Airport Advisory Committee Vacancy

The Fremont County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest from citizens wishing to serve on the Fremont County Airport Industrial Park Advisory Board. The Board provides guidance on management of the Fremont County Airport and the Airport Industrial Park. Terms are for 2 years, and meetings are held the first Tuesday of every other month at 7:00 a.m. Please send letters of interest to: Fremont County Commissioners, 615 Macon Ave., Room 105, Canon City, CO 81212. The deadline for letters of interest is Tuesday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m.

April 24th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners dealt with a lengthy but mostly routine agenda of business for Tuesday's regular meeting.

The Commissioners heard a presentation from Flo Orona, Catherine Petersen, and Ron Hinkle regarding efforts to promote Fremont County to soldiers who will be relocating from Fort Hood, Texas, to Fort Carson. They explained that once soldiers, their families, and support personnel arrive in the area it will bring an impact of another 32,000 people. The Fremont County contingent joined groups from Colorado Springs and Pueblo at Fort Hood in March to promote the areas' attributes to the soldiers who will be relocating.

The Commissioners approved the final plat for filing six of the Top Rail Ranch Estates subdivision located in the Beaver Park area on nearly 93 acres on the northeast corner of Highway 50 and 'R' Street. The latest filing will include 33 lots ranging in six from 2.28 to 5.07 acres. The Commissioners commended developer Chris Jenkins for the professional way the project is being developed.

The Commissioners scheduled a public hearing at 10 a.m. on May 8th for consideration of the 24th Amendment to the county zoning resolution. Proposed language amendments would better define Group Homes and Assisted Living Residences, extend the time for action by the Commissioners following a public hearing from 20 days to 30 days for zone changes, conditional use permits, special review use permits, and site development plans. Another amendment would more clearly define 'junk' in Fremont County.

In other business the board:

• Approved a temporary septic installation for Rick Byrd at 1245 Lawrence Avenue who agrees to become part of the sewer expansion project when it is developed;
• appointed Esther Brunette to a vacancy on the Penrose Library Board of Trustees as recommended by the library board;
• approved a six month extension for the McLane two lot minor subdivision in the Howard area; approved a six month extension for a lot line adjustment in the MeadowBrooke subdivision filing two in North Canon; approved a temporary use permit for the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Trials at 775 Bridadew Springs Trail north of Cotopaxi on May 25th, 26th, and 27th. Up to 125 competitors are expected along with some 250 spectators;
• approved a temporary use permit for the Canon City Chamber of Commerce to host the Carson and Barnes Circus on May 29th at 9th Street and Oak Creek Grade Road;
• approved a temporary use permit for the Blossom Festival Carnival May 1st through May 7th at 9th Street and Oak Creek Grade Road;
• and approved a two lot minor subdivision at County Road #95 and Moore Drive south of Florence.

April 10th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners took final action on a gravel pit application southeast of Florence, approved a final plat for a new subdivision in the Four Mile area, and conducted a hearing on a liquor license renewal after receipt of loud noise complaints at Tuesday's regular meeting.

The Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to approve a ten year conditional use permit for the Beedle Quarry which will operate on 40 acres along the banks of Hardscrabble Creek off of Siloam Road southeast of Florence. The application had been tabled twice since the March 13th public hearing over concerns of how Jack Beedle intends to deal with groundwater and storm water through the quarry. The approval came after the county engineer agreed with a storm water management plan. Commissioner Mike Stiehl voted against the permit saying he had continued concerns about impact on water and potential dust from the operation. The Commissioners did place a limit on truck hauling of Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Commissioners unanimously approved a preliminary plan for the Cranberry Park subdivision. 49 townhome residences will be constructed on 24 lots on the eleven acre parcel located on the northwest corner of Steinmeier and Grandview in the Four Mile area. The Commissioners primary concern appeared to be how the developer will handle drainage of storm water from the generally flat piece of property. A large detention pond is proposed in the front center of the development. Two smaller detention ponds proposed in the southeast corner of the property appear to pose problems with a gas company easement. The Commissioners also changed language in the list of conditions which adds wording that the property owners would be responsible for maintenance of those drainage facilities in the event a homeowners association ceased to exist.

The Commissioners conducted a hearing on the liquor license renewal application for the Whitewater Bar and Grill located on eight mile hill along Highway 50 west of Canon City after neighbors complained of loud music last summer. John Zimmerman said that even a mile away he had to close his windows on weekends just to sleep at night. Sheriff Jim Beicker said his office had at least eleven noise complaints about the bar last year but bar owner Ty Seufer was probably unaware of it because without a noise ordinance deputies had nothing to enforce. After Seufer offered a suggestion himself of how he would propose to work with neighbors, the Commissioners approved the renewal of his liquor license directing that any music played outdoors end by midnight.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Approved a contract amendment with the Colorado Division of Emergency Management;
• approved equipment agreements for stationing of Colorado State Forest Service wildland fire trucks with various fire departments in the county;
• approved a liquor license renewal for Marv's Place bar in Penrose waiving the requirements dealing with a late filing;
• approved a temporary use permit for the 16th Annual Temple Canyon Auto Hill Climb to operate on Temple Canyon Road south of Canon City on May 12th and 13th;
• approved six month extensions for the Lone Eagle subdivision and the Brill Zone Change along County Road #45 east of Howard;
• and adopted a proclamation taking note of victims’ rights during National Crime Victims' Rights Week observed April 22nd through the 28th.

