Cherry Hills Village, CO In Support of Open Space

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 9/19/06

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: Click here

Text:

RESOLUTION NO 13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING OPEN SPACE

WHEREAS, the open spaces, parks and trails within the City of Cherry Hills Village enhance the quality of life of Village residents, contribute to the Village's unique character, provide habitat for urban wildlife and provide opportunities for exalted views; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that these features help make our community a desirable place to live; and

WHEREAS, as the City of Cherry Hills Village is quickly nearing build out, the City Council recognizes the need to preserve and plan for the preservation of critical areas that remain; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to preserve:

• Lands which maintain urban open space, natural areas, water quality, urban wildlife habitat and movement corridors, views, trail corridors, floodplains, and wetlands; and
• Lands which serve to maintain community identity; and
• Lands for passive and active recreational needs, including but not limited to, walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross country skiing, photography, and nature studies; and

WHEREAS, the City Council established a committee of Village residents called the Blue Ribbon Panel; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Panel prepared a a report for the City Council in 2005 that identified specific "Scenic Treasures" or important areas for preservation within the Village. Specifically these "Scenic Treasures" are identified as

• The Highline Canal trail corridor,
• Blackmer Common,
• Three Pond Park,
• Little Dry Creek,
• The East West Wetlands Trail corridor

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE THAT:

1. There is a need to preserve open spaces in the Village, including but not limited to those areas that have been identified as "Scenic Treasures", or that are adjacent to and/or that protect "Scenic Treasures", through willing and voluntary land and/or easement dedications, including but not limited to conservation easements and other similar methods.

2. The City Council hereby encourages the owners of land within areas identified as "Scenic Treasures", and the owners of lands that are adjacent to and or that serve to protect lands identified as Scenic Treasures and the owners of land that otherwise may serve to maintain urban open space, natural areas, water quality, urban wildlife habitat and movement corridors, views, trail corridors, floodplains and wetlands, community identity, or areas for passive or active recreation, to consider voluntary land and/or easement dedications to preserve such areas, including but not limited to conservation easements and other, similar methods.

3. The City Council hereby encourages the owners of the lands described in Section 2 above who may desire to preserve their lands through voluntary land and/or easement dedications, or other similar methods, to present to the City Council any request that they may have for the City Council to adopt a Resolution supporting the open space or other similar value of lands that they may propose be preserved.

This Resolution shall be effective immediately and shall be vacated and of no further effect at such time as the City Council takes final action on the adoption of a new Master Plan for the City of Cherry Hills Village.