Lyons trustees reject ordinance to convey town land to Cinnamon family after heated public hearing

The Lyons Board of Trustees voted unanimously late Wednesday to reject Ordinance 1219, an ordinance that would have approved a quitclaim deed conveying a small portion of town-owned land to Lana Cinnamon as part of a proposed settlement.

Town Attorney Brandon Dentman introduced the ordinance and described the item as one step in a multi-stage legal process, saying the town previously declared the parcel surplus and would reserve utility easements if the conveyance moved forward. "Colorado law requires us to do this via transfer of property by ordinance," Dentman said in his introduction.

The hearing drew several neighbors and an extended presentation from Robin QB, the Cinnamons' attorney, who reviewed historical documents and a survey and told the board the Cinnamons had chosen fee title rather than an easement as the settlement option. "This is a messy fact case," Robin QB told the trustees as he outlined differences between plat lines and physical use on the ground.

Neighbors urged the board to protect public access and avoid setting a precedent for conveying town land. A resident who spoke during the public comment period said, "the board should not give town-owned land to a private citizen for the enrichment of that citizen," and criticized the late-hour timing of detailed presentations.

Trustees focused much of their discussion on whether the proposed southern boundary in the documents would impede a nearby social trail and whether adjacent property owners would retain vehicular or pedestrian access to their backyards. Several trustees said they believed a settlement that preserved the town's utility and trail interests while assuring limited neighbor access might be possible, but that the current documents and maps did not yet produce a common understanding among the parties.

Trustee Amy Schwarz said the proposal "isn't ready to move forward," and other trustees echoed concerns about clarity over the southern boundary and the 'bump-out' area near the Cinnamon garage. After discussion, a motion to reject Ordinance 1219 passed unanimously.

The board also voted to reject the related Resolution 2026-27, which would have approved the proposed settlement agreement, and the clerk recorded that vote for the minutes.

Trustees and staff said they intend to continue mediating the dispute and consider alternatives such as shifting the southern boundary northward, clarifying fence placement, or creating formal, limited access agreements or gates for neighbors who require vehicle access. The vote leaves the town with no conveyance or settlement approval at this meeting; staff were directed to pursue further negotiation and to return with clarified documents if a compromise is reached.

The public hearing and vote were followed by routine agenda items; multiple trustees said they want greater clarity in any future settlement documents before approving conveyance of town land.

The town clerk recorded the ordinance rejection and the resolution rejection; no dates were set for returning this specific item to the board.