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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121925.tiff HEARING CERTIFICATION DOCKET NO. 2012-46 RE: A SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT, USR12-0027, FOR MINERAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING OIL AND GAS SUPPORT AND SERVICE (WATER HAULING) IN THE A (AGRICULTURAL) ZONE DISTRICT- STEVE AND SHERYL GULLEY A public hearing was conducted on July 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present: Commissioner Sean P. Conway, Chair Commissioner William F. Garcia, Pro-Tern Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer Commissioner David E. Long Commissioner Douglas Rademacher Also present: Acting Clerk to the Board, Esther Gesick Assistant County Attorney, Brad Yatabe Planning Department representative, Diana Aungst Public Works representative, Heidi Hansen Health Department representative, Lauren Light The following business was transacted: El I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated June 15, 2012, and duly published June 20, 2012, in the Fort Lupton Press, a public hearing was conducted to consider the request of Steven and Sheryl Gulley, for a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR12-0027, for Mineral Resource Development Facilities, including Oil and Gas Support and Service (water hauling) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. Brad Yatabe, Assistant County Attorney, made this a matter of record. ID Diana Aungst, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the proposal and entered the unfavorable recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record as written. e Heidi Hansen, Department of Public Works, provided a brief overview of the current roadway conditions and transportation plans and requirements. IP Lauren Light, Department of Public Health and Environment, reviewed the on-site Dust Abatement Plan and Waste Handling Plan, which is further addressed in Development Standard #7. She requested the second sentence in Development Standard #11 be amended to state, "Portable toilets and bottled water are allowed for employees or contractors that are on the site for less than two (2) consecutive hours per day." El Michelle Martin, Department of Planning Services, indicated she will e-mail maps showing the existing and approved hydrants in the area, marked Exhibits G and H. cx, C F\; PL, Qua, L 2012-1925 g-13 la PL2173 HEARING CERTIFICATION - STEVEN AND SHERYL GULLEY (USR12-0027) PAGE 2 El Jeff Wright, A&W Water Service, represented the applicant and stated this application is in response to the request from the Board to establish hydrants in the field to reduce the impacts of truck traffic. Mr. Wright indicated the locations of the nine residents who submitted letters of opposition or concern regarding dust, noise, speeding and decreased water pressure. He reviewed the applicant's plans to address the concerns, including reducing the proposal to a maximum of 100 truck trips per day. He reviewed two other potential sites and stated, despite the recommendation for denial, the applicant decided to complete this application process first before pursuing those sites, since they will require new applications. Responding to Commissioner Kirkmeyer, Mr. Wright stated trucking contracts are terminated if the driver does not abide by A&W policies. El Allen Overton, North Weld County Water District (NWCWD), reviewed the system equipment to be installed and the capacity flow amounts to prevent spikes in flow or breaks in the line. He responded to questions regarding the size of the line, how the company monitors other projects to ensure balanced pressures, and how the tank system pressure is affected by the topography in the area. El Sherry Gulley, applicant, submitted a copy of a letter from her husband, marked Exhibit E, which she read for the record in his absence. She stated the previous operator generated a lot of dust on County Road (CR) 53, and this application will improve that situation. She further stated they did their due diligence to ensure the water district was agreeable and that the proposed use would not have adverse impacts on water pressure. She indicated the neighborhood meeting was amicable and productive, with discussions to reduce the number of daily truck trips and to reduce the speed limit on CR 70 to 35 Miles Per Hour (MPH) between CRs 53 and 51. Fl In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Wright reviewed the plans for staging within the site, which is also monitored through the company's dispatch office. Ms. Gulley indicated the proposal will be an improvement over prior operations in eliminating the traffic from CR 53. Ms. Hansen provided the average daily traffic counts for CRs 70, 51, and 53, and reviewed comments from the Grading Manager regarding maintenance needs of the roads, which varies depending on the oil and gas industry activity. ID Chair Conway advised those in attendance that the Board will recess the hearing at Noon; however, they will take testimony from those who cannot return after lunch and will reconvene at 1:45 p.m. El Dennis Francen, surrounding property owner along CR 70, stated the application will result in a significant amount of truck traffic, which will negatively impact their farm operations and property values. He expressed support for the alternate sites closer to CR 51, which do not impact as many residences and are closer to a paved road. In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Francen reviewed the past usage of the site, stated he is opposed to permitting truck traffic which is not directly related to agriculture, and asserted that a 100 truck limit is actually equal to 200 trucks per day when considering they will pass his home going in both directions. 