Town of Erie

Printable Version

Town of Erie

TRUSTEES REVISE PUBLIC VOTE RULES ON ANNEXATIONS
Town Trustees approved a revision to the requirement for public votes on most annexations to give the Trustees greater authority to approve annexations, protect the Town’s borders, and attract desirable development. Since 2000 public votes have been required on all residential annexations. With the recently adopted measure, citizens will only vote on residential annexations of a size and density that create significant impact(s). Recent annexation moves by neighboring communities prompted the Trustees to seek more control over annexations.

DEVELOPERS PROPOSE 3000 UNIT RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
Community Development Group (developers of the 2500-unit Vista Ridge community in Erie) has submitted an application to annex 950 acres northwest of CR 5 and the Leon Wurl Parkway to the Town of Erie. The developer is proposing a project named “Tallgrass” on the site that will provide 2,950 housing units. Other than trails and open space the project does not include amenities such as a golf course, recreation facilities, etc. that are included in the developer’s Vista Ridge community. Immediately south of the site, Village Homes is proposing a 1,700-unit development. Both these all-residential projects are being touted to support the commercial development in Erie’s downtown and Erie Commons. If approved, Tallgrass will be the largest residential development in Erie.

LANDFILL EXPANSION CAUGHT UP IN LEGAL MAZE
The application to expand the Front Range Landfill at 1830 Weld County road 5 by 120 acres is still buried in legal reviews. After processes that included more than 30 hours of public hearings it was discovered that a portion of the landfill property is not properly certified as a landfill, requiring a new landfill application rather than an amendment to the current certification. Now, Town Trustees have more clout in reviewing the expansion and may consider a broader scope of impacts to surrounding properties. As recently as May it appeared that final action on the expansion application was imminent. Now, the timing of a decision is uncertain and there is no schedule date for the issue to be considered by the Town Board of Trustees.