In their Tuesday regular session attended by many members of the county’s two fire districts, Chaffee County Commissioners approved the memorandum of understanding documenting the proposed fire district realignment between the South Arkansas Fire Protection District and the Chaffee County Fire Protection District.
The motion, made by commissioner Greg Felt, accepted the memorandum of understanding subject to ratification by the boards of both fire districts. The motion referenced exhibit A, a document reflecting commissioners’ discussions regarding the patchwork of parcels adjacent to Pinon Ridge and directed the county attorney to handle any minor language adjustments as needed.
The commissioners’ unanimous approval of the realignment reflects the real need for adjustment of boundary lines, as well as the delicate balance between the two fire protection districts, each one a separate political subdivision organized under the state’s Special District Act.
When it was created in 1976 as the Northern Chaffee County Fire Protection District, the CCFPD’s initial area was originally set to mirror the area covered by the Buena Vista School District. Then in 1984 its jurisdiction was expanded to include the southern parts of the county, including the town of Poncha Springs. The expansion prompted a change to its current name of Chaffee County Fire Protection District.
The boundaries of the CCFPD now generally follow Chaffee County’s boundary lines, with the exception of the city of Salida, the town of Buena Vista and a patchwork of subdivisions outside the city limits of Salida, including Pinon Ridge Estates, Boot Hill Subdivision and subdivision properties near Bear Creek.
While SAFPD functions in a roughly two-mile “bubble” around Salida, most of it falling within Chaffee County, a small segment of that radius extends into Fremont County. Created in 1963, it is much older than the CCFPD.
The proposal