Longmont council refers amended Distal–Toll land-exchange plan to parks advisory board, authorizes purchase of adjacent 17-acre Bigelow parcel

The Longmont City Council voted on June 3 to refer an amended land‑exchange proposal affecting the Distal and Toll open‑space properties to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) for further review and public comment, and separately authorized the purchase agreement for the 17‑acre Bigelow parcel for $595,000.

The referral passed unanimously (6–0, Councilor Rodriguez absent). The council also approved Resolution R2025‑31 authorizing the mayor to sign the purchase agreement for the Bigelow property; that vote passed 6–0 (Rodriguez absent). City staff said both actions are procedural steps to keep multiple options open while more technical studies and partner decisions proceed.

Why it matters: The exchange would move some already‑disturbed, industrially mined acreage into active municipal use while returning other acreage to permanent open‑space management and creating room for wetlands and potential water storage. Councilors and staff said the amended plan (scenario 3) aims to concentrate industrial activity on land already impacted by mining and to expand contiguous open space along the St. Vrain/Left Hand Creek corridor. Members of the public urged caution, asking the council to wait for Boulder County’s compost‑facility feasibility study and for additional environmental surveys before any final action.

Staff overview and council choices City planning and public‑works staff presented a revised map labeled “scenario 3” that would (a) accelerate reclamation work on about 50 acres currently leased to a gravel/mining operator, (b) transfer roughly 65 acres of already‑mined utility property into an arrangement where the utility fund would retain operations while open‑space acreage expands along the creek, and (c) create a buffer and ecological restoration plan around the Toll property. Staff described the approach as an effort to “keep industrial uses on already disturbed land” while producing a net benefit to Longmont’s open‑space portfolio.

Staff said the Distal property was purchased using open‑space funds and the Toll property with utility funds. They told the council that because multiple municipal funds own land in the area, any property transfers must provide compensating benefits to the owning funds. Staff cited prior budget and legal work and asked council whether to (1) continue the earlier referral to PRAB, (2) refer the updated scenario 3 to PRAB (recommended by staff), (3) not refer the proposal and stop work, or (4) table the matter for later discussion. Council chose to refer scenario 3 to PRAB and instructed staff to supply PRAB with supplemental materials before the advisory board’s meeting.

Public concerns: contamination, wildlife, timing Dozens of residents and conservation organizations attended and urged the council to defer decisions until additional information arrives. Recurring concerns were: (1) the need for a Phase‑2 environmental site assessment to test soils and groundwater (a 2019 Phase‑I flagged potential contamination and recommended follow‑up); (2) potential impacts on bald‑eagle roosts and nest sites near the St. Vrain/Left Hand confluence; (3) the wisdom of finalizing any land swap tied to a Boulder County‑led composting facility before the county’s feasibility study is complete; and (4) the precedent of converting open‑space land for municipal infrastructure.

Resident Jamie Simo asked council to “table this item and not refer it back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board … until the … chosen consultant has completed its Boulder County compost facility feasibility study, which is due to be released later this month.” Neighbors also reminded council the Distal parcel’s 2019 Phase‑I environmental assessment recommended a Phase‑II investigation; one speaker said a Phase‑II had not been done.

Staff and council response Staff said they will supply PRAB with the questions PRAB asked earlier (at the February PRAB hearing) along with the amended scenario 3 materials. City staff said they expect to present the referral to PRAB on June 23 and then return to council with PRAB’s recommendation; council requested the packet to include the county’s feasibility work when it becomes available. Staff also said they had discussed with Holcim (the mining operator) ways to accelerate reclamation so portions of the disturbed site could be restored sooner than the operator’s current schedule (staff said reclamation had been scheduled to begin in 2033 under existing mine permits and bonding and that the city would seek to expedite that work through negotiation).

Bigelow purchase approved as buffer Separately, council authorized a purchase agreement for the Bigelow parcel (17 acres) at $35,000 per acre for a total of $595,000. Staff reported a proposed funding split of 50 percent sanitation fund and 50 percent general fund one‑time money; staff said the city would designate the parcel as open space on acquisition. Staff framed the purchase as an opportunity to secure an adjacent parcel that would provide additional buffer and ecological benefit if the larger exchange proceeds.

What’s next The amended referral goes to PRAB for public hearing and recommendation; staff said PRAB’s review is expected to continue this summer (PRAB dates discussed: June 23, July 8, July 22, or August, depending on council direction and when the county’s feasibility material is available). Council members emphasized that referral is not the same as final approval — council retains the authority to accept or reject any land‑exchange after PRAB and public review. Councilors also discussed contingencies staff could include: for example, making any land swap contingent on Boulder County choosing to locate a regional composting facility at the site or on the county committing to specific cost or operating terms.

Community and technical details raised at the meeting - The city’s 2019 Phase‑I environmental assessment for Distal identified recognized environmental conditions and recommended a Phase‑II (subsurface) investigation; speakers asked that Phase‑II be completed and shared. - Boulder County is working on a multi‑step compost feasibility process (the county has completed initial options work and public input and was working on funding/financing and site selection elements; staff said the county’s next materials were expected soon). Council asked staff to invite Boulder County staff or the county’s consultant to speak to PRAB or the council when their study is ready. - Staff said the Toll parcel had sold earlier at about $25,651 per acre and the Distal parcel at about $15,987 per acre (figures provided to council to illustrate relative values of parcels). The Bigelow price was $35,000/acre.

Ending Councilors emphasized the number of interlocking policy goals — open‑space protection, water storage and stormwater management, reclamation costs, and potential regional composting — and said staff should return to PRAB with clear technical materials, maps showing roosts and municipal interests, and the county’s feasibility findings when available. PRAB will hold additional public hearings before council takes any final land‑use or disposition action.