AM+DG

Dear faithful,

    When I arrived here in August of 2019, there was much talk of a proposed development just to the west of our property. It was expected that work would start on the development any day. There was also expectation that a water treatment plant would be built just across the ditch that separates our property from the proposed site of the development.

     However, months passed by and nothing happened. I tried to make enquiries about the timeline for the development, but it seemed impossible to get any information. What was my surprise, then, after nearly three years passing by, to receive a phone call recently from Kelly Sinclair of J.R. Filanc Construction saying that they have been contracted to build the water treatment plant and are to begin in a few months!

     Years ago, when the Board of County Commissioners were meeting to decide whether or not to approve of Prosper Farms (that is the name of the development) being put in place, many of our people attended. We lobbied that the water treatment plant not be placed right next to our property. We also lobbied that the treatment plant not be an eyesore for us and that it not stink.

      Some battles were lost; some battles were won. We were not able to obtain the location of the plant in a better spot. We were, however, able to obtain that:

• an 8' masonry wall would be built between our property and theirs (and the plant)

• there will be sealed lids on the pools

• the entire treatment process beyond the pools will be enclosed with special air filtration for air being exhausted

• the system at the trucking loading tanks will be sealed

• we will have the option of tapping into the water for use on our campus

      Since hearing from Kelly Sinclair, I have been in touch with Jeff Vogel of Vogel Associates. Jeff is providing site planning for the project. I wanted to confirm with him that the conditions for the construction of the plant, as listed above, will still hold true. He confirmed that they will and further stated that, once they have the final documents for the construction, they will sit down with us to review what they will be doing.

      What does this mean for us? Well, firstly, it means that a large subdivision will be going in directly adjacent to our property. The description for the development is as follows:

Located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, Colorado, Prosper is a master plan community that is located on approximately 5,130 acres. Prosper is envisioned to be a vibrant and productive mixed-use community that includes commercial centers, an employment center, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods with a variety of housing types. Approximately 975 acres of agricultural land and open space has been preserved along the perimeter of the community. Neighborhoods are planned around a comprehensive open space, park and trail system. Parks, community gardens and schools serve as neighborhood gathering areas. The vision and character established for Prosper is reminiscent of a modern Colorado agricultural town.

      At this stage, it is not for us to like or dislike the fact that the development will be going ahead, but rather to discern what providential use might come of it for us. The development will certainly be bringing a lot of people to our near vicinity. We have had a lot of new faces in the past few years, but that might increase all the more when the development goes in, since our church is so prominent and will be of easy access to those dwelling in Prosper Farms. We will need to be all the more friendly and welcoming to those who may be coming to Mass for the first time, to greet newcomers and assist them to adjust to a new parish.

      I am hoping that the new subdivision might prove to be a good option for some of our current parish members. Many mothers have a 20-30 minute drive that they make twice each day to drop their children off at school and pick them up. It would be very convenient for them to be practically within walking distance of the church!

      Another thing that will be important for us is the fact that we will be able to tap into the water and the sewer services provided by the plant. When we have had master plan meetings, to see what use we might make of the 18 acres that we have, to build a school building, a gym, an administration building, and also have enough room for parking, our two leech fields have proved to be very much in the way. If we are able to outsource our sewer needs, we will no longer need the leech fields and so will be able to reclaim the land that they currently occupy for building purposes.

      In the end, everything is in God's hands and He always has a plan in mind, a plan for the good. It is just for us to cooperate with His designs. I wanted to share this important news with you so that you can pray that we do that and His will be done in the developments going forward.

God bless you,

Fr. Robinson