Johnstown town council approves Mountain View Farms annexation

JOHNSTOWN -- The city of Johnstown continues to expand westward with the Mountain View Farms Annexation.

Monday night Johnstown's city council unanimously approved the annexation of 145 acres of land on the northwest corner of Interstate 25 and Colo. 402, following a public hearing that included only one comment.

Jenny Kelly, representing Olson Farms west located of Mountain View, told council members she supported the annexation. Kelly said the annexation could leave future opportunities for Olson Farms to annex into Johnstown.

The property is slated to include commercial, residential, entertainment and civic uses. There will be a hearing regarding the zoning of the property within 90 days.

Ken Merritt, with Landmark Engineers and Planners, represented land owners Arlo and Barbara Johnston.

Merritt said the annexation fits with the city's master plan and noted water and sewer access is available from the northeast corner of the property across I-25.

"We essentially want to grow the town from the inside out," Merritt said.

The annexation includes 136.5 acres of farmland and 8.5 miles of right-of-way along Colo. 402.

Currently, the right-of-way along Colo. 402 is in contention with the City of Loveland, Johnstown attorney Russ Anson said.

In fall of 2007, the City of Loveland purchased 97 acres of land along I-25 and Colo. 97 for $6.5 million, which instigated its annexation of the same stretch of Colo. 402.

Anson said the decision on the Colo. 402 annexation will be decided by a judge and will not impact the rest of the annexation.

Merritt said Colo. 402 is important for future annexations.

"There are several property owners considering an annexation to Johnstown in the future," Merritt said. "If we lose the right-of-way, they will be required to annex to Loveland."

Council members took little time unanimously approving the annexation ordinance upon first reading.

"This is just another peace of our puzzle, and it fits very nicely," said Councilman Gary Lebsack.

Johnstown mayor Troy Mellon described the annexation as standard, and said there was no reason not to proceed with it.

The Johnstons said they were very excited to have the annexation approved.

Barbara Johnston said they approached Johnstown for the annexation because Loveland denied annexation close to five years ago.

"They thought we were asking for to much vested rights," Barbara Johnston said. "Johnstown has been very easy to work with, very nice."