Commissioners open to considering gate on Loma Vista despite fire district concerns; staff to issue city access permit

County staff and commissioners discussed a yearlong dispute on Sept. 17 over establishing a gate on Loma Vista, a county local-access road maintained by neighborhood residents, and whether the Board of County Commissioners should impose conditions on future development of adjacent city-owned park property.

The issue centers on three questions staff outlined: a city access permit for Alta Loma Vista; how future development of the city’s property should be handled; and whether to authorize a gate on the county road. Public-safety officials — notably the Scappellus (transcript: "Scapulas") Fire District chief (identified as Chief Pritchard) — oppose a gate because of concerns about emergency access and water-supply limitations.

Public works director Mike Bussell and assistant directors Grant De Jong and Ed McGlone summarized legal and operational constraints: the county could place a gate on a public road only by formal board order, and doing so over the fire district’s objection could raise liability questions. County counsel and staff recommended exploring conditions that would reduce liability, such as a Knox box or gate hardware that allows emergency vehicles to open the gate quickly, and programming options that automatically open gates for emergency vehicles.

Staff advised that a separate city access permit that meets roadway standards could be issued; that permit is distinct from any decision on a gate. Commissioners said they were willing to consider the possibility of a gate if conditions to minimize delay and liability are demonstrably in place. The board did not adopt a board order at the meeting; rather, it requested that staff continue to negotiate hours, gate specifications and emergency-access measures and return with a formal gate order if appropriate.

County staff also indicated they would work toward tying the physical trail/road description to county ownership by survey and coordinate with the city and neighbors; they will report back with a draft board order and recommended conditions for any gate. No formal vote to install a gate was taken at the meeting.