Chaffee County Commissioners Tuesday approved a final plat for the Virga minor subdivision planned for 6644 CR 110. The application submitted by Sacha Haled and Diana French will divide 9.4 acres into two lots with a minimum of three acres. No one spoke at the public hearing on the subdivision.
Commissioners agreed with a Planning Commission recommendation. They tabled any consideration of the Larks Perch Major Subdivision Preliminary Plan until numerous issues regarding drainage, engineering considerations and other matters are addressed with the Planning Commission in mid-January. The commissioners would next have an opportunity to take up the plan on Feb. 11, 2020.
The proposed subdivision would be located southeast of Poncha Springs at 9479 Hutchinson Lane. The Planning Commission previously denied plans for a multi-unit project, over concerns on the impact to the Historic Hutchinson Ranch property and Poncha Springs. Issues included lack of viable drainage plans and wastewater treatment, among others.
The plan was reconfigured to include 14 lots, but still contains steep slopes and multiple major drainages. Chaffee County Planning Manager Jon Roorda said a debris flow analysis and plan was needed. Roorda previously noted there would be a viewshed impact for U.S. highways 50, 285 and 291 and that the area is a major east-west big game corridor.
The Planning Commission also is requiring several conditions to be met before their next review session Jan. 14, 2020. The conditions include: an agreement with the Town of Poncha Springs concerning road impact fees, Colorado Department of Transportation access permits, and traffic impact study; an on-site visit by the Army Corps of Engineers to make a jurisdictional determination; adjustments to show that no dwelling units will be allowed on building envelopes that cross designated drainages, with plat notes requiring engineered foundations and engineered crossings; an amended drainage report and resolution of other issues.
Commissioners also discussed progress on a Comprehensive Plan update, noting 38 one-on-one interviews were recently completed and more meetings with planners, organizations and the public are scheduled in December. It was deemed questionable whether an initial draft of the proposed update would be completed by the holidays.
Director of Administration Bob Christiansen reported to commissioners about broadband improvements he had been working on with providers in areas of the county such as Chalk Creek Canyon past Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and on up to St. Elmo. He’s also monitoring improvements in communication speeds for county buildings in Salida.
In other action, commissioners unanimously approved the reappointment of Dick Isenberger to a five-year term on the Salida Regional Library Board. According to Board Chair Greg Felt, Isenberger has “done a lot in the community.”
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