We have carefully read the Herald’s Jan. 22 editorial, “The Code,” and the 118-page proposed land use code. It is our opinion that you have come to the wrong conclusion on many points:
You claim the code “incorporates input from multiple working groups.” Who are these groups? Did they include the chambers of commerce, the Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, the Cattlemen’s Association, the Association of Realtors, sportsmen groups or landowners ?You claim, “Owners, with large and small acreages, will use their property as they see fit ...” This is not true! If the property is in a scenic or river overlay district, the code imposes significant new restrictions including “limiting building height,” “modulating building planes,” “alternating architectural elements and materials,” “breaking up building mass,” requiring “muted earth tones,” etc. You assume “it will increase property values across the county.” You are dead wrong! We would not have bought our property in Bayfield if this code had been in place two years ago. In addition, the code imposes burdensome, new, ridiculous restrictions on all residential properties. Read carefully Tables 63-1-2-4 and 63-2-2 if you have any doubt. At a minimum, the river corridor and scenic overlay districts should be eliminated in their entirety! They clearly represent a taking of our property rights, eminent domain by regulation!
It is a plan developed by an overpaid consultant who should be fired immediately. It is not a plan developed by La Plata County citizens.
Give us a chance.
John and Siri Fossel
Bayfield
