HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondenceDave Argo
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Subject: Permit- Branded Rock
Name: Nate Porter
noreply@formstack.com
Monday, March 9, 2020 2:16 PM
Dave Argo
[External] Website inquiry - Plans Examiner
Email: porterhomes@live.com
Phone Number: (970) 210-6324
Message: Hi Dave, I was thinking of driving to Glenwood tomorrow and sitting down for a few if you have 15
minutes or so. I think I got a little frustrated during the submittal process due to me not communicating well with
Lindsay. I want to make sure I am calling inspections correctly and fully understand the process so I can
provide a smooth and quick build for my client. For the record, I have built around 170 homes, mostly custom
in GJ, and will not need hand holding. I do however recognize how essential it is that I am on the same page
as you all in the County office. Can you spare a few minutes around 900a tomorrow? Darrell Bay at the
building dept. is a good reference here in Mesa County. Thanks in advance.
N ate
1
Dave Argo
From: Dave Argo
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2020 5:42 PM
To: porterhomes@live.com
Subject: Branded Rock Canyon - Bldg. Permit #BLRE-03-20-6144
Nate:
Look, my best advice is that you need to slow down, take a deep breath and not rush up here to our office tomorrow
morning, because by trying to go so fast you've caused some problems for yourself up here.
Let me explain to you what I've learned about your project over the past few days while I was in Denver attending a
building code conference last week...
During our initial phone conversations and included on your own building permit application you state that the new
building will be a garage/shop with a half bath, but that description doesn't exactly align with what others have said
about the project, including the following:
• Soils Report — Refers to the project as a "Shooting Range"
• Architect — Refers to the building as a "Commercial Project" and uses Occupancy Groups B and S-1 on Life Safety
Plans (Sheet A0.1)
• Ranch Manager — Refers to the project as a "Shooting Range" during a meeting with one of our planners during
a "Pre -Application Conference".
These don't exactly match up with the description on your building permit application submitted to our office. The
Building Department needs to be able to depend on the information being provided to us as accurate, and that doesn't
seem to be the case here.
During the Pre -App Mtg. in mid-February the Ranch Manager was provided with a description of the process and a
timeline from Patrick Waller for obtaining a land use change permit for a shooting range on this property, and Patrick
explained that a building permit couldn't be issued for this proposed use until the land use approvals were in place. This
is standard protocol in our office, and Patrick told me that the Ranch Manager didn't seem to have a problem with the
timeline he had outlined to get through the planning process. You making a special trip up to our office in the morning
won't fundamentally change that process which needs to occur in order for us to allow for a shooting range or
commercial building to be built on this property.
Instead of you making a trip up here tomorrow morning, why don't you instead let those of us in the Building and
Planning Departments have a group discussion about your project, and one of us will be getting back to you afterwards.
We typically have our staff meetings on Tuesday mornings and I was planning to bring up this project for discussion
tomorrow. However, I have been told that our Director is unable to attend tomorrow's meeting so it may be tomorrow
afternoon before we have the opportunity to get together to discuss this project, and we'll follow-up with you soon
thereafter.
Dave Argo
Plans Examiner
C. Garfield County I
Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tel: 970-945-8212 Ext. 1610
Email: dargo@garfield-county.com
1
Dave Argo
From: Nate Porter <porterhomes@live.com>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2020 10:09 PM
To: Dave Argo
Subject: Re: [External] Branded Rock Canyon - Bldg. Permit #BLRE-03-20-6144
Dave,
Thank you for your candor. I appreciate that approach in general so I know where I stand. In return, I would like to
address my concerns on your comment that I have caused some problems for myself up there.
My intent at going through this at the fastest pace possible was due to a commitment I made to my client at Branded
Rock. I am a successful builder in GJ with a very positive reputation with our building department. I understand process.
My confusion and frustration came in when an old, non permitted building that may or may not be a grandfathered
building (pre -1974) came up in conversation with your office staff. That threw me for a loop. My question was simply
whether or not I could permit a building as a detached garage/shop for the owner of Branded Rock should it not be a
Commercial Shooting Range. I realize the struggle and concern from Lindsay was based on her knowledge that this is in
discussion to be a potential future Commercial Shooting area.
My attempt at permitting the building in a timely manner is to meet a deadline requested by the owner that I be
finished by end of May due to a family reunion at the ranch early June. The possibility that the building and land use be
requested to change is moot in that we would be building this regardless for a separate garage/storage/office for the
owner.
The reasoning behind the Soils Report, Architect, and Ranch Manager referencing "Shooting Range" and "Commercial
Project" is that yes, they are requesting a land use change. I though it would be wise to check all the boxes on the
building and Commercial requirements in the likelihood that the land use would be granted.
