SURVEY

Key Concerns and Priorities

• Value of Rural Character: The rural character of Missouri Heights is overwhelmingly considered "Important" or "Somewhat Important" by residents.

• Preserving the Rural Environment: Qualities deemed crucial for preserving rural character include minimizing outside lighting and preserving dark skies, maintaining a quiet environment, keeping traffic levels low, protecting wildlife and their habitats, and prohibiting commercial and industrial uses.

• Future Development: Respondents prefer larger residential lots, with the most popular choices being lots averaging 10 or more acres, and 5 to 10 acres.

• Water Availability: A significant majority of residents are "Very Concerned" or "Somewhat Concerned" about the long-term availability of water in Missouri Heights.

• Threats to the Community: The most significant perceived threats to the rural character are: lack of water, industrial and commercial development, loss of public lands and access, and significant increases in traffic.

KMOHR's Role: Respondents believe KMOHR should focus on:

• Preserving the area's rural character.

• Advocating for water studies to ensure a sustainable water supply

• Monitoring land use and tracking regulations in both Garfield and Eagle counties.

• Protecting wildlife corridors and habitats.
  
  

Fundraising: The most favored fundraising method is a hybrid model combining annual membership dues, soliciting financial contributions for specific issues, and developing an endowment. 

Land Use Preferences (Eagle County Focus)

For land uses in the Eagle County portion of Missouri Heights, survey respondents indicated a desire for strict controls.:

• Prohibited: A majority of respondents believe that campgrounds, commercial agritainment, and utility-scale energy systems (including battery storage, solar farms, and wind turbines) should be prohibited...

• Review Required: Many believe that manufactured or tiny homes, bed and breakfasts, and agricultural support sales and services should require a review and approval process.

• Allowed by Right: Detached dwelling units and parks are the land uses most frequently cited as being acceptable "by right" (without special approval).

• Schools: A majority of Eagle County residents (68.3%) believe K-12 schools should be prohibited in the RE Zone, citing concerns about increased traffic, noise, light pollution, fire danger, and incompatibility with the rural residential and agricultural character.

Respondent Profile

• Most respondents are full-time residents of Missouri Heights, often having lived there for over 15 years.

• The typical household size is two people, and for the majority, their Missouri Heights home is their primary residence.

• Respondents are primarily in the 60-69 and 70-79 age groups.

• A large majority of respondents do not own a short-term rental property in Missouri Heights.