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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.0 Planning Commission 01.03.1992MEMORANDUM TO: Planning Commission FROM: Andrew McGregor DATE: January 3, 1992 RE: LOS ADOBES PRELIMINARY PLAN Enclosed for your review is the latest from the applicants of Los Adobes, completing the required components of the application. Included are a topographic site plan, addendum to drainage report, Basalt Water Conservancy District contracts, letter from attorney and a letter from the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. Also enclosed is a complete copy of the previously distributed staff packet. A. 1 o sign/Site Planning The most recently submitted lot layout plan, entitled "Topography", eliminates the lot originally known as lot 2 at the southwest portion of the subdivision. As a result, the Common Open Space has been expanded. In addition, this plan has identified building envelopes which correspond to comments made by Nick Lampiris in letters dated September 25, 1991 and January 2, 1992 (enclosed). The elimination of "Lot 2" should eliminate concerns of the neighbors regarding drainage and erosion issues. Staff is skeptical about the utility of Lot 7. Access to the lot requires crossing a narrow gully. The building site consists of a narrow linear ridgetop. Gaining access to the site and developing a building pad will require extensive cut and fill work. Development of this lot may enhance erosion. B. Drainage The applicant's engineer has addressed certain drainage concerns in a new letter dated January 2, 1991. The letter refutes concerns that the proposed subdivision will cause an increase in post -development stormwater runoff. The letter does not address the potential of increased erosion and/or debris flows due to the increase in disturbed surface area. The report also fails to elaborate on the proposals made at the last Planning Commission meeting. These include the proposed sedimentation basin, and the debris flow inhibiting berm located in the common space area. C. Roads No changes in the roadway design have been proposed since last month's meeting. As discussed in last month's staff comments, the roadway exceeds current standards for gradient (14% instead of 10%). The Board of County Commissioners will review proposed amendments to the Subdivision Regulations allowing an increase in road gradient up to 14%. Approval would be contingent upon road design in conformance with regulations in place at time of Final Plat. In their letter, the Carbondale and Rural Fire District indicates that access to all lots is adequate and the cul-de-sac is not problematic. r • D. Water The applicants have submitted four (4) separate water allotment contracts from the Basalt Water Conservancy District. These contracts will guarantee adequate water supply and will cause the State Engineer's Office to issue well permits. Wells will not be shared with the exception of Lot 8 which will have its own well. Specific well location(s) have not been identified to date and therefore easements and other common facilities have not been located. These will need to be accomplished before final platting. E. Fire Protection The applicants are proposing to require fire sprinkler systems in each of the new homes and also to install a 10,000 gallon water storage tank with an adjacent fire hydrant. The tank will be buried in the driveway easement immediately west of the existing well, just north of the cul-de-sac. This proposal differs slightly from the recommendation of the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. They have recommended that the applicants provide either 60,000 gallons of water storage or residential sprinkler systems could be utilized. Staff feels that the combination of both storage and sprinkling would be preferable, particularly in light of the high wildfire potential of the property. In staff's eyes sprinkling alone would be insufficient to adequately protect the subdivision. The only remaining question is whether 10,000 gallons would be an adequate volume. Further input from the Carbondale and Rural Fire District will be pursued regarding the adequacy of water storage. Summary Staff has unresolved concerns about the practicality of developing Lot #8 (now known as Lot #7) in light of the difficulty in accessing the site and the substantial earthwork required to create a building site. Consequently, staff would recommend that this lot be deleted. If the Planning Commission is inclined to recommend approval of this application, then staff would recommend that approval be subject to the following conditions. POSSIBLE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL 1. That all representations of the applicant, either within the application or stated at the Public Hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners shall be considered conditions of approval, unless stated otherwise by the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. 