HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplicationGARFIELD
COMMUN
RECËIVED
Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(9701s45-8212
www.garfield-countv.com
me Extension (also check type of ala ication
Cotd unty
IAND USE CHANGE PERMIT
APPLICATION FORM
TYPE OF APPLICAT¡ON
ministrative Review tnDeveloment in 100-Year
Development in 100-Year Floodplain VarianceLimited lmpact Review
Code Text AmendmentN/laior lmpact Review
Rezoning
nzone District [nuo npuo Amendment
endments to an A
nvrn
LUCP
SUPLIR
Administrative I nterpretationMinor Temporary Housing Facility
Appeal of Administrative lnterpretationVacation of a County Road/Public ROW
and Activities of State lnterestLocation and Extent Review
Accommodation Pursuant to Fair Housing ActJ-lCom prehensive Plan Amendmen -t
Variancelineent
INVOTVED PARTIES
Owner/Applicant
Name:RMR Aggregates, lnc.; Rocky Mountain lndustrials, ln.. phon",720 614-5213
Mailing Address:4601 DTC Blvd. Ste 130
City:Denver state: CO Zip code:80237
rwag ne r@rockymou nta i n i nd ustria I s. com
Representative (Authorization Required)
Name . David H. McConaughy p1ron". 1970 )947-'1936
Mailing Add ,"rr. Garfield & Hecht, P.C., 901 Grand Ave. Suite 201
City:Glenwood Springs state: co Zip code:81 601
d mcconau g hy@g a rfield hecht. com
PROJECT NAME AND LOCATION
Project Name:
Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry
Assessolr'sParcelNumber: 2 1 1 I 3 5 2_ 0 0_9 5 7
Physical/Street Address:'1001 Transfer Trail, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Legal Description:Section: 35 Township: 5 Range: 89 SEC.27 LOTS 5&6 S2SE, SEC.34 NE4,E2NW,NESW,N2SE, SEC.35 LOTS 1-4
N2N2,N2S2, SEC.36 LOTS 1-4 N2N2, N2S2,SESW,S2SE
Zone District:Property Size (acres)
Prooosed Use f From Use Table 3-4031:
For Appeal of Administrative lnterpretation please include:
1. The Decision you are appealing.
2. The date the Decision was sent as specified in the notice (date mailed).
3. The nature of the decision and the specified ground for appeal. Please cite specific code sections
andlor relevant documentation to support your request.
4. The appropr¡ate appeal fee of 5250.00.
5. Please note a completed Appeal Application and fees must be received within 30 calendar days
Description of Projcct:S€e attâched
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Existing Use:
Limestone quarry on BLM land
REQUEST FOR WAIVERS
Submission Requirements
E the Applicant requesting a Waiver of Submission Requirements per Section 4-202. Lisf
Section
Section
Section:
Section:
Section:
Section:
Waiver of Standards
tr lhe Applicant is requesting a Waiver of Standards per Section 4-LL8. List
Section
Section
the statements above and have provided the required attached information which is
accurate to the best of my knowledge.
I have read
correct and
-7A uJ^ *æ-
Signature of Property Owner or nuù¡orized Represent ative, Title Date
t 5-18-2020
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Fire Numbe* A A t A- Ô? þ+Fee Paid:1-æ,oO
Glenwood Springs OÍfice
901 Grand Avenue, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone (970) 947-1936
Facsimile (97 0) 9 47 - 1937
www.sarfieldhecht.com
April9,2020
David H. McConaughy
dm c conau shv lÐearfi e I dh ech t. co m
Via Certified U.S. Mail.
Return Receipt Requested
Garfield County Board of Adjustment
108 8th Street, Suite 101
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: March 31,2020 Notice of Violation - Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry
Dear Board of Adjustment Members:
This office represents Rocky Mountain Industrials, Inc. and RMR Aggregates, Inc.
(collectively ..RMR,'). Despite the fact that it was sent to the incorrect address, RMR is in receipt
òf u Noti""of Violaiion dáted March 3I,2020 (the "NoV") issued by Garfield County. For all
fi.lture communication please make sure to copy Garfield & Hecht, P.C. at 901 Grand Avenue,
Suite 201, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
This letter serves as notice of RMR's appeal of the NOV pursuant to the Garfield County
Land Use and Development Code. The NOV alleges that RMR is operating its limestone quarry'
known as the Mid-Continent quarry, in violation of Garfîeld County Resolution Nos- 82-222 and
2009-97. However, the NOV is flawed for a number of reasons. First, it was issued without the
approval of the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (the "BOCC"). In addition, the
ÑOV is in direct conflict with the stipulation entered into between RMR and the BOCC and
ordered by the United States District Court for the District of Colorado enjoining the County from
taking "nior""n1"nt
action against RMR until a scheduling order has been entered in that federal
litigation. As such, the NOV should be overturned'
Please contact me if you require additional information'
Very truly yours,
G P
H.
