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Daily Camera, Boulder, Colorado, November 4, 1997, page 1B
Open space trail projects put on hold after outcry
Subdivision finds paths too close for comfort
By JULIE POPPEN
Camera Staff Writer
Two North Boulder open space trail improvement projects have been postponed after outcry from subdivision residents who say they weren't notified of the city's plans to create trails they believe would be unsafe and destroy the quiet, rural character of their neighborhood.
The most contentious aspect of the flap between city open space staff and residents of the upscale North Rim subdivision revolves around a narrow strip of county-owned open space/park land that runs along the southern border of the residential area along an irrigation ditch, squeezed between two chunks of private land.
Some residents say the city's trail plans, aimed at providing access to city open space lands to the south, represent a new direction by the open space department to push trails to the periphery of public lands without adequately notifying the public.
"We have no problem with the East Beech trail," said Gerry Stahl, president of the North Rim/Lake Valley Trails Committee -- formed in response to the city's plan. "We're glad to support that, except that it now dumps into the corridor behind our houses."
Because of that, the city also is putting plans to improve the East Beech and North Rim trails on hold. Yet both trails on Boulder Valley Ranch Open Space are being used and are listed on the city's Open Space map.
City officials say using a strip of land for the North Rim Trail -- only 35 feet from the rear of about 44 homes in the subdivision -- is the best way to provide a connection for residents, horseback riders, bicyclists and pedestrians who want better trail access. In addition, they say the trails are part of the North Boulder Valley Area Management Plan that has been discussed for two years and was signed off on by the open space Board of Trustees in April.
But residents say the North Rim Trail -- which narrows to 9 feet in spots -- is not wide enough for horses, which might be spooked by residents' barking dogs. Residents also are concerned about increased traffic and people peeping in their windows.
photo: Marty Caivano / Daily Camera
Gerry Stahl, left, and fellow residents of the North Rim neighborhood off Neva Road
oppose a multi-use trail proposed by the city that would run along their backyard fences.
They say they were never notified of the city's intentions.
Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that residents were incorrectly told by the subdivision developer in the early 1990s that the 15-foot wide county strip of land was for utilities. Stahl also noted that many adjacent property owners weren't informed of the city's plans. About 44 properties abut stretches of the trail.
City open space environmental planner Brent Wheeler said the city has put a halt on trail plans to address resident concerns. For instance, the city recently pulled its Boulder County Location and Extent and Limited Impact Special Use Review applications from the county. However, a wet-lands permit is still being evaluated.
The permits, in addition to some federal approvals, are required to construct a six-foot wide dirt path in the area. City officials anticipate trail building can resume in late winter or early spring, after a recommendation by open space staff in early 1998.
Meanwhile, home owners are coming up with a plan of their own that would codify area trails that have been used informally for years -- until open space staff closed access points in June, forcing trail users along the path behind the homes.
Source: City of Boulder; Kevin Kaufman / Daily Camera
City officials plan to meet with residents in December to review alternative plans.
Horse and trail enthusiast Suzanne Webel said the city should stick to its plan and not bow to a special interest group. However, she noted it would be helpful to keep other trails open allowing horse riders to skirt residential areas. Still, Webel -- external vice president of the Boulder County Horsemen's Association and a representative of the Boulder Area Trails Coalition -- commended the city for seeking public input.
"I'm disappointed in the NIMBY (not in my back yard) attitude of the residents of that subdivision," Webel said. "(Open space) did do a very open, thorough process with the plan. The (residents) chose not to get involved until they woke up."
A public meeting to address concerns about the East Beech and North Rim trails will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec.10 in the lobby of the Municipal Building at Broadway and Canyon Boulevard.
City open space planners also are moving ahead on the South Boulder Creek Planning Area -- one of seven long-term regional open space master plans approved by the Open Space Board of Trustees in April.
The contested trails in North Boulder are part of the North Boulder Valley Area Management Plan -- the first of seven to be tackled.
To get involved in the South Boulder Creek area plan, to be finalized in May 1998, call Matt Jones at 441-3440 or e-mail him at JonesM@ci.boulder.co.us.
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Valley Trails Committee home page.
This page last updated: 03/05/99.