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Ranching character<\/strong><\/p>\n Boni said the Green\u2019s current home is located on one of the proposed eight lots in the 36-acre annexation. The other seven lots are designed to allow secondary agricultural uses that will maintain\u00a0the ranching character of the property.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0not a development really. It\u2019s the Green\u2019s personal vision for how they would like to see that property develop,\u201d Boni said.<\/p>\n The Greens say they will be watching the growth at their property\u00a0unfold. They plan to remain in the area, but maybe not in their current house.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a seven-bedroom house and at some point, there will be two of us in it,\u201d Scott said. \u201cBut we are not going away. We are staying on this property or at least in Gypsum. We have options.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Water is sacred\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Today the Green land is lush, the result of generations of cultivation and irrigation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wetlands there are on a part of the property that was originally dryland. It has been irrigated for 100 years,\u201d Boni noted.<\/p>\n What that means to the town is the annexation involves something that may be even more important than land \u2014 water.<\/p>\n The property has strong senior water rights that would be absorbed into the town\u2019s portfolio.<\/p>\n \u201cWater is sacred,\u201d Scott said. \u201cI get it that the town\u00a0wants to control\u00a0the water\u00a0going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n But in his discussion with the Gypsum Town Council on Tuesday, he also noted he wants to ensure that enough water rights stay with the property to keep it green.<\/p>\n He noted the domestic impact of the eight lots would be around 16 acre-feet of water annually. His water right is for 800 acre-feet annually.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a landowner\u2019 perspective, it is kind of unfair to take all of the water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Gypsum town councilman Chris Estes, a rancher himself, is also familiar with water issues.<\/p>\n \u201cThe town\u2019s attorneys want the best water rights they can get to put in the portfolio,\u201d Estes said.<\/p>\n Estes also noted that the annexation agreement can include provisions for Green to lease back water from his original right.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s come to better terms about how much you can get back,\u201d agreed Gypsum Town Engineer\/Assistant Town Manager Jim Hancock.<\/p>\n Green noted his annexation plan includes installing a sprinkler system for the lots instead of the current flood irrigation system. That alone will save a lot of water, he said. Additionally, he noted the goal is to keep enough water with the land so that new owners can keep their pastures green. If the valley is experiencing drought conditions, Green said the new owners won\u2019t have the ability to use up water needed in the larger community.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the water isn\u2019t in the ditch, we can\u2019t use it,\u201d Scott said. \u201cLast year, I didn\u2019t irrigate much. I sent the water down to my neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n Other issues for the subdivision include sewer service and the amount of land earmarked for a road right of way. With Green annexation petition now submitted, staff and the applicants will continue their negotiations to resolve the outstanding issues<\/p>\n The official public hearing date for the Green annexation is scheduled March 26.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vaildaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Screen-Shot-2019-02-14-at-3.34.51-PM-325x202.png\")