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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASPEN HEIGHTS STUDENT HOUSING - PDP - PDP110018 - MEDIA -Student housingdevelopment debates..the fate of communit, PQP . ByJASON POHL `3/�/ 1 k� , :the.Rocky.Mountain7Collegian.. -,, , •, Animal rights groups and con. cerned residents are lashing out against the potential gassing and extermina- tion of prairie dogs to make way for a new student housing development in one north Fort Collins community. Aspen Heights — a national chain providing student housing and family residences — is behind the 200-unit- project that will house nearly 700 stu- dents. But part of the nearly 30-acre site is home to a colony of hundreds of prairie dogs, raising questions — and tempers— with nearby residents since it was first discussed at a community forum in December. "They were here first, and we shouldn't just go through and take out a species and totally destroy the ecosys- tem in the name of development," said Lori Nitzel, a 37-year-old Fort Collins resident whose home overlooks the in- tricate prairie dog colony that could be wiped by the development. The proposed site is north of New Belgium Brewing Company and east of Lee Martinez Park and College Avenue., It has been approved by the city, with no new zoning amendments needing ."Realistically,. -As -about -,humanely., --moving them to anew place. Its hard, but it's far better than killing off a whole community of animals." , Angie Rodgers I President of Rams Organizing for Animal Rights to be made. "They (Aspen Heights) can do something here, and they should;" Nit- zel added. The ideal answer for everyone in- volved is a relocation, but with that comes numerous hurdles including finding a suitable location and paying for the transport. Additionally, city and county gov- ernments would have to approve any new addition§ of prairie pups to their public lands in cooperation with Sen- ate Bill 99-111. Plus, landowners in potential relo- cation areas would need to agree to the change. "Aspen Heights is actively looking for land to relocate the prairie dogs from the existing property" Charlie Vatterott, vice president of develf ment for Aspen Heights, said in email, to the Collegian. "Thus far, efforts have been unsuccessful." Vatterott added that Aspen Heif officials are working to strike a bala with the community members the other interested parties. They h even hired a wildlife biologist to l with the the complex problem. Regardless, they acknowled. there are no easy answers. "Feedback from the Fort Col, community has been extremely hi ful," Vatterott said. "We welcome ac tional feedback. The issue has now drawn attent from Rams Organizing for Animal , See DOGS on Page 9 DOGS I CSU student leads., advocacy group Continued from Page 1 Rights (ROAR), one animal advocacy group at CSU. The group is led by An- gie Rodgers, a senior art education major at CSU. As president of the club, Rod- gers is organizing letter - writing campaigns and so- cial media advocacy on the Aspen Heights Facebook page: She said the developers have been very cooperative during this difficult issue, but she hopes that, with enough student input, the right decision can be made — even if it might not be the cheapest option. "We feel like we need to be the voice for this cause," Rodgers said. "It's a local issue that pertains to our community and to CSU." She stressed the project is especially geared toward students. For that reason, the student voice needs to be active, especially in shaping the future of this community and all things living in it. "I think in an ideal world, you would leave them where they are," she said. "But I think, realistical- ly, it's about humanely mov- ing them to a new place. It's hard, but it's far better than killing off a whole commu- nity of animals." Moving forward, As- pen Heights plans to break ground this fall and open . for students in 2013, ac- cording to Vatterott. The future of the prairie dogs remains uncertain, but ev- eryone involved is at least hoping for .the best, even while' preparing for the worst. "There's a win -win op- tion here for everybody," ' Nitzel said, stressing that the ultimate answer might take some sacrifice from everyone involved."There's definitely some options. Let's start thinking outside of the box." Senior. Reporter ' Ja- son Pohl can be reached at news@collegian.com.