SUBJECT:
Title
119th & Baseline Land Acquisition - Coordination with Lafayette and Boulder County
Department
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Luke Bolinger, Director of Parks & Recreation
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 30 minutes
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Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The policy issue is whether the Town should participate in a potential joint acquisition of property outside the Planning Area, balancing regional collaboration with existing open space priorities and funding commitments.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This matter is for discussion and direction as Council deems necessary.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• Council requested to discuss the potential of the Town of Erie jointly purchasing property as open space along with Lafayette and Boulder County
• Erie’s Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB) are planning a joint meeting with Lafayette Open Space Advisory Board (LOSAB) in October
• Erie staff, OSTAB, and Council Liaison to OSTAB have discussed the potential for a joint purchase with Boulder County staff
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In early June, staff learned of Council Members’ interest in purchasing property at the northwest corner of E. Baseline Road and Highway 7 as a community buffer. The parcel sits directly west of Parkdale, lies in unincorporated Boulder County, and falls outside the Town’s Planning Area as defined by the Erie Comprehensive Plan. According to the Boulder County Assessor’s site, the property covers 26.16 acres, carries an “Agricultural” classification, and includes four buildings.
Each year, staff, guided by OSTAB, update an internal map of properties that may hold value for open space purchases or conservation easements. Staff send letters to landowners expressing the Town’s interest in their property should acquisition opportunities arise. The 2025 acquisition map does not list this parcel. While the Trails and Natural Areas Fund (TNAF) does not prohibit expenditures outside the Planning Area, doing so would reduce funds available for OSTAB’s identified priorities and existing commitments that are within the Planning Area.
Town staff, OSTAB, and the Council Liaison to OSTAB discussed this potential acquisition with Boulder County staff in mid-June. Erie expressed openness to joint acquisitions, but both organizations agreed that Lafayette, Erie, and Boulder County should pursue this property together only if the price proves reasonable and the agricultural value significant. Both Lafayette and Boulder County staff noted that past purchase attempts failed due to the price per acre.
OSTAB has scheduled a joint meeting with LOSAB in October to discuss future open space and trail opportunities, and the groups will likely revisit this property as part of that conversation.
At this stage, staff share this information to ensure Council remains informed of conversations with regional partners. No action is requested, and staff will continue to monitor discussions with Boulder County and Lafayette while keeping Council updated.
priorities
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
☐ Attractive Community Amenities
☐ Engaged and Diverse Community
☐ Prosperous Economy
☐ Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
☒ Small Town Feel
☐ Safe and Healthy Community
☒ Effective Governance
☐ Environmentally Sustainable
☒ Fiscally Responsible
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
None