2. The Homeowner's Association shall be incorporated in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute requirements. 3. The applicant shall prepare and submit a Subdivision Improvements agreement addressing all on-site improvements, prior to the submittal of a rural plat. 4. The applicants shall submit improvement plans for all roads, bridges, utilities and drainage structures prior to the submittal of the final plat. 5. That all proposed utilities shall be placed underground. 6. That all cut slopes created during construction shall be revegetated with native grasses and shrubs with adequate weed control. All revegetation shall be in accordance with the applicant's revegetation plan. Revegetation and landscaping shall be included in the Subdivision Improvements Agreement. In addition, adequate security shall remain in place for a period of two (2) years to guarantee the survival of all plantings. 7. That the applicant shall demonstrate that procedures are established for the maintenance of all roadways and bridges, including snow removal, through the Homeowner's Association. 8. That the applicant shall pay $200 per lot in School Impact Fees prior to the approval of the Final Plat. 9. That the following plat notes shall be included on the Final Plat: a. The recommendations of the Colorado State Forester and U.S.F.S. wildfire prevention guidelines shall be followed in the construction of all structures. b. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the owner of each lot shall prepare and submit a soils and foundation report, an I.S.D.S. design, and a grading and drainage plan prepared and certified by a professional engineer. All improvements shall be constructed in accordance with such measures which shall be a condition of the building permit. 10. That the Water Allocation Contract shall be transferred from the developer to the Homeowner's Association. The Homeowner's Association shall enforce individual compliance through covenants. 11. That the Open Space areas shall be appropriately dedicated to the Homeowner's Association for said use in perpetuity and shall not be subsequently subdivided. 12. That the applicants shall prepare and submit protective covenants, articles of incorporation and other Homeowner's Association documents including by-laws will be submitted for review by the County Attorney prior to the approval of the Final Plat. 13. That the covenants will provide that there will be no resubdivision of the lots. 14. That prior to scheduling of a public hearing on the preliminary plan before the BOCC, the applicants shall submit all required components of the preliminary plan application. 6._4RC1 .1-,S" c tmJ( ✓nc 15. That the applicants shall provide llln approval from D.W.R. endorsing the proposed water supply plan prior to the submittal of the water supply plan. 16. That all roadways shall be constructed in accordance with the design standards in effect at the time of submittal of the Final Plan. That the applicants shall provide a fire protection plan approved by the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District. Adequate water storage shall be included in the proposal. 18. Common wells shall be addressed in the covenants. 19. That prior to the submittal of a Final Plat, well permit(s) approved by the State Engineer's Office shall be submitted. 1 20. Driveway easements shall be identified on the Final Plat. 21. The applicants shall submit a detailed drainage report specifically addressing sedimentation, debris and stormwater runoff in the two drainages that traverse the property. The report should also address the requisite structural facility to protect the adjacent parcels to the southeast. Also, the report should address protection of properties across Highway 82. 22. The Final Plat shall identify building envelopes that are in conformance with those represented during the Preliminary Plan application. 23. That a Plat note requiring staking and certification by an R.L.S. verifying building location within approved envelope. This requirement shall also be incorporated into the restrictive covenants. 24. The Final Plat shall depict easement for irrigation pipeline(s) to its terminus. 25. That adequate easements for wells, waterlines and other attendant facilities shall be provided on the Final Plat. 26. That ten (10') foot perimeter easements on each lot should be provided for utility purposes. That the applicants shall demonstrate the acceptability of the shared well system by the �L;1 r �'J Colorado Department of Health. }0 r\,' • certi f , .._ .. . in the Subdivision Improvements Agreement. 