Committee backs purchase of land near Meyer Ranch Park and a trade of a trail easement to change alignment

Jefferson County Open Space staff presented two related items connected to Meyer Ranch Park: a recommended acquisition of approximately 8.19 acres (Norm Meyer parcel) and a proposed exchange to terminate a previously dedicated trail easement across the Our Lady of the Pines property in favor of a new alignment that county staff and the church say provides a better visitor experience.

Jordan, real estate program manager for Jefferson County Open Space, said the 8.19-acre parcel at 9234 Eagle Cliff Road in Conifer would link existing preserved lands near Meyer Ranch Park and Gold Mountain, enhance habitat connectivity and provide new trail connections from the Meyer Ranch trailhead. Staff presented an aerial conceptual trail alignment and described an access easement included with the purchase that would allow staging, construction and maintenance; a 0.39-acre linear segment for trail purposes leads into the larger 7.8-acre parcel. Jordan said the purchase price was supported by market analysis; in the presentation staff referred to a purchase price of approximately $409,500 (presentation slide) and later provided a figure of $109,500 in another slide; that discrepancy appears in the meeting record and staff noted the sale price in the presentation materials.

A second item presented by staff proposed terminating a 2005-dedicated trail easement across the Our Lady of the Pines property and replacing it with a new alignment east of Eagle Cliff Road. Staff said the 30-foot wide dedicated alignment on the church property is no longer suitable for either the county or the church, and that the church and county had agreed on the proposed relocation. Staff explained the proposed new trail alignment would remain within the church’s preference and avoid routing a trail through the center of the church’s event areas.

Committee members asked about separation from the road, the extent of buffer/berm between road and trail, whether the church would receive compensation for the exchange (staff said no financial consideration), and how approvals would interact if the county completed one acquisition but not the other. Staff said the new alignment provides more separation where terrain allows, that the church had provided correspondence supporting the exchange, and that both items are intended to function together to create a continuous trail; if only one were approved staff said additional planning steps and coordination would be required.

The committee voted to recommend adoption of Resolution 25-06 for the purchase and Resolution 25-07 to approve the easement exchange.