HomeMy WebLinkAboutVanessa Anthes_20-FEB-26Dear Commissioners Jankovsky, Will and Sampson
I am a Roaring Fork Valley native having been born and raised in Carbondale. My family
lives off Catherine Store Rd where we are raising our children who are fifth generation in the
valley, we’ve chatted before back in ’23 when we were addressing concerns with parking at
the Rodeo Grounds. I have seen a lot of change from the development of Aspen Glen when
I was in middle school to the addition of RVR when I was in high school. I know that change
is inevitable but what I’m hearing regarding the proposed large-scale development,
HARVEST ROARING FORK, at the Cattle Creek Confluence, where Cattle Creek meets the
Roaring Fork River has me deeply concerned as our valley is at a tipping point. This area is
one of the last intact open spaces along the river and is vital not only to Garfield County,
but to the health and sustainability of the entire Roaring Fork Valley — including Pitkin and
Eagle Counties.
Seeing the increased traffic and strain on infrastructure with the current capacity of our
community is already being stretched thin. If we add thousands of new vehicle trips Hwy
82 will simply be overwhelmed. New traffic lights, increased accidents, strain on
emergency response and public safety puts us all at greater risk.
Water is our greatest resource and it’s already under strain. Having had to dig a new well
this year as the water table is continually being reduced. A development this large without
robust stormwater safeguards would increase runoff, pollution and sediment negatively
impacting water quality and communities downstream.
The proposed density of 1,500 residential units, with up to 375 ADU’s, a hotel, and
commercial space on 283 acres — is fundamentally incompatible with existing zoning and
with the valley’s rural identity. We do not want to become Vail, Beaver Creek, Silverthorn or
Grand Junction – we are still a small community regardless of the changes I’ve seen the
past 40+ years.
The proposal does not account for the strain on schools, fire protection, EMS, and utilities.
This leaves existing taxpayers and communities to absorb the costs of growth. As an
involved parent at the Carbondale Community School and sports coach for the 7th Grade
Girls at CMS I see first-hand how the districts are already struggling with funding, class
sizes, teacher retention and to put more burden on taxpayers to shoulder the weight of a
large development like this would be disappointing.
This issue extends beyond Garfield County. Water quality, wildlife migration, and
development precedent will affect the broader valley — including Pitkin and Eagle
Counties. Our region must prioritize sustainable growth that protects natural resources and
community well-being.
I respectfully urge you to reject this development as proposed and to protect the Cattle
Creek Confluence for current and future generations.
Thank you for your leadership and for listening to the concerns of residents across the
Roaring Fork Valley.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Anthes
111 Willow Lane
Carbondale