1- 1 • . y work not completed shall be included Lot #7 shall be deleted from the revised Preliminary Plan. r I ( PLANTED EARTH 12744 HIGHWAY 02 CARIIONDALE, CO 01623 January 6, 1992 Garfield County Planing and Zoning Garfield County Court house 109 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Dear P and Z Members: ilk-illtit..-)iLl'I:rii,_°iVI J".'T LIM I 192 \\A, to...o (JouN I am writing this letter as I am a neighbor of the proposed Los Adobes Subdivision, and was unable to attend the last P and Z public meeting in December, and will be unable to attend the P and Z meeting this coming Wednesday evening. In my opinion, the proposed Los Adobes development will be a most positive benefit for all of us in the neighborhood. This development should help to support and increase all of our property values. Without Los Adobes our chances of getting natural gas service on the north side of highway 82 is :slim at best. With the addition of the Los Adobes subdivision our chances are greatly increased. Natural ga.; willsave us money, and increase the value of our properties. The meadow and land at the base of Sunnyside (Los Adobes) has to my knowledge never been maintained or irrigated. Trash that has been thrown or blown on to it would remain there as there was no one to remove it. I believe that with the Greenest home that has already been built (the most expensive in the neighborhood), the price of the proposed lots, and investment likely in future homes, that chances are common area lands and the newly constructed road will be well maintained, vegetated and irrigated in the future. It is my understanding that a number of the neighbors have expressed concerns thatthe developers might build on or change the drainage on or around the proposed subdivision. I have walked around the property, and as an owner of a nursery and landscaping business, I haven't seen where the developers have or plan to change the drainage. The water that has historically run across Highway 82 from the two major gullies adjacent to the property will continue to run down those gully's. If a neighbor in the past chose to build their home in the existing gully's path, any flooding or mud slides are the homeowner's problem, not the problem of the developers of Los Adobes. if the owners of Los Adobes hadn't purchased all four existing Lots of Sunnyside Subdivision Exemption, would we as neighbors been worse off? We very possibly might have. The new road provides the subdivision with a private entrance. The old road meant that home owners' access was through Barbara Tunniclirfe's driveway. Barbara will now have her own driveway for her own homes. Isn't this a benefit to her at no cost to her? In summary I hope the Los Adobes plan as proposed is approved by P and Z and the Garfield County Commissioners. Sincerely, /14 Mary McCarney Garfield County Planning Commission Garfield County Court House. Glenwood Springs, CO January 8,1992 RE* Los Adobes Hearing 8 January 1992 My name is John Rahm. My wife Harriet & I reside in a hillside residence due East of Lot #1 in the proposed Los Adobes subdivision. We are still sorely concerened about many aspects of the Los Adobes application — especially the full impact of storm runoff and how it will be handled. I have read ,with interest, the recent letters from various cntities,addressed to the solutionof several shortcomings noted at the last Planning Commission hearing. Quite frankly, I am unable to%Oi follow the reason•• ing,assessment of the problem and the solutions suggested or proposed. High Country Engineering estimates that there will only be an additional storm runoff of 1% for the West portion of the subdivision and 3% for the East half. Their report suggests that this additional runoff might well be absorbed by the extensive revegatatAd areas. This in spite of the extensive disturbance for access roads, foundations,KA utilities, and sewage disposal systems. I sincerely question the validity of this assumption -- especially in view of my endeavours to vegetate on this particular hillside exposure. May I again questionthe suitability of a residence on Lot #1. Nicholas Lampiris, the consulting geologist, addres1►is report and letter to this lot and site envelope. 1. "GULLIES SHOULD BE AVOIDED". Lot #1 and site envelope is located in the bottom of the East Gully flood plain. 