Trail advocates urge county to oppose rezoning of Sand Flats-area parcel

Andrea Brand, director of the nonprofit SFRA, urged the Grand County Trail Mix Committee and members of the public to oppose Mini Lee Investments’ application to rezone a 235-acre private parcel to Resort Commercial inside the Sand Flats Recreation Area, saying the parcel includes portions of the Slick Rock bike and jeep trails. "I am not in favor of Mini Lee Investments' rezone application," Brand told the committee during the public-comment period, and she asked residents to contact county commissioners with concerns.

The committee’s county representative, Jacques Hadler, reiterated the county’s interest in public feedback and said the county has formed an Arches subcommittee to review related issues. No committee motion or vote on the rezoning was recorded at the April 14 meeting; the issue was urged to be taken up with the county commission for formal consideration.

Members and agency representatives noted practical concerns raised in the discussion: trail overlap with the parcel, potential impacts to existing recreational routes, and that any new trails or vehicle access would require permitting. Katie Stevens (BLM) and other agency representatives said portions of routes in Castle Valley and other nearby areas would need proper permitting before reopening or formalizing use.

The timeline for any county or planning action was not specified at the meeting. The committee did not adopt a formal position at the April meeting; Brand’s appeal and the county representative’s comment were recorded as public input.