My sincere apologies if the references to the future desired use conflicts with the permit application. I can assure you
there was no malicious intent. I respect the authority of the governmental departments that I work with on an almost
daily basis, and have no desire to change the process that needs to occur for Branded Rock to get the approvals they are
seeking. Amy, the Ranch Manager, did mention the meeting with Patrick went well and made it sound that it was a fairly
simple process.
It is entirely possible I muddied the waters by my understanding that if I pulled a regular permit and checked the
commercial boxes that we could then apply for a land use change if there were no shooting courses going on while the
process was underway. Is that fair to consider? I can tell you with certainty that to my knowledge there are no hard
scheduled or booked events, other than the family reunion I mentioned earlier.
I will heed your advice and slow down, take a deep breath, and let you do your job as needed. I did feel a need to
respond as it seems some poor communication may have added to the problems created which you mentioned earlier.
The last thing I need in this situation is to add time to the project. One request I do have is that if at all possible you
reach out and let me know after the meeting tomorrow what I can do, if anything, to help this go smoother from here
on out. I felt you and I had a good rapport in our previous discussions and very much value the relationship between
builder and community planning.
Thank you again for your candor and for taking the time to read this.
Nate Porter
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Andy Schwaller
From: Amy Shaffer -Branded Rock Office <office@brandedrock.com>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 11:53 AM
To: Andy Schwaller
Cc: Dave Argo; 'Nate Porter'
Subject: [External] Pending Building Permit -Branded Rock Canyon
Importance: High
Mr. Schwaller,
Nate Porter has passed along your request that we provide a description of the purpose for the new building project at
Branded Rock Canyon. The parcel owner, Mr. Kight, has just returned Stateside and approved the following letter on his
behalf:
The owner of this property, Peter Kight/Branded Rock Canyon LLC, utilizes this private ranch retreat much of the time
for his own personal or family activities. The members of his family all enjoy a variety of shooting sports, including
shotgun, pistol, rifle, and archery. Although we already have a permitted commercial shooting facility located at the
southern end of the property, which is routinely used for all shooting platforms, Mr. Kight desires to construct a new
building at the far north end of the ranch property (parcel 213931300023) to allow for other personal activity
options. This new detached garage will function as a temperature -controlled, multi -use facility for storage of
equipment, personal office space for Mr. Kight, fly -tying studio, golf driving range, rifle/pistol/archery shooting, and an
indoor gathering space for family events. Essentially, this new building is Mr. Kight's "Man Cave," as his wife already has
her painting studio "She -Shed" across the creek and on the same parcel, which is the older cabin that has received
attention from your department recently due to possible missing CO permit. Regarding this cabin, I am in the process of
contacting the previous owner (Kessler/Colorado Nature Ranch) to see if they have any historical evidence or recall a
copy of the CO permit.
Getting back to the new construction, Mr. Kight has hired Nate Porter/Porter Homes to handle the general contracting
for this project. He gave Nate the "end of May" deadline to complete this construction, in order to accommodate the
Kight family reunion that is scheduled at the ranch for early June. Mr. Kight wishes to utilize the new building for family
reunion activities, including shooting and golfing. So at this time, the entire purpose of this new construction is personal
use by the owner and his invited guests, friends and family.
The reason for us taking the parallel path and looking into the commercial permitting and land use change process is to
ensure that we follow all necessary guidelines and requirements so that as our Precision Shooting Program grows, we
may want to include the use of this facility, and will have already followed the necessary commercial building codes
during construction. Safety and responsible land use, as well as obtaining all necessary permits for the variety of
activities at the ranch (outfitting permit, commercial lake, bird park permit, etc) has been our priority from day one, and
we are in no way attempting to circumnavigate any permitting by pressing forward with this building as a personal use
facility.
I should add that enlisting Nate Porter to construct a personal use detached garage is not a new concept for us. In 2018,
Mr. Kight asked Nate to design and quote him for a detached garage storage building which would be located adjacent
to the main lodge/Guesthouse facilities. Mr. Kight opted not to proceed with that project, because the building simply
didn't provide enough multi -usability compared to the price of construction. This new location further up the canyon is
the best secluded and safe site farther away from guest lodging facilities for the activities Mr. Kight enjoys. It also allows
he and his wife to escape and use the facility for their own personal activities, while commercial guests are down canyon
at the commercial range.
1.
Please let me know if you need further clarification. If we need to revisit the documents that have already been
submitted by Nate Porter (stamped architecture designs, waste water, building permit application, etc) and revise the
name or description of the structure, we can do so immediately. We had hoped to proceed as quickly as possible with
the initial construction phase in order to take advantage of the frozen ground for minimal soil and road disturbance in
the areas leading up to and surrounding the building site.
