The Fremont County Commissioners conducted a second and final public hearing at their regular meeting focusing on the 23rd Amendment to the Fremont County Zoning Resolution. The issue that attracted the most attention at the initial public hearing March 28th dealt with permitting orchards and vineyards in the Agricultural Suburban and Agricultural Estates zone districts with a 4 ½ acre limit. The Commissioners intent was to allow orchard and vineyard use where they were not permitted previously in those zoning districts, but citizens protested the acreage limit saying orchards and vineyards already exist in those zones on much smaller acreages. The Commissioners said after review they intend to remove the acreage limit and allow orchards and vineyards in Ag Suburban and Ag Estates zones by permitted use.
Commissioner Ed Norden also noted that new language in the zoning amendment requiring that any zone change application include a site development plan was modified by the Commissioners. Norden said instead of requiring site development plans for any change of business or industrial use or expansion, the Commissioners amended the language to say site development plans would be required in event of "any substantial change" to a business or expansion. Norden said while the Commissioners want managed growth, they do not want to discourage the expansion of small business.
The Commissioners tabled final adoption of the 23rd zoning amendment to the May 9th Board meeting.
The Commissioners approved a variance of the county's subdivision regulations for Northwest E.M.S. allowing for the creation of a 4.02 outlot along County Road 2 (Tallahassee Road). The outlot was previously approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment due to the fact that the minimum lot size in the zone district is 35 acres. Creation of the outlot will allow Northwest E.M.S. and the Tallahassee Volunteer Fire Department to erect an ambulance garage and fire station on the lot. The Commissioners also waived the $350 application fee.
In other business the Commissioners:
Commissioner Ed Norden also noted that new language in the zoning amendment requiring that any zone change application include a site development plan was modified by the Commissioners. Norden said instead of requiring site development plans for any change of business or industrial use or expansion, the Commissioners amended the language to say site development plans would be required in event of "any substantial change" to a business or expansion. Norden said while the Commissioners want managed growth, they do not want to discourage the expansion of small business.
The Commissioners tabled final adoption of the 23rd zoning amendment to the May 9th Board meeting.
The Commissioners approved a variance of the county's subdivision regulations for Northwest E.M.S. allowing for the creation of a 4.02 outlot along County Road 2 (Tallahassee Road). The outlot was previously approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment due to the fact that the minimum lot size in the zone district is 35 acres. Creation of the outlot will allow Northwest E.M.S. and the Tallahassee Volunteer Fire Department to erect an ambulance garage and fire station on the lot. The Commissioners also waived the $350 application fee.
In other business the Commissioners:
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Approved a temporary use permit for the Blossom Festival carnival to operate May 1st through the 8th at Elm Avenue and Oak Creek Grade Road.
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Approved a six month extension for Mary Ann LeBlanc's final plat for Maple Leaf Estates at Windsor and York Avenues north of Cañon City.
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Approved a variance request for Dave Strom to install a new septic system at 725 MacKenzie despite being within 300 feet of the sanitation district's main sewer interceptor.
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Appointed Kerry Ann McHugh of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad to a vacancy on the Fremont County Tourism Councill.
In recognition of National Volunteers week, Fremont County 4-H Extension agent Verla Noakes reported that 100 Fremont County 4-H volunteers donated an average of ten hours monthly last year. Calculated at a rate of over $18 per hour for their volunteer work, Noakes said the value of the volunteers' contributions totaled more than $216,000 to Fremont County 4-H programs.