The Fremont County Commissioners heard details about the Colorado Wildland Fire Training Academy in Canon City and listened to complaints about the Planning Commission's handling of the Master Plan at the Commissioners regular meeting on June 8th.
Lynn Barclay, Liaison Officer with the Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy, reported to the Commissioners that 534 students from 23 states were in Canon City for the week attending six days of classes at Canon City High School. She said 29 classes were on the schedule offering training in fields relating to risk management, the Incident Command System, and other fire related topics. Incident Commander Todd Richardson said there had been great support from Canon City and the surrounding communities in hosting the academy. He said in addition to the 534 students, the academy was attended by 47 instructors and 32 staff members for a total of 644 attendees. Barclay estimated that the week-long academy would have a potential $400,000 impact on the Canon City area economy.
Mike Sheahan, President of Front Range Aggregate which operates a quarry at Parkdale, spoke to the Board of Commissioners during the citizens public comment period. Sheahan said he was also speaking for other industry leaders in the audience including John Todd of the Holcim Cement Plant. Sheahan said that while they support the county Master Plan process in general, the industry leaders have become aware of some issues. Sheahan said his group believes the Master Plan review process is not being respected by some members of the Planning Commission.
Sheahan said that Fremont County is blessed with an abundance of minerals and provides a steady source of income for companies and employees. He said the Master Plan should reflect the interests of the entire community and not just those of special groups. Without targeting the names of any Planning Commission members, Sheahan asked the Board of Commissioners to review the behavior of the Planning Commission and that if some are not suitable to the task of the Master Plan review, he asked that those members be removed.
The Commissioners took Sheahan's comments and his submittal of a number of supporting letters from other businesses under advisement for further review.
The Commissioners also scheduled a series of five public hearings for the July 13th Board meeting. Items slated for public hearing that day include:
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A Special Review Use Permit application for Van Diest Supply Company on a lot along Highway 67 west of the Fremont County Airport;
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A Special Review Use Permit application by A.T. & T. Wireless for installation of a 150 foot monopole along Highway 115 about three miles southwest of the Fremont-El Paso County line;
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A Special Review Use Permit application by Innovative Structures for building sheds and garages on property at the northwest corner of Highway 50 and 'N' Street in the Penrose area;
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A Special Review Use Permit application by River Mountain Recreation for seasonal camping for employees at an existing rafting business on the west side of County Road 3A about a quarter mile south of the Highway 50 junction at the Royal Gorge turnoff;
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A proposed 2nd Amendment to the Fremont County Zoning Resolution dealing with commercial wind energy systems, small wind and residential energy systems, contractors yards or buildings, and temporary towers. Commission Chairman Ed Norden encouraged citizens concerned about the content of the zoning amendments to visit the county's website and review the proposed amendment under the link to the Planning and Zoning Department.
In other business at the June 8th Board meeting the Commissioners:
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Approved a Special Events malt liquor permit for the Fremont Fairs and Shows Association 2nd Annual Barn Raisin' fundraising event at Pathfinder Regional Park on Saturday, July 10th;
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and Approved a Special Events malt liquor permit for the Fremont Fairs and Shows for the annual Ranch Rodeo prior to the county fair on Saturday, July 24th, at the Canon City Rodeo Grounds.