News
ENLARGE
The Grand Junction Planning Commission recommended Tuesday night to zone a Weld County developer’s Orchard Mesa property as residential, despite his fugitive status and multiple felony indictments against him.
Mark Stodtman owns nearly 400 acres in Orchard Mesa, of which the northern branch of the historic Old Spanish Trail bisects. Strodtman’s company, The Shores, LLC, had petitioned the city for annexation to build a subdivision on 17 acres.
In March, a Weld County grand jury indicted Strodtman on 11 counts of theft, 11 counts of fraud and one racketeering charge for running an alleged mortgage fraud scheme.
Strodtman disappeared after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Authorities say they believe he fled to Mexico.
Grand Junction senior planner Lori Bowers said Strodtman’s indictment and fugitive status does not affect the city’s consideration of the petition.
“My job is to review the documents presented to me and make sure they meet code requirements,” Bowers said. “A person’s character has nothing to do with it.”
A public hearing before the Grand Junction City Council is scheduled for June 30 at 7 p.m. at city hall, 250 N. 5th Ave. If city council accepts the annexation petition and passage of the zoning ordinance, annexation becomes effective Aug. 1.
Vicki Felmlee, with Orchard Mesa Neighbors in Action, a group of citizens concerned about the preservation of the Old Spanish Trail, hopes city leaders will deny the request.
“We’re hoping when city council meets, at the very least they will listen to us and hear our concerns, and hopefully we’re allowed to answer questions,” Felmlee said.
At Tuesday’s planning meeting, Felmlee said commissioners limited comments to three minutes, did not allow any comments about the developer.
Felmlee said she finds it amazing that someone like Mark Strodtman can do business in Grand Junction with very little comment.
Bowers said planners are just doing their jobs.
“We have bad people here already,” Bowers said. “You can be in jail and be allowed to develop your property in Colorado. You can be a felon. You can’t vote, but you can still develop your property if you wish.
“People have a judicial right to develop and the city has no laws to run background checks on someone.”
Also, Bowers said Strodtman’s name is not listed on the application.
Colorado Secretary of State business records list The Shores LLC, as formed by Strodtman.
Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to zoning for two homes per acre, as opposed to the four homes per acre requested by the engineering firm representing The Shores.
The topography and terrain issues are reasons Felmlee said the land should remain largely undeveloped.
“It’s pure and unadulterated open space. It has 360 degree views,” Felmlee said.
“Whitewater is going to grow. This area taken as a whole is perfect for a buffer (between Whitewater and Grand Junction). This is it. This is the buffer.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Mark Stodtman owns nearly 400 acres in Orchard Mesa, of which the northern branch of the historic Old Spanish Trail bisects. Strodtman’s company, The Shores, LLC, had petitioned the city for annexation to build a subdivision on 17 acres.
In March, a Weld County grand jury indicted Strodtman on 11 counts of theft, 11 counts of fraud and one racketeering charge for running an alleged mortgage fraud scheme.
Strodtman disappeared after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Authorities say they believe he fled to Mexico.
Grand Junction senior planner Lori Bowers said Strodtman’s indictment and fugitive status does not affect the city’s consideration of the petition.
“My job is to review the documents presented to me and make sure they meet code requirements,” Bowers said. “A person’s character has nothing to do with it.”
A public hearing before the Grand Junction City Council is scheduled for June 30 at 7 p.m. at city hall, 250 N. 5th Ave. If city council accepts the annexation petition and passage of the zoning ordinance, annexation becomes effective Aug. 1.
Vicki Felmlee, with Orchard Mesa Neighbors in Action, a group of citizens concerned about the preservation of the Old Spanish Trail, hopes city leaders will deny the request.
“We’re hoping when city council meets, at the very least they will listen to us and hear our concerns, and hopefully we’re allowed to answer questions,” Felmlee said.
At Tuesday’s planning meeting, Felmlee said commissioners limited comments to three minutes, did not allow any comments about the developer.
Felmlee said she finds it amazing that someone like Mark Strodtman can do business in Grand Junction with very little comment.
Bowers said planners are just doing their jobs.
“We have bad people here already,” Bowers said. “You can be in jail and be allowed to develop your property in Colorado. You can be a felon. You can’t vote, but you can still develop your property if you wish.
“People have a judicial right to develop and the city has no laws to run background checks on someone.”
Also, Bowers said Strodtman’s name is not listed on the application.
Colorado Secretary of State business records list The Shores LLC, as formed by Strodtman.
Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to zoning for two homes per acre, as opposed to the four homes per acre requested by the engineering firm representing The Shores.
The topography and terrain issues are reasons Felmlee said the land should remain largely undeveloped.
“It’s pure and unadulterated open space. It has 360 degree views,” Felmlee said.
“Whitewater is going to grow. This area taken as a whole is perfect for a buffer (between Whitewater and Grand Junction). This is it. This is the buffer.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
