Meadows annexation

A yes vote on ballot question 2H would allow the town to annex the proposed Cottonwood Meadows development as approved along with the approved water agreement. Speaking in favor of the annexation were Buena Vista Trustees Keith Baker and Joel Benson, who said they were not representing The Meadows, but were speaking as trustees. Baker said all town staff, planning and zoning and the trustees approved it.

The Town needs the money and the positive attributes it brings, he said. It brings the attributes of smart growth versus sprawl, he said. "We're of the opinion it is good for the future of the town," said Baker.

Benson spoke on the impact on town water. He said the water master plan says buy additional senior water rights, a well on the Arkansas River and get more storage. He said adding the Arkansas River source water supply would be paid for by the Meadows with an extra $3.8 million for water infrastructure. The Meadows would provide a space to put in a new Upper Zone storage tank. The Town currently has $9.5 million of needs in its water infrastructure. This is only for repair, maintenance and necessary treatment facilities, etc., he said. The Meadows will pay The Town $5.7 million. Of this $1.8 million will be used for a new source of water and all the water needed for the project. He said that transferring The Meadows water rights on Cottonwood Creek for municipal uses is not in The Town's best interest.

Resident and former trustee Paul Ahrens spoke against the annexation. He said that the slogan "Save the Farm" is not what it is about. It is about under what terms and conditions it should be annexed, he said.

"The water service agreement is wrong," he said. He said that the town water attorney and engineer recommended that The Town get both Cottonwood Creek and Arkansas River water sources.

He said that the cash in lieu of water rights from the developer is not at annexation but received at final plat so the money is not up front, yet the town will have to build infrastructure and a well up front. The developer is doing it in phases so there's flexibility in it for The Meadows schedule but if the project is delayed no money comes in, he said. The town still has the operational costs, he said. "It ends up being paid for by the water users until it is built out," he said. The current users in Rifle and Parachute will pay for the next 20 years, he said.

All the public services for police, fire and street plowing would be required even if they build just one structure. If the farm stays, it is solely up to the property owner whether annexed or not.

A question for Ahrens was: Why are you better qualified than engineers and lawyers? He said he had sat in on meetings. He said that what they looked for was the best compromise and the best compromise isn't the best deal. What happens if it is voted down? The answer was that the property and water would be sold.

In addition to the local ballot questions, The League of Women Voters members read a condensed version of the state initiatives and referenda on the ballot, followed by a review and information for and against.