HomeMy WebLinkAbout961252.tiff SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, June 18, 1996
A regular meeting of the Weld County Planning Commission was held June 18, 1996, in the County
Commissioners' Hearing Room (Room#101), Weld County Centennial Building, 915 10th Street, Greeley,
Colorado. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Richard Kimmel.
Tape 504
Richard Kimmel Present
Ron Sommer Present
Shirley Camenisch Present
Gristle Nicklas Present ;1
Jack Epple Present
Marie Koolstra
Present
Arlan Marrs Present -
Ann Garrison Present
Zachary Allely Absent
Also Present: Monica Daniels-Mika, Director; Chris Goranson, Current Planner, Department of Planning
Services; David Sprague, Lead Electrician, Weld County Building Department; Roger Vigil, Combination
Inspector, Weld County Building Department; Jeff Stoll, Director, Environmental Protection Services; Lee
Morrison, Assistant Weld County Attorney; Jill Boshinski, Secretary.
The summary of the last regular meeting of the Weld County Planning Commission held on June 4, 1996,was
approved as read.
1. Proposed Amendments to the Weld County Building Code Ordinance Adopting the 1994 Editions of
the Uniform Codes.
Roger Vigil explained that staff is recommending approval of proposed amendments to sections 20 and 30
of the Weld County Building Code Ordinance. These amendments would adopt the 1994 Editions of the
Uniform Codes, and the 1996 Editions of the National Electrical Code. Roger Vigil explained the Weld County
Building Trades Advisory Committee met without a quorum on May 28, 1996. After reviewing the proposed
amendments the Building Trades Advisory Committee recommended approval. Roger Vigil explained the
Weld County Building Department uses the Uniform Building Code books in reviewing plan checks and
building inspections.
The following changes are: 1)Requiring a smoke detector in every sleeping room as well as all other required
locations, 2) Updated requirements for escape and rescue windows, and 3) acceptable handrail details.
Dave Sprague explained staff is recommending approval of 1996 Editions of the National Electrical Code to
adopt a current code. Dave Sprague explained the National Electrical Code book offers advanced technology
on new electrical material and how to use these products properly.
Dave Sprague gave an overview of the following changes: 1) Article 230-70(a) will have the following
clarification and restrictions added: The service disconnecting means shall be installed inside a structure only
when the total conductor length of service entrance conductors does not exceed three feet, and the service
disconnecting means is located on the ground level in a readily accessible location, and 2) Article 511-3(a)
in defining Class I locations shall also apply to residential garages.
Dave Sprague stated Article 230-70(a) reflects the location of the main electrical panel with the main breaker
and the electrical panel on the main floor of the structure and Article 511-3(a) reflects that all electrical
equipment will be above 18 inches of the floor in residential garages.
Arlan Marrs asked what provisions are made to adapt new technologies that occurs in the mAnhanical area.
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SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
June 18, 1996
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Roger Vigil explained the Weld County Building Code allows for alternative uses. ICBO (International
Conference of Building Officials) approval, or approval by any other testing agency can be accepted.
The Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this application.
No one wished to speak.
Jack Epple moved the Proposed Amendments to the Weld County Building Code Ordinance Adopting the
1994 Editions of the Uniform Codes be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with the Planning
Commission's recommendation for Approval. Cristie Nicklas seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision. Ron
Sommer-yes; Cristie Nicklas-yes; Ann Garrison-yes; Marie Koolstra-yes; Jack Epple-yes; Arlan Marrs-yes;
Shirley Camenisch-yes; Richard Kimmel-yes. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Amendments to the Environmental Section of the Weld County Comprehensive Plan.
Chris Goranson explained these are new revised amendments to the Environmental Section of the Weld
County Comprehensive Plan. Chris Goranson explained the Environmental Section has been divided into four
categories: Water, Air, Noise, and Waste. The Waste Section of the Weld County Comprehensive Plan has
been divided into an additional five sections:Transfers, Processing and Diversion, Final Disposal, Exploration
and Production Waste, Sludge, and Hazardous Waste. Chris Goranson explained that staff is in agreement
and feels the goals and policies will effectively be met and enforced.
Ann Garrison asked if the Weld County Health Department currently enforces the new issues in the Weld
Environmental Section. Jeff Stoll stated that land use permits in the "Water" section on subconservation
issues guarding against shifting of water usage from agricultural and prime land to other types of uses will be
addressed more thoroughly. Ann Garrison asked how they will effectively prevent the diversion of water.
Jeff Stoll explained effective prevention of the diversion of water is done through recommendation from the
Weld County Health Department and then ultimately becomes the decision of the Weld County Planning
Commission and the Weld County Board of County Commissioners.
Lee Morrison explained that conditions of water issues are addressed through conditions of approval that the
applicant show a permanent source of water attached by covenants or other agreements.
Arlan Marrs had concerns on Policy 3.1 addressing Weld County favoring applications returning water to
abandoned agricultural lands. Arlan Marrs stated that he thought once a piece of property has had water
removed it can not be brought back to irrigated land or that new ground cannot be placed into irrigation.
Lee Morrison explained dry up covenants do not prevent the development of new water sources as in a re-
use project, but these covenants do prevent the water usage from the past source. Lee Morrison explained
that new ground acquiring water would depend on what rights you acquire or by what ditch the water is
applied from. Lee Morrison stated he was not aware of a prohibition of applying irrigation to land that was not
currently irrigated.
Discussion followed between Planning Commission members, Lee Morrison, and Jeff Stoll over Policy 3.1.
Chris Goranson explained that discussion between the Weld County Health Department and the Department
of Planning Services' Staff felt this was a pro-active policy to encourage the land owners to turn land back
to a productive agricultural use.
Ann Garrison had concerns on Water Goal 2, and asked Jeff Stoll if the water in the South Platte meets the
federal drinking water standards. Jeff Stoll explained that all the water in the South Platte does not meet the
federal drinking water standards. Ann Garrison had concerns on hotspot areas caused by high nitrate levels
SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
June 18, 1996
Page 3
and asked Weld County's position on this. Jeff Stoll explained the Weld County's goal would be to return
the quality to meet the standards and particularly where private wells are still in use.
Ann Garrison had concerns on the verbiage of Water Goal 2. Further discussion followed. Ann Garrison
moved that the wording be amended to read : 'Weld County will strive to maintain and attain Federal Drinking
Water Standards in aquifers which provide drinking water for domestic and public use." Cristie Nicklas
seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this amendment.
No one wished to speak.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision Ron
Sommer-no; Cristie Nicklas-yes;Ann Garrison-yes; Marie Koolstra-no; Jack Epple-no; Arlan Marrs-no; Shirley
Camenisch-no; Richard Kimmel-no; The motion was denied with a vote of 6 to 2.
Ann Garrison moved the Proposed Amendments to the Environmental Section of the Weld County
Comprehensive Plan be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with the Planning Commission's
recommendation for Approval. Cristie Nicklas seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision.
Ron Sommer-no; Cristie Nicklas-yes; Ann Garrison-yes; Marie Koolstra-yes; Jack Epple-yes; Arlan Marrs-no;
Shirley Camenisch-yes; Richard Kimmel-yes; Motion carried with a vote of 6 to 2.
Meeting adjourned at 2:40p.m.
nRespectfully submitted
'7 BCC
Jill
Boshinski
Secretary
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