LovelandPolitics.com a non-partisan, not for profit website about Loveland politics for residents concerned about our community's quality of life. Send us your story or comment on the blog. |
Legal Arguments The City Attorney argued two cases in law set the precedent from the courts allowing for Loveland's designation of agricultural land as blight determined that if 13 blocks are actually City Attorney: Said that in one case a court blighted, the city could include another 1 block that does not meet the definition in "area of blight." Councilman Solt: Argued the case is not on point (he said it was 3 of 13 blocks) because Loveland is claiming blight on various parcels of land when 94% of the area is not blighted and not even contiguous parcels City Attorney: Argued in another case a court upheld a determination of blight even though 42% of the area was "open space." Councilman Solt: Argued that the "open space" was not productive agricultural land and asked if the term "open space" had been defined to include agriculture. |
Councilman Solt, an attorney, asks questions regarding the legality of the "Flex" Plan during the Sept. 2 meeting. He later voted against the proposal while Councilman Klassen (left above) voted in favor of the proposals. |
Excerpt of comments made to Loveland's City Council by Liam Weston "The issue before you tonight is about integrity. State law has vested you, our elected State law has vested you, our elected in interpreting and applying the Urban officials, with a certain amount of discretion officials, with a certain amount of discretion in interpreting and applying the Urban Renewal law as it relates to land within the city. That discretion represents the check or balance in our system of government, a government of laws, that you took a solemn oath to uphold and protect. The McWhinneys, their attorneys and other friends here this evening didn't’t take that oath and don’t have that obligation– but you do. Tonight you are being asked to make an official finding of “Blight” of nearly 500 acres of land located in 5 distinct non- contiguous parcels. To make a finding of blight you must conclude that each of these parcels meets the following definition prescribed by law:.... is a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare. Can you please tell us what is menacing about an agricultural field?" |
Chad McWhinney, above, glances back at the crowd of Loveland residents - many of whom spoke against his proposal. |
No Gutierrez, Solt Yes Pielin, Clark, Heckel, Johnson, Skowron, Klassen, Rousey 2. Designate Farm Land "Blight" and make finding it is a menace to the community No Gutierrez, Solt Yes Pielin, Clark, Heckel, Johnson, Skowron, Klassen, Rousey 3. Allow the use of Metro District (public funds) to demolish dog racing track No Gutierrez, Solt, Skowron, Klassen, Rousey, Pielin, Clark, Heckel Yes Johnson |
City Council Abdicates Governmental Power To McWhinney While Declaring Farm Land a "menace" to community Loveland's Most Comprehensive report on the Sept. 2, 2008 "Flex URA" meeting and decision |