Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2015 12 09

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Open Space Advisory Board Meeting Minutes (Continued- Public Comments) Open Space Advisory Board Public Comment October 14, 2015 Steve Rasor, Majestic View Drive I'm here to speak for myself and my neighbors. We are County residents on the northern border of Davidson Mesa's off -leash area. We are the homeowners most directly impacted by it. I believe I spoke to this at your August 12 meeting, but to repeat, we have been impacted with excessive noise, inundated with weeds and dust in summers and to put it delicately, 'litter' infested storm water during and following major rain events. These problems have increased exponentially with the greater numbers of off -leash dogs and owners since the tunnel was built and the parking lots were expanded. We believe the soil compaction and dying off of grasses coupled with a drainage pipe that runs from the dog park onto my neighbor's lot have led to fetid water pooling around our household drinking wells. There are well documented best practices for dog parks. One is to provide a generous buffer zone from homes. While we prefer that the dog park be relocated to a place less ecologically important to Louisville than Davidson Mesa, an alternative would be to move it away from our residential property line to a point south, equidistant from both the Enclave and us. If our measurements are correct, the center Mesa trail could become the off -leash dog area while the current off -leash area trail would be returned to all with the exception of off -leash dogs. Pets on leashes are picked up after more reliably and would not create the secondary trails that off -leash pets have made, which add to storm water runoff. This would allow the same amenities that dog owners currently enjoy — a natural area with beautiful views. In this centralized location they would retain open space for their pets to run free, exercise, and socialize without subjecting city or county neighbors to as much litter filled storm water runoff, dust, weeds, and noise. If the social trails that share our neighborhood's property line were closed for seeding, then grass, birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals would have the recovered habitat they need to return to the north side of the eastern Mesa. As you work toward your primary Open Space objective of restoring natural habitats, please don't turn your back on affected homeowners just because we are county rather than city residents. Thank you again for your time and attention. 13