2012-1925 PL2173 HEARING CERTIFICATION - STEVEN AND SHERYL GULLEY (USR12-0027) PAGE 3 ID Dave Uhrich, represented Uhrich Farms, and expressed support for the alternate site at the corner of CRs 51 and 70, which has adequate room for trucks to turn around and impacts fewer residents. Commissioner Kirkmeyer expressed concern with the corner site due to trucks accessing a roadway with higher traffic counts. El Cynthia Haugen, surrounding property owner on CR 53, stated she did not receive notice of the public hearings; however, she was informed by a neighbor. She referenced a letter she previously submitted, marked Exhibit 6.B, expressing concern with the poor water pressure situation, which will become worse if trucks are allowed to draw from the system. She further stated CR 70 is in poor condition. Et Sherrie Greybill, surrounding property owner at the dead end of CR 70, expressed concern with water trucks which do not heed the dead end signs and are forced to backup or turn around in her driveway. She stated the dust increases her chronic asthma symptoms, and she expressed concern that the proposal will eliminate the water pressure entirely. Ms. Greybill also addressed questions from the Board concerning the water pressure situation. ▪ Whinnie Pfeif, surrounding property owner on CR 53, stated she did not receive notice of the application. She expressed concern with the health impacts created by dust, increased traffic hazards, and impacts to water pressure, and she stated although this is her retirement home, she is willing to relocate if the application is approved. IR Marion Richter, CR 57 resident, expressed his concerns regarding lack of water to fight fires and lack of traffic control impacting emergency responders. The Board addressed his questions of whether the applicant is a taxable entity and assessed impact fees. ▪ Jarrett McGraw, surrounding property owner on CR 70, expressed opposition to the application due to concerns regarding safety for school children riding the bus, lack of speed enforcement for 24-hour operations, the need for road improvements, and impacts to the water system in the area. ▪ Ken Starman, CR 53 resident, agreed with the prior statements of concern and opposition, and added it is not compatible with the residential area which is already experiencing poor water service. Brent Francen, surrounding property owner, displayed a PowerPoint presentation expressing issues of concern as well as proposed mitigation options, if approved. Mr. Francen responded to questions from the Board regarding relocating the site and the inadequate water situation. Mr. Yatabe requested a copy of the presentation be submitted for the record, marked Exhibit I. ▪ Chair Conway recessed the hearing until 1:45 p.m. Upon reconvening at 2:00 p.m., Chair Conway confirmed there were no additional public speakers and he closed public testimony. 2012-1925 PL2173 HEARING CERTIFICATION - STEVEN AND SHERYL GULLEY (USR12-0027) PAGE 4 e Mr. Wright responded to the issues presented during public testimony regarding the designated haul route, use of magnesium chloride to control dust, restriction of Jake brakes to address noise concerns, a willingness to assist in response to fires, and reducing the maximum number of daily trucks to 100. Mr. Wright responded to questions from the Board concerning the age of the truck fleet and the reduced speed limit enforcement. IE In response to questions, Mr. Allen provided additional information on the workings of the local water service, recent and anticipated line improvements, pressure monitoring, and the location of hydrants for fire service. e Responding to Chair Conway, Mr. Wright indicated agreement with the change to Development Standard #11 concerning portable toilets and bottled water for employees and contractors that are on the site for less than two consecutive hours, and to amend Development Standard #15 to reduce the maximum number of trucks down to 100. In response to Commissioner Kirkmeyer, Ms. Aungst stated the applicant proposed the use of magnesium chloride and the restriction of Jake brakes; however specific verbiage was not included in the Resolution. Ms. Hansen added the use of magnesium chloride will also be addressed in the Improvements Agreement. The Board agreed to amend Development Standard #14 to state, "There shall be no parking or staging of vehicles, or the use of Jake Brakes, on CR 70.", and they directed staff to reduce the speed limit on CR 70, between CRs 51 