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October 1, 2014 VOLU M E 49 | I S S UE 37 | 7 5 ¢
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Gleneagle Golf Course remains hot topic nearly one year after closing El Paso County Commissioner hosted town hall on Sept. 27 By Danny Summers
dsummers @coloradocommunitymedia. com Those who have a home on the Gleneagle Golf Course and aren’t fond of the weed patch growing outside the back patio, they are more than welcome to get out your lawn mower and go to town. But just don’t expect any El Paso County representative to do the same. Darryl Glenn, the County Commissioner for the Tri-Lakes area, led a town hall meeting Sept. 27 at Lewis-Palmer High School. Several issues were discussed, including the County’s long-term plans for roundabouts and road repairs, as well as ballot issues related to storm water and trail and open space. But nothing seemed to get the crowd of about two dozen folks more stirred up than the eye sore that has become of the former Gleneagle Golf Course, which is owned by MCTN LLC, a Nevada limited liability company set up by Atlanta-based Mad River Hold-
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RIGHT: Gleneagle Golf is still sporting sub-par conditions as weeds and dry grass surround the marker for the 17th hole. ABOVE: An abandoned golf ball marks the edge between the sand trap and the “rough” of weeds and wildflowers. Photos by Rob Carrigan ings Inc. and the Miles and Denise Scully Trust. Miles Scully is an attorney who lives in California. “(Miles Scully) may have given an open-ended invitation for (Gleneagle) homeowners to mow the grass, but he has not given legal authority to the County,” Glenn said. “We have to be very methodical with our approach, and unfortunately this is something that is going to take time.” The golf course closed last Nov. 1. Scully then closed his account with Donala Water the next month. In February, The Palms Restaurant shut its doors. Oddly, the pool, which is located near the clubhouse, is still in operation. “We know you are frustrated and we are here to help, but it takes time,” Glenn said. “It is frustrating, but we are moving forward.” Max Rothschild was among those on stage with Glenn. He is the director of the County’s Development Services Department. He detailed the county’s options on how it plans to move forward with a way to at least maintain the golf course so that is less of an eyesore
than it is now. The county’s current weed ordinance only applies to residential parcels less than 2.5 acres. State legislation approved last year changed this so that it can apply to everything except agricultural assessed property. The county is considering changes to its ordinance, which would applicable to the course. “Under the current law, enforcement is limited,” Rothschild said in regard to forcing Scully to at least mow the overgrown fairways, greens, cart paths and driving range. “We’re trying to get a new ordinance into the court system, but that takes time.” Mark Gebhart, a spokesman with the county, said it will probably take a minimum of three to four weeks to adopt a new law. Rothschild added that at that point Scully would be given three weeks to a month to comply. If he doesn’t comply a lien could be put on the property. “If it gets to the point where we are legally allowed to step in (and mow) Mr. Scully will get a bill,” Glenn said with a chuckle. Several folks in the audience
talked about dangers possibility associated with what they perceive to be a larger snake population at the course, as well as the potential fire hazard to the area due to the five-to-six foot weeds, brush and long grass. Rothschild answered by saying he did not believe garter or bull snakes - common to the region — are any danger. He also did not appear to be too concerned with any fire hazard from the overgrown course. El Paso County engineer Andre Brackin was also part of the panel and he discussed numerous road issues and concerns associated with the Tri-Lakes area. Among his main issues was a proposed roundabout that is expected to be built at the intersection of Struthers Road and Gleneagle Drive by the spring or summer of 2015. “We did a study and what the study recommended is a roundabout,” Brackin said. “A signal would not make sense there. Plus it would be too costly.” Brackin and his team have been conducting studies on the intersection for years. In early 20ll, the Board of County Commissioners
voted to approve a professional service contract to Wilson and Company for Civil and Traffic Engineer Planning and Design Services. The traffic study examined possible ways in which to make the intersection safer. “Ultimately this is all about safety,” Brackin said. Currently, there is an all-way stop sign located at the intersection. Brackin said there have been several accidents over the years caused by motorists running the stop signs. The County added flashing beacons atop the stop signs in 2010. Brackin said that an outside consultant group will design the roundabout. It will be two lanes on each side. The two roundabouts on North Gate Road near Interstate 25 were built by the Colorado Department of Transportation last fall as part of its I-25 expansion project. Brackin also discussed traffic data from studies done on Old North Gate Road and Struthers Road, as well as the County’s plan to pave Beacon Lite Road from Highway 105 to County Line Road.
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Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts to host political meet-and-greet Oct. 8 Congressman Lamborn, Commissioner Glenn among those who will headline event By Danny Summers
dsummers @coloradocommunitymedia. com The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is hosting a meet-and-greet for U.S. Congressman Doug Lamborn on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Also on hand will be Colorado State Senator Owen Hill, El Paso County Commissioner Darryl
Glenn, Palmer Lake mayor Nikki McDonald, and Monument mayor Rafael Dominguez. Michael Maddox, executive director of the TLCA, is running the event. “The event is free to the public and can best be described as a social mixer,” Maddox said “Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided.” Maddox was a member of the Palmer Lake Town Council until April of this year when he did not win election. He was appointed to his position two years ago. For more information on the meet-and-greet, call 719-4810475.
Congressman Doug Lamborn will be among those who will attend the meet and greet event at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts on Oct. 8. Courtesy photo