HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080813djllcTo: BOCC
From: DJ LLC
Tom Bowers, Lee Keating
Date: 8/ 12/08
Re: DJ LLC Designation to Historic Register
My name is Tom Bowers and my wife is Lee Keating, we are co-managers of DJ LLC
under which we purchased land at 0722 Woody Creek Road in the fall of 2006. At
present we Live happily in our house located in the Maroon Creek Valley and have
worked daily for 20 years in our ski shop, Performance Ski.
Our motivation for the purchase of land in Woody Creek was to build a house of our
own design on a beautiful piece of land. We have been approved for our building permit
and are presently under construction on a modest, (by Aspen standards) 3-bedroom
house. Thoughtfully and tastefully designed, expertly constructed and within the counties
5750sgf max.
The historical designation of the Sears Robuck and Co. kit house appears to have support
from all the interested parties, which we appreciate. We love the little white house.
There is one point that rises to the surface and is causing us great concern; that is the
Woody Creek Caucus request to fence the Wetlands in order to prohibit grazing,
The following is our position and one that we would abide by for as long the "Wetlands"
are so designated (I believe this is an Army Corps of Engineers designation):
It has never been our intention and will never be our intention to graze any
domestic animal on any part of our property. The property includes the elevated
area of land upon which the building envelope sits and the adjacent wetland. One
of the primary reasons we purchased the property was the unencumbered view of
this beautiful wetland, we have no desire to see anything other than the
indigenous wildlife inhabit or pass through this property.
With this assurance, it would be abhorrent to our sense and senses to construct a
fence of any kind to interfere with the natural flow of the land and vegetation as it
falls from this perfect alluvial plain (the designated building envelope) to the
swaying grasses of the 18 acres of magnificent wetland. Not only do we, as
stewards of this wetland, benefit from this attitude and acceptance, but so will
every resident or traveler who passes through the Woody Creek valley. To view
any land free of signs, poles, posts, cables, wire concrete
makes the eye and mind feel right. ,garbage, junk, etc.
In addition, it has long been accepted and understood by us that there is no
grazing of domesticated animals allowed in the "Wetlands" as recorded in the
County's 1041 Hazard Review on 11/10/1999 (437717) and re-recorded on
4/4/2007 (536292). We also concur with the statement made by the Caucus that
~~v
the recorded Hazard Review needs to be corrected, as it refers only to cattle
grazing on the entire parcel. However, we certainly don't feel it is necessary for
the Caucus to impose any conditions that are redundant and burdensome if there
is neither intention nor violation. We desire the wetland to remain unencumbered
by additional fencing and be allowed to prosper and provide the unspoiled beauty
that is inherent.
Lee and I appreciate the BOCC, county staff and Caucus looking at this one point of
contention with the idea that we are willing and capable stewards of this Wetland and our
small portion of the beautiful Woody Creek Valley.
CkF
~2