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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250792.tiffHearing Certification Docket No. 2025-11.B Board of County Commissioners Weld County, Colorado Use by Special Review Permit, USR24-0026, for Open Mining and Processing of Minerals (aggregate mining and batch plant) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District — CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC A public hearing was conducted on April 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present: Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro-Tem Commissioner Jason S. Maxey Commissioner Lynette Peppler Commissioner Kevin D. Ross Also present: Acting Clerk to the Board, Jess Reid Deputy County Attorney, Karin McDougal Department of Planning Services Representative, Maxwell Nader The following business was transacted: Ei I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated February 14, 2025, and duly published February 19, 2025, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted on March 26, 2025, to consider the request of CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC, for Use by Special Review Permit, USR24-0026, for Open Mining and Processing of Minerals (aggregate mining and batch plant) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. At said hearing the Board continued the matter to April 23, 2025, to allow adequate time to address potential modification of Condition #1.D, (Pre -Annexation Agreement with the Town of Gilcrest). Karin McDougal, Deputy County Attorney, made this a matter of record. IE Maxwell Nader, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the proposal, explained the reclamation plan, and mentioned the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) permit is approved, but not perfected. He outlined the number of employees, hours of operation, on -site equipment, and the operation's timetable. He relayed the depth of the deposit is 50-95 feet, which will be mined in multiple stages, reclamation will begin as each stage is completed, and the mine life is approximately 25 years, with 442 acres being mined. He relayed notice was sent to 50 surrounding property owners (SPOs), and one (1) letter was received from an SPO, outside of the 500 -foot buffer, regarding traffic related to the proposed USR and existing mining USRs in the area. He shared, per the Development Review staff, the main site access will be at the mid -section line, approximately 270 feet south of mile post 17, on State Highway 60 and cc: FLOE/MW/DA/DA/KR) 05 /21 /25 2025-0792 P L2948 Hearing Certification USR24-0026 — CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC Page 2 all other existing access points onto State Highway 60 will be closed and reclaimed. The existing accesses onto the subject property from County Roads (CRs) 42 and 44 will remain open for agricultural purposes only, but will be closed and reclaimed as mining progresses. He stated Development Review is requesting a Road Maintenance Agreement, and that a Drainage Report, with an exception for stormwater detention, had been submitted. On behalf of the Department of Public Health and Environment staff, he relayed portable toilets and potable water are acceptable, as mining is considered a temporary use. He discussed the wastewater system for the future shop and office, and explained the noise requirements, dust control measures, and fuel storage requirements. Mr. Nader displayed images of the site and surrounding views and read the Town of Gilcrest's referral response, including comments regarding annexation. He entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record, and responding to Commissioner Maxey, he described the proposed haul route and the percentage breakdown of which direction the trucks will go. le Kyle Regan, Civil Resources, represented the applicant, and in response to Chair Buck, indicated he had not had contact with any of the Commissioners regarding this case. He presented a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit F), which showed the site access and mentioned there will be no truck traffic on CR 42 or CR 44, and that all truck traffic will remain on the highway system. He displayed the Mining Plan, the findings of the Groundwater and Noise Analyses, an image of the proposed berms, and a list of required permits to obtain prior to operation. He mentioned the DRMS permit is now perfected, described the Reclamation Plan and outlined the benefits of the mine, including employment opportunities, the amount of aggregate produced, and the amount of water storage created. In response to Commissioner Maxey, Mr. Regan explained the status of the on -site oil and gas wells and there was discussion regarding the presence of the berms, post reclamation. Drew Damiano, United Water and Sanitation District, stated they had talked to the SPOs and discussed mitigation measures with them. Julie Harding, SPO, stated her home will be surrounded on three (3) sides by the gravel pit and that she had lived there for 17 years. She asserted there was no community meeting, she had not received written confirmation that a berm would be utilized, and she expressed concerns about dust, noise, traffic and her property value. Responding to Commissioner Maxey, she stated she would like trees to the north, and the berms taken down after reclamation. Mike Patridge, SPO, stated he is opposed to the application and shared a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit H). He outlined the health risks from the potential dust and water contamination, as well as concerns about the volume of truck