For those Ark Valley Voice readers who want to follow along with some of the proposed land-use projects in Chaffee County, and perhaps comment on them, the county has created a new way for residents to do that. Two developments scheduled for the 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 Planning Commission session are among those garnering comments.
A digital feedback loop that the county is calling Chaffee Speaks, is an accessible way for residents to comment about upcoming development proposals, proposed or pending land-use changes. Not only is this a site to provide direct comments on the proposals, but it is also a place to see what other Chaffee residents have to say about the proposals listed.
It should be noted that all information you provide is shown publicly on ChaffeeSpeaks.org and it becomes part of the public record. This includes your name, address, and any public comments that you make on ChaffeeSpeaks.org or in-person during a public hearing. Planning staff reviews comments before making them public on ChaffeeSpeaks.org and there is a delay between when you submit a comment and when it is posted.
The listing includes proposals coming before the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) as well as the Chaffee Planning Commission (PC). Residents should be aware that there is a comment cutoff time on Chaffee Speaks, prior to the projects appearing on the agenda, to allow time for the BoCC and the PC to read the comments prior to their meetings.
For instance, there are two development proposals on the schedule for the 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 Chaffee Planning Commission agenda:
Timber Creek Ranch Conservation Subdivision plan
Timber Creek Ranch Conservation Subdivision; sketch image from the proposal
This proposal would subdivide a 184-acre parcel into 68 lots, with the minimum lot being less than an acre, and an additional 181-acre “outlet” to be maintained as a permanent contiguous open space. Each home lot will have its own septic and well.
Residents and nearby neighbors have already filed 34 comments about the proposal, ranging from major traffic concerns to groundwater and river contamination. Several residents have pointed out that the assessments related to water are based on what they consider to be a dated water study. But others have pointed out that this conservation subdivision plan protects a major wildlife corridor from further development.
Resident Shea Whitney pointed out:
“Having read the Staff Report I now have some follow-up questions. This is taken directly from the Staff Report: ‘Staff Analysis: attributes of this application that meet the intent statement – LUC 2.2.3(A):
o Maintains agricultural resources
o 139.94 acres of irrigated farmland to be conserved as open space in perpetuity.
o Protects valued natural resources as agricultural water rights are tied to the land.
o Protects water used for Mt. Shavano State Fish Hatchery.
o Protects the irrigation system
o Reduces impacts to wildlife corridors
o Allows for the continuance of the rural lifestyle relative to other development patterns.’
My question is WHERE is the WORK and STUDIES proving the conclusions of this report? These are very bold and definitive statements, where is the credible information to back them up? How will the pivot land be kept conserved as irrigated farmland in perpetuity?”
River Point Reserve Major Subdivision Sketch Plan
A proposal to subdivide Lot 2 of CD subdivision 35-acre parcel into seven lots with a minimum lot size of 3.18 acres, each with its own well and septic. Access would be via shared driveways off CR 163. To date, there have been no comments on Chaffee Speaks regarding this sketch plan, but it appears to be at the beginning of the review process.
The Planning Commission meeting on these two proposals will be held virtually from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. To participate in the meeting, connect via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/4328290633 or by calling 1-669-900-6833 and entering meeting ID #432 829 0633
Both proposals will come before the BoCC at their 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 15 session at the Buena Vista Community Center, 715 East Main St. in Buena Vista.
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