As an opposer to the Spring Valley Ranch PUD Amendment the Spring Valley Coalition is writing to invite you to two important upcoming meetings.

On Wednesday, September 11th,  

at 6 pm in the CMC-Spring Valley, Ascent Center, Room 120 , the Spring Valley Coalition will host a planning meeting sharing the most up to date information on the Spring Valley Ranch PUD.  All community members who are opposed to the SVR substantial PUD Amendment are invited to discuss their thoughts and ideas.  This is your opportunity to be involved and have an impact at the September 25th Garfield County Planning Commission meeting.  Additionally, this discussion will assist with preparation for the upcoming Board of County Commissioners meeting.  The date of the BOCC Meeting has yet to be determined.

On Wednesday, September 25th,

at 6 pm in the County Administration Building, 108 8th Street, Glenwood Springs, Meeting Room 100 the Planning Commission is holding a public meeting regarding the Spring Valley Development. Your in-person attendance has a significant impact.  Please review the attached document.  It contains information on how we can have the maximum impact on the process prior to and during the Planning Commission meeting.  If you are interested in greater involvement, please let us know.  

Community involvement is essential for a positive outcome.

★ What is the proposed “Spring Valley Ranch PUD”
Storied Development, a Georgia-based development firm, is proposing a luxury private golf/ski community on 5,900 acres of the Spring Valley Ranch area in unincorporated Garfield County. The Planned Unit Development (PUD) will include 577 high-end homes, two private golf courses, a private ski hill, clubhouse, restaurant, fitness center, and retail stores. The application is currently under review by the Garfield County Planning Commission.

★ Date and Time of the Planning Commission Meeting

The Date of the Garfield County Planning Commission's Hearing of the Spring Valley Ranch (SVR) Substantial PUD Amendment has been released. The Commission will hear the PUD Amendment submittal on Wednesday, September 25th at 6 PM in the County Administration Building, Commissioner’s Meeting Room, Rm 100, 108 8th Street Glenwood Springs

★ Attend the meeting:

One of the best things we can do is to “Pack the Room”. It is critical that as many individuals as possible attend the Planning and BOCC Commissioners meetings. This will make it obvious that our friends and neighbors feel that this development will have significant negative regional impact and has generated widespread geographic
community concern. Bring homemade protest signs stating your position.

★ Share your concerns:

If you are so inclined, share your opinion of the Spring Valley Ranch Development at the meetings. Members of the community are allotted 3 minutes to express their concerns. One can “donate” their time to another speaker if said individual requires additional time to express their concerns. If your comments require more than 3 minutes, have another Garfield County resident accompany you to the meeting to “cede” their time. There are multiple topics that need to be discussed. (See below) Please pick one and prepare to share your thoughts.

★ What happens next:

Once the meeting(s) are concluded, which may take multiple sessions, the Planning
Commission votes. The results of the vote are conveyed to the Board of County
Commissioners. The BOCC holds separate public meeting(s) to hear from concerned citizens prior to making a final decision. There is a minimum 30 day window between the Planning Commission decision and the County Commissioners initial meeting.

★ How can I help?

Reach out to the Community Development/Planning Division and/or members of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to express your concerns as they relate to the Spring Valley Ranch PUD. This can be done in writing or via telephone. (Planning Division) Allow a minimum of two weeks for your written communication to be distributed and evaluated by the Planning Commission/BOCC. In the case of the Planning Commission's meeting I am suggesting that you submit your concerns no later than September 11th.  The same 2 week timeline goes for reaching out to the County Commissioners prior to their meeting. 

Contact one or more of the local news outlets (Newspapers/Radio etc.) and/or elected officials and express your opinion. You can use the same letter that you used as a Letter to the Editor etc. and send it to the Garfield County Commissioners and Community Development Commission expressing your opinion.

Join the Spring Valley Coalition (www.springvalleycoalition.com) and/or sign the petition opposing the Spring Valley Ranch. Reach out to your neighbors, family and friends to ask them to do the same. If this is an important issue to you and your way of life, share those feelings in as many ways as possible.

★ Educate yourself:

Delve into the data that the Planning Commission and the County Commissioners will be evaluating, use this link: Spring Valley Ranch PUD. The Narrative report and the Referral Comments are two excellent places to start. Remember, most of the material in the SVR PUD Submittal is supplied by the Developer and likely has a bias supporting their position.

★ Spring Valley Ranch Issues of Concern:

● Water Use: Quantity and Quality Impacts/Wetland impacts
● Wildlife Impact
● Evacuation, Fire Egress
● Impact to Agricultural Lifestyle/Loss of Rural Character
● Road: Safety, Structural Integrity, Increased Utilization, Traffic
● Pollution: Noise, Light, Dust, Groundwater,Runoff
● Inappropriate Land Use: Private Golf and Ski
● Inconsistent with Garfield County Land Use Code
● Job Generation
● Affordable Housing
● Costs to the County/Taxpayer