Colorado Gulch riverfront will be saved for the future
Guest opinion by Grant Stevens
Grant Stevens is the owner of the Stevens Ranch on Broadford Road south of Hailey.
Over the last two years we have been working with the City of Hailey, the City Council, the mayor and the Wood River land Trust in an effort to give the community over 100 acres of prime riverfront property adjoining the Hailey city limits. We have hired the best hydrologist and wetlands experts in the state, the best land planners, and the best engineers in an effort to make this project an example for others to follow. We followed the guidelines given to us by the Hailey Planning Department, directed by current city ordinances. We have demonstrated that we can responsibly meet the challenges of developing such a property. In addition, there would be no further need to cross private property to access the river as this access would be guaranteed to the public in perpetuity. This is an example of a development that adds value to the community, one that improves the quality of life for all and not just the wealthy few who can afford to own riverfront property.
We proposed parks and open spaces where none were required. We proposed a river park stretching for 3/4 mile along the Big Wood River with walking trails for everyone to use. We proposed a game preserve with a corridor for the migrating animals who call the Big Wood River home. No private property would exist along the river, with setbacks an average of three times that suggested by current city and county ordinances. Our proposal for density of housing was half of what city ordinances would have provided for. We proposed day parks of 4 acres each on both sides of the Colorado Gulch Bridge, allowing for a variety of uses in addition to fishermen?s access. We proposed a trail system throughout that would give all residents walking access to the river trails as well as linking the north - south trails along the Big Wood River and Broadford Road. We proposed development that would enhance and avoid floodplain wetlands that was certified and approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
For reasons that we don't understand, the Council turned our proposal down. We, too, were as disappointed as much of the community was.
Now we are left with a beautiful 180-acre ranch. It is private and it is our responsibility to care for it and be good neighbors. Our fencing of certain areas of the property has been prompted by the following: Recently, a number of cows escaped through cut fences and into the city park. The city police called citing concerns and complaints from the neighbors and we were asked to re-secure the cows on our property. Additionally, we have received complaints from citizens and law enforcement regarding people living on the south end of the property. This has created a trash problem, a fire hazard and a security hazard to those walkers and runners along Colorado Gulch Road and bridge. Our clean-up efforts, as well as our fences, have been welcomed and applauded by both law enforcement as well as many citizens who felt threatened by the previous conditions.
Contrary to the belief of some, we have not cut off the use of the river corridor only that which applies directly to our private property. Further, we have gone out of our way to continue to provide fishermen access to the river. Parking has been provided for those who wish to use the river or Colorado Gulch Road and we encourage such use throughout the entire stretch of the river.
We currently have no plans to develop this property in the county. We now plan to secure and develop the property in its present form. Lost are the trails, parks and the preserve we wished to give to the community. This was not our first choice. We have spent much time and a great deal of money trying to design a development we could be proud of and from which the community could benefit.
Should an opportunity exist in the future for us to bring forth a new request for annexation we encourage the community to participate in the public process as it is very important in all matters of public interest, not just this. The City Council cannot read your minds...together we may be able to forge a plan that will make the Colorado Gulch Preserve a reality and asset to the community.
