INTRODUCTION AND

OVERVIEW

BPAAC RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING POTENTIAL USES OF THE BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING AREAS

BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING AREAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Founded in 2012Serve as Advisory Committee to Board of Directors

re: Backcountry Planning AreasEvaluate suitability of uses and development

identified in the OSCACurrent Committee Members

Len Abruzzo Kiel Downing Phil Heiser Megan Lindsey Jon Loe Josh Quist

BACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA

8,200 Acres Land in Wilderness Area1,200 Acres Land in Planning Areas499 Acres Owned by HRCA20 Acres Considered for Potential

Development

DISTRIBUTION OF LAND IN BACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA

Distribution of Land in Backcountry Wilderness Area

Reserved Wilderness Preserve - Development Strictly Prohibited (7,000 acres)

Planning Areas Land Not Owned by HRCA (701 acres)

Planning Areas Land Owned by HRCA (499 acres)

Land Contemplated by this Re-port for Potential Use (20 acres)

BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING AREAS

BPAAC 2014 DELIVERABLES

1. “Complete a Summary of the 2012 Survey Results.”

List of uses supported for not supported by the Survey Analyze discrepancies in the Survey Analyze amenities, infrastructure, etc. needed for

recreational and non-recreational uses

THE SURVEY

Sent to sample of HR Residents in late-summer 2012

Went to 3,000 residentsReceived responses from 1,307 (44%)November 2012 Report of Survey ResultsThree Main Pertinent Categories:

Potential Recreational Opportunities (10 options) Potential Development Opportunities (6 options) Other Types of Uses (12 options)

Rank 1 – 5 to indicate Strongly Support, Somewhat Support, Somewhat Oppose, Strongly Oppose, or Don’t Know

POTENTIAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Expanded hiking, biking, running and horseback riding

Concerts, weddings, special events

Expanded camping Skate park

Rodeos, horse boarding, riding competitions, lessons

Off road bike park with pump track, cyclocross track, dirt jumps, etc.

Golf course Frisbee golf course

Ropes / Challenge Course Fishing ponds

POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Outdoor amphitheater Equestrian / event center with covered pavilion, indoor/outdoor arena

Nature center Tree farm

Cemetery / memorial gardens

Reservoir for water storage

OTHER TYPES OF USES

Recreation center Animal rescue / rehabilitation facilities

Indoor ice arena Houses of worship

Baseball / softball fields Fire/police station

Soccer fields Library

Tennis courts College/university

Private sports training facilities

Public school

BPAAC CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPING REPORT

Stayed true to the OSCA Plan objectivesCommittee objectives stated in precise

language in ReportMain Focuses

People – Health, Education, Involvement Nature – Protect wildlife and conserve land Finances – Generate money needed to run programs,

protect wildlife, and conserve land

BPAAC REVIEW PROCESS

Began by looking at raw numbersCommunity generally divided as to whether

should be any development or additional recreation in BC 42% support no recreational amenities of any kind 54% support no development of any kind 57% support no other uses of any kind

Categories may be potentially confusing Recreation, Development, Other Uses not specifically

defined in the report Amphitheater is development but wedding recreation

both require similar type of structure Golf course is recreation, but soccer fields are “other” uses

NO AMENETIES / DEVELOPMENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS AN OPTION

No amenities / development may be preferred by most residents

Social costs – residents lose opportunity to benefit from BC

Financial costs – HRCA assessments would have to continue to finance BC $532k 2015 Operating Budget with $290k Transfer from Rec Fund $95k Budgeted Capital Expenditures

OSCA Plan states general goal that land should be made available for future recreational and educational uses

2012 OSCA Mission and Vision support use of land for recreation and education

BPAAC’S REVIEW OF AMENITIES, DEVELOPMENT, AND USES

Looked at percentage support received for each and every amenity, development opportunity, and use

Ranked according to approval by survey respondents

Top ranked amenities and opportunities include: Trails Nature Center Fishing Pond Ropes / Challenge Course Amphitheater Concerts, Weddings, Special Events

Support received / not received detailed in Exhibit B

BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES, DEVELOPMENT, AND USES

Discussed pros and cons of each amenity, development opportunity, and use

Process was challenging (and imperfect) for several reasons: Categories seemed to overlap and conflict

57% support riding competitions and riding lessons 93% support trails, including horseback riding trails 37% support an event / equestrian center

Categories were not precise Nature center Amphitheater

Considered Survey but could not rely exclusively on Survey

BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES, DEVELOPMENT, AND USES (cont.)

Each person researched a few opportunities and brought to group for discussion

Considered Objectives People Nature Finances – Very challenging. Many desirable amenities

and opportunities would not generate meaningful revenueFeasibility

Able to eliminate some options immediately due to feasibility

E.g. Fishing Pond – Could possibly add reflection pond E.g. Golf Course – General decline in golfing industry

BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES, DEVELOPMENT, AND USES (cont.)

Narrowed list to 4 main amenities / opportunities: Covered Pavilion Ropes / Challenge Course Horse Facilities Archery Range

Rational Generally supported by survey Proven success in Backcountry Opportunity to generate revenues Share utilities and cross-benefits Construction costs appear consistent with BC budget Aesthetics – Natural materials consistent with a ranch

Trails should continue to be incorporated

COVERED PAVILION

Higher End PavilionNot specifically

contemplated by report, consistent with Amphitheater

Located in scenic area, near other amenities

Attachable walls to extend usage

Multi-use facilitySupports all other

amenities by providing gathering place

ROPES / CHALLENGE COURSE

Amenity not otherwise immediately available

Great revenue-generating opportunity

Strong support on survey

Opportunity to introduce different type of person to BC

Support education goals

HORSE FACILITIES

Do not envision large “equestrian” center

Good revenue-generating opportunity

Existing facilities cannot be expanded; provide limited opportunities

Modest barn-type structure, loafing shed, riding areas, and pasture

Would create opportunity to own horses

Allow for expanded classes and programs

ARCHERY RANGE

Existing range has been successful

No room for expansion or growth

Range does not have competition-distance shooting

Move close to other facilities to maximize use and share utilities

PHASES II & III

Any amenities should be designed and construction with possibility for expansion Additional horse facilities Expanded archery range to allow for competitions 3-D archery range Reflection pond Frisbee golf

WHAT NEXT?

Determine whether want to proceed at this time with exploring development in the Planning Areas

Feasibility studyPresent to community through CIP