Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2021 05 20

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Rob Zuccaro From: Chris <chris@greatdividepictures.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 12:21 PM To: Planning Commission Subject: Redtail Ridge Opposed Hello members of the Planning Commission, Thank you for the important services that you provide for our community. Here is an article I wrote regarding Redtail Ridge that I hope you will read. https:Hsites.gooale.com/view/public-engagement- louisville/viewpoints/chris-wheeler-7 In the end, the question I think we all need to ask is this: Does Redtail Ridge make our town stronger and more vibrant? Thanks again. Chris Wheeler 525 La Farge Ave. Louisville, CO 80027 REDTAIL RIDGE - Deja Vu All Over Again By Chris Wheeler — a Louisville -based photojournalist and documentary producer. Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame baseball player and master of malapropisms, supposedly coined the phrase: "Deja vu all over again." Yogi could have been describing the ongoing debate over Redtail Ridge, the former StorageTek land in southeast Louisville that is now owned by Denver developer Brue Baukol Capital Partners. A year ago, Brue Baukol planned to transform the 389 acres of prized real estate along U.S. 36 into a commercial and residential complex that was to be anchored by Medtronic, the Fortune 500 medical device maker. However, Brue Baukol ran into a groundswell of resistance from Louisville residents who passionately opposed Redtail Ridge. Last October, Medtronic pulled out for less green pastures in Lafayette, and the bucolic lands in southeast Boulder County appeared safe from the bulldozer. But in a new twist, Brue Baukol announced last December that they had purchased the Redtail Ridge lands from oil titan ConocoPhillips. Now, a year later, the City of Louisville is again evaluating a proposal by Brue Baukol to develop Redtail Ridge. It's d6ja vu all over again, a fight pitting powerful corporate interests versus a determined local citizenry. Redtail Ridge 2.0 should concern every resident of the metro area who understands and appreciates the values of open space. Since the 1970s, Louisville's city leaders have fought hard to preserve the designated lands that today encircle the historic mining town southeast of Boulder. But the times they are a changin'. Brue Baukol, which is supported by wealthy corporate investors, has demonstrated it will be relentless in its pursuit to transform undeveloped land into a 389-acre office and industrial park --- one that is surrounded by asphalt. In their new proposal, Brue Baukol has made some concessions, which at first glance seems reasonable. The Denver developer is slashing building density from 5.8 million square feet to 3.1 (not including parking lots). The proposal is now consistent with Louisville's Comprehensive Plan. So what's the problem? Open space — or lack of it. Brue Baukol is promising 59.3 acres of public land dedication. Just thirty-nine acres are targeted as open space. Despite less density, the footprint of Redtail Ridge remains stunningly the same. And that's what concerns many. "They are going to destroy a historic wildlife habitat," says Stephanie Rowe of Louisville Wildlife Advocates." It's horrible, hideous sprawl." Louisville Wildlife Advocates is not alone in their concern about Redtail Ridge. In March, Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting issued a critical review of Brue Baukol's new proposal, stating: "...central concerns remain, 12