Guest Commentary

Town of Telluride

Greetings, fellow citizens:

Over the next six weeks I will attempt to provide clarity to you regarding the issues associated with the valley floor.

What are we doing? The court ordered mediation has resulted in the essential elements (or building blocks) of a negotiated settlement to the condemnation action. We, the entire council, believe that the results of this mediation process were worthy of referring to you the voters. THERE HAVE BEEN NO BACK ROOM AGREEMENTS. If our community does not vote for this practical alternative, we return to the condemnation action, along with its legal and financial uncertainties.

What will we be voting on? There will be a vote early next year where voters will indicate whether or not they want their government to pursue the drafting of documents that would include the essential elements mutually understood from the mediation process:

1. A Conservation Easement defining public access and uses of the property in perpetuity.

2. An annexation agreement defining these new areas as part of the Town.

3. A site specific development plan defining what can and cannot occur on these properties.

These documents would be negotiated in a public process and include the essential elements of the mediation proposal, which are described in detail at www.town.telluride.co.us.

Only after drafting these agreements through a public process would we consider dropping the condemnation action and proceeding with the preservation and limited development agreements.

When voters voted three and a half years ago for condemning the south side of the valley floor they made their decision without knowing the value of the property they were committing to purchase, or the legal uncertainties with condemnation, especially following the adoption of House Bill 1203 last year, which is still on the books. They did not have any alternatives at that time. Now, we do.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our four pre-election public forums (dates TBA).

1. Process and steps forward forum

2. Conservation easement forum

3. Restoration and remediation forum

4. Annexation agreement / Site Specific Development and Review process

Thanks for taking the time to familiarize yourselves with the facts of this important community issue.