and 53 down to 35 MPH, if warranted. They also agreed to delete the last two sentences of Conditions of Approval #1.B regarding drill envelopes. In response to Chair Conway, Mr. Wright stated he and the applicant have reviewed, and agree to abide by, the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as proposed and modified. El Commissioner Garcia commended the applicant for working to address the request of the County Commissioners to reduce traffic. He stated although the Planning Commission made a recommendation of denial, he made a finding that the criteria listed in Section 23-2-230.B of the Weld County Code have been satisfied and that the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as proposed and modified, will adequately mitigate the potential impacts. ID Commissioner Rademacher agreed and made his findings for support of the application. e Commissioner Long stated A&W has proven to be a conscientious operator in other parts of the County and expressed his reasons for support of the application. El Commissioner Kirkmeyer agreed with the previous comments and commented the North Weld County Water District is a paid service provider which needs to work to resolve the known delivery shortage to paying customers within their district. El Commissioner Rademacher added the issue of compatibility as additional support for his decision. e Chair Conway concurred with the previous comments regarding A&W being a good neighbor; however, based on the public testimony, he is not convinced the subject site is the 2012-1925 PL2173 HEARING CERTIFICATION - STEVEN AND SHERYL GULLEY (USR12-0027) PAGE 5 best location for the proposed use. Commissioner Long referred to the Planning Commission minutes and stated the primary concerns were traffic and water pressure, which the applicant's recent testimony indicates will not be affected since they are separate lines and they have agreed to change the haul route and reduce the number of trucks. Commissioner Kirkmeyer agreed the Planning Commission did not receive any testimony from the NWCWD, and the applicant has agreed to reduce the traffic by one-third, apply magnesium chloride, and restrict the use of Jake Brakes. Commissioner Kirkmeyer also gave instruction to staff to continue working with companies and determining which hydrant locations are safe. She noted the alternate site, at the corner of CRs 51 and 70, was eliminated due to its close proximity to a very busy roadway. Commissioner Rademacher agreed. Chair Conway thanked the Board for their comments and commended the applicant for making mitigation efforts. ID Commissioner Garcia moved to approve the request of Steven and Sheryl Gulley for a Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR12-0027, for Mineral Resource Development Facilities, including Oil and Gas Support and Service (water hauling) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based on the finding that the applicant has demonstrated compliance with all of the criteria listed in Section 23-2-230.B, along with the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards as entered into the record. His motion included the deletion of Condition of Approval #1.B, modifying Condition #1.C to delete the last two sentences, deleting Conditions #1.F.5 through #1.F.7, amending the last sentence of Development Standard #11 concerning the use of portable toilets and bottle water, modifying Standard #14 to restrict the use of Jake Brakes, and amending Standard #15 to reduce the number of trucks utilizing the site down to 100. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Long. ID Commissioner Rademacher urged the applicant to continue to work with the neighbors and proceed with the operation, as amended. Chair Conway requested the roll call vote because he is not satisfied the issue of compatibility has been satisfied. Commissioner Long commented the opportunity to overturn a Planning Commission recommendation happens depending on what the applicant does with the information presented at the previous hearing and he believes they made changes which will reduce the impacts. Chair Conway agreed the applicant has made positive strides, but he still feels it is not enough. In Upon a request for a roll call vote, the motion carried four to one, with Chair Conway opposed. There being no further discussion, the hearing was completed at 2:55 p.m. 2012-1925 PL2173 HEARING CERTIFICATION - STEVEN AND SHERYL GULLEY (USR12-0027) PAGE 6 This Certification was approved on the 30th day of July, 2012. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST:'j�,„ P Sean P. Conway, Chair Weld County Clerk to the Board WI -m . arcia, BY: 911-A 116'.rat Deputy Cie.*to th oars / ton if �s rbara Kirkmeyer i.,i S;4 EXCUSED DATE OF APPROVAL %,, ,;v Mir David E. Long r. �� Nyei ' ti / a . /a iou. .s Radem-cher 2012-1925 PL2173 • r6 y, vo I3 cl c � cx re � \ l \` _i. V y 0 w Q.N N} Kr . c• �? 2 `U *cc C W N I \ `(_J ,i ce co (� ` l N `� ��J R `ei\ Al L� r y\ m U \) N r N z LL m 6 ' 3 J `l U C c w 0 d 2 N . ). M A\ F o J J ? E LI °in \ a ccy, c Li ,. A M nor r Q in Q Q .' 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