Haystack tensions heat up with liquor license renewal

For approximately the past three years, there has been tension between Haystack Golf Course and some of the neighbors in and near the adjacent Brigadoon Glen residential area.

Complaints have been made against the golf course accusing the facility of both liquor license and land use code violations. "They have a history of violating their liquor license by serving at the residence and they were issued a violation in August 2018," said neighbor Martin Magill. "[And] there's a zoning case open."

According to a report from the Liquor Enforcement Division of Colorado from 2018, five violations were found: exercising the privileges of a liquor license; unlawful sale of alcohol without approval; tavern license selling alcohol beverages in sealed containers; alcohol not purchased from permitted source; and removal of alcoholic beverages from premises.

As for the alleged land use violations, Haystack trustee Julia Pirnack claimed that there weren't any violations. "The two alleged violations were operating an AirBnB on the property and unpermitted renovation of the Hearth room," she explained. "We stopped operating the AirBnB immediately upon notice even though we disagreed with the county staff interpretation of the code in existence when that business was started. On the permit question, when we gave the county access to the Hearth room, they found no violation."

Boulder County Planning Manager for Code Compliance and Public Information Jesse Rounds explained that the Planning and Permitting Department (formally the Land Use Department) has found "a number of issues", but indicated that they are working with the golf course to find a way for the course to come into compliance with the land use code.

"We have been working with the neighbors and haystack for quite some time," Rounds said. " I understand the frustration [of both]. Both of them are trying to enjoy their properties. We're really here to protect the rights of the neighbors and the rights of the golf course to operate within the code."

The planning and permitting department operates in response to complaints. Upon receipt of a complaint, the department investigates to determine if, in the judgment of a compliance officer, a property is in compliance with the current land codes. This process takes time. If a resolution is not reached, a citation can be issued, which can affect a property's right to continue its permitted use.

The issue of time is arguably what's at the center of the complaints; the fact that both the neighbors and Haystack have gone back and forth over the complaints for the past few years. On one side, Magill and several of his fellow neighbors feel as though the county has not been transparent enough or truly attempted to address the issue. Pirnack and Haystack, meanwhile, argue that given that the property has been in operation for years, these complaints against their operations, including weddings and other events, are misplaced.

The upcoming liquor license renewal will likely add to the current tensions, with neighbors calling for a public hearing to evaluate the matter.