City Council Minutes 1999 11 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Design Phase of Louisville Reservoir Rehabilitation Project PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Carol Shields, 1432 Truman Court, Louisville, Colorado, requested that Council preserve the native prairie vegetation on the west side of McCaslin Boulevard at South Boulder Road. She explained that most of the open spaces have been plowed, grazed, violated by the addition of exotic grasses, or taken over by weeds. She stated that the property at South Boulder Road and McCaslin Boulevard provides the City with an opportunity to beautify and identify Louisville at its west gateway while also preserving a nice piece of prairie. She stated that the City has approved a concept for this space, which calls for the retention of its semi-rural character, preservation of wildlife habitat, and use of native plants. She expressed concern that the design drawing does not match the concept. She explained that the design contains large concrete and stone walls and planters and non- native irrigated plants to be placed on top of the highest quality native prairie vegetation. She stated that many municipalities purchase seeds to create an artificial prairie whereas Louisville has a natural one on this property. She questioned why a botanical review of the area was not done. She explained that many members of the Colorado Plant Society recently walked through the area and conducted a plant inventory. She stated that the inventory identified the best location for vegetation, and that area is located where the plans call for an artificial landscape structure. She stated that Council would destroy a very special natural resource in Louisville if they allow this artificial landscape structure to be built. She requested that Council halt the construction plans for the west side of McCaslin Boulevard in order to conduct a botanical review of the property and retain the prairie. Carolyn Crawford, 1474 Kennedy Avenue, Louisville, explained that she is the former president of the Boulder Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society and a botanical illustrator for the Denver Botanical Gardens. She stated that she has identified seventy- eight species of plants on the property, sixty-five of which are native species. She stated that there is no noxious knapweed on the site, which is admirable. She proclaimed the sand lilies that bloom in May are some of the most spectacular that she has seen. She identified several plant species on the site that have been documented in Boulder County only a limited number of times. In addition, it contains a dwarf milkweed that is a larvae plant for the Monarch butterfly. She agreed with Carol Shields that there are not many prairies like this and requested that Council allow the area to remain as is. Davidson asked for clarification that the speakers were referring to land that is owned by the City of Louisville. Jean Morgan, 1131 Spruce Street, Louisville, replied that they are referring to the City- owned land west of McCaslin Boulevard.