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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 PC Staff Report) -5—& a r.!_c• ASPHALT PAVING COMPANY - SILT PIT Owner: Asphalt Paving Company Planning/Engineering: Rindahl and Associates Location: %, mile south of Silt, on two islands in the Colorado River, west of County Road 311. Site Data: The proposal will affect approximately 86 acres on the islands, 70 acres of which will be mined. The northern -most island is presently vacant. The southern -most island has one existing residence. Water: Bottled water will be provided on-site for employees. Sewer: Portable chemical toilets will be provided on-site for employees. Proposed Roads: The applicant proposes to construct a two lane asphalt entrance to tie in with County Road 311. All approaches would be signed appropriately. Existing Zoning: AI Adjacent Zoning: North: Town of Silt South: AI East: AI West: AI Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan: The proposed pit is in Urban Area of Influence of Silt. Therefore, staff recommends that the Town's comments be given considerable merit. Description of Proposal: Project Description: The applicant is proposing an open pit sand and gravel mine, and asphalt and concrete batch plants. The mining would proceed in five phases, from west to east, over a 10 year period. Reclamation would proceed at the end of each mining phase. Major Concerns and Issues: 1) The applicant is proposing to use County Road 311 and the Silt bridge for access to the interstate highway. At present, however, the Silt bridge has a 15 ton load limit. A Contract has been let for construction of a new bridge; however, construction would not begin until fall 1982, and is expected to be completed within 3 to E mos. after that date. 2) The property is adjacent to a parcel being annexed by the Town of Silt, and is not compatible with the uses proposed for the site. 3) The proposal is not compatible with Silt's existing comprehensive plan. And as the Town is currently in the process of developing a new comprehensive plan, it seems premature to allow development in the area at this time. 4) The applicant has addressed the areas affected by the 100 -year floodplain for the proposal. However, no substantiating information has been developed to indicate the proposal's potential affect on stream flow and water quality, and the effects of these on Silt's nearby water intake system and wastewater facility. 5) The Division of Wildlife has identified the site as an extremely sensitive wildlife area. The Colorado River corridor near Silt is an extremely important wintering area for the endangered bald eagle. The largest known great blue heron rookery on the Colorado River is found on the island adjacent to the proposed site. Another important specie potentially impacted by the proposal is the Canadian goose. The Division's policy is to discourage development in such critical areas. Their enclosed letter addresses these concerns, and specifies the need for certain amend- ments, or conditions, to the proposal, if the project is approved. Comprehensive Plan: The County Comprehensive Plan encourages industrial expansion where similar development already exists in appropriate areas; and although Frei and Sons received approval for a large gravel operation nearby (see enclosed map), the general area remains very rural in character. The Comprehensive Plan discourages development that would impact Silt's agrarian character. The plan encourages industrial development in areas where adequate transportation facilities and public utilities are available. Because construction of the Silt Bridge appears to be 8 months to one year away, the project cannot be adequately served by existing facilities. Specifically, the plan states that development should be required to contribute to the bridge's replacement or that approval be withheld until the bridge can safely and adequately accommodate additional traffic. Further, the Plan allows the county to deny a project based on inadequate road access which would lead to further deterioration of the road and large daily traffic volumes, an additional concern of the Town of Silt. The Comprehensive Plan addresses at length the issue of compatibility of proposed and existing uses. Specifically, it speaks to a proposal's adverse "impacts on the desir- ability of the surrounding community," "alteration of the basic character of adjacent land uses," and "impairment of the stability or value of adjacent or surrounding properties." The Plan speaks of smoke, noise, dust, odors, and visual unsightliness as "hazards to public health and safety" and "nuisances to the surrounding community." Finally, the Plan provides for the "protection of unique natural and scenic resources such as unique vegetation or major wildlife habitats." STANDARD CONDITIONS: Reviewing Agencies: 1. Town of Silt -recommendation for denial (see attached letters of 1/22/82 and 3/3/82; as of 4/21/82, the town's concerns and recommendations for denial remain) 2. Division of Wildlife -see attached letters of 1/14/82, 3/4/82, and 4/7/82. 3. Army Corps of Engineers -will weigh county's decision heavily in their decision to issue a 404 permit. 