City Council Minutes 1999 11 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Janet Chu, 964 Ravenwood Road, Boulder, Colorado, explained that she is a retired biology teacher and has lived north of Baseline Lake for many years. She stated that the area under discussion is very unique and would take 25-30 years to recreate from seed. She listed several wildlife species she has viewed in the area. She stated that she has also noticed red-tailed hawks, merlins, sparrow hawks and meadowlarks on the property. She requested that Council establish a sustainable high plains prairie. She explained that the area would be easily accessible to teachers who could bring their students to the area for first-hand learning experiences. She encouraged Council to preserve the area. Michael Weiseman, entomologist from Colorado State University, expressed support for preserving the area under discussion. He questioned the need for a developed gateway in Louisville, as this area is a wonderful natural gateway. He explained that he has not conducted a survey of the property to determine what insects live there, however, he was certain that the children living in the area know what they are. He proclaimed the area as a wonderful science discovery and teaching area. He encouraged Council to reconsider the construction of any physical gateway structures. Tiffany Arroyo, 7 years old, 903 West Willow, Louisville, explained that she lives by the field and does not want it to be destroyed. She felt that it is bad to remove the field, as it is like killing Mother Nature. She stated that she used to see fox, eagles and prairie dogs in the area. She asked that Council let the field remain, as removing it would break the chain of life. Jean Morgan, 1131 Spruce Street, Louisville, explained that Tiffany also wrote a letter to the editor of the Louisville Times and encouraged everyone to read the letter. She quoted a headline from the Rocky Mountain News "3.2 Million People in the Metro Area by 2020" and explained that this represents an increase of over one million people in the area. She read a statement from the article: "it becomes clear everyday we need a plan for the future". She stated that she is asking for preservation of the entire area, or not less than half of the property located on the west side of McCaslin Boulevard at South Boulder Road. She explained that it should be preserved as a native habitat for plants, birds, butterflies, insects and animals. It should be preserved for the resident's pleasure and as a pure educational site. She stated that the community contains a strong base of educated experts with knowledge in botany, birding, insects, butterflies, photography and xeriscape design. She explained that these individuals would like to photograph the area and produce butterfly and field study guides for students. She stated that information vital to a correct analysis of the area was not available when development decisions were being made. She explained that leaving the area intact adds variety to the location, as well as open space. She questioned the need for two identical hardscaped areas for the location. She suggested that the site be maintained as an educational site. She explained that Brad Chronowski, Parks Planner, informed her that work on the hardscape area is scheduled to begin next week, and requested that Council delay any work on the west side of McCaslin Boulevard. She asked that the area be left as Louisville prairie preserve. Betty Solek, 725 Lincoln Avenue, Louisville, explained that she is a. member of the Louisville Trowel & Error Garden Club and they wrote a letter to the City earlier in the