Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 11 08

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes October 11th, 2017 Page 2 of 5 F. Black -footed ferret and birds of prey foundations will no longer accept "flushed" prairie dogs, only live -trapped prairie dogs. When staff does prairie dog removal from City Open Space land, they donate the dogs to these foundations. This will force a change staffs management strategy, since live -trapping is more time- consuming and also generates more citizen concern. VI. Board Updates - A. Missy went to the Open Space birds of prey event with her 3 year old last week. She thought the event was very well-done, and she complimented the educator, who was very engaging. She said it was a packed event and the Open Space ranger was there. B. Fiona reported lots of poop at the Davidson Mesa Dog Off -leash Area (DOLA) last week. Ember said that staff is planning a late -October dog waste pick-up event. Jim asked about the educational campaign and Ember told Jim that the Poo Fairy Campaign signs should go up in two weeks. Jim added that there were at least a dozen plastic containers that had blown into the corner of the DOLA. Ember replied that staff throws those out monthly. Jim expressed concern about litter at the DOLA. He also reported that the south-west quadrant of the DOLA is completely denuded of grass. VII. Public Comments on Items Not on the Agenda - A. Denise Ladwig (3591 Nyland Way, Lafayette) & Pat Abernathy (183 Monarch St.) Came to the meeting to tell the board about a 35 acre property, zoned R1, between Louisville & Lafayette that is for sale. Currently the land has a single, large house on it. A developer wants to put 66 homes on the property. The land is currently unincorporated Boulder County. Ms. Ladwig shared a map showing that the land is bounded by Open Space parcels owned by Louisville (North Open Space), Boulder County, and some City of Lafayette land. The map showed that if this land is filled with houses, the local open spaces will have a bottle -neck shaped dent in them. The neighbors are organizing to express their concern. They feel that the proposed development will be detrimental to both the habitat value and recreational value of the Open Space land. They are concerned about traffic impacts on Baseline Road. They also see this parcel as helpful as a buffer between municipalities. Ms. Ladwig would like OSAB to advise the community about this issue. Mr. Abernathy reported that this land is technically in the township of the City of Lafayette, but shares Ms. Ladwig's concern about the development's impact upon Louisville's Open Space. Ms. Ladwig reported that there are some community members who are so passionate that there is some discussion about residents trying to buy the land and donating it. The asking price for the parcel is $2.5-2.9 million, with the house itself worth about $1.7 million. She thought maybe the house and land could be separated. Helen told Ms. Ladwig and Mr. Abernathy that both Louisville and Lafayette have open space acquisition taxes to provide the cities with funds to purchase land like this, so talking to the City Councils is the right thing to do. Laura added that Louisville, Lafayette, and Boulder County all pulled together to buy the Mayhoffer property, pointing out that Lafayette did so even though the land is in the Louisville township. Ember added that often the current property manager (in this case Boulder County) takes the leadership in these kinds of deals, and did during the Mayhoffer property acquisition as well. Laura declared that she was unhappy about Louisville Open Space land being nearly -divided by this division and she pointed out that the land is covered with irrigation ditches which function as important wildlife corridors. Fiona asked the citizens if anyone had talked to the current owner. Ms. Ladwig answered that her group is trying to open 3