Enclosures
GARFIELD &, FIECHT, P.C.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Since 1975
Glenwood Springs Office
901 Grand Avenue, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Telephone (970) 947 -1936
Facsimile (970) 947 -1937
www.garfieldhecht.com
April10,2020
David H. McConaughy
dmcconau ehy@ garfi eldhecht.com
Ms. Amy Yeldell
Environmental Protection Specialist
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
amv.yeldell@state.co.us
Re: Mid-Continent LST, Permit No. M-l982-121
Dear Ms. Yeldell:
I wrote you on November 6,2019,to advise you that this firm represents RMR Industrials,
Inc., which has recently changed its corporate name to Rocky Mountain Industrials, Inc. We also
represent the affiliated Colorado entity RMR Aggregates, Inc.
My client forwarded a copy of your letter to Greg Dangler dated April 6, 2020, asking for
information concerning a letter from Garfield County dated March 31,2020. My client had not
actually received Garfield County's letter before you forwarded it, most likely because it was
addressed incorrectly. This letter will respond to your inquiries and update the information
provided in my November 6, 2019, letter.
As you know, my client is presently in litigation against Garfield County in both state and
federal court to challenge the Notice of Violation dated May 8,2019 (the"2019 Notice"). The new
Notice of Violation of March 3l , 2020 (the "2020 Notice") raises a single issue which is identical
to issue #3 in the 2019 Notice. Both alleged violations reference a seasonal restriction imposed by
County Resolution No. 2009-97.The seasonal restriction was included in Resolution No. 2009-97
to mirror a similar restriction imposed by the BLM. However, the BLM has routinely granted
exemptions to that restriction, including during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Garfield County has
advised me that it cannot honor that exemption and that it has no process to grant an exemption
without formal amendment of the County permit. In the litigation, my client has challenged the
County's authority to enforce this restriction when the BLM has specifically granted an exemption
on preemption and other grounds. Notably, the BLM has determined that the reshiction would
have no impact on wildlife migration this year or last year, which was the reason for the restriction
in the first place. As such, there is no present environmental or scientific basis to impose the
restriction.
GARFIELD &, ITECHT, P.C.
ATTORNEYS ATLAW
Since 1975
Ms. Amy Yeldell
Âpril 10,2020
Puge 2 of2
As I explained in my letter to you of November 6,2019, my client planned to apply to the
County to amend the existing permit to resolve this conflict, and other conflicts, between the
County permits and the BLM and DRMS permits. However, parts of my letter to you were quoted
in various press reports shortly after I sent it, including our plans to apply for a permit amendment.
In direct response to thosc media reports, on November 18, 2019, the County imposed a
moratorium on all new mining applications by Resolution 2019-58. That Resolution was added to
the Board of County Commissioners' agenda at the last minute and without any prior notice to me
or my client. The County then advised us that it would refuse to process or consider any application
to amend the permit.
Meanwhile, as I informed you in November, my client and the County had frled a
stipulation in federal court providing that the County would take no action to enforce the 2019
Notiue or Resolution Nos. 2009-97 or 82-222 until the tþderal court issued a "Scheduling Order"
in the pending litigation, which has not occurred. Another copy of the stipulation and the order of
the United States District Court for the District of Colorado approving it are enclosed with this
letter. The County's issuance of the 2020 Notice threatening enforcement action of the same
allegetl violal.ion untler Resolution No.2009-97 is in direct violation of that federal court order,
which remains in effect.
The state court litigation remains pending, and we are awaiting several rulings from the
Garfield County District Court judge regarding certification of the record and other matters before
merits briefing can proceed. My client remains committed to protecting its rights under the law
and expects to obtain a ruling invalidating both the 2019 Notice and the 2020 Notice. It will likely
be several more months before the matter is ripe for ruling by the state court.
In summary, Garfield County had no legal justification to issue the2020 Notice and did so
in direct violation of a federal court order. Regardless, because the seasonal restriction only applies
until April 15, this issue will be moot in less than a week.
Please contact me if you require additional information.
Very truly yours,
Enclosure
Greg Dangler
Case 1:19-cv-01-445-SKC Document 17 Filed 05/30/1-9 USDC Colorado Page 1- of 3
IN THE T]NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Civil Action No. l9-cv-01445
RMR INDUSTRIALS, INC.,
Plaintifl
v
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO; and THE GARFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, JOHN MARTIN, TOM JANKOVSKY, and MIKE SAMSON, in their
official capacities.
Defendants.
STIPULATION
PlaintiffRMR Industrials, Inc. ("RMR") and Defendants Garfield County, Colorado; The
Garfield County Board of County Commissioners; John Martin; Tom Jankovksy; and Mike
Samson (collectively, the "County Defendants"), by and through their respective counsel, hereby
stipulate and agree as follows:
1. RMR initiated this action by filing its Complaint on May 21,20L9. On behalf of
the County Defendants, the County Attorney executed waivers of service sent pursuant to Fed.
