HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070055.tiff Linda Gardner
10103 WCR 22'
Fort Lupton, Co. 80621
303-857-0766
July 7, 2006
Dear Kim Ogle and committee members:
This letter is concerning case number USR-1561, Duke Energy Field Services
Our main concern regarding this site is the noise. The noise currently is unacceptable. It
runs 7 days a week 24 hours a day. The noise level varies from intolerable to a low roar
depending on the wind and moisture in the air.
Duke Energy history.
1. Oct. 1998 Duke put in new machinery and at that time the noise increased. The
site is on top of a hill so the noise blasted out over the barren ground and shot
right into our bedroom windows. After a difficult year with Duke they reluctantly
put up a large metal fence on the perimeter of the site facing our property. The
problem of noise remains. It is muffled some from what it had been before the
fence was up. Because they did not put any noise abatement material on the inside
of the metal fence the noise level is still loud and bounces all over the area
especially to the homeowners across the street. Duke's reply to me when I told
them of the problem was we spent $40,000.00 on the fence and we are not
spending any more money. Noise banging on a metal fence does not absorb noise
and that is what we have to date.
2. On an occasion after Oct. 1998 the site had a piercing noise coming from the
facility at midnight every three seconds. We called the emergency numbers they
provided on the gate and they were all inactive. We had to wait until morning to
call their Denver offices to notify them of their problem. They need to do a better
job auditing their facilities.
3. The Hamilton Farm that is located east of our property line, 10367 WCR22, Fort
Lupton, was contaminated by gas or oil leakage of some kind and the Hamilton's
were bought out and I was told by Michelle at the county office that Duke Energy
owns it. This property has been abandoned for four years and no one oversees it.
It has been vandalized with windows broken out. The house was in good
condition when the Hamilton's move out. We see car lights going in and out of
there at night. We have heard gunshots coming from the property and it looks
like people have used the area to dump their trash.. .
4. Joe Kuchinski the Asset Mgr for Weld Cty, Duke Energy came out to see us after
EXHIBIT
CO
2007-0055
�- I made the complaint with the county on the Hamilton Farm and I guess he got
word on the noise complaints too. He told me he was unaware that Duke owned
the Hamilton Farm. We talked to him about the large amount of prairie dogs on
his property. We are having a hard time controlling the dogs because of no
control next door. Joe told me that you cannot control prairie dogs. The experts
say if you don't you end up with 3,000 holes on 80 acres. We speak from
experience. We have spent $11,000.00 on prairie dog control over the past four
years. We have a good handle on it now except for the multitude of prairie dogs
coming from the Duke property. All our neighbors are controlling the prairie dogs
except Duke at 10367 WCR 22.
It appears to me that Duke Energy did not think our neighborhood was important
enough to install supervision or concern in managing a large piece of property. It
would be nice if Duke had some concern so the neighboring properties can
maintain their property value.
Another concern we have is the value of our property. It is very important to us. We
have spent a considerable amount of money on a 3500 sq. ft. custom home with a
1500 sq. ft. workshop. Our intent is to divide the 80 acres into a Cluster PUD.
However, it would be hard to sell a piece property at a fair market value with the
noise pollution we are now experiencing especially the acreage closer to Duke's site.
My history with Duke Energy shows I cannot trust Duke to be a good neighbor. They
are only good if someone else makes it happen. I would only trust them if the county
put strict rules on their noise abatement conditions. They should have a noise
abatement system put in like they have in hospitals or house the facility in a building
with residential noise abatement standards. Duke has the financial means to be quiet
neighbors. I do not have the means to lose market value on my property.
Your assistance is monitoring and maintaining a quiet neighborhood will be greatly
appreciated.
Regards,
Xi �s, / 1C4)-(4717
Linda and Gary Gardner
Len and Kim Jones
10000 County Road 22
Fort Lupton, CO 80621
(303) 857-1747
July 15, 2006
Weld County Planning Board
4209 Weld County Road 24 '/2
Longmont, Colorado 80504
Dear Sirs:
We are writing regarding the permit application for Duke Energy's Marilyn Station on
the northwest corner of County Road 21 and County Road 22.
We live to the southeast of this facility, and the noise level is intolerable most of the time.
It appears to have three levels of operation. One, the lowest, is not a problem. The next
level is intrusive but not overpowering. When it is running on the highest level, which it
does most of the time, especially in the evening, night, and morning, it is very loud. It is
impossible to stand on our front deck and carry on a conversation without having to raise
your voices considerably. It often runs constantly for days at a time. For example, the
weekend before July 4th of this year it was extremely loud all day Friday, Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday. It is loud enough to be heard from inside our home with all doors
and windows closed.
A few years ago Duke Energy added sound mitigation at the request of the neighbors to
the northeast. Unfortunately, the metal wall they installed made the noise worse for
everyone to the west and south, and didn't improve the situation for the neighbors to the
northeast. We have found out from Duke Energy that they have plans to erect another
sound barrier within the next three weeks. We have asked them for a continuation on this •
permit request to see the results of the new barrier.
Another issue we have with Duke Energy is a property at 10367 County Road 22. After
contamination from nearby oil operations, which caused Duke to purchase the property, it
has been vacant for several years. The property is neglected and in disrepair and grows
worse every year. Neighbors are also afraid that this isolated, vacant property will attract
transients, teenagers, or drug manufacturers/dealers.
Duke Energy also fails to control the prairie dog populations on the property it owns in
our area. We do not have prairie dogs on our property, but our neighbors have been
infested, and it is just a matter of time until a colony moves onto our property.
We have talked to counsel for Duke Energy and they appear to be willing to listen to our
concerns, but we would like more time to work with them for solutions to these
problems.
Thank you for your time. •
Sincerely,
Len Jones Kim Jon
Rodney Mix
10002 County Road 22
Fort Lupton, CO 80621
(303) 857-6273
July 17, 2006
Weld County Planning Board
4209 Weld County Road 24 '/2
Longmont, Colorado 80504
To Whom It May Concern:
As the nearest neighbor to Duke Energy's Marilyn Station on County Road 22, I am
writing about some concerns I have with Duke Energy.
The noise level from the Marilyn Station makes it impossible for me to enjoy my
property. It runs almost continuously, and is extremely loud at my property, both inside
and outside my home. They added a sound barrier a few years ago, but that just made the
situation worse. Duke has plans to build another noise mitigation fence, and we have
asked Duke Energy to continue this permit procedure until we see if this works better.
I am also concerned about the prairie dog situation on the land to the northeast of my
property. Prairie dogs have not yet moved to my property, but I feel it is only a matter of
time if they are left completely uncontrolled, as they currently are.
A third concern is the vacant property to the northeast of my home. This property has
been vacant for some years since it was contaminated by oil operations on the south side
of the road. There are a house and several outbuildings, all of which are attractive to
transients, teenagers, criminals, etc. It is just a matter of time before the property is
illegally used, illegally occupied, or set on fire.
We neighbors have voiced our concerns to representatives of Duke Energy, who appear
to be willing to listen to us and possibly work with us to solve these situations. We hope
to meet with someone from Duke Energy to discuss these items.
Thank you for your time.
Sin -r:y,
Rodney Mix atRI°
July 18, 2006
Charles and Diane Roberts
10000 County Road 22
Ft. Lupton, CO 80621
Weld County Planning Board
4209 Weld County Road 24 1/2
Longmont, CO 80504
Dear Sirs:
My husband became disabled and we moved to this property in 2001, where for the first few
days we were very conscious of the Duke Energy Marilyn Pumping Station's noise. After a
short while, we barely noticed it running. The metal fence,supposedly a sound barrier for
folks on the other side of the road, had already been installed, so we had not heard it before.
Some time ago,in answer to oar concerns, Duke was supposed to install some sort of muffler,
but we could tell no difference. Actually, since about that time, the noise has gotten much
louder and more frequent It is to the point now that we can no longer sit out front and carry
on a conversation with our family or cannot have our windows open during appropriate times.
Before we moved out here, Duke determined that a house on the north side of CR 22 had been
contaminated,so they bought out the owner and the house was condemaad. The house, large
barn, and several outbuildings have sat empty all this throe. Mow It looks like vandals have
broken windows, some windows are raised as though for ventilation or access, like someone
might be stayIng there.
it's not hard to tell the property is abandoned, and we are concerned about it becoming a
meth lab or having a fire started by transients. Someone was parking in the driveway by the
well across the road from the house a few months ago and dealing drugs,so our daughter
called the sheriff. We saw car lights down that way as recently as last night Several times
a month someone stops by our house to ask if that property is for sales we refer them to
Duke Energy.
Mother problem is the inundation of prairie dogs on the vacant property. Neighbors on the
north side have spent thousands of dollar to get them off their land because they have
horses and cattle, but because the critters are running amok at the abandoned property,the
neighbors now have a new infestation. Ow daughter has a big Labrador retriever and a Cairn
terrier and they kelp keep them off our land,but it's only a matter of time because of the
animals' rapid reproduction rates. We've seen a few on our property, but once they move in,
large animals and planting become history.
Our neighbors are all friendly and watch out for each other's property,so all we ask is that
Duke Energy be a good neighbor also and take responsibility for their property. We are
asking you to continue this discussion until we are convinced the solutions proposed by Duke
will actually be accomplished and satisfactory.
Thank you for your consideration.
Charles (303) 775-8059 and Diane (303) 775-3021) Roberts
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