Two major development projects are on the agenda for the 6:00 p.m. Nov. 30 Chaffee Planning Commission session, one, or possibly both of them is likely to cause fireworks.
The public should note that this meeting will be held on Zoom, due to current county COVID-19 meeting restrictions on county facilities.
Peak View Major Subdivision Preliminary Plan
First on the agenda will be a review of the Peak View Major Subdivision Preliminary Plan, a development proposed for 11415 CR 190 on the edge of Salida.
The 20.13 acre parcel is zoned residential and the proposal is to divide it into seven lots ranging in size from just over two acres to 6.33 acres, served by a low-volume road. The plan would include wells and on-site wastewater systems and the road right-of-way would be dedicated to the Peak View Heritage Water Subdivision Exemption. The applicant is the Sunnyside CR 190 LLC, represented by Shawn Allison.
Coming in as a preliminary plan, the project has already had several studies done, including a groundwater study, roadway and drainage plans, and road and bridge engineering comments.
The project has been the subject of a concern raised by Ralf Topper that the plans for CR 190 weren’t up to approval, which in his opinion meant the initial sketch plan shouldn’t have been approved, therefore the Tuesday evening hearing should not occur.
Aspire Tours Limited Impact Reviews
The Limited Impact Reviews (LIR) of the Aspire Tours proposal scheduled for Tuesday evening was continued from the Sept. 28 Planning Commission meeting. That was at least the fifth time that this series of LIRs had been continued since the project was first brought to the attention of the county in 2019.
The business development application for a development proposed by Kathrin Troxler on rural-zoned land located at 11302 CR 190 W, Salida is actually three reviews in one:
- An outfitting facility including but not limited to adventure tourism: rafting, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, and skiing
- A seasonal employee campground
- A public campground including camp cabins and tent sites in three phases
The complex development is predicated on multi-passenger vans that will bring visitors to the property from the Front Range and to recreational activities. Seasonal employees will reside on the property to reduce vehicle trips.
An earlier review by the Planning Commission in Aug. 2020 indicated major concerns about the water supply, both for existing and future requirements, and existing and future traffic concerns (recapped in the Planning Dept. Staff Report).
Among several public comments received, most objecting to the proposal, was nearby resident Ralf Topper. He objected saying that such a commercial development shouldn’t be allowed on rural land because of the approval of the 2020 Chaffee County Comprehensive Plan. According to a Nov. 22 letter from Topper, “Over 600 county residents have signed a petition opposing the Aspire Tours application. In addition to individuals, this application raised serious concerns and opposition by Las Colinas Homeowners Association, the Chaffee County Heritage Area Advisory Board, and the Upper Arkansas Conservation District among others.”
The Staff Report clearly notes that – regarding “Compliance with Applicable Zone District Regulations. The Planning Commission can find that this application complies with the applicable regulations in a Rural zoning district with the approval of the Limited Impact Reviews.”
The Planning Commission is the decision-maker for Limited Impact Reviews. It should be noted that some commercial uses are allowed on rural-zoned land with limited impact review approvals. There are numerous resorts and commercial operations on rural-zoned land throughout the county. If commercial use weren’t allowed on rural land, even ranches and farms, which are family commercial operations, wouldn’t be allowed to operate.
The public can follow this link to attend the Planning Commission meeting via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/4328290633
This has to be prevented. The profiteers who have come here only to exploit and profit on our community at the cost of our quality of life and very lives has been allowed to destroy lives, homes and neighborhoods. You cannot assume any of the businesses planning to profit on the exploitation of our homes has the honor required to prevent harm and loss of those here before them for profit on the very things we live here and pay dearly to enjoy. I can assure you as the victim of several businesses greed that nothing will stand between these people and their profit once they get their foot in the door. In our case it is a medical facility and a group that profits on our marijuana laws but it does not matter what industry the group is involved in. Homeowners and residents here will pay the cost of loss of quality of life and community for this to be allowed. These same residents including us will be unable to stop the noise or the traffic or the loss of their community after the decision is made because this county assures that no homeowner may protect their rights in this community by conflicting out any law firm that could deal with land use issues. In our case 3 businesses have been allowed to rob us of our very right to sleep and any peace at any time of the day or night in our home that pre-existed all of these businesses and pleading with them does no good at all. These businesses have no integrity and no concern for your life. The will happily destroy your life and watch you suffer and die from their actions without any concern as will this entire community. You do not want to be in this boat with us here in Smeltertown and you cannot rely on any promise of kindness and minimal impact. They are simply falsehoods believed only by those who wish to destroy and gentrify our community for profit and they will justify even causing death as I can prove from the last five years of living in the hell our planning commission planned and imposed on us in our own home of four decades.