R. Civ. P. 4(d) on May 22, 2019. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. l2(a)(l)(Axii), responsive
pleadings from the County Defendants are due within 60 days, or by Monda¡ July 21,2A19.
2. The County issued a Notice of Violation dated May 8, 2019 (the'Î.{OV"), which
alleged violations of the County's Land Use and Development Code ("LUDC") and Resolution
Nos. 82-222 and 2A09-97 (the "Resolutions') and demanded compliance by June 1 , 2019.
I
Case 1-:1-9-cv-0L445-SKC Document L7 Filed 05/30/L9 USDC Colorado Page 2 of 3
3. RMR brought this civil action challenging the authority of the County Defendants
to issue and enforce the NOV.
4. RMR has a right to seok injunctive rclicf prccluding cnforccment of the NOV in
the form of a temporary reshaining order and/or a preliminary injunction pursuant to Fed. R. Civ.
P.6s.
5. The Court has set a Scheduling Conference for Septemb er 3,2019,at l:30 p.m.
6. The County Defendants arc cvaluating the claims asserted and their potential
dcfcnscs. In thc mcantime, the parties wish to explore the possibility of settlement mther than
devoting time and resourccs to litigating a motion for tcmporary restraining order or a motion for
preliminary injunction before the County Defendants file responsive pleadings.
7. ln consideration of RMR's agreement to forgo the immediate filing of a motion
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 65, the County Defendants agree that they shall take no action to
cnforce the NOV or the Resolutions at least until 14 days after the Court enters the Scheduling
Order in this case, and the County Defendants agree to extend the deadline for compliance as set
forth in the NOV accordingly.
8. Neither party waives any claim or defense by entering into this Stipulation. If a
settlement agrccment or other disposition resolving all claims is not reached before the deadline
set forth in the preceding paragraph, RMR reserves the right to file for any relief available
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 65 or any other federal authority at any time after the Scheduling
Conference, and the County Defendants reserve the right to seek enforcement of the NOV or the
Resolutions l4 days thereafter.
2
Case L:L9-cv-01-445-SKC Document L7 Filed 05/30/1-9 USDC Colorado Page 3 of 3
g. The parties jointly request that the Court approve this Stipulation as an order of
the Court.
SO AGREED this g o day of May, 2019
901 Grand Avenue,1
Glenwood Springs, CO 601
(970\ 947-t936
dmcconau eúr)¡@ g4rfi eldecht. com
Attorneyþr RMR
APPROVED:
By the Court:
Judge
Tari rü/illiams
Garfield CountyAttomey
108 Eighth Street, Suite 219
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 94s-e1s0
twilliams@ sarfi eld-county. com
Attorney þr County Defendanß
3
From:
to:
Subjectr
Date:
COD ENotlce(ocad,U.9c0Un9,S0!
COD ENotice(òcod.uscourts.oov
Activity in Casc 1:19-cv-01445-RBJ RMR Industrials, Inc. v. Garfield County, Colorado et al Order on Motlon for
Order
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:32:12 PM
This is an automatic e-mail message generated by the CM/ECF system. Please D(J NO'l'
RESPOND to this e-mail because the mail box is unattended.
*?I*NOTE TO PUBLIC ACCESS USERS**¡I Judicial Conference of the United States
policy permits attorneys of record and parties in a case (including pro se litigants) to
receive one free electronic copy of all documents fîled electronicallyo if receipt is required
by law or directed by the fiter. PACER access fees apply to all other users. To avoid later
charges, download a copy of each document during this fîrst viewing. However, if the
referenced document is a transcripto the free copy and 30 page limit do not apply.
LI.S. District Court - District of Colorarlo
District of Colorado
Notice of Electronic Filing
The following transaction was entered on 5l3ll20l9 at l:32 PM MDT and filed on 5l3ll20l9
Case Name: RMR Industrials, Inc. v. Garficld County, Colorado et al
Case Number: 1:19-cv-01445-RBJ
Filer:
Document Number: 20(No document attached)
Docket Text:
ORDER grant¡ng [17t Joint MOTION for Order to Approve Stipulation. By Judge
R. Brooke Jackson on 5/31/19. Text Only Entry(rbjsec. )
1:19-cv-01445-RBJ Notice has been electronically mailed to:
David H. McConaughy dmcconaughy@garfieldhecht.com, kthissen@garfieldhecht.com,
rortell@garfi eldhecht.com
Christophcr David Bryan cbryan@garfieldhecht.com, kthissen@garfieldhecht.com,
rgoldberg@garfieldhecht.com
Bailey A. Calhoun bcalhoun@garfieldhecht.com, baileyfigler@grnail.com
1:19-cv-01445-R3.I Notice has been mailed bv the filer to: