HomeMy WebLinkAboutlittle.chief.lode.acquisitionSECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON DRAFT ORDINANCE OF
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY
APPROVING ACQUISITION OF THE LITTLE CHIEF LODE
Agenda Item Summary
To: Board of County Commissioners
CC: Hilary Smith, John Ely
From: Dale Will
Date: 4/14/04
Re: Little Chief Purchase
Good things come to they who wait. The protection of the Hunter Creek Valley from residential
development has been a long standing communiry goal. In 1997, the "Hunter Creek Forever"
campaign secured the Hummingbird Lode, which was jointly acquired by the City and County and
has a conservation easement held by the Aspen Valley Land Trust. However, there remain some
scattered inholdings, which inchide the 9.8 acre Little Chief Lode- This property lies along the road
to the McNamara Hut, approximately two thirds of the way there fxom Aspen. The Little Chief
received a 1041 approval for a Rural and Remote residence on March 29, 2001, following a takings
proceeding.
Lyle Reeder has now agreed to sell us the property for a "bargain sale" price of $375,000. To reach
this agreement, the Open Space Board has agreed to accept the property subject to a conservation
easemant that will be held by the Aspen Valley Land Trust or similar organization- Placement of a
conservation easement on the property prior to the transfer to the County will allow Reeder to benefit
f~om a transferable Colorado Tax Credit.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve on Secnd Reading the Ordinance Authorizing Purchase of the Little Chief
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY,
COLORADO, APPROVING ACQUISITION OF THE LITTLE CHIEF LODE
ORDINANCE # 04-__
RECITALS
The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees is charged with the
responsibility of acquiring open space properties, and;
The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees has designated certain
types of properties as priority acquisitions, with scenic lands, habitat and
recreational lands as priorities.
Lyle Reeder is the owner of the Little Ch/ef Lode USMS #6624 (the "Property"), a
9 8 acre mining claim overlooldng the Hunter Creek Valley. The property is
traversed by Hunter Creek Road, a popular backcounla2/access to the 10 Moun
Hut system and surrounding Hunter Frying Pan Wilderness. Mr. Reeder has agreed
to sell the Property to Pitkin County for $375,000, provided' that we will accept title
subject to a conservation easement to allow tax benefits under Colorado laws.
The preservation of the Hunter Creek valley in an undeveloped condition has been a
longstanding community goal, as evidenced by our prior purchase of the
Hummingbird Lode, and Pitldn County's significant legal efforts to protect public
access into the Hunter Creek valley.
The Open Space and Trails Board has recommended that the County expend
$375,000 fi:om the Open Space Fund for the acquisition of the Little Chief Lode.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin
County, Colorado as follows:
The Board approves an expenditure of $375,000 for the purchase of the Little Chief
Lode. The Board agrees to accept the property subject to a conservation easement held
by the Aspen Valley Land Trust, or other grantee mutually agreed by the parties. The
Board further agrees that the Property may be acquired jointly with the City of Aspen if
the City agrees to help fund this acquisition.
The Chair is authorized to execute a contract and other documents necessary to
effectuate this purchase after approval of the same by the County Attorney and Open
Space Director.
3. That adjusmaents be made to the year ~004 budget as follows:
OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS FUND
Little Chief Acquisition
Previous Revised
Budget This Chan~e Proi Budget
$ $ $
0 $375,000 $375,000
OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS FUND TOTAL
NET REVENUE (EXPENDITURES) CHANGE
$375,000
INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND APPROVED ON THE 24 DAY OF MARCH,
2004.
NOTICE OF CONFIRMATORY READING PUBLISHED IN THE WEEKEND
EDITION OF THE ASPEN TIMES ON THE __ DAY OFMARCH, 2004.
REAFFIRMED AT CONFIRMATORY READING AT PUBLIC MEETING ON
THE __ DAY OF APRIL, 2004.
PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE WEEKEND EDITION OF THE
ASPEN TIMES ON THE DAY OF ~ 2004
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
OF PITI(IN COUNTY, COLORADO
Jeanette Jones
Deputy Clerk
Dorothea Farris
Chair
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
gal~ll ~i~c~or
Open Space and Trails Program
Hilary S~)it h
County Manager
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