Dear Editor,

Traffic impacts and loss of open space are two of the arguments being made against annexing Red Feather Ridge. But when you really examine these arguments, they don’t stand up so well.

Traffic will increase under either the already-approved county plan or the annexation plan. If annexation of Red Feather Ridge is approved, this traffic increase will come with a total of $773,000 in impact fees. If annexation is denied, no fees will be paid.

In other words, voting “no” will make a bad situation worse, without providing resources to mitigate or resolve the problems.

Please do not be misled by “Option C” arguments, such as if we deny annexation, the developer will go away, and we’ll get to look at empty meadows for another 20 years.

Development will proceed either under the county’s plan or under the city’s plan. Under the county’s plan, however, there will be no trails, no ballfields and no public open spaces between and around the private lots.

Instead, Red Feather Ridge will be comprised entirely of private homes and private yards – with no public access.

Please make an investment in the future of our community and vote “yes” on Red Feather Ridge.

Carole Brown

Glenwood Springs