Open Space Advisory Board 2017 12 13 Final Minutes

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes December 13, 2017 Page 2 of 6 served on tiger team to discuss long-term strategies, and the memo included in the meeting packet is their first draft summary of their discussions. Helen emphasized that the Davidson Mesa DOLA is not a park, it's "open space," and City law prohibits build- out on open space, except for restoration work. Helen clarified that the memo she and Jim wrote was intended to initiate and stimulate discussion with the board and also with citizens. She described the memo as an assessment and also a "strawdog" for a possible plan forward, and emphasized that it was a draft. Mike Matanky (195 Barcelona Dr) asked for a clarification about the legal difference between "open space" and "parks" and whether land designation could be changed. Helen answered that land that the DOLA and the entire Davidson Mesa properties is designated as open space and there are levels of impact permitted within open space. Changing a City -owned parcel of land's designation from open space to park would take passing a ballot initiative. Jim Lane (1091 W. Willow) said that closing the DOLA will cause people to go off leash on the Mesa. Mike said that the DOLA was placed on the property precisely to remediate the off -leash issue on Davidson Mesa. He added that the DOLA land is effectively being sacrificed. Mike added that the challenge is to recognize that the DOLA is having a large impact on the land, while also meeting the needs of the community. Liz Lane (1091 W. Willow) said she is on the DOLA several times a day. She felt that there isn't a trash or waste problem at the DOLA. She said there are people who schedule waste clean ups. Helen agreed that there needs to be better documentation of impacts on the land, but added that there were 76 lbs. of dog waste removed at a recent Saturday pick up event. Missy commented that the meeting needed a process to make sure that everyone gets heard during this meeting. She also encouraged people to go back to past meeting minutes to see that the board has received many community complaints about the condition of the DOLA, and the board is trying to be responsive. Bob Scott (946 Arapahoe Circle) thanked the volunteer Open Space Advisory Board. He said he loves the idea of more dog parks in the City. He thought maybe non- residents could be charged for entrance. He is concerned about de -vegetation at the site, but thinks there is a solution. He added that he liked the new Poop Fairy education campaign signs. John Ewy (1022 Willow Place) asked whether off -leash areas are permitted by City law upon open space land, Helen answered yes. He asked then why is there any problem. Helen replied that part of the concern is that the land is being significantly negatively impacted with erosion, soil compaction, waste and trash pollution, and damage to nautral habitat: it's an issue of compromise between conservation and recreation. Natasha Bond (1841 Sweet Clover Lane) thanked the board for volunteering and addressing a hot issue head-on. She said a lot of land has recently been converted into open space, and asked why can't land go the other way. Helen replied that it would take a vote of the people to convert open space land into another kind of use. She clarified the recent designation process, the signs for which had caused some confusion amongst the public. Ms. Bond said that the bureaucratic process shouldn't get in the way of the people's will. She felt that people think the City is doing something underhanded with this memo. Mike cautioned that this memo is very preliminary, and not even yet approved by the board. He added that OSAB is an advisory board that doesn't make policy; any final decision about the DOLA would be made by City Council. He added that the board is trying to explore this difficult issue. Ms. Bond explained her concern about the process, feeling that it is secretive. Helen replied that the agenda is posted in