Laserfiche WebLink
<br />~ <br /> <br />$1.3 million and $2.2 million on the local economy. In the past four years Golden has doubled <br />the park's size and attracted many national level competitions, no doubt increasing the project's <br />economic return from the initial estimates. <br /> <br />A whitewater park consists of one or more manmade structures in a stream that create hydraulic <br />features used by whitewater enthusiasts. During the past twenty years, boating at whitewater <br />parks has become a popular recreational activity. Nationwide, at least thirty whitewater parks <br />have been built, with twelve in Colorado. Whitewater parks can contribute notably to local <br />economies when recreational users and associated tourists patronize local businesses. In <br />addition, whitewater parks often are incorporated into larger river restoration projects aimed at <br />enhancing the aesthetic, recreational, and ecological value of river corridors. <br /> <br />Whitewater park structures are built using boulders and cement, affixed precisely onto the <br />streambed and designed to mimic natural river features. "U" drop structures create waves and <br />holes with associated plunge pools. Current deflectors, redirect fast flowing water to mid- <br />channel areas and create lateral eddies along the banks. Single and clustered boulders create <br />lateral and mid-channel eddies. Individual in-stream structures may be intended to create <br />specific hydraulic features during low, medium, or high flow conditions. In addition to in-stream <br />structures, stream bank stabilization, riparian revegetation, and footpath construction is <br />commonly included in whitewater park design. Some banks may be re-graded and terraced <br />using anchored boulders, preventing erosion while providing river access and streamside seating. <br />(Additional information regarding descriptions of In-Stream Structures can be found in <br />Appendix A of this EA.) <br /> <br />Proposed Action: <br /> <br />Background: In early 2003, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application was <br />submitted to the Town of Buena Vista, CO by Jed and Katie Selby, The Town Company, <br />LLC. The proposed development consists of 39.43 acres, located at the southeast end of <br />Main Street in Buena Vista, CO. It is the intent of the applicants to develop the area with <br />a variety of configurations as well as medium and small-scale commercial land uses. <br /> <br />The project concept is based upon "traditional neighborhood design (TND); a.k.a. New <br />Urbanist Design that, in the developer's application, builds upon an extension ofthe <br />historic core of Buena Vista, CO. <br /> <br />As of this date, the application has proceeded through the Sketch Plan phase and the <br />Preliminary Plat phase. The last phase, the Final Plat, was reviewed by and public <br />hearing was held by the Buena Vista Planning and Zoning Commission in March, 2005. <br />The applicant received final plat approval from the Buena Vista Board of Trustees in <br />May of2005. <br /> <br />As part of the South Main Development, the applicants are proposing a 2.6 acre River <br />Park. This parcel, currently titled the South Main River Park (see AUachment #1 South <br />Main River Park Conceptual Plan) will be dedicated to the Town of Buena Vista, CO at <br />the time of Final Plat approval and recording. In light of the South Main Development <br />