HomeMy WebLinkAboutsmuggler_mountainAN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE,
ACCEPTANCE AND ACQUISITION OF SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN
PROPERTIES
ORDINANCE # -2005
Recitals
1. The greater Smuggler Mountain area, located east of the City of Aspen in
Pitkin County, has remained largely vacant and undeveloped during the growth of
the resort community.
2. The public land areas around Smuggler Mountain as well as the Smuggler
Mountain cotmty road have become heavily utilized recreational amenities for the
residents of Pitkin County. This area of Pitkin County stands in dramatic contrast
to other areas of private land surrounding the City of Aspen, which have been
subject to intense development densities over the years.
3. Recently, since the inception of the voter-authorized Open Space and
Trails program and fund, Pitkin County has been able to acquire some property
interests in the Smuggler Mountain area. These properties have been acquired in
order to maintain open space and recreational amenities for Pitkin County
residents. However, the majority of land on Smuggler Mountain has continued to
be held in private ownership with a development potential that could dramatically
change the character of the mountain and the surrounding community.
4. The majority of the property on Smuggler Mountain is owned or
controlled by George M. Wilkinson. Negotiations between Pitkin County and Mr.
Wilkinson have presented an opportunity to acquire his properties for their open
space and recreational benefits to the cormnunity while compensating Mr.
Wilkinson for their value.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the Board of County
Commissioners approves the pumhase of real property on Smuggler Mountain
particularly the mining claims known as: Tiger, USMS 3937; Snowstorm and
Rainstorm, USMS 6270; Rainstorm No. 2, USMS 6318; Regent, USMS 3936; Park,
USMS 3935; Lizzie, USMS 4702; Alpine and Bushwacker, USMS 6642; North Star,
USMS 6145, Jay Gould, USMS 1794; Cascade No. 2, Joplin No. 2 and Iowa No. 2,
USMS 6948; Ballarat, USMS 4438; General Jackson, USMS 3941; J.C. Johnson,
USMS 1436; Robert Emmet, USMS 6044 and Pride of Aspen, USMS 7883, along with
associated mineral and water interests from George M. Wilkinson, Echo Films and
Fidelity Trust Building, Inc. This acquisition shall be for a total price of $15,000,000.00,
contingent upon contribution and participation by the City of Aspen of one-half (½) of
the total purchase price and costs to accept these properties with Pitkin County.
Ordinance # -2005
Page 2
It is further ordained that the Chair or Chair's designee is authorized to execute all
contracts, documents, settlements, warrants and all other instruments, in the form
approved by the County Attorney, to effectuate the acquisition and the pumhase of all real
estate, water rights and mineral interests owned or controlled by Mr. Wilkinson, Echo
Films and Fidelity Building Trust, Inc., located on or near Smuggler Motmtain in
unincorporated Pitkin Cotmty.
The Board of County Commissioners finds that adoption of this ordinance is
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare of the
citizens ofPitkin Cotmty and therefore declares this ordinance and legislation to be
effective immediately.
iNTRODUCED, FIRST READ AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER 2005.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES
WEEKLY ON THE 6TM DAY OF NOVEMBER 2005.
APPROVED UPON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
16TM DAY OF NOVEMBER 2005.
PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON THE
DAY OF ,2005.
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER FINAL ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
Jeanette Jones, Deputy Clerk
Patti-Kay Clapper, Chair
County Manager: Approved as to Form:
'lary F~cher Smith John M. ~tomey