By Keep Missouri Heights Rural

This is in response to Amy Hadden Marsh’s article, “Missouri Heights residents fear losing rural Colorado lifestyle.” The article, published July 19, 2024, expressed concerns about the potential impact of a proposed equestrian facility called Twin Acres.

The Eagle County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) subsequently denied the Twin Acres Special Use Permit application, a decision supported by Keep Missouri Heights Rural (KMOHR). KMOHR, while advocating for preserving the area’s rural character, emphasizes that we are not against ranching or agriculture. Rather, our focus is on ensuring that development aligns with existing zoning regulations and doesn’t adversely impact the quality of life for residents.

Zoning regulations exist to protect the rights of all landowners. When a Special Use Permit is required, it signifies that the proposed use deviates from the standard “as of right” use. This triggers a county review process to ensure that specific standards are met to mitigate potential negative impacts on neighboring properties and the environment.

Contrary to accusations, KMOHR maintains that we are not trying to stifle the ranching business. The county attorney in fact explicitly stated that the proposed Twin Acres’ use was not a ranch by its definition. We argued that the Twin Acres proposal, due to its scale and intensity, was not compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The county commissioners echoed this view during the hearing, and the BOCC unanimously voted against the application.

Many residents, including long-time locals (over 25 years) and experienced equestrians, appreciate the rural character of Missouri Heights and would support a properly scaled ranch, as it was historically. We refute claims that opposition to Twin Acres stemmed solely from newcomers with a “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) attitude.

KMOHR acknowledges that the neighborhood has evolved over time, with five HOAs and 450 residents now living in the vicinity of the proposed development. We emphasize that current homeowners cannot be blamed for the changes in the area. The responsibility lies with previous landowners who sold their land to developers. Homeowners purchased their properties based on existing zoning regulations and have a right to protect their quality of life and investments. Similarly, and contrary to concerns, established ranches that followed proper zoning cannot be shoved out simply based on nearby complaints. 

While there are other commercial horse boarding facilities nearby, these are located a few miles away and are not in direct view of hundreds of homes. Additionally, many of these facilities were established before the surrounding residential development occurred. Property purchasers knew in advance what would be adjacent to them. 

The term “rural” is not exclusive to ranching or agriculture. It’s about density; it encompasses the scale, scope and intensity of land use. There are rural neighborhoods that are primarily residential. Most of the zoning in this area is Rural/ Residential (RR) as well as Agricultural/ Rural (AR). The Eagle County plans call for no new Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and the area is zoned for limited growth, recognizing its quiet nature and encouraging low-impact agriculture and preserving residential rural character.

Yes, past subdivisions have brought increased light, noise and traffic. However, we argue that previous approvals do not guarantee future permits, especially when neighbors can demonstrate that a proposed development doesn’t meet the necessary standards.

KMOHR regrets that misunderstandings and a lack of awareness about land use regulations have caused a rift within the community. We hope that with time and increased understanding, these divisions can be healed. We also highlight the ongoing rewrite of the Eagle County Land Use Code as an opportunity for public participation in shaping the future of the area.

KMOHR believes that most residents in Missouri Heights value the existing rural lifestyle and wish to support all their neighbors, including ranchers, farmers and residential homeowners. We aim to foster a balanced approach to development that preserves the area’s character while respecting the rights of all property owners.