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The majority of Lyons residents who called in to a special meeting Wednesday night expressed their support of Planet Bluegrass’ proposed changes, which among a slate of improvements include allowing camping on the music venue’s south grazing property and tripling the size of mid-tier events.

No decision was reached, though, by the Lyons Board of Trustees. After nearly four hours of discussion, trustees decided they needed more time to evaluate the planned changes. They will meet again at 6 p.m. March 15 to revisit the issue.

The discussion comes as Planet Bluegrass works to reflect on plans over the next 10 years for its two properties: The Ranch, 500 W. Main St., and The Farm, 19680 N. St. Vrain Drive. One of the most significant changes proposed is to allow for up to 1,000 people to camp on the south grazing area at The Farm property in conjunction with major events. A major event is defined as an event of up to 5,000 people and permitted to occur 12 days a year. Planet Bluegrass also wants to increase its mid-tier events, from 1,000 to 3,000 people 10 days a year.

Several infrastructure improvements on Planet Bluegrass’ two properties are also part of the plans. Some of those projects include building a new box office, security structure and new entrance at The Ranch and building two bridges on The Farm property, one near the south grazing area to allow for camping access and the other for service vehicles.

Planet Bluegrass Operations Director Zachary Tucker said the request to allow camping on the south grazing area on The Farm property is an attempt to re-home campers. This year, River Bend, a nearby wedding venue, decided not to permit the music venue to use its space for about 600 campers. This is because the wedding venue wants to protect the health of its grass, which has been damaged by tent camping before.

“In terms of this camping (in the south grazing area), we’re very aware of concerns about access and concerns from our neighbors in Apple Valley. We are placing a lot of conditions on this request,” Tucker said.

Those include no vehicle access on the campground; no vehicle drop offs on Apple Valley Road; camping permitted only with major events; Planet Bluegrass working with ecological engineers to mark off sensitive wetland areas; and construction of fences to keep people off of Apple Valley Road.

Of the five residents who spoke during the meeting, four supported the changes and one shared concerns about the increase in mid-tier events and what it would mean for people living nearby.

Chrystal DeCoster of Lyons said she believes Planet Bluegrass will be respectful of the neighboring areas.

“This summer, as they have done every other summer, I believe they will leave things better than how they found it,” DeCoster said. “And, I will believe they will continue to be widely admired for having a great influence and significance here in our sphere or Lyons.”

Parker Johnson, who lives on Apple Valley Road, said he believes it’s in the town’s best interest to support Planet Bluegrass, calling it the “mother ship of our town.”

“I feel like many of the neighbors want to accommodate the Planet and say ‘Yep, camping feels OK,’” Johnson told trustees. “It’s in the spirit of living where we live and choosing to be part of our town. I’m all for doing our best to accommodate their request to camp and use the south grazing area.”

But some who spoke during the meeting Wednesday shared concerns.

Candice Donovan, who lives in Eagle Canyon, directly across from The Farm property, told trustees she worries about the increase in size of the mid-tier events. She said neighbors already contend with traffic, noise and lights from events and that this will escalate the issue.

“You’re asking a lot of people who own property here, who live here, to make a lot of accommodations for a business without really being able to say this is what the real value of that is,” Donovan said. “With that, I will ask you to keep that consideration (in mind) when you vote.”

Lyons Mayor Nicholas Angelo said he has some concerns about the proposed camping and said he wants to see more information from the environmental engineers that Planet Bluegrass will be working with to protect the wetlands.

“I think it behoove us all to know that the sensitivity of that area has been finalized by the experts,” Angelo said. “I wouldn’t be in support of opening up that area unless we knew that information existed.”

Tucker said in a follow up with the Times-Call Friday that he appreciates the time and effort trustees and town staff have put into reviewing the proposal. He said staff hopes to address more of trustees’ questions and concerns at the next meeting.

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