2. Any foundation should be designed to withstand an impact of 200 lbs. per sq. ft. 3. Extensive diversionary earth workmust be done to accomodate a residence on Lot #1. I would make the following observations in regard to Lot #1. Prosntly there is no planned easement or access to this lot. There is Page 2 Contd. on file a sugested possible alignment fors u INGRESS, EGRE3S,UTILITY,DRAINAGE and DRXIIQXIR EMERGENCY ACCESS' EASEMENT ". I can only assume that this easement relates to the old closed/ abandoned road which II joins the New Los Adobes Road just inside the gate entrince. A diversionary berm, ditch and access road for this limited area is quite a loaf. ALL drainage from the West half of the subdivision will enter the Hwy 82 barrow pit at this point. Tere is currently in the Planning Commission file a letter from Richard Spencer dated September 1991 7. In this letter he endures the approval of the Los Adobes applicatidn. I would suggest that this latter be removed from the file as the Spencers are no longer an adjoing landowner. My statements in regard to Lot fel are directed tword the safety and suitability as a possible home site. Any structure erected in this deep ravine/gulley would NOT be within view of our nearby residence. I note that Staff's Jana MEMORANDUM to Planning Commission reports on the present standing of five major components of the application. I also note that there remain Twenty seven (27) "POSSIBLE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL " to be fulfilled. I thank the Planning Commision and staff for thepatio e(. /3 tot2),,,----_________ _ 6hn M. Rahn November 5, 1991 1 Planning Commission Garfield County State of Colorado Garfield County Courthouse 109 8th Street Suite 301 Glenwood Springs, Colorado To whom it may concern: (141{9rr F' Pitill/ Before I moved here in 1988, Laura and Jim Hurtic owned most of the property on the mountain side. The original land owner was a gentleman named Meade Harker. He owned all the mountain properties. This Old Timer said the mountain area known now as Los Adobes was an Indian Burial ground. I never did go on that mountain out of respect for the Indians. The Deer and Elk Bucks would stay just below the Los Adobes estate. The young and their mothers would come down to my pasture land and feed. We, (myself, my daughter and son-in-law) would feed the beautiful animals. Now the female and young come, but we'll never see the beautiful stately Bucks on the Los Adobes side again! I personally watched them. I thank God my two little granddaughters also got to see this. Los Adobes has ruined the habitat for the magnificent wild animals. The mountain hillside cannot maintain 8 more homes, without generating the threat of land erosion and mud slides. This land is fragil! And it depends upon the trees and vegetations that are now here in order to keep it stable. Los Adobes currently represents a lovely country estate. By tting 8 more homes there it will become just another Sub -Division, devaluig onr own properties. In the summer if the wind blows, you can see a red cloud in the sky. That is the top soil. I allow all the natural vegetation on my property to grow all year to prevent erosion. I am opposed to any further development. There were 4 original approved home sites. That's all the land can hold. Anymore will be disaster to the whole mountain side. Big is not necessarily better. Secaus4eT'- z-fot be here on-Nhv er--13,---L'_m giving__.this to lr. John Rahm, J.2.7.411 Hwy_ 82Crblaxrlat , o orado to Vote Power of Attorney otary Public io /QQS Comtisgion Expires &?-10 Gladyce • Clow 12750 H . 82 Carbondale, Colorado 81623 Adjacent Property Owner 410 Bat aza ¶unn.i,eLi.ffE • 12694 Jlwy. s2 e]azbiondafe, Colo. 8,623 30=4-963-2561 Planning Department Garfield County County Courthouse Glenwood Springs. Colo 81601 Dear Sirs, hi i f li NOV 7It.1991 lH ii il GARFIELL) UUu VTY November 6th 1991 In response to the certified letter pf Public Notice with regard to the Los Adobes Joint Venture, I would like to make my comments in this regard. I do have serious concerns with extending the original 5 lots to 8 lots. My first and most serious concern, is with regard to the water run off into my two properties which sit below the subdivision. This property was purchased by Mr Gerbas, Findholm, Grange and Stutzman several years ago, when it was originally subdivided. They proceeded to widen the last switch back at that time, which changed the entire flood flow. More water was funneled into the natural ditch, and the first big storm brought down tuns of mud which washed into the house at 12644Hwy 82, which at the time belonged to Mr Luttrell. The force of the water broke the basement windows and flooded his basement with at least six inches of mud causing lots of damage. I now own this hou:sie $ before Mr Luttrell sold the house he built a temporary wall to protect his property. The next cloud burst brought down more mud and trees which ran to the wall and shot it over my property at 12694 Hwy 82, taking out half my lawn ( half acre) but my house was not in its path. With the intention of lots #1 and #2 being anywhere near the natural gully I am very concerned that I may be harmed and particularly now I own both homes I have more to lose. I would demand that my properties be made harmless from any future water damage caused by any further rearrangement of roads or buildings. At the present time my land has been contoured to carry water and debri down to the Highway where the side ditch carries away some. However there has been several occassions when I have been on Highway 82 in a torrential downpoor pulling trees and debri off the highway so as not to endanger motorists. o • 3azgaza ¶unni.efiffE ill 12694 cAttYy. 