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LOOK FOR REDSTONE REVIEW AT ISSUU.COM / SDCMC VOLUME 20, NUMBER 1
LYONS, COLORADO
FEBRUARY 13 / MARCH 13, 2019
Cemex presents plans, Town Board quells disruptions and talks about water tap fees for River Bend By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – The Lyons Town Board Council Chambers were packed to the gills for a presentation by Cemex at a workshop before a regular town board meeting in early February. Cemex officials, led by plant manager Uwe Lubjuhn, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the town board on its plans for the future of the cement plant. The plant quarries sandstone, lime and shale and employees about 100 workers. The plant’s permit runs through 2021. Lubjuhn said Cemex may try to renew the permit, which would be through Boulder County, as well as mining permits through the State of Colorado. If they choose not to renew their permit then they will have to follow a preapproved reclamation plan for the quarries to be completed by 2025, but none of this has been decided yet. Lubjuhn said that over the last three years the plant has spent about $6 million on environmental mitigation procedures to upgrade the plant. He also said that the limestone at the plant is almost depleted now, but they might bring in (by trucks) limestone from other quarries in Colorado to keep the plant running longer. Also new technology might allow them to continue to mine some sub-layers of limestone that they could use. The large crowd that had gathered both inside the council chambers on the floor and in the aisle, outside in the courtyard and in the adjoining offices, was growing restless. Three sheriff’s deputies were present trying to keep the doorways open for safety. The crowd was mostly made up of the Save Our St. Vrain Valley (SOSVV) group that was formed to oppose the proposed Martin Marietta mining operation on Highway 66 east of Lyons. The Lyons Town Board has no real jurisdiction over the Cemex mining operation. Cemex is not in the town limits. The town does not control the permitting process for Cemex and has no real input on how the county handles the permits. Cemex is in the Lyons Planning Area and Lyons has an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the
county and could annex that land at some later date. The SOSVV group was not allowed to speak during the presentation at the workshop, but was told by Mayor Sullivan that they could speak during audience business at the regular meeting, so they did. The speakers did not directly address the idea that Cemex might renew their mining permit, but it seemed clear that they wanted that land for trails connecting Rabbit Mountain, Lyons, and Longmont. They wanted a workshop so they could give their point of view and they said there is an informational meeting on Thursday, February 21 at the Lyons Farmette at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Sullivan asked them several times to stop cheering and clapping after each speaker and after one woman complained about chemicals used on weeds in the park where children play and refused to stop talking after her three minutes were up. The Mayor cut off the audience business and no more public comment was allowed. The second major issue of note at the board meeting was the issue of compliance with a Memorandum of Agreement or MOA signed by Lyons Properties / River Bend whose owners include Mike Whipp, Steven Beck, Kenyon Waugh and several others. The problem is a long and ongoing issue over disputed water taps. Trustees Juli Waugh and Wendy Miller recused themselves to avoid a conflict of interest since Trustee Waugh’s husband Kenyon is a partner in Lyons Properties and Trustee Miller works for Lyons Properties. According to the January, 2016 MOA, Lyons properties got the use of one 1-inch water tap ($35,000 fee under the Lyons Municipal Code) and two 3/4inch water taps ($17,500 fee each), for a total of $70,000 in tap fees that Lyons Properties did not have to pay. If any of the three parcels constituting Riverbend is ever sold, then a tap fee for that parcel would have to be paid. Joe Kubala, town engineer, stated at the February 4 meeting, normally four Colorado-Big Thompson water shares would have had to be put up for those Continue Town on Page 14
Ayla Witbeck and Sutter Schnabel, both 4 years old, show off the valentine bags they made at Lyons Valley Preschool, and also share a valentine hug. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS
B •R •I •E •F •S Ash Wednesday Service LYONS – An Ash Wednesday Service will be held on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lyons Community Church at 350 Main St. Pastor Emily Kintzel will conduct the service. For more information, contact the church at 303-823-6245 or go to www.lyonscommunitychurch.org.
Items needed for food pantry LYONS – Over 40 families are being served at the food pantry. The pantry needs this month are: cereal, shampoo, household cleaning products, laundry detergent, dish soap, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues) and also cooking oil, healthy snacks and personal hygiene products. Thanks to all the volunteers.
February Chamber Social LYONS – The next Chamber Social will take place on Tuesday, February 19, starting at 6 p.m. The host is Oskar Blues in Lyons at 303 Main St. As always, small appetizers and drinks will be provided. All members welcome. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please let us know! We have a limited number of guest spots available and would love to fill them.
Chamber Welcome Bags LYONS – The Chamber is now putting together the 2019 welcome bags to be handed out to new residents of Lyons and the surrounding area. Your bling can be dropped off at either Gateway Realty Group or Lyons Physical Therapy. These welcome bags are an easy way to introContinue Briefs on Page 8
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MAYOR’S CORNER
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LOCAL
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OPTIONS
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OPPORTUNITY
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INSIGHT
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A&E
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CONCEPTS
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