FT. COLLINS, Colo. — Timnath, Colorado, voters overwhelmingly passed a ban on permanent fences taller than 65 feet that will essentially keep a Topgolf entertainment center from opening in town.
The citizen-led initiative passed 2,321 to 1,026, with 55 percent of Timnath registered voters casting ballots. Timnath has 6,107 registered voters.
“For a single-issue election, that (turnout) sends a pretty strong message,” said William Jenkins, spokesperson for Guide Our Growth, Timnath!, which collected more than the required 651 petition signatures to force the special election.
The vote essentially prevents Topgolf, and its tall netting designed to keep golf balls from straying outside its boundaries, from opening.
Since it was first hinted that Topgolf was part of its intended project, a group of vocal Timnath residents banded together to organize as Guide Our Growth, Timnath! to force the special election, saying prohibiting fences of more than 65 feet will protect avian flight paths and migration patterns, help conserve open spaces and views and help preserve Timnath’s small-town character and aesthetics.
“We are pleased the citizens of Timnath have spoken and have determined that development in the town … needs to be aligned with the existing land use code and adopted 2020 comprehensive plan,” Jenkins said, reading from a written statement.
“The comprehensive plan’s goals include a well-planned community with a balance of thoughtful commercial and residential growth that reflects the town’s history and ambience. While the plan is pro-business, it also emphasizes the integrated system of parks, trails, open space and protected natural areas,” he said.
A statement from the Ladera team Tuesday night said, “Timnath voters have spoken … the Ladera team will abide by the vote and proceed with developing this unique project. Our belief in this project has not changed.”
The statement encouraged residents to understand development procedures outlined in the citizen’s role in development review. “The team at Ladera will continue to work to bring a best-in-class development to Timnath.”
Connell LLC has said plans to reclaim the current gravel pit and asphalt batch plant will go on with or without Topgolf, which represents 5 percent of the overall 240-acre project, which includes 107 acres of open space.
“We are committed to thoughtfully developing this piece of land that has been in our family for many years,” members of the…
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