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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 01.16.1984PROJECT: OWNER: LOCATION: SITE DATA: 411 BOCC 1/16/84 PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS Storm King coal mine Pre -Application Notice Storm King Mines The project is located in portions of Townships 5 and 6 South, Range 89 and 90 West. The surface facilities are located approximately 3 miles east of New Castle on the south side of the Colorado River. The property is located on about 3,750 acres of land (both private and Federal government) STAFF COMMENTS The purpose of the action before the Planning Commission is a staff request for input regarding the scope of study for the Storm King Mines Fiscal Impact Analysis. There is not a regulatory requirement that the Planning Commission review the Pre -Application Notice, however any comments the Planning Commission may have will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners. Public Information Meetings were held concerning this project on December 12, 1983 in Glenwood Springs and December 13, 1983 in New Castle. The meetings were also scoping sessions for the BLM to consider for pending Federal action on the project. The Planning Commission had an informal presentation by the project sponsors on December -14, 1983. SUMMARY OF COM:VENTS - The public comments were concerned primarily with land use issues rather than fiscal impact. The general nature of the comments encompassed the following issue: - The duration of development and operation of the mine The size of the workforce - Visual impact of the surface facilities - Access - both rail and highway - Impact on Riverbend Subdivision - Impact on water systems in the area - both domestic and agriculture - Fluctuation in the local economy - concerns with "boom and bust" cycles - Access to recreation areas - Impacts on wildlife - Dust suppression techniques - Noise of the operation - Safety - In particularly concerning the railroad tracks - Preservation of Agricultural Lands - Markets for the coal - How much money will royalties generate for the City of Glenwood Springs RECOMMENDATION There are significant land use concerns and issues that will eventually need to be dealt with for this project (primarily, the zoning does not allow what is proposed). However, the purpose of the Pre -application process is to merely identify the scope of study for the Fiscal Impact Analysis. It is recommended that the Pre -Application report identify the following subjects for inclusion in the Fiscal Impact Analysis: 1. The location and purpose of the Project; 2. Estimated construction schedule; 3. Number of employees for construction and operating work force; 4. Direct and indirect tax bases and revenues associated with the project; 5. Demonstration of consistency with local land use plans; 6. Total direct and indirect population associated with the project, including the rate, distribution, and demographic characterlitic of the population change; 7. The direct and indirect effects of construction and operation of the Project within the impact area, including but not limited to the following: a. Economic base; b. County services; c. Housing; d. Transportation; e. Sewer and water facilities; f. Solid waste facilities; g. Public safety and fire protection; h. Educational facilities; i. Health services and hospital facilities; j. Recreation facilities; k. The fiscal impacts of the Project on public facilities and services of each government entity in the impact area; 8. Definition of impact areas: a. A list of each government entity in the impact area; and b. The basis for inclusion or exclusion of each government entity in the impact area. 9. Any other items the Board or the applicant may deem appropriate for inclusion in the Fiscal Impact Analysis. The applicant should prepare, at least two impact scenarios for analysis. One impact scenario should assume a high proportion of the workforce consisting of local residents hired for the project and the other scenario a lower proportion. It is further recommended that the Board of County Commissioners appoint an Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 5.08.05.03 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution. The Advisory Committee will prepare a report for the Planning Commission and Board concerning the adequacy of the Fiscal Impact Analysis. The committee should consist of representatives of the following local government entities: Garfield County City of Glenwood Springs Town of New Castle RE -1 School District RE -2 School District West Glenwood Water District West Glenwood Sanitation District New Castle Fire District Glenwood Springs Rural Fire District Town of Silt PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At the January 11 meeting of the Planning Commission it was voted that the unitization option be evaluated for Glenwood Springs. Also, the Silt Fire District be added to the list for the Advisory Committee. The Planning Commission would additionally invite the Grand River Hospital District and Valley View Hospital to serve on the Committee. • PC 1/11/84 PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS PROJECT: Storm King coal mine Pre -Application Notice OWNER: Storm King Mines LOCATION: SITE DATA: STAFF COMMENTS The project is located in portions of Townships 5 and 6 South, Range 89 and 90 West. The surface facilities are located approximately 3 miles east of New Castle on the south side of the Colorado River. The property is located on about 3,750 acres of land (both private and Federal government) The purpose of the action before the Planning Commission is a staff request for input regarding the scope of study for the Storm King Mines Fiscal Impact Analysis. There is not a regulatory requirement that the Planning Commission review the Pre -Application Notice, however any comments the Planning Commission may have will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners. Public Information Meetings were held concerning this project on December 12, 1983 in Glenwood Springs and December 13, 1983 in New Castle. The meetings were also scoping sessions for the BLM to consider for pending Federal action on the project. The Planning Commission had an informal presentation by the project sponsors on December 14, 1983. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS The public comments were concerned primarily with land use issues rather than fiscal impact. The general nature of the comments encompassed the following issue: - The duration of development and operation of the mine - The size of the workforce - Visual impact of the surface facilities - Access - both rail and highway - Impact on Riverbend Subdivision - Impact on water systems in the area - both domestic and agriculture - Fluctuation in the local economy - concerns with "boom and bust" cycles - Access to recreation areas - Impacts on wildlife - Dust suppression techniques - Noise of the operation - Safety - In particularly concerning the railroad tracks - Preservation of Agricultural Lands -1- • - Markets for the coal - How much money will royalties generate for the City of Glenwood Springs RECOMMENDATION There are significant land use concerns and issues that will eventually need to be dealt with for this project (primarily, the zoning does not allow what is proposed). However, the purpose of the Pre -application process is to merely identify the scope of study for the Fiscal Impact Analysis. It is recommended that the Pre -Application report identify the following subjects for inclusion in the Fiscal Impact Analysis: 1. The location and purpose of the Project; 2. Estimated construction schedule; 3. Number of employees for construction and operating work force; 4. Direct and indirect tax bases and revenues associated with the project; 5. Demonstration of consistency with local land use plans; 6. Total direct and indirect population associated with the project, including the rate, distribution, and demographic characterists of the population change,; 7. The direct and indirect effects of construction and operation of the Project within the impact area, including but not limited to the following: a. Economic base; b. County services; c. Housing; d. Transportation; e. Sewer and water facilities; f. Solid waste facilities; g. Public safety and fire protection; h. Educational facilities; i. Health services and hospital facilities; j. Recreation facilities; k. The fiscal impacts of the Project on public facilities and services of each governmententity in the impact area; 8. Definition of impact areas: a. A list of each government entity in the impact area; and b. The basis for inclusion or exclusion of each government entity in the impact area. 9. Any other items the Board or the applicant may deem appropriate for inclusion in the Fiscal Impact Analysis. In addition to the baseline scenario, the applicant should prepare at least two impact scenarios for analysis. One impact scenario should assume a high proportion of the workforce consisting of lcal residents hired for the project and the other scenario a lower proportion. It is further recommended that the Board of County Commissioners appoint an Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 5.08.05.03 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution. The Advisory Committee will prepare a report for the Planning Commission and Board concerning the adequacy of the Fiscal Impact Analysis. The committee should consist of representatives of the following local government entities: Garfield County City of Glenwood Springs Town of New Castle RE -1 School District RE -2 School District West Glenwood Water District West Glenwood Sanitation District New Castle Fire District Glenwood Springs Rural Fire District Town of Silt -2-