Housing proposal preserves some land Aurora plan raises funds for open space

August 24, 2001
Sean Kelly Denver Post Staff Writer

AURORA - A plan to build more than 1,400 homes on prairie land that's been hemmed in by development over the years was approved this week by the City Council.

The development comes as a compromise for the Plains Conservation Center, an arm of the West Arapahoe Soil Conservation District, established in 1949 to preserve grassland along Aurora's eastern edge.

Houses will occupy about 490 acres of the original site, leaving nearly 1,100 acres preserved as prairie land through the city's open-space program. The money from the sale also enables the center to buy an additional 5,700 acres about 30 miles to the southeast.

"It was a difficult decision to sacrifice the land, but in turn we've preserved more," said Tudi Arneill, the center's executive director. "It's a decision that wasn't made lightly."

The Conservatory at the Plains, developed by 7353 Investments LLC, will be built around an open-space theme in a nod to the land's current use.

Council members expressed concern about the project's proximity to Buckley Air Force Base. A 28-acre portion is in the base's "accident potential zone," where a plane crash is possible although unlikely.

"It's an area we want to protect. We want to protect Buckley's ability to fly," City Councilwoman Kathy Green said.

Because the land at one time was used for bombing practice, the developer must contract with an ordnance specialist to identify whether remnants are left from the maneuvers. Developer Chris Elliott agreed to several conditions, including a limit on the number of homes built in the potential crash zone.

The Plains Conservation Center, formed from parts of Lowry Bombing Range, has preserved grassland and provided educational opportunities for more than a half-century. More than 12,000 people visit each year. But as sprawling developments grew out toward the area with the construction of E-470, the center decided to look farther east for land.

The center sold 1,100 acres to Aurora for $2.75 million to be kept as open space. The remaining 490 acres were sold to Elliott to raise additional money to buy the larger parcel in Arapahoe and Elbert counties.

With the council's approval of the project, the center finalized plans to buy the land along West Bijou Creek. That parcel will be preserved, along with the remainder of the original site in Aurora. The center will continue its educational operations at its current location off East Hampden Avenue.

City officials praised the plan, saying it's the best chance to preserve more land.

"It's bittersweet," Green said. "But it's a good, even compromise where everybody can be happy."