The Fremont County Commissioners labored another two hours over issues associated with the proposed Northfield Coal Mine in the Chandler and Williamsburg area at the March 13th regular meeting. After board approval of a conditional use permit at the February 27th meeting, the board spent time Tuesday discussing with the applicant the specific language that will be considered for a long list of conditions under the permit.
Most of the discussion focused on the timing for anticipated traffic improvements that may be necessary on County Roads #79 and #11A and Colorado Highway 115 if the coal is moved by truck. There was also a lot of continuing debate over the days and hours of operation as the applicant is seeking an operation for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with two full time shifts producing coal. After consensus was reached on most of the issues the matter was referred to the Planning Department staff which will assemble the conditions under a formal resolution to be considered by the Commissioners at the March 27th meeting.
The Commissioners tabled an application for a conditional use permit for a gravel pit southwest of Florence. Jack Beedle is seeking a permit to operate the Beedle Quarry for ten years on a 40 acre site about four miles southeast of Highway 67 and Siloam Road. Several neighbors protested the gravel pit arguing that the ten extra trucks traveling the county road every day would worsen already bad road conditions and pose a safety threat to residents in the Sumo subdivision. Concerns were also voiced about groundwater impacts and the fact that the mine would be operating in the main channel of Hardscrabble Creek. The Commissioners said they wanted the County Engineer to review the groundwater and flood plain issues before making a decision. The permit application was tabled until the March 27th meeting.
The Board of Commissioners also approved submission of a letter to the Fremont Sanitation District regarding the proposed North Canon sewer project. The letter outlines the Commissioners support of a plan to pursue formation of a North Canon sewer local improvement district using boundaries of the original engineering study area. The only exclusion would be a large mostly unpopulated area north of Melvina Street. The Commissioners said that following another neighborhood meeting on March 2nd they are convinced that the project should move forward. The Commissioners added that because of a public health threat posed by failing septic systems they believe most of the study area should be considered for creation of the local improvement district.
The letter will enable the Fremont Sanitation District to initiate the engineering design for the project in-house to come up with more specific cost estimates. Those cost estimates will be used to help secure the necessary grants and loans and provide residents in the area a more realistic monthly cost of the project when the issue returns to the Board of Commissioners for a public hearing.
In other business the Commissioners:
Most of the discussion focused on the timing for anticipated traffic improvements that may be necessary on County Roads #79 and #11A and Colorado Highway 115 if the coal is moved by truck. There was also a lot of continuing debate over the days and hours of operation as the applicant is seeking an operation for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with two full time shifts producing coal. After consensus was reached on most of the issues the matter was referred to the Planning Department staff which will assemble the conditions under a formal resolution to be considered by the Commissioners at the March 27th meeting.
The Commissioners tabled an application for a conditional use permit for a gravel pit southwest of Florence. Jack Beedle is seeking a permit to operate the Beedle Quarry for ten years on a 40 acre site about four miles southeast of Highway 67 and Siloam Road. Several neighbors protested the gravel pit arguing that the ten extra trucks traveling the county road every day would worsen already bad road conditions and pose a safety threat to residents in the Sumo subdivision. Concerns were also voiced about groundwater impacts and the fact that the mine would be operating in the main channel of Hardscrabble Creek. The Commissioners said they wanted the County Engineer to review the groundwater and flood plain issues before making a decision. The permit application was tabled until the March 27th meeting.
The Board of Commissioners also approved submission of a letter to the Fremont Sanitation District regarding the proposed North Canon sewer project. The letter outlines the Commissioners support of a plan to pursue formation of a North Canon sewer local improvement district using boundaries of the original engineering study area. The only exclusion would be a large mostly unpopulated area north of Melvina Street. The Commissioners said that following another neighborhood meeting on March 2nd they are convinced that the project should move forward. The Commissioners added that because of a public health threat posed by failing septic systems they believe most of the study area should be considered for creation of the local improvement district.
The letter will enable the Fremont Sanitation District to initiate the engineering design for the project in-house to come up with more specific cost estimates. Those cost estimates will be used to help secure the necessary grants and loans and provide residents in the area a more realistic monthly cost of the project when the issue returns to the Board of Commissioners for a public hearing.
In other business the Commissioners:
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Approved the final plat for the Coyote Ridge subdivision along the west side of Illinois Avenue just north of Smith Street. John and Pam Sell are developing 17 residential lots on 19.6 acres;
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Reappointed Gary Martin and newly appointed Fred Smith and Phil Thomas to the Fremont County Weed Advisory Board;
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and approved housekeeping resolutions dissolving the North Street local improvement district, the Four Mile local improvement district, and the 1997 Fremont County sewer extension local improvement district.