Thursday, March 27, 2008

Blue Sky goes to council

By James Robinson

Staff Writer

The Town of Pagosa Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the town’s planning area boundary by nearly two square miles in order to include Blue Sky Ranch — the approval marks the first boundary amendment to the town’s 25-year Comprehensive Plan, and comes barely two years after the plan’s adoption in May 2006.

Although the planning commission approval came without dissent or discord, the question must go before the Pagosa Springs Town Council for final approval in April.

The ranch, located on the east side of U.S. 84, near the junction of U.S. 84 and Light Plant Road, totals 1,373 acres, with 120 acres of the property located within the town’s current planning area boundary and the remaining 1,253 acres outside the boundary. And therein, said the developer’s representative Nancy Lauro of Russell Engineering Inc., lies part of the problem.

According to Lauro and the planning commissioners, the planning area boundary bisected the property, thus creating the potential for a dual regulatory situation.

For example, the 120 acres of the ranch along U.S. 84 and already within the planning area boundary could be subject to the town’s land use regulations (pending annexation) which allows densities in the ranch area to range from one unit per five acres to one unit per acre. Without the planning area boundary shift, the remaining 1,253 acres could be developed under the county’s land use regulations which allows for one dwelling unit on parcels of 35 acres or more.

Lauro said her clients did not want to pursue the one dwelling unit per 35 acres scenario, and explained that the request to expand the planning area boundary stemmed from the developer’s desire to bring the project under the town’s jurisdiction which could ultimately allow for development at higher densities and pursuit of a cohesive, well planned project.

But before development occurs, the project and the developers must leap a number of hurdles. And Lauro described the planning boundary change as a “baby step” in the process.

“We have a lot to go. We have a lot to prove,” Lauro said.

If the town council ratifies the planning commission’s decision, associate planner Joe Nigg said the next step was for the developer to submit a petition for annexation.

“Just because this line has changed does not mean this will necessarily be annexed into the town,” said planning commissioner Tracy Bunning. “At least by changing the line, we allow them to come up with a plan that is all under one jurisdiction.”

According to the staff report, the town does not have the ability to annex the Blue Sky Ranch because there is no established or future contiguity with the ranch property and properties within the town limits. Under the current administration, contiguity is one of the defining criteria in a successful annexation application. However “creative annexations” could occur, such as annexing up easement utility corridors or U.S. 84, which might ultimately make Blue Sky Ranch annexation possible.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the commissioners also approved the “Rural Residential” land use designation for the ranch, thus allowing densities of one unit per five acres to one unit per acre. However, the developer will not be able to exercise that development density option until they have successfully annexed. Then, once annexation and zoning are complete, Blue Sky Ranch will go through the development approval process, including a series of public hearings. In addition, the developer will have to address key infrastructure issues such as water and sewer service. Tapping into the town’s sewer system is currently a requirement for a successful annexation.

Project details remain scant, although Lauro said a world-class golf course, small luxury hotel, restaurant and multi- and single-family housing options were being explored.

Based on public comments made during a Feb. 26 hearing, Bunning encouraged Lauro to bring a “pretty detailed plan” for presentation at the annexation hearing.

“The developer needs to step up and get something out there that everyone can see,” Bunning said.

Nigg said submittal of a conceptual plan is part of the annexation application process.

When asked if the boundary shift met the town’s long term planning goals and matched the goals and intent of the Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commissioner Angela Atkinson said amending the planning area boundary to include Blue Sky Ranch represented an effort to balance economic development and land use concerns with the town’s long term planning goals.

james@pagosasun.com

Ed Center to expand programs, facility

By Chuck McGuire

Workers seeking enhanced skills or preparation for new employment, or employers hoping to retrain employees or improve performance can now conveniently do so at the Archuleta County Education Center. Soon, college degrees will be attainable.

Even as the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) suggests a community or technical college isn’t feasible for the Pagosa Springs area, the Ed Center will not deny residents access to post secondary education.

In 2006, per request by Rep. Mark Larson and Sen. Jim Isgar, the CCHE studied the likelihood of establishing a community college in Pagosa Springs. In November of that year, the commission concluded that insufficient population growth, high school enrollment and projected enrollment rendered the creation of such an institution impractical here, or anywhere in the Four Corners region.

As a result, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners appointed an eight-person task force to further assess the need for countywide continuing education. The task force, which includes area educators and counselors, school administrators and a county economic development director, examined the CCHE report and the history of local post secondary education.

Their findings showed that 70 percent of Pagosa Springs High School graduates go on to a junior college, four-year college or university, trade school or the military within one year. Of the remaining 30 percent:

• Some wait a year or more, before taking the same path.

• Some do not have the financial means to pursue continuing education.

• Some work in the cattle industry where daytime learning is not feasible.

• The family culture fails to recognize a need for higher learning.

Throughout its 19-year history, the Ed Center has advanced higher education to myriad county residents, and in the past 10 years, it’s Archuleta County High School program has served as an alternative learning environment for high school students at risk of dropping out before graduation.

In years past, Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College offered limited classes at the Ed Center, but enrollment numbers often failed to meet the minimum required to cover costs. Meanwhile, government, non-profit and for-profit organizations regularly offer dozens of classes throughout the community, and a few area businesses have expressed interest in cost-effective continuing education for employees.

