**WITHDRAWN** Spring Valley Ranch Amendment + PUD
**IMPORTANT UPDATE: Spring Valley Holdings, LLC has withdrawn their Substantial PUD Amendment AND has made it known that they will seek rezoning from the current PUD to rural.
The Coalition considers the withdrawn amendment a win, but it certainly does not represent the end of concerns about ensuring responsible development over time in both Spring Valley and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. The Coalition will continue to play a supportive role for other area groups focused on healthy growth for our community at large, and we will continue to monitor future plans for Spring Valley specifically.
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JOIN THE SPRING VALLEY COALITION
We need the entire community to be active and concerned about the impacts of irresponsible development in our rural places. Help us preserve vital natural resources, protect wildlife habitat, ensure our community’s safety and encourage responsible growth that does not destroy the heritage and character of our Western Slope way of life.
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A Winter View of Spring Valley from Above
THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS
Spring Valley Ranch Development
The immediate concerns related to the Spring Valley Ranch PUD amendment have been resolved, with the current property owner, Spring Valley Ranch Holdings, LLC, withdrawing the amendment, which they inherited from the previously interested developer, Storied Development.
You Should be Concerned...
Although the initial concerns about an egregiously inappropriate development proposal have been withdrawn, all future development and growth within Spring Valley should be a concern to monitor. In recent years, the Roaring Fork Valley has experienced unprecedented growth and development. Wildland areas have increasingly been encroached upon by housing and commercial developments, with negative consequences for both wildlife and human residents. The Spring Valley Coalition strongly opposes development that negatively impacts our local wildlife habitat, land and water resources, transportation infrastructure, and the distinctive rural character of Garfield County. We want to ensure that our valleys evolve cautiously and with as much preservation as possible, while still allowing for needed growth and change.
THE LONGTERM MISSION
Preserve Rural Garfield County
There are generations of locals whose ancestors settled this area, and many more who have migrated here over the recent decades. If you plant your roots here, you understand the value of preserving what is left of it’s resources and fragile environment.
The Spring Valley Coalition is a community-based organization representing the shared interests of a diverse group of stakeholders who oppose the Spring Valley Ranch planned development project and other development efforts that threaten the quality of life for current residents of the county and region. Our members include property owners, ranchers, environmental groups, and concerned citizens. We are a multifaceted group welcoming anyone and everyone interested in preserving the unique features and fragile environment of our Garfield County communities.
Our Mission...
We are a grassroots alliance seeking to unite Garfield County and neighboring communities to safeguard Spring Valley, the Roaring Fork Valley, and the Western Slope of Colorado from negative development impacts and irresponsible resource use. We value sustainable land management that will preserve water and prevents wildfire, and we adamantly oppose anything that threatens the rural infrastructure, serene character and safety of the citizens or wildlife already here.
Key Concerns
Although the Spring Valley Ranch PUD has been abandoned, we continue to be concerned about all of the following related to growth and development throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and Western Colorado.
Depleting Water+Land Resources
The planned development intends to use 1,000,000 gallons of water per day during the summer and almost as much in winter for snowmaking on a private south facing ski hill. The frivalous use of water for private recreational uses in a region that already has inter-state water shortages, and existing public recreational facilities for golf and skiing is irresponsible and wasteful. Additionally, there are local homeowners in the valley who already experience reduced water production during dry summers.
Destroying Critical Habitat
Wildlife, including (but certainly not limited to) migratory birds, turkey, bear, mountain lions, bobcat, coyotes, deer and elk, will be displaced and significantly strained as their habitat is disrupted. Currently, the Spring Valley area provides winter and summer range for the local mule deer and a sizable elk herd, and condensed development in the planned areas will interfere substantially with migration and calving. As well as causing imbalance through the entire ecosystem.
SPOIL OUR RURAL CHARACTER
The Roaring Fork Valley has long been a rural area with a rich agricultural history and ranching heritage. Despite its proximity to Aspen, Garfield County has maintained its local charm and rural identity, and has largely avoided the second-home market which threatens to overuse resources and change the physical charm of the area. This new development is inconsistent with the character of our community and would be prioritizing out of state interests ahead of the quality of life for the current locals and residents.
Overburdening Infrastructure
As a result of this new development, the average daily traffic count traveling CMC road (CR 114) is estimated to increase to 5,703 new vehicle trips/weekday. This increased traffic will exacerbate already serious safety issues on Highway 82 and the intersections at County Roads 110/113, 114, and 115, as well as cause serious wear and tear. In addition, CR 114 is the primary evacuation route when another wildfire occurs in the Spring Valley area, and the associated traffic from this development will create congestion and significant safety issues in the event of an evacuation.
Worsening the Housing crisis
This new development, with its target market of exclusive second-home owners, is selling a custom built lifestyle and private amenities that do little to help improve the county’s affordable housing issues. Meanwhile the estimated $2M lots and $5-8M homes that the developer is hoping to promote will continue to drive up property values and taxes in an area already facing a critical housing and labor shortage.
We Have the Power to Impact Our Future, Join Us In Doing Something
Take Action – Get Involved
We need extensive community support to display to the county commissioners that the proposed development in Spring Valley is not healthy for the citizens, landscape or wildlife of Garfield County. Each person can make a difference by speaking up. Please TAKE ACTION in any of the following ways.
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Write the County Commissioners
They need to know what the community thinks and how this will negatively impact safety, resources, and quality of life for citizens and wildlife.
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It takes a village…we need ideas, perspectives, contacts, and people who care working to mitigate the impacts of irresponsible development plans.
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“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use our natural resources, but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.”
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