82 Calgo,zjaL'E, COL). 8,623 5O.5-96=;-2561 Continuation.. My second concern is that the sleeping grounds for the deer have been lost by the subdivision, but I suppose there is nothing that can be done about that. My third concern is that although the intention is there to re - vegetate the ugly scar made by the new road, I don't see how it can be restored to its natural condition. Yours -truly, Barbara Tunnicliffe. • • November 8, 1991 Garfield Planning and Zoning Commission 109 8th St. Glenwood Spring, Co 81601 Dear Sirs and Madames: It is our understanding that the developers of "Los Adobes" on Highway 82 north of Carbondale have filed for a change from their existing ap- roved allotment of 5 building lots to 8. We adamantly object to any consideration for additional building sites. The roadway which they have started to build on the subject property is a complete abomination which is being built with absolutely no concern about the environmental or visual impact it is creating. The road has almost completely covered what was once a lovely meadow often frequented by deer. Said road appears to a layman to be way beyond the scope required to serve a small subdivision. It is massive, broad and has very steep embankments. Also note that on the upper, or north side of said road, it is raised several feet above the existing grade even on the UPHILL side. I'm not an engineer and make no pretense to know why such a monstrous undertaking is necessary to serve 5 homes, but I do know that it is a gross insult to the sensibilities of one who has been a neighbor to the property for 26 years. We object to the existing roadway and any subsequent consideration being extended to the developers to enlarge the scope of the subdivision and request that every legal effort be made to address the following concerns: 1. Erosion impacts and subsequent flow of mud and debris onto the highway right-of-way and neighboring properties. (Ours!!) 2. Strict compliance to all water and sewer regulations. 3. Mitigation of the impact of the loss of the meadow for the deer population. I would suggest consideration be given to dramatically down- sizing the roadway as now being constructed, reduction of grades of the embankments, and immediate revegetation and landscaping of the recently raped hillside. 4. Installation of deer fences, cattle guards, and such other devices as may help discourage the deer population from entering the highway. 5. Every effort must be made to minimize the visual impact of the road and the subdivision. The developers have shown a blatant disregard for the once beautiful hillside which they have made great strides to destroy. We will be counting on the P & Z commission to rein these folks in and educate them to the sensibilities of modern mankind. Sincerely Yours, Ralph and Connie Hubbell 12431 Highway 82 Carbondale, Co. 81623 STARKS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 12537 STATE HWY. 82 CARBONDALE. COLORADO 81623 d4:4 'ex-/Y;ra-i;/ //y ff4 Lf/ f 172 -2 •t ✓ /- to , ? Ft NOV 13 1991' GARFIELD CuUNTY a/'-!+- � - ./2t a'> /y % "/Z/ 1'7 L •'y'�uL�"✓C / ')`%l %1 i a (e -Q, A ,2 //4 0uy7 ell/a50 (44'77.14 I:6)k /i a74 -537 We?, g.2,ze,/ . liyL /// d G afr/oi4 ,j 4.4;74/2-c 644=;,e.,1. 74# /T7oweleVi ..L:^G xi4 / 1, / d. //t.,- (/z. 2 a 701e ti / /_ t 770,,,/-3; / ea- t_ , ,ls c v 1 D: y2..)2./ ,vn yup .,' J. %�i` 722,2 /eel, (�' rJ v! d DAZE .�Ln f% 6' /_ )7:91-7,f; �zhc�x_ --77.0 /a,. a:124,7), / 1 Gary Marshall Cathy Marshall 12748 Hwy. FjP Ph. 625-5738 Z1-4 /4(-e e951 • -e,Ajts...tie___LQ_ 67.ck0 *e'e4/12 et) -e-1/4_, /2,e 1G7^2Gea€ 44741 e44- — Atier-i4 -C>Ce-oc— Af2e*-74e:1;-7 4r,4* Ap7t.ciL_ zz- --ea/Le-417; •(6)11- 4Ce- ez_ ,14-2 a/04- th' NOV 1 3 1991 4411Alatn-e-g-- Nb''‘{AlbOor °I -Lf Ogra r t d ate cl eJohn M. Rahm 12746 Highway 82 Carbondale, CO 81623 My name is Harriet Rahm. MY HUSBAND,JOHN RAHM REGRETS THAT 7 HEARING HEIS UNABLE TO ATTENDTHIS PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR LOS ABODES SUBDIVISION. HE HAS SSKED METO READ AND LEAVE WITH THE PLANNING COMMMISION HIS BASIC THOUGHTS IN REGARD TO THIS INCREASED LOT REQUEST -- FROM 5 to 8 sSINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES LOTS. I have spent several hours IN THE GARFIELD COUNTY PLANNING OFFICE GOING OVER THE VOLUMINOUS COVERING THIS REVISED SUBDIVISION. I HAVE WALKED THE LOS ADOBES PROPERY SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST TOW SUMMER. IHAVE STUDIED THE NEW SURVEY AND