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Position Statement Regarding the Density of the New South Maryland Creek
Proposal
1) Friends of the Lower Blue River (“FOLBR”) supports land uses in the Lower Blue River Valley,
which preserve the rural, historical, and environmental integrity in this area of Summit and
Grand Counties. FOLBR is dedicated to doing everything reasonable to defend and preserve
these values. FOLBR represents the interests of the residents and stakeholders of the Lower
Blue River Valley.
2) FOLBR believes the density for residential development should not exceed one unit per 20
acres, consistent with A1 zoning. Clustering of development (which may allow a density of 1 unit
per 17.5 acres) should be encouraged, consistent with the Summit County rural- subdivision-
development guidelines.
3) Following its annexation into the Town of Silverthorne, the southern portion of Maryland
Creek Ranch was rezoned for 83 homes on 416 acres, which is four times the allowable density
of 1 unit per 20 acres when this property was under the jurisdiction of Summit County. This new
density of 1 unit per 5 acres represents a relatively low density for a town such as Silverthorne,
and in FOLBR’s opinion represents an appropriate transition between the more developed
portions of Silverthorne and the rural Lower Blue Valley.
4) FOLBR is strongly opposed to the newly proposed South Maryland Creek Ranch density of
240 units on 416 acres and urges the Town of Silverthorne Council to reject this proposal. This
dramatic increase is three times the current approved density; equaling 1 unit per 1.73 acres.
5) FOLBR is very concerned about the loss of the transition zone from an urban to low- density
rural landscape. FOLBR feels that the density resulting from the new proposal in that gateway
location will open the door for future annexation and high- density development north of the
current corporate limits of Silverthorne extending down valley along the Lower Blue River.
6) FOLBR strongly believes that the nine design criteria that the Town Of Silverthorne has
approved as development criteria have not been adhered to. It is our position that only 2 0f the
9 guidelines have been met in this PUD submittal as described in the following points.
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• Preservation of rural ranch and open character.
Clustered development of 240 units on this amount of acreage does not preserve a rural
ranch and open space character. Summit County planner - Lindsay Hirsch’s letter to
Matt Gennett entitled: Referral Comments: Maryland Creek Ranch dated March 3, 2015
speaks specifically about this in the TOS staff report.
• Preservation of views of Gore Range from Hwy 9.
This implies preservation of views, as they exist today and looking over 240 proposed
rooftops is not a preservation of views, it is a major change in the view corridor.
• Low Density, rural residential.
This is not low density or rural residential by the standards of the Lower Blue Master Plan.
The original Town of Silverthorne Master Plan indicated low density rural to be 1 unit for
every 5 acres. This wording was then amended in the TOS Master Plan, so that the new
density request could be called low density, rural residential and accommodate this density
increase.
• Cluster development in areas not visible from Hwy 9.
This cluster development will be highly visible from Hwy 9, when heading south into
Silverthorne.
• Avoidance of ridgelines and steep slope development.
This criterion appears to have been followed.
• Expansion & enhancement of the gateway to Silverthorne and the Lower Blue Valley.
This does not enhance the gateway to the Lower Blue Valley or reinforce its rural
character, because it is in opposition to the rural character of the Lower Blue Valley.
• Enhancement of Parks, Open Spaces and Trails in accordance with the Town’s Park, Trails
and Open Space Master Plan. Joanne Cook, The Recreation and Culture Director stated
that this is an enhancement of The Town’s Park, Trails and Open Space Master Plan.
• Preservation of existing vegetation
Based on the plan that is being presented by Maryland Creek Ranch, the majority of the
vegetation that will not be preserved in the 176 acres where the 240 units will be built
eliminating the existing aspen grove. The only vegetation that will be preserved will be in
areas where the 240 units will not be built.
• Sensitivity to wildlife impacts.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has stated that this site is a high quality wildlife habitat and will
be greatly impacted by this density increase. CPW has gone on the record stating their
concerns about the high density of this proposed development. See Tom Davies letter in
the TOS staff report dated Jan 23rd 2015.
7) FOLBR supports Tom Everist, owner of Maryland Creek, Ranch to promise to encumber
those portions of North Maryland Creek Ranch still within Summit County (approximately 640
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acres) with a deed restriction and/or similar covenant that would “run with the land” limiting
any future development to a density of no more than 1 unit per 20 acres or 1 unit to 17.5
acres if a clustered rural subdivision development approach is utilized. These density
restrictions are consistent with existing Summit County A-1 zoning regulations that are in place
in the Lower Blue.
8) FOLBR respectfully requests that in the interest of openness, trust, and welfare of our
community, that the members of the Silverthorne Town Council implement a policy of full
disclosure. We suggest that each town council member disclose their personal, professional and
political reasons for approving or disapproving the Maryland Creek Ranch PUD density increase
request. This will effectively communicate the basis for each council member’s vote and provide
an understanding to their constituents of the benefit to the community of their vote
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clustered rural subdivision development approach is utilized. These density restrictions are
consistent with existing Summit County A- 1 zoning regulations that are in place in the Lower
Blue.
9) FOLBR respectfully requests that in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare of our
community, that members of the Silverthorne Town Council implement a policy of full
disclosure. We suggest that each town council member, disclose their personal, professional and
political reasons for approving or disapproving this Maryland Creek PUD density increase. This
would effectively communicate the basis for each council members vote and provide an
understanding to their constituents of the benefit to the community of their vote.
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