traffic, property devaluation, visual impact, and noise. He mentioned the number of existing gravel pits in the area and 2025-0792 P L2948 Hearing Certification USR24-0026 — CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC Page 3 conveyed several desired mitigation solutions. Commissioner Maxey noted he would like stronger language for the Development Standard (DS) related to the Dust Mitigation Plan. El Steve Notham, Mayor of Gilcrest, stated they are in support of the application if the Annexation Agreement, as drafted, is followed. He expressed concerns regarding the future growth of the Town of Gilcrest, due to all the mining operations in the area. El Dan Dean, Town Administrator for Gilcrest, stated the community is supportive of private property rights and reiterated they are working with the applicant on an Annexation Agreement, as well as mitigation for groundwater protection. Mr. Regan addressed public comment, confirmed the applicant will work with SPOs on their preferred method of mitigation and relayed the site will not put off light at night, as it will only operate during the day. He stated they will have to get an Air Pollutant Emissions Notice (APEN) from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and will have to abide by a Fugitive Dust Mitigation Plan. He explained the groundwater monitoring efforts, and there was a discussion about how the trucks will get from the site to U.S. Highway 85. Alex Schatz, Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC, stated they would use CR 44 if they were hauling the product north; however, most of it is currently going to the Denver market, and he reiterated they will not be operating at night. Responding to Commissioner James, Mr. Nader confirmed a Screening Plan can be added to the Resolution when the Development Standards are addressed, further along in the hearing. El There was conversation between Dawn Anderson, Department of Planning Services, and Commissioner Ross regarding the potential haul routes and staff's request for an Improvements and Road Maintenance Agreement to be added as Condition of Approval (COA) #1.B. Responding to Commissioner Peppier, Mr. Regan addressed concerns about the water levels in the area, outlined the plan to mitigate high water levels, and confirmed for Commissioner Maxey that the processing plant, in the northwest corner of the subject site, will remain in that same place throughout the duration of mining. The Board discussed the COA and DS and Mr. Nader referenced a Memorandum from staff (Exhibit G) and suggested they add COA #1.E (address comments of the Town of Gilcrest) and COA #1.F (Landscape and Screening Plan). He also suggested the addition of DS #17 (comply with the Improvements Agreement, if required) and DS #18 (Improvements Agreement may be reviewed annually, if required), as well as DS #10 (Landscape and Screening Plan). Regarding DS #24, Commissioner Maxey suggested they strike the first sentence, which read, "Fugitive dust should attempt to be confined on the property," Commissioner James suggested staff add the applicant's contact information in the Communications Plan, and there was discussion regarding (original) 2025-0792 PL2948 Hearing Certification USR24-0026 — CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC Page 4 DS #24, the permissible noise level; however, it remained as written. The Board agreed to all of the aforementioned changes. In response to Commissioner Maxey, Bob Lembke, property owner, discussed their efforts to mitigate noise and Mr. Regan and Mr. Schatz provided additional information regarding the noise standard. In response to Chair Buck, Mr. Regan indicated, on behalf of the applicant, he had reviewed, and agreed to abide by, the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. No public testimony was offered regarding changes made to the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards. Ei Commissioner Maxey relayed he supports private property rights and stated he believed the applicant had proposed sufficient mitigation. Commissioner James agreed with Commissioner Maxey's comments and encouraged the SPOs and staff to work together regarding the Landscape and Screening. Commissioner Ross moved to approve the request of CAW Equities, LLC, c/o Ready Mixed Concrete, LLC, for Use by Special Review Permit, USR24-0026, for Open Mining and Processing of Minerals (aggregate mining and batch plant) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based on the recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner James, and it carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, the hearing was completed at 11:53 a.m. The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above and foregoing Hearing Certification, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following vote on the 7th day of May, A.D., 2025: Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye Jason S. Maxey: Aye Lynette Peppler: Aye Kevin D. Ross: Aye Attest: Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board 2025-0792 PL2948 ATTENDANCE LIST �t - a3 - as io oo . NAIVIE - PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY ADDRESS (CITY, STATE ZIP) EMAIL < COUNTY OF RESIDENCE SPEAKING (Y/N)? 4,,,) 1)Awa.1 J....Jv Vol f. .P(24-4,4-rc, Ave- Gee...traa 'Drew IV A1-e>c. ��-►� 2S.O C. 5.—...A.-re,t."1-1,/saSc\nat-g' br-an,-,-W . c6M �d cr.. S .�1g n.�d� Icy ler e 4n 6 0� 6.060../0 givi 4 -zoo 111 174,L,vilmscv-G@S•COn we,I2 Y �,_, br,,ele ,,,,,1,,,,,,,,es. cd,i, w Jo( 4/ J., v,,,cew,,,,� .-3a1 t p p„1. v, �.�'�.i.uk v\O. rarer i co ry r -,,k-, 6 acvrte+- r.. 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