculture [x3] 12 6 3 Scenic Landscapes and Vistas [x3] 12 6 3 Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat [x3] 12 6 3 Sensitive Lands and Environments [x3) 12 6 3 Access, Dispersed Recreation [x2] 8 4 2 Physical and Visual Buffers [xl] 4 2 1 For Lands within Development Corridors: Criteria and weight factor Scenic Landscapes and Vistas [x3] Regional Heritage, Agriculture [x3] Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat [x3] Physical and Visual Buffers [x3] Sensitive Lands and Environments [x3] Access, Dispersed Recreation [x3] For Lands within Upland Watersheds: Criteria and weight factor Sensitive Lands and Environments [x3] Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat [x3] Scenic Landscapes and Vistas [x2] Regional Heritage, Agriculture [x2] Physical and Visual Buffers [xl] Access, Dispersed Recreation [x 1 ] Points High Med Low 12 6 3 12 6 3 12 6 3 12 6 3 12 6 3 12 6 3 Points High Med Low 12 6 3 12 6 3 8 4 2 8 4 2 4 2 1 4 2 1 10 The foregoing criteria have been reviewed and recommended for approval by The Eagle County Citizens' Open Space Advisory Committee. Da ~ `G7G~s/. THE EAGL~COUN SPACES :%`SORY j By: ~ ~~ ~ Ron Wolfe, Chair CITIZENS' OPEN EAGLE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF ~c~~ a~ ~'~~ COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ~ ~ ~~~'~ By: * coLORP~°* Tom C. Stone, Chairman ATTEST: ' ea J. Simonton, Clerk o the Board of County Commissioners