Questions remain on Byers Peak project

To the Editor:

I am still not clear on some of the issues involving the annexation of Byers Peak Ranch. Thank you (developer) for answers to many of the questions I asked in my last letter. I am confused as to why you didn’t answer the question that I felt was the most important one. How many CFS are needed to support BPR at build out? I see you are building a holding facility of 60 CFS, and if I heard right, you are deeding over that much water rights to Fraser water “taxpayer owned.” Isn’t that kind of like putting six 5-gallon pails full of water into a 200 gallon tank?

You’ve also stated the Fraser water has enough water to build out Fraser’s current and promised future needs, BPR’S needs and some left over, but with costly augmentation.

Is there a need for augmentation if Fraser does not take on BPR, and aren’t tap fees intended to provide funds to service current needs and establish a trust fund for future needs of Fraser water? If these needs are not present without BPR, how are you saving the water district money, when they already have the water they currently need for now and the foreseeable future? Why should Fraser forgive tap fees for infrastructure that would be needed to service your project? Traditionally, developers were required to provide all water needs for their project at their own expense. I dare say the expense of providing your project water needs will be paid in full by you, if Fraser doesn’t take you on and you build in the county.

One other point I want to make is about the height variance request. The height regulations are there to protect property owners of Fraser taxpayers for losing property values through major losses of views. Being able to build a 55-foot tall building instead of 35 feet is huge to both the developer and property owners near that building. Property owners across the street from it lose the view, plus may lose a large amount of their equity at a sale. To the developer, the extra square footage on the same footprint means a large savings in building costs and up to 40 to 50 percent more leasing space. Who is the winner there? Jeff, your mantra is to stick with the town rules, please do. I know most all of the architects in Grand County, and I can assure you that they can design your project with nothing taller than 35 feet, and make it just as beautiful and appealing as any project with varying heights up to 55 feet tall.

Ron Bowen

Granby