HomeMy WebLinkAbout961382.tiff HEARING CERTIFICATION
DOCKET NO. 96-36
RE: SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT#1090 FOR A
PRIVATE SCHOOL, CHURCH, AND MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS IN THE
A (AGRICULTURAL) ZONE DISTRICT - PRESTON RANCH MINISTRIES, INC., CIO
ELLEN KORTHUIS
A public hearing was conducted on August 14, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present:
Commissioner Barbara J. Kirkmeyer, Chair
Commissioner George E. Baxter, Pro-Tern
Commissioner Dale K. Hall - EXCUSED
Commissioner Constance L. Harbert
Commissioner W. H. Webster
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Shelly Miller
County Attorney, Bruce Barker
Planning Department representative, Shani Eastin
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated July 22, 1996, and duly published July 25, 1996, in
the North Weld Herald, a public hearing was conducted to consider the request of Preston Christian
Ranch, do Ellen Korthuis, for a Site Specific Development Plan and Special Review Permit for a
private school, church, and multiple dwelling units in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. Bruce
Barker, County Attorney, made this a matter of record. Chair Kirkmeyer explained that since there
are only four Board members present, Commissioner Hall will review the record in the event of a
tie and cast the deciding vote. Shani Eastin, Planning Department representative, presented a brief
summary of the proposal and entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission
into the record as written. She referenced her memorandum dated August 8, 1996, including
attachments, Exhibit B for the record, and noted the applicant has requested a name change to
Preston Ranch Ministries, Inc.; the Public Works Department has recommended additional
conditions; and a letter was received from School District RE-3(J) ("School District"). Ellen
Korthuis, applicant, was present and stated there is an increasing need of homes for children,
noting over 10,000 children in the Denver area are in need of a home. She explained the goal of
Preston Ranch Ministries, Inc., ("the Ranch") is to provide secure homes for 80 children, with a
maximum of 10 children per home. Ms. Korthuis submitted and reviewed the qualifications of the
the Ranch's board members, Exhibit C for the record, and responded to questions from the Board
concerning the Northeastern Colorado Alpine Child Placement Agency ("Alpine") and Social
Services' supervision over the ranch. She confirmed the ranch will provide long-term legal
guardianship; however, adoption will not occur. Ms. Korthuis also discussed the impact and need
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regarding educational services and the possibility of home or private schooling. She responded
to the Board's questions regarding the School District's concerns and confirmed no physically or
mentally handicapped children nor children with criminal records will be accepted. She also
confirmed resources will be available for educational funding. Ms. Korthuis then submitted a
pamphlet from WinShape Foster Care homes in Georgia, Exhibit D for the record, and indicated
the Ranch's homes will be similar. She stated she and her husband have lived in the School
District since 1990 and private donations have funded this project thus far. Donald Sharp, board
member of the Ranch, submitted a "forecast" of the possible number of school-aged residents that
will be living at the Ranch from 1996 through 2015, Exhibit E for the record. He, too, responded
to the letter from the School District and confirmed the Ranch will provide a Christian atmosphere,
including basic education, and will operate under existing laws and applicable licenses. Mr. Sharp
further explained the "forecast" indicates one home will be built each year until all eight homes are
completed; therefore, the impact on the School District will be minimal. He also reiterated the
children may be home schooled or in a private school and confirmed counseling will be provided
either on or off site as State law requires. Responding to further questions from the Board, Mr.
Sharp stated a public meeting was held and reiterated no children with criminal records or over the
age of eight will be accepted. Ms. Korthuis reiterated there are many funds available for a variety
of needs, and she also stressed that Social Services and Alpine work in conjunction with each
other. She noted only two of the forty foster children she and her husband cared for needed
specialized care. Ms. Korthuis stated she understands the School District's concerns; however,
the main goal of the Ranch is to provide a foundation and secure home for children. Marvin Wade,
Assistant Superintendent for School District RE-3(J), stated numerous questions must be
addressed and the applicants must obtain a RCCF (Residential Child Care Facility) license to get
funding. He voiced further concerns regarding special needs children and the School District's
responsibilities. Responding to questions from the Board, Mr. Wade suggested the applicants
become more involved with Social Services and the Colorado Department of Education, as well as
the School District, to be better prepared and able to provide for the children's needs. He also
questioned the ability and competency of the Ranch's staff to handle parental issues.
Commissioner Webster clarified the licensing agencies must handle those issues; whereas, the
Board of Commissioners must handle the land-use issues. Board discussion ensued concerning
said issues, and Mr. Barker clarified the criteria for Special Review Permits indicating the impacts
considered should refer to land use. Bob Korthuis, Board member of the Ranch, confirmed the
ranch will not open without the proper licenses and reiterated his experiences with children and
various State requirements and committees. He clarified the Ranch will only take children staff can
handle and noted education is relative and will be provided. Mr. Korthuis reiterated the RCCF
license must be obtained before any children are accepted. Patricia DeGroot, founder of a similar
facility which may merge with the Ranch, stressed the applicants are not entering this project
blindly; much research has been done and they fully understand the responsibilities involved and
have the necessary experience and degrees. Responding to further questions from the Board, Ms.
Korthuis stated the involvement of the School District may be resolved if the Ranch has its own
private school and staff which meets State standards; thus, it would bear no responsibility to the
School District. She noted after three meetings with Mr. Wade, it was apparent the School District
would rather not educate the kids from the Ranch; therefore, they may use the old Keenesburg
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School as an alternative school for special needs children and may be forced to open a private
school. She again reviewed the funding available for the children and reiterated that they are
working with qualified people recognized by the State. Ms. Eastin read suggested language for
Condition of Approval #10 concerning the School District's involvement and Ms. Korthuis
concurred. (Changed to Tape #96-21.) Discussion ensued concerning a Condition of Approval
limiting the admittance age, etc., of the children, and Ms. Korthuis suggested they provide the
Board with the proposal for the RCCF license. Mr. Barker then read language for Condition of
Approval#11 concerning acceptance of only those children authorized by the RCCF license, and
Ms. Korthuis concurred. She also concurred with the addition of Conditions of Approval#3.e., #3.f.,
#3.g., and #9. Commissioner Harbert moved to approve the request of Preston Ranch Ministries,
Inc., do Ellen Korthuis, for a Site Specific Development Plan and Special Review Permit for a
private school, church, and multiple dwelling units in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based on
the recommendations of the Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards as entered into the record, including the deletion of
Condition of Approval#3.a., and the addition of Conditions of Approval#3.e., #3.f., #3.g., #9, #10,
and#11. Mr. Barker noted the request for the name change should also be included in the motion,
and Commissioner Harbert agreed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Webster, and it
carried unanimously.
This Certification was approved on the 19th day of August, 1996.
APPROVED:
ATT T \ G%Z %r( BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLOR,
Weld County Clerk to the oar 71//4 i4nt a - J .-e
7JKirkme7a.
Board
-i --'
_ - Georg�Baxter, Pro-Tem
TAPE #96-20 and #96-21
FxC LISFn
Dale K. Hall
DOCKET#96-36
Constance L. Harbert
PL1037 �F/i / Z4 �'
W. .Webster YY'
961382
PL1037
ATTENDANCE RECORD
HEARINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS ON THIS 14TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1996:
DOCKET#96-36 - USR #1090 for PRESTON CHRISTIAN RANCH, CIO KORTHUIS
PLEASE legibly write or print your name and complete address and the DOCKET#
(as listed above) or the name of the applicant of the hearing you are attending.
NAME AND ADDRESS (Please include City and Zip Code) HEARING ATTENDING
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