Therefore, citing its existing 501(c)3 status; long-term experience with post secondary education; and its ability to provide one or more adjunct facilities, centralized administration and registration, and expanded marketing exposure; task force members collectively agree, the Ed Center should be a focal point for advanced countywide education.

Accordingly, the center has revamped its strategic plan to expand educational content and pursue a new, larger facility that will incorporate a scalable and sustainable telecommunications technology infrastructure, otherwise referred to as “distance learning.”

Discussions are now underway with Cisco Systems, the leading supplier of networking equipment and network management for the Internet. Plans include developing a high-definition interactive video conferencing system entitled TelePresence, that will make 60 to 80 percent of educational programming content available in Pagosa Springs. The balance will come from field trips or visits to the offering institution.

As described, the TelePresence system will draw instructional content from several participating institutions and serve one or a number of learners, whether vocational, baccalaureate, graduate, certification, re-certification, or continuing education. As a virtual reality learning experience, students will observe lectures or engage in real-time class participation, as if actually sitting in the classroom. The system is particularly beneficial to rural Americans, where educational curriculums are limited or lacking.

To design a system appropriate for Archuleta County, the Ed Center has acquired a $25,000 matching grant from the El Pomar Foundation that will enable it to identify network content partners; detail the commitment of government partners such as the school district, town and county; secure commitments from technology partners; secure high-speed connectivity; and secure launch and sustainable funding sources.

Thus far, the Town of Pagosa Springs has contributed $12,500 of the 50-percent match, as the Ed Center seeks additional funding from a variety of other sources.

According to director Don Goodwin, the Ed Center board of directors hopes to identify a new or existing facility site by summer, with construction and/or incorporation of the TelePresence technology by the fall of 2010. The cost of developing such educational systems is estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million, virtually all of which is eligible for a 100 percent project grant.

Once the system is in place, students will pay the typical tuition to whichever partner institution provides the specific educational content he or she acquires. The Ed Center will assess a nominal fee to cover costs.

In the meantime, area workers and employers can now take advantage of skills and performance evaluation and enhancement through existing Internet services at the Ed Center.

Risberg leads DA race

By James Robinson

With a significant victory at the 6th Judicial District Democratic Assembly March 22, and no Republican challengers so far, district attorney candidate Todd Risberg could be a shoe-in for the post.

Democratic delegates attending the assembly voted 45-17 in favor of Risberg, leaving Democratic challenger Sarah Law faced with the prospect of seeking access to the primary ballot via petition.

Law said Wednesday she is weighing the petition option and will likely announce her campaign plans next week.

If elected, Risberg said he would work to bring a stronger district attorney’s office presence to Archuleta County and would strive for stronger interaction between the district attorney’s office, Pagosa area law enforcement, the courts, probation and the community.

One way to accomplish the task, Risberg said, would be to revitalize the drug and driving under the influence (DUI) court, making it a viable option for offenders who don’t necessarily need jail time to help them overcome their addiction problems. Risberg said the program should focus more on rehabilitation, rather than just punishment.

“The one-size-fits-all, lock ‘em up approach is the easy way to do it, but we need to make that distinction between those that need to go away, and those that can be helped here in the community,” Risberg said. “A big part of the DA’s job is to exercise discretion. Who can be helped here? A lot of it is about changing behavior.”

To that end, Risberg said he would also look at improving the juvenile diversion program.

“Diversion is a punitive model that may have things in it that aren’t related to what the kid is dealing with. The focus should be on solving the kid’s problem that got them into court in the first place,” Risberg said.

In addition, Risberg said the district attorney’s office needs to assess how it can improve its handling of mental health cases and would seek input from professionals in the community.

“We tend to treat non-criminal problems as criminal issues,” Risberg said. Although under his tenure, he added, that approach would change.

“It’s time to take advantage of different ideas,” Risberg said. “I think we need to welcome professionals from the mental health community, juvenile services, and representatives from the schools and educators. There are a lot of skilled people here that have a lot to offer and haven’t been heard.”

Risberg said methamphetamine addiction continues to create a variety of spin-off social and criminal problems, and he said he would work to establish a regional methamphetamine treatment center.

“An awful lot of what we see is fueled by meth,” Risberg said. “We do have a meth problem and if we don’t do something, it’s going to get worse.”

After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Law School in 1994, Risberg said he spent a year working for a Jefferson County judge, then spent two years in Lakewood, Colo. as a civil litigator.

Between 1998 and 2000, Risberg served as deputy district attorney in the 6th Judicial District.

After his stint in the district attorney’s office, Risberg worked with attorney Jeff Wilson in a Durango-based general practice firm.

In January 2001, Gov. Bill Owens appointed Risberg to the San Juan County Court bench where he served as county judge for five years.

In February 2007, Risberg resigned from the post, and resumed his criminal defense practice, handling cases in Durango, Pagosa Springs and Cortez.

Risberg said his broad legal experience, particularly as a defense attorney and judge, makes him an ideal candidate and has helped him understand how the system might be improved.

Risberg said, “I’ve seen it over and over again. We’re using the same approach, it’s simple, but it doesn’t work. Somebody has to make changes to make our system better and our community better, and I’m willing to try.”

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