PLAT OF THE PROPOSED 8 LOTS, PREPERED BY HIGH COUNTRY ENGINEERING. I HAVE NEVER BEEN WITNESS TO THE OLD 5 lotSURVEY ORPLOT. MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIION IS THAT THERE NO POSSIBLE WAY TO PLACE A RESIDENCE ON LOT 1 or 8. HXX WITHOUT PLACING IN A GULLEY W ASH. THE MOST REVEALING PAPER/REPORT IN THIS LOS ADOBES FILE WAS W RITTEN BY NICHOLOS LAMPIRIS THE CONSULTING GEOLOGIST. AT THREE POINTS IN HIS APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTY ,FOR DEVELOPMENT , HERASIED THE QUESTION AS TO WHETERER THE PROPERTY COULD SUPPORT 8 RESIDENCES. IF sucsh AN APPROVAL WAS FORTHCOMMING HE RAISED MANY GEOLOGICAL AND ENGINEERING QUESTIONS. L fully CONCUR WITH MR. LANPIRIS findings in his repot. careful study of this report is a must FOR THE ENTIRE PLANNING BOARD. UNLESS YOU HAVE WITNESSED THE RUNOFF FROM THIS HILLSIDE PROPERTY UNBELIEVABLE. In CONTRAST, DURING THE SUMMER DROUGHT ON THIS HILLSIDE EXPOSURE EXPERIENCES THE MOST DEVastating moisture depletiond 1 have ever seen. FOR TWO SUMMERS I HAVE ENDEVORED TO ESTABLISH A STAND 9C of drought resistane vegetation CROW N VETCH, GRAMMA GRASS, WHEAT BUFFALO * WITHOUT ANY DEGREE OF SUCCESS. DEC 11 1991 CONTE') 2 John M. Rahm 12746 Highway 82 Carbondale, CO 81623 W ith eight new residences, WITH 8 new roof, AND 8 NEW AND ROADS THE RUNOFF WILL BE MUCH MOR RAPID AND DEVASTATING. I SINCERELY QUESTION THE ADDITIONAL LOTS BEING REQUESTED REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL PLANNED AND EXECUTED. Plannink AND FULLMENT OF THOSE PLANS WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL MONTERING TO FINAL DEVELOPMENT IF A MEANINGFULL REVEGATION IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. Thank you for yo time Sincerel John M. Rahm FEC 11 Wih December 11,1991 Mr. Peter Greene 12508 Hwy 82 Carbondale, CO 81623 RE: Proposed re -zoning of Los Adobes Subdivision by Garfield CO. P&Z. Having owned the property adjacent to the GreenBelt area for three years, (Property address 12544 Hwy 82) I see nothing but an improvement by putting the road un to the subdivision .n and having more building sites up on the top. During the time I owned the above mentioned property the Greenbelt area was nothing but a dried out field of thicket and weeds. In the Spring and Summer there were usually 10 to 15 Deer carcasses rotting in the field and the Road Dept. did nothing because they were off the Highway. That particular stretch of road in front of the Greenbelt is considered the first or second most dangerous in the State of Colorado by the State Police as far as accidents with deer crossing the Highway. Also by adding eight more homes in the Carbondale Area, that along with the proposed Aspen Glen Golf Course Development will do nothing but bring more business to the Town of Carbondale. Therefore as a resident and Real Estate Agent in Carbondale, I am all for the proposed re -zoning of the Los Adobes Sub -division. Res.ectfully, G� ick Spencer 2882 Road 113 Carbondale, CO 81623 • • /A\ Colorado Town & Country Realty, Inc. Nyr December 11, 1991 Planning and Zoning Garfield County Glenwood Springs, Co. 81601 Gentlemen: I would like to request you consider favorably the plans submitted by "Los Adobes." "Los Adobes" is a very high-quality development that will enhance the Carbondale area greatly. Not only from a visual, but also from an economical tax -based standpoint. I understand the people behind the project are very reputable and willing to cooperate with neighboring property owners to maintain the environment in its natural state. Your favorabl, consideration will be greatly appreciated. /;Kindest regabds , _, `moi\S16\\NA.A.,\J\..t2tj Irene C. Schumacher, G.R.I. Owner/Broker Associate Colorado Town & Country Realty, Inc. ICS/pm 981 Cowen Drive • Carbondale, Colorado 81623 (303) 963-9700 FAX (303) 963-9796 1-800-748-2790 Garfield County Planning Commission Garfield County Court House. Glenwood Springs, CO • January 8,1992 RE* Los Adobes Hearing 8 January 1992 My name is John Rehm. My wife Harriet & I reside in a hillside residence due East of Lot #1 in the proposed Los Adobes subdivision. We are still sorely concerened about many aspects of the Los Adobes application — especially the full impact of storm runoff and how it will be handled. I have read ,with interest, the recent letters from various entities,addressed to the solutionof several shortcomings noted at the last Planning Commission hearing. Quite frankly, I am unable to%$' follow the reason.. ing,assessment of the problem and the solutions suggested or proposed. High Country Engineering estimates that there will only be an additional storm runoff of 1% for the West portion of the subdivision and 3% for the East half. Their report suggests that this additional runoff might well be absorbed by the extensive revegatatRed areas. This in spite of the extensive disturbance for access roads, foundations,K utilities, and sewage disposal systems. I sincerely question the validity of this assumption -- especially in view of my endeavours to vegetate on this particular hillside exposure. May I again questionthe suitability of a residence on Lot #1. Nicholas Lampiris, the consulting geologist, address report and letter to this lot and site envelope. 