4. Mined Land Reclamation Board -will withhold a decision until the county has made its review. See also: 5. Letter from Gingery Associates for Asphalt Paving, 3/24/82. 6. Letter from Asphalt Paving in regard to concessions/considerations/ amendments to their proposal. 7. Letter of opposition from Gerald and Carolyn Bernhardt 8. Letter of concern from Garfield County Citizens Association 9. Letter of support from Don and Marian White PREVIOUS HISTORY: A decision by the Planning Commission on the request was originally scheduled for March 8, 1982. A delay was requested by the applicant to further discuss concerns with the Town of Silt and other agencies. On March 26, 1982, a meeting was held at the Planning Department Offices with Silt's Town Planner, Asphalt Paving representatives, Rindahl and Associates representatives, the Division of Wildlife, the County Road Supervisor, and staff. Concerns were discussed with these representatives, although no elimination of concerns or changes in position were noted. RECOMMENDATION: While the County Comprehensive -Plan would allow development in areas where its impacts could be mitigated, the basic problems of incompatibility with existing surrounding uses and premature development of an area would not be lessened. Also, there remains the concern of the cumulative effects of industrial uses in an area in fairly close proximity to eachother, and in an area in which those industrial uses are incompatible. Therefore, the Planning staff recommends denial of the Asphalt Paving Company Special Use Permit for the following reasons: 1. The proposed use is incompatible with the uses existing in the surrounding neighborhood. 2. The proposal would be injurious to the character of the established neighborhood. 3. The impacts on traffic volume created by the project would be injurious to the surroundin community. 4. The area is premature for development due to inadequate access; and due to the fact that Silt has just commenced a reworking of their Comprehensive Plan, and the project site is a logical area for extension by the Town of Silt. 5. The proposal has potential substantial impacts on wildlife in the surrounding area, including impacts to the bald eagle, an endangered specie. n A Gilbert F. Rindahl, P.E. Ann B. Hodgson Rindahl & Associates • P.O. Box 24166 • 2180 S. Ivanhoe Street • Denver, CO 80222-0166 • 692.0922 March 9, 1982 Ms. Terry Bowman Garfield County Planning Dept. 2014 Blake Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Ref: Asphalt Paving Company Silt Pit Dear Terry: As we discussed on the phone last week, the Asphalt Paving Co. Silt Pit application has been reviewed by the MLRB staff for adequacy. The MLRB staff has determined they are in agreement with the operator's proposals to mitigate the possible impacts of the proposed operation on the wildlife species in the area. If you have any questions regarding these comments or if you require additional information regarding the MLRB review, please call me. Very truly yours, RINDAHL & ASSOCIATES Ann B. Hodgson, Manan?r Environmental Services ABH/ln Resource Engineering & Environmental Services March 8, 1982 CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT Ms. Terry Bowman Garfield County Planning Commission 2014 Blake Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Dear Ms. Bowman: 14802 W. 44TH AVENUE GOLDEN, COLO. 80401 279-6611 tno MAR 1 0CARi FIELD We hereby confirm a telephone conversation between you and Mr. Gib Rindahl of Rindahl & Associates to indefinitely continue our request to extract and process gravel products from our property located in the vicinity of Silt, Colorado. The reason for this request is to give all parties concerned ample and additional time to resolve some minor misunderstandings that exist. WJK:nb Respectfully yours, ASPHA T PAVING C liam J President ler The sir% o/ 2ualikt April 1, 1982 Mr. Arnold Mackley, Chairman Garfield County Planning Commission 2014 Blake Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Re: Proposed Gravel Pit Dear Mr. Chairman: 14802 W. 44TH AVENUE GOLDEN, COLO. 80401 279-6611 r�L LAPR 61982 GARFIELD CO. PLANNER I would like to take this opportunity to list for you and the other com- mission members the concessions that Asphalt Paving Co. has made in order to mitigate the concerns associated with our proposed Silt Pit. The concessions are as follows: 1. Eliminating phase V from the mining plan. This was done to protect vital wildlife habitat and to add an increased buffer between our operation and the Town of Silt's water intake system. 2. We agree to leave 100 ft. buffer zones, as opposed to the originally proposed 50 ft. buffer zones, between the Colorado River and any excava- tion. This was done in accordance with recommendations from the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Mined Land Reclamation Division. (As you can see from #1 and #2, we, as operators, have dropped from 86 acres to 54 acres of proposed mining area. This is a drop of approxi- mately 36 percent which, needless to say, creates a substantial burden on us as both owner and operator.) 3. We will leave all cottonwood trees within the 100 ft. buffer zone as well as replant new ones in our reclamation process. This is to satisfy the Colorado Division of Wildlife in regard to bald eagles and great blue herons, and to satisfy the Mined Land Reclamation Division. 