Redstone May/June 2017

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LOOK FOR REDSTONE REVIEW AT ISSUU.COM / SDCMC VOLUME 18, NUMBER 4

LYONS, COLORADO

RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053 $.50

MAY 17 / JUNE 14, 2017

B •R •I •E •F •S Medical clinic to close in Lyons LYONS – Longmont United Hospital, which is owned by Centura Health, a non-profit, faith-based health care system based in Englewood, decided to close its Centura Health Physician’s Group (CHPG) Primary Care clinic in Lyons on August 1. LUH said in a press release that the Lyons clinic, located at 303 Main Street, was closing due to annual financial losses since opening and a lower volume of patients.

Dr. Matthew Brett is the primary physician at Centura Health Physician’s Group (CHPG) Primary Care clinic in Lyons. LUH said that it would be focusing on locations where most of their patients reside and that a significant number of patients who utilize the Lyons primary care practice live in Longmont. Closing the clinic will be a hardship for many residents in Lyons who do not drive and cannot rely on public transportation. “I believe it is in the best interest of Lyons to maintain local access to medical services, particularly for our seniors,” said Connie Sullivan, mayor of Lyons. “I am encouraged by the dialogue taking place among entities who are interested in finding ways to meet the community’s healthcare needs. The town is committed to exploring how it can support efforts to keep basic medical services available in Lyons.” Continue Briefs on Page 3

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I •N •D •E •X LYONS

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MAYOR’S CORNER

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LOCAL

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OPTIONS

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ECOLOGY

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INSIGHT

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CONTEXT

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2017 GRADUATES

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PLANS AFTER HS

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A&E

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CONCEPTS

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CONTENT

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NATURE

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A family of Canada Geese stroll along the water’s edge at Pella Crossing Open Space near Hygiene. Pella Crossing, closed since sustaining heavy damage during the flood of 2013, reopened on April 26. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS

Lyons Town Board continues annexation vote on Planet Bluegrass Farm until June 8 By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – It was a long night in a very crowded Lyons Town Hall. Public hearings were held on three ordinances concerning the annexation of 26.2 acres of Planet Bluegrass Farm (formerly Sandy Williams property) at the eastern intersection of Apple Valley Road and US Highway 36. A fourth public hearing was held on an ordinance to annex the two old water treatment plants formerly owned by Longmont and now owned by Lyons in the Eastern Corridor on Colorado Highway 66. The Bluegrass Farm annexation public hearing lasted until nearly 11 p.m. Over 20 people spoke up at the public hearing giving their opinions, both for and against the annexation. The vast majority of people who spoke were against the annexation, but there were prominent supporters. Craig Ferguson, the managing partner of Planet Bluegrass Ranch (where the bluegrass and

folks festivals are held) presented his plan for Planet Bluegrass Farm, the 26 acres he hopes to annex. The main reason Ferguson said wants to annex the property is to create an alternative parking and camping area for the festivals and to create a venue for weddings which would include music. The county regulations are too restrictive for his business, he said. They limit the days that can be used for parking, which are not enough for the festivals and the number of weddings that can be held there. He made it clear that he would not hold any festivals there, nor would he erect any additional buildings or structures. He would use portable toilets for the campers and weddings just as he does in the parks. “We have been here for 20 years,” said Ferguson. “This is a way for us to ensure our future here.” Currently Ferguson rents LaVern Johnson (formerly Meadow Park) and Bohn Park for concert goers to park and

camp during the festivals. He plans to continue renting Johnson Park but would use the Farm property to absorb the parking and campers from Bohn Park; this would mean less revenue to Lyons. Brian Eyster, from Planet Bluegrass Ranch, said that they would be willing to discuss a plan with the town to pay more for parking in Johnson Park to recoup some of the money lost to the town. Many residents were not persuaded by the explanations. Apple Valley is considered a jewel in Lyons and residents in and around that area expressed concerns about excessive traffic, noise from music at weddings, damage to the environment and following through on promises. Leah Treadwell said that a lot of the work that Ferguson did on the river at Planet Bluegrass Ranch was called into question. Frank Adams from Apple Valley said, “I have an issue with the process. This (ordinance) is much too complicated to complete in this time sched-

ule. Residents only had one opportunity to express their concerns; we should have been involved earlier.” Mike Whipp said that he lived in Apple Valley and he was in favor of the annexation. Whipp also has a wedding business at the former River Bend property and he said that the new business at the Farm would be an asset to Lyons. Musician KC Groves approved of the annexation and the music venues, citing the positive effect that the festivals have on Lyons. Peter Baumgartner from Lyons also wanted to see the annexation go through, saying that he loved the bluegrass concerts. Others addressed the environment. “They will be camping on what was a wetlands,” said Ron McGuckin from Apple Valley. “This is a deer crossing area and this will impact the river and the fish; there will be more noise in our area. A major environmental impact study needs to be done here.” Ed Bruder from Lyons said, “I think this property should stay in the county. I cannot see how this will benefit the town. The town should not get involved in this.” Continue Town on Page 15


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