The higher elevation area in the southwest corner of Bluestone Ridge Ranch adjacent to sister ranch, Canyons at DeBeque Ranch, is characterized by rolling ridges and valleys. Development in this area will be concentrated primarily in the hidden valleys with construction on steeper slopes and ridges minimized. The preserved slopes and ridges offer additional open space protecting important view sheds and wildlife habitat. These open space areas are not mapped by the PUD Master Plan. This will result in even more net open space than the 51% within the Bluestone Ridge Ranch. Portions of the overall PUD are identified by the acreages of the Ranch Land / Open Space District.
Sky lining, that abhorrent and selfish concept of building structures on the highest points, with little regard for the view planes of others, is prohibited. For instance, a southeast to northwest aligned ridge line in the southerly area of the site has been completely protected to avoid the visual impacts of sky-line development, accommodate wildlife movement and to provide opportunity for developed parkland. Nearly two thirds of the community’s residential dwellings will be located west of that ridge line, completely screening this area from view by the public traveling on 45.5 Road.
The vast majority of the Ranch’s native ridge habitat, also important wildlife corridors, will not be disturbed by the PUD areas. Large areas of agricultural fields frequented by deer, elk and other wildlife will be enhanced and preserved, offering increased winter forage. These lands will also continue to be operated as a working ranch.