4. No activity will occur at the western end of the project between March 1 and May 15 to afford protection to nesting great blue herons and Canada geese. 5. We will leave irregular shorelines and construct a 70 - 90 ft. mudflat to satisfy a Division of Wildlife recommendation. 6. We have also agreed to work with the Division of Wildlife and pay for nesting platforms for the Canada geese. Arnold Mackley April 1, 1982 Page 2 7. We agree to hold trucking to a minimum until the completion of the new Silt bridge (which looks to be complete around the end of 1982.) In addition, we will repair any damage to the county roads that is caused by Asphalt Paving Co. hauling units. These concessions are acceptable to Mr. Leonard Bowlby, Garfield County Road Supervisor. 8. We have also agreed to work with the Town of Silt and pay our fair share of a traffic study to be done by Centennial Engineering Co. of Carbondale. 9. We also employed Gingery Associates, Inc. to analyze the situation in regard to Silt's water system. In addition, we agreed to pay for Ted Wing's time in any such analysis. (Ted is of Armstrong Associates and is the engineer for Silt's water system.) 10. We have also agreed to limit intensive activity to the plant site rather than the entire site. In addition, we have adhered to the permitting process and have obtained or will be obtaining water discharge permits, air emission permits and 404 permits for dredging and filling. We will also have to post a bond for reclamation, which will be done in accordance with the Mined Land Reclamation Board. In conclusion, I believe this letter expresses our concern and commitment towards making our operation compatable with, and an asset to Garfield County. This company stands ready to work with Garfield County for a mean- ingful working relationship to minimize any important issues. Please don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions or if you need additional information. Respectfully yours, ASPHALT PAVING CO. Y eKeller JWK:nb cc: Terry Bowman Garfield County Planner 2030.200 Asphalt Paving Company Gravel Pit Silt, Colorado Special Addition to Planning Commission Submittal Asphalt Paving Company is planning a gravel mining operation in the Colorado River immediately west of the County Hwy. 311 bridge south of Silt (See attached map). A11 mining operations will take place on the two islands outlined in red. A11 structures will be located on the large island on the downstream side of Hwy. 311, and will be above the estimated 100 -year flood elevation of 5426. The only materials to be stored within the floodplain will be the mined aggregate and crushed rock. All potentially toxic materials, such as diesel fuel and gasoline, will be stored at the plant site, which is above the 100 -year flood elevation. Also, temporary sanitation facilities for employees will be located at the plant site. As shown on the enclosed cross sections, no alterations will be made to the Colorado River channel. Because of this, no adjoining properties, upstream or downstream, will be adversely affected during a 100 -year flood event. The increased floodwater storage, created by the removal of the gravel, will tend to lower the flood elevation and velocities in the immediate vicinity of the pits. In conclusion, the Asphalt Paving Company gravel pits will not adversely impact the 100 -year floodplain on the Colorado River, and will not create a danger to public health or safety if the plant site and toxic material storage are located on high ground on the west side of County Hwy. 311. Prepared By: Ronald R. Fromknecht, P.E. Gingery Associates, Inc. f657 "E3 155 6S w' 0- a Wo 1 ? o 0 7o W W. 0 LPST _. 5460 crc oo _S ol'e VNPNG'. `549 (�Oc 3233 4379 o_, �a v\ 5e oo�l�i ii I I b 8OQj ,t , 21 ie* \ - ✓ _y d 4377 /T2r\i v r 23 O M Lo 0 N ct to z Z _ w CC w CD a 1 a Z W U) J w 2 Z 4 1 0 0 M � 0 — in 0 � in o v w > o o a 0 = w a o N ASPHALT PAVING CO. Silt Pit PREPARED BY RINDAHL B ASSOCIATES 2180 S. IVANHOE ST. DENVER , CO. 80222 NMOHS SV 3"1VOS SHEET 2 OF 2 o o ¢ w > Ix 0 w m w w > ¢ - R = w > o 0 s - o z J a U N 0 w m w > e 0 m rew w cr / I a vl inIin J JI wl al 31 1 1 1 1 1 1 - °� o� M x I- o co _ z f 0 Z 2- 2--. 2 cc w F- a a1 a Z O F- 0 J W Z a r o N m Oi cv _ W 1- a o O V 111 O N V' to O M d" 1n O d 1l7 O 10 10 1n /. e• 8:11.::::'1 Aro .lam CPO. Solloa•e Peryorly LW 60' Setback, lyp. e• TO p'' SILT 1n1.r.t $ b J Noy z. tie CASTLE u U505 SIH 7.6' Depth of wol.r 6'± (.<o.orrll Typo of a.brl•1 Sea 1 grove 1 N.INof of eendluy: Dr .21u• Ej APPLICATION AREA PL AN Scot.+1 1000 ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS OTo.. of Sill 0 Volley forst, 1.0. VICINITY MAP 16 10 3 0 6A5 A LT n Scoo In Nil.e 60' 0' VARIES ATER LEVEL ELEV. 5412.0' ( USBS Sill T.6' 1 o. SECTION - PRIMARY ISLAND SCALE HOR B VER. II . 40' VARIES EXISTINB RIVERBED SECTION- SECONDARY ISLAND SCALE - HOR. 11 VER. I� = 40' 3. 1 EX STING R VERbED PROPOSED GRAVEL PIT IN THE COLORADO RIVER 1/2 NILE SOUTH OF SILT, COLORADO COUNTY OF GARFIELD STATE OF COLORADO APPLICATION BY ASPHALT PAVING CON PANT PREPAREC 8Y R.:DAdt AND ASSOCIAT ES, INC. 2180 :GUTH IVANHOE ST REET DENVER, COLORADO 50222 SHEET 1 OF 2 DATE" 12/1•/61