The city of Cortez’s Comprehensive Plan outlines directives for every government official to follow, clearly stating that all city government officials are to “be proactive in the prevention of problems” and “promote health and safety.”
Core values are right up front in the plan.
The first one, Accountability, says it all. The second, Innovation, says how.
Accountability – “We (the city) are responsible for the health and safety of employees and community members. We do our best to prevent problems. We are also responsible for our actions and their consequences.”
Innovation – “We encourage creative solutions to complex problems and to the proactive prevention of impending problems.”
Independent Log Co. has already created a huge number of problems. There will be more problems down the road, including degradation of wildlife and air quality, property value loss, noise, traffic, and a negative effect on Carpenter Natural Area and on the quality of life.
There is no mitigation plan offered and none can exist for all of the problems that have already occurred, and all that will occur in the future. The city is supposed to be proactive in avoiding exactly this type of situation. Something has gone terribly wrong.
If the City Council votes for rezoning and conditional use, it is going completely against their own core values. We will see more problems down the road, problems that may not be easily managed. Comprehensive Plan | Cortez, CO – Official Website (cortezco.gov)
Teri Paul
Cortez
