The Fremont County Commissioners heard pleas from building contractors, realtors, and economic development officials at their July 27th regular board meeting to ease county development requirements to give the area an economic boost.
Dave Reynolds told the commissioners that an ad hoc group had formed to discuss economic development problems in the area and concluded that the county’s site development regulations are costing developers and contractors too much time and money. Reynolds suggested a one year moratorium on the site development regulations and to look at how to run plan reviews through the Planning and Zoning and Building Departments concurrently so building permits can be issued sooner.
John Fontecchio said with building codes enforced to the maximum by other jurisdictions including state plumbing and electrical codes, Fremont County often becomes ‘guilty by association’. Thus he says there is a perception that it’s a daunting and expensive process to build in Fremont County. Realtor Mike Butts urged the commissioners to make changes saying “We need to expedite the process to get business up and running”.
Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the board had received a ‘red-lined’ document of proposed changes to site development regulations but believed the document was an all-or-nothing proposal. Norden said Reynolds had told him later it was meant as a starting point for discussion. Norden said after having previously met with Reynolds and Butts to discuss their concerns the issue had already been scheduled for discussion with county staff on the commissioners’ calendar.
Sheriff Jim Beicker also appeared before the board to announce that due to recent rain showers he had decided to lower the county’s fire ban restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1. The commissioners reminded citizens that they can review Stage 1 fire restrictions on the county’s web site. You can click on the ‘Fire Ban Status’ link along the left hand margin of the home page at www.fremontco.com.
The commissioners approved a pair of grant applications to this fall’s grant cycle of the Colorado Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program. The commissioners gave priority to a $90,000 grant application which would be used to help hire a consultant to aid the county’s Planning Commission in its work on updating the Fremont County Master Plan. The second grant priority is for a $696,000 application that would be used for improvements to roads impacted in the past by mining or exploration activity. The money would be targeted for use on putting down new asphalt on County Road 143, the Oak Creek Grade Road south of Cañon City past the Cotter Uranium Mill. County Road 2, the Tallahassee Road northwest of Cañon City, would also be targeted for applications of gravel and dust suppressant over a ten mile distance where Black Range Minerals travels as part of its uranium exploration project.
In other business the Board of Commissioners:
- Approved a bid of $28,568 to Avalanche Excavating to install sidewalks on Georgia, 15th Street, and Florida Avenues that were never completed years ago as part of the Washington Square subdivision;
- Approved a bid of $52.40 a ton for asphalt from Schmidt Construction of Colorado Springs to be used on paving projects on Broadway Avenue in Penrose and on Garden Park Road north of Cañon City;
- Approved a Temporary Use Permit for Happy Apple Farm at 1190 1st Street in Penrose for the annual Fall Harvest & Country Store from August 14th through October 31st;
- Approved the transfer of a Conditional Use Permit from R.E. Monks Construction to Fremont Paving and Redi-Mix for a gravel pit that operated for years along the west side of Highway 115 just north of the Arkansas River.