March 27th Board of Commissioners Meeting

Final action approving a list of conditions for the Northfield Coal Mine conditional use permit was taken by the Board of County Commissioners at the March 27th regular meeting.

Days and hours of operation for the proposed Northfield Coal Mine in the Williamsburg area was the only undecided issue following the March 13th Commissioners meeting. The mine will be permitted to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the board had considered four or five different options regarding limitations on truck traffic hauling material off site from the mine. In the end the board adopted a condition that will limit truck traffic to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Norden said it was clear from the town of Williamsburg and other neighbors that they did not want truck traffic on the roads at 4 o'clock in the morning. Norden said if the mine operates responsibly nothing prevents the applicant from coming back and asking for a modification of the limits on truck hauling.

Fremont County Tourism Council (FCTC) Chairman Mike Bandera presented the council's annual report. Bandera said in 2007 FCTC is expanding its marketing efforts to reach regional and nationwide visitors through advertisements in USA Weekend, Midwest Living, and Texas Monthly. FCTC's 2007 budget will rely in an estimated $136,000 in revenue from Fremont County's two percent lodging tax, $15,000 from a Colorado Tourism grant, and $6,000 from web site advertising revenue.

Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine General Manager Ron Largent and Community Affairs Manager Jane Mannon were present to provide an update on their gold mining operation in Teller County. Mannon said the mine received a safety award in February for operating three years without a lost time incident. Mannon said of the 322 people who work at the mine, eighty of them live in Fremont County earning wages totaling $4.7 million in 2006. She said the average hourly wage for Fremont County employees at the gold mine is $22.80.

At the request of the applicant, the Commissioners agreed to table for another two weeks the conditional use permit application for the Beedle Quarry. Jack Beedle wants to operate a gravel quarry for ten years on a 40 acre parcel along Hardscrabble Creek off of Siloam Road southeast of Florence. Beedle acknowledged County Engineer Jack Effinger's finding that the applicant had not submitted a stormwater management plan with the application. The Commissioners also expressed concerns about both groundwater and stormwater in the application and voted to table the application until the April 10th meeting.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Honored District One Road Foreman Oscar Lee upon his retirement from the Road and Bridge Department following nearly 18 years of service;
• approved utility abatements for Quest, Aquila Power, and Union Pacific Railroad for assessments that should not have been included in the new Four Mile Ranch subdivision at the east edge of Canon City;
• heard details from County Weed Director J.R. Phillips about the landowner application process for weed control cost sharing money available along key drainages in the county;
• approved a six month extension for the Krauth-Eggleston lot line adjustment in the Hayden Creek area;
• and approved a temporary use permit for the Penrose Chamber of Commerce to operate flea market twice monthly for six months in the Gooseberry Patch parking lot in Penrose.
  

Public Safety Sales Tax Bill Draws Local Support

Fremont and El Paso County officials last week testified in support of a measure now in the Colorado House of Representatives that would provide another finance option for public safety needs. HB 1344, sponsored by Colorado Springs Representative Mike Merrifield, would allow counties to seek voter approval of up to two percent additional sales tax in excess of the present 6.9 percent sales tax limit under state law. The additional sales tax revenue could only be used for public safety improvements including operational expenses for law enforcement, District Attorneys, judicial purposes, fire protection, and emergency management.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Makita helped draft the bill which was heard before the House Local Government Committee last Thursday. Joining Makita in testifying in support of the bill were El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark, Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, Fremont County Commission Chairman Ed Norden, and officials from Larimer County. All three counties are experiencing problems with overcrowded jails.

Sheriff Beicker and Commissioner Norden explained to the committee that the property tax proposal put forward to Fremont County voters last November to open Fremont County’s now empty 96 bed jail addition was the only option available. Norden said voters repeatedly questioned officials before and after the election as to why a sales tax proposal was not placed on the ballot. Beicker said HB 1344 would simply give voters an option to consider a sales tax increase instead of just a property tax.

The bill was approved by the Local Government committee on a unanimous 10 – 0 vote. District 21 Representative Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs said he initially had his doubts about legislation that would permit sales taxes in excess of the 6.9 percent limit. But Gardner said given the support shown from officials in his District in both El Paso and Fremont Counties and the revenue options it would open up, he decided to support the measure. The bill was laid over on second reading on the House floor Tuesday (April 3rd).

Planning Commission Vacancy

The Board of County Commissioners is accepting letters of interest from citizens of Fremont County wishing to serve on the Fremont County Planning Commission.

The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to review land use proposals, such as subdivisions, zone changes and use permits and make recommendations to the County Commissioners who render a final decision on land use proposals. The Planning Commission is also responsible for updating the Master Plan, a county-wide guideline for reviewing land use proposals.

Interested persons should submit a letter stating their qualifications and reasons for wanting to serve by mail or in person to the County Commissioners at 615 Macon Avenue - Room 105, Canon City, Colorado 81212, or by facsimile at (719) 276-7304. The deadline for letters is 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2007.

The Planning Commission appointment is for a three year term. For more information concerning the Planning Commission please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 276-7360 or by email at planning@fremontco.com.