Thank you,
Amy Shaffer
General Manager, Branded Rock Canyon
Lodge: (970) 283-1145
Mobile: (970) 456-6506
www.brandedrockcanvon.com
CANY N
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Andy Schwaller
From: Andy Schwaller
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 10:04 AM
To: Amy Shaffer -Branded Rock Office
Subject: RE: [External] Pending Building Permit -Branded Rock Canyon
Amy,
Regardless if the shooting range is private or commercial, a land use permit will be required for its use. The other items
for the man cave are a use by right kind of a thing. We will redline the plans not to include the shooting range pending
the land use permit. Once the land use permit is in place, a new building permit can be obtained to remodel the
structure for the new use. The building permit will be reviewed as a residential accessory structure. The commercial
aspect and review would be part of a future building permit.
Let me know if that makes some sense.
Andy
From: Amy Shaffer -Branded Rock Office <office@brandedrock.com>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 12:36 PM
To: Andy Schwaller <aschwaller@garfield-county.com>
Subject: RE: [External] Pending Building Permit -Branded Rock Canyon
Thank you!
Amy Shaffer
Manager, Branded Rock Canyon
Lodge: (970) 283-1145
Mobile: (970) 456-6506
www.brandedrockcanyon.com
From: Andy Schwaller [mailto:aschwaller@aarfield-countv.com]
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 12:14 PM
To: Amy Shaffer -Branded Rock Office
Subject: RE: Pending Building Permit -Branded Rock Canyon
Thanks. I will add to the file.
From: Amy Shaffer -Branded Rock Office <office@brandedrock.com>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 11:53 AM
To: Andy Schwaller <aschwaller@garfieid-countv.com>
Cc: Dave Argo <dargo@garfield-countY.com>; 'Nate Porter' <porterhomes@live.com>
Subject: [External] Pending Building Permit -Branded Rock Canyon
Importance: High
1
Mr. Schwaller,
Nate Porter has passed along your request that we provide a description of the purpose for the new building project at
Branded Rock Canyon. The parcel owner, Mr. Kight, has just returned Stateside and approved the following letter on his
behalf:
The owner of this property, Peter Kight/Branded Rock Canyon LLC, utilizes this private ranch retreat much of the time
for his own personal or family activities. The members of his family all enjoy a variety of shooting sports, including
shotgun, pistol, rifle, and archery. Although we already have a permitted commercial shooting facility located at the
southern end of the property, which is routinely used for all shooting platforms, Mr. Kight desires to construct a new
building at the far north end of the ranch property (parcel 213931300023) to allow for other personal activity
options. This new detached garage will function as a temperature -controlled, multi -use facility for storage of
equipment, personal office space for Mr. Kight, fly -tying studio, golf driving range, rifle/pistol/archery shooting, and an
indoor gathering space for family events. Essentially, this new building is Mr. Kight's "Man Cave," as his wife already has
her painting studio "She -Shed" across the creek and on the same parcel, which is the older cabin that has received
attention from your department recently due to possible missing CO permit. Regarding this cabin, I am in the process of
contacting the previous owner (Kessler/Colorado Nature Ranch) to see if they have any historical evidence or recall a
copy of the CO permit.
Getting back to the new construction, Mr. Kight has hired Nate Porter/Porter Homes to handle the general contracting
for this project. He gave Nate the "end of May" deadline to complete this construction, in order to accommodate the
Kight family reunion that is scheduled at the ranch for early June. Mr. Kight wishes to utilize the new building for family
reunion activities, including shooting and golfing. So at this time, the entire purpose of this new construction is personal
use by the owner and his invited guests, friends and family.
The reason for us taking the parallel path and looking into the commercial permitting and land use change process is to
ensure that we follow all necessary guidelines and requirements so that as our Precision Shooting Program grows, we
may want to include the use of this facility, and will have already followed the necessary commercial building codes
during construction. Safety and responsible land use, as well as obtaining all necessary permits for the variety of
activities at the ranch (outfitting permit, commercial lake, bird park permit, etc) has been our priority from day one, and
we are in no way attempting to circumnavigate any permitting by pressing forward with this building as a personal use
facility.
I should add that enlisting Nate Porter to construct a personal use detached garage is not a new concept for us. In 2018,
Mr. Kight asked Nate to design and quote him for a detached garage storage building which would be located adjacent
to the main lodge/Guesthouse facilities. Mr. Kight opted not to proceed with that project, because the building simply
didn't provide enough multi -usability compared to the price of construction. This new location further up the canyon is
the best secluded and safe site farther away from guest lodging facilities for the activities Mr. Kight enjoys. It also allows
he and his wife to escape and use the facility for their own personal activities, while commercial guests are down canyon
at the commercial range.
Please lel me know if you need further clarification. If we need to revisit the documents that have already been
submitted by Nate Porter (stamped architecture designs, waste water, building permit application, etc) and revise the
name or description of the structure, we can do so immediately. We had hoped to proceed as quickly as possible with
the initial construction phase in order to take advantage of the frozen ground for minimal soil and road disturbance in
the areas leading up to and surrounding the building site.
Thank you,
Amy Shaffer
General Manager, Branded Rock Canyon
2