HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.03 County Floodplain Letter Follow-up 05.02.2019P.O. Box 1908
1011 Grand Avenue
Glenwood Springs,
CO 81602
Z4NC4NELL4 4ND 4SSOC14TE5, INC.
ENGINEERING CON SULT1NTS
May 2, 2019
Glenn Hartman
Garfield County Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Via email to: ghartmann@garfield-county.com
(970) 945-5700
(970) 945-1253 Fax
Re: Cattle Creek Commercial Center Building Permit Application and Related
Floodplain
Mr. Hartman:
This letter is to respond to your email of April 30, 2019. As noted in our previous letter,
in 1999 our Client filed for a special use permit to place fill on its property in the
floodplain of Cattle Creek pursuant to GCLUC Section 4-109. The purpose of the fill
was to provide a "platform" to enable the construction of buildings on the property such
that normal building construction and drainage considerations would easily result in the
finished floor elevation of any subsequently constructed building to be at least one foot
above the appropriate floodplain elevation.
By Resolution number 99-114, the Board of County Commissioners approved the
special use permit, subject to certain conditions. A discussion of those conditions was
included in our previous letter of January 15, 2019. This letter includes a discussion of
the items included in GCLUC Section 4-109, as requested. The specific items from that
section follow:
[GCLUC Section 4-109]
A. Review Criteria.
A Floodplain Development Permit may be issued by the Director or designated
Floodplain Administrator if it is found that the application is in conformance with section
3-301, Floodplain Overlay Regulations, and upon weighing the following relevant
factors:
1. The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage has been
mitigated by filling the area in question to an elevation above the
regulated floodplain elevation. Since the area in question is filled to
an elevation above the regulated floodplain, floodwaters should be
constrained to travel within the floodway. That is the purpose of the
regulated floodway, to maintain an unobstructed channel area
sufficient to convey the regulated flood.
2. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood
damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
The purpose of elevating the area in question above the elevation of
the regulated floodplain is to raise the improvements placed on the
higher elevation above the influence of floodwaters.
3. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury
of others;
Again, raising the developed area above the level of the regulated
floodplain will prevent stored materials from being swept away during
flood events.
4. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated
development;
The currently proposed buildings are a continuation of the existing
development and are thus compatible with the existing and
anticipated development.
5. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and
emergency vehicles;
The access to the property is not within the regulated floodplain so
no change in access or safety of access is expected in times of flood.
6. The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood
conditions, including maintenance and repair of streets and bridges,
and public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and
water systems;
All utilities except electricity are privately provided by the existing
development. The electrical service is on poles overhead, so no
disturbance would be expected to the electrical service provided by
the local electrical utility.
7. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment
transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if
applicable, expected at the site;
Again, since the area in question is elevated above the floodway
area normally affected by floodwaters, the area is not expected to
experience detrimental effects from floodwaters.
8. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
Not applicable.
9. The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or
erosion damage, for the proposed use; and
The area in question has already been raised above the elevation
of the regulated floodplain, so no other alternative is available nor
desirable.
10. The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan for
that area.
No change in use or zoning is contemplated.
Sincerely,
Zancanella & Associates, Inc.
Tirt &cl
Timothy P. Beck, P.E.
TPB/soe
Attachments
CC: Eric Rudd