1. "GULLIES SHOULD BE AVOIDED". Lot #1 and site envelope is located in the bottom of the East Gully flood plain. 2. Any foundation should be designed to withstand an impact of 200 lbs. per sq. ft. 3. Extensive diversionary earth workmust be done to accomodate a residence on Lot #1. I would make the following observations in regard to Lot #1. Presntly there is no planned easement or access to this lot. There is 1992 Page 2 Contd. • on file a suggested possible alignment fors N INGRESS, EGRESS,UTILITY,DRAINAGE and MUM EMERGENCY ACCESS' EASEMENT ". I can only assume that this easement relates to the old closed/ abandoned road which VI joins the New Los Adobes Road just inside the gate entrance. A diversionary berm, ditch and access road for this limited area is quite a load. ALL drainage from the West half of the subdivision will enter the Hwy 82 barrow pit at this point. There is currently in the Planning Commission file a letter from Richard Spencer dated September 1991 ?. In this letter' he endores the approval of the Los Adobes applicatimn. I would suggest that this letter be removed from the file as the Spencers are no longer an adjoing landowner. My statements in regard to Lot #1 are directed tword the safety and suitability as a possible home site. Any structure erected in this deep ravine/gulley would NOT be within view of our nearby residence. I note that Staff's Jan3 MEMORANDUM to Planning Commission reports on the present standing of five major components of the application. I also note that there remain Twenty seven (27) "POSSIBLE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL " to be fulfilled. I thank the Planning Commision and staff for the ' .atie I • Rahm llilll AN J8 January 6, 1992 • PLANTED EARTH 12744 HIGHWAY 82 CARBONDALE, CO 81623 Garfield County Planing and Zoning Garfield County Court House 109 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Dear P and Z Members: so 7 *la AFIELD COUNTY I am writing this letter as I am a neighbor of the proposed Los Adobes Subdivision, and was unable to attend the last P and Z public meeting in December, and will be unable to attend the P and Z meeting this coming Wednesday evening. In my opinion, the proposed Los Adobes development will be a most positive benefit for all of us in the neighborhood. This development should help to support and increase all of our property values. Without Los Adobes our chances of getting natural gas service on the north side of Highway 82 is slim at best. With the addition of the Los Adobes subdivision our chances are greatly increased. Natural gas will save us money, and increase the value of our properties. The meadow and land at the base of Sunnyside (Los Adobes) has to my knowledge never been maintained or irrigated. Trash that has been thrown or blown on to it would remain there as there was no one to remove it. I believe that with the Greenes' home that has already been built (the most expensive in the neighborhood), the price of the proposed lots, and investment likely in future homes, that chances are common area lands and the newly constructed road will be well maintained, vegetated and irrigated in the future. It is my understanding that a number of the neighbors have expressed concerns that the developers might build on or change the drainage on or around the proposed subdivision. I have walked around the property, and as an owner of a nursery and landscaping business, I haven't seen where the developers have or plan to change the drainage. The water that has historically run across Highway 82 from the two major gullies adjacent to the property will continue to run down those gully's. If a neighbor in the past chose to build their home in the existing gully's path, any flooding or mud slides are the homeowner's problem, not the problem of the developers of Los Adobes. • • If the owners of Los Adobes hadn't purchased all four existing lots of Sunnyside Subdivision Exemption, would we as neighbors been worse off? We very possibly might have. The new road provides the subdivision with a private entrance. The old road meant that home owners' access was through Barbara Tunnicliffe's driveway. Barbara will now have her own driveway for her own homes. Isn't this a benefit to her at no cost to her? In summary I hope the Los Adobes plan as proposed is approved by P and Z and the Garfield County Commissioners. Sincerely, rhe Mary McCarney lee,-1_ A. , -L,