HomeMy WebLinkAboutSally Grange_15-FEB-26 February 15, 2026
Dear Garfield County Commissioners Samson, Jankovsky, and Will,
I am writing to voice my concern for the proposed development “Harvest
Roaring Fork”. I was planning on attending the public meeting at the end of
January 2026, but now understand the date has been moved to the end of
February and I will not be in town. I am unable to attend, but I would like to write
and voice my concerns.
I’ve lived in the valley for 40 years and have seen lots of change over the
years. I’ve also changed my lifestyle as time has gone by, and I understand that
change is all part of life and lifestyle. What I don’t believe in, is radical change, or
change for the sake of out of town developers making money. More and more
people have been, and are still, moving into the valley. That’s fine – it’s a
beautiful place to live and raise a family, and enjoy life. But for just one example,
we have all seen what it has done to the traffic situation on Hwy 82. There are so
many bottlenecks now, up valley in the morning and down valley in the
afternoon, not to mention the speeding cars and uptick in accidents. 82 has
become quite dangerous; I’ve seen other developments and other developers
trying to add more housing to the valley. Then when CDOT looks at these and the
amount of cars to be added to the roads without getting real about the true
impact they present on traffic and safety, CDOT has given these developments
“F’s”. I know you all know that developers have their own traffic study people,
and you’ve seen this show before. But I completely believe that this project,
adding over 1500 people and their transportation, and with the “Michigan turns”
on 82, is a terrible idea for safety on Hwy 82, as well as the congestion it will
bring. Going through Willits can be challenging enough, without adding all of
these extra cars to that “bulge in the snake”. I believe this project is like adding
another Willits Town to our valley! This Harvest project is Just Too Big.
Another big issue I have with Harvest is the over-the-top Zoning variance
they need to get in order to build this second city. I know and remember the
different proposals this area has seen over the years. And I understand how
developers have been eyeing this land parcel for housing, as well as commercial
land use. I do believe there is a housing shortage for employees in the valley. I’ve
also always been of the belief that Aspen/Snowmass and communities up valley
should house their own, and they do try. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth
when down valley developers play the employee housing card in order to get
their developments through, developments where they themselves will not be
living, and just to get more workers into the valley to work in Aspen.
Also, from what I have read, (from other valley residents, as well as
Harvest’s own literature) the developers are being untruthful/shifty in several
ways – their “conservation” land set aside (not true), where they are getting their
water from (they don’t have the rights they say they do), and just the zoning rules
they want to disregard. If we as a community don‘t adhere to zoning, then why
even have it?? Are we as a citizen community ok with that? I don’t think so. Way
of life demands it.
As others have brought up, there is also a daycare facility shortage in the
valley, which I agree with. Part of the argument for Harvest is that it will build
one or two more child daycare centers. I believe the land is already zoned for
that use……why not build a new daycare center, and build housing for the current
zoning? This Harvest proposal has so much more housing, it is actually adding to
the problem instead of helping with it, even with building new daycare!
That is what I see is wrong with this whole Harvest development – it ADDS
to our current problems instead of making lives better. Just for the sake of adding
employee housing – schools, traffic and safety, police and fire protection, grocery
shopping, social services - it puts way too much strain on what we have already.
And then there is the issue of our fragile ecosystem in the valley…..we are
all very worried about water come this spring/summer, as the snowpack is hurting
in the worst way this winter. We’ve seen extended periods of drought here; if
this continues, how does this development intend to get their water? And from
what I have researched and read, Harvest is not being entirely truthful when they
state the water rights they have…. And not to mention the wintering grounds for
our bird, deer and elk populations! That would be a whole other letter…..
This letter is getting a little winded, so I’ll wrap it up. I believe the Harvest
project is WAY TOO BIG and I am asking that you strongly deny it. They are asking
for just too much for this to be something positive for the valley, and indeed it will
be the opposite: a detriment.
Sincerely,
Sally Grange
1854 County Road 109, Glenwood Springs, Garfield County