Board Considers Next Steps for Elephant Rock Property

On behalf of the Town Board, thank you for the positive response of input to the 28-acre Elephant Rock property.

Below is a general summary of the input received. This information, along with preliminary proposals for possible use, has been distributed to the Town Board members for review and initial discussion. The Board of Trustees will consider next action steps for the property in the best interest of the Town at upcoming Board meetings.

Dawn Collins

Town of Palmer Lake

Elephant Rock Citizen Survey Results (31 received)

• Community / Cultural / Recreation Center
• Conference Center
• Health Resort
• Small Businesses / Rental housing
• Facility rentals
• Nature School / RV park
• Camp sites / Open Space for dog park and trails
• Mixed Usage with businesses / Duplexes
• Retail District / Pioneer Village
• Training Center for Police & Fire

These were the top repeated ideas. Most were suggested to be funded by rent,grants and tax increases.

Staff also met with a number of groups expressing interest in long term leasing of the property “as is” with potential purchase options:

• Two were Pastors wanting to rent/lease or share in that endeavor with other parties.
• Two others were property developers that expressed a variety of ideas of use for the property, such as, an art venue mixed with other business such as restaurant, brewery, small shops, etc.
• These would require long term lease with a possible option to purchase after the time allowed for them to obtain business loans, financial backing, etc.

Staff did not allow anyone to inspect the interior premises due to liability but did offer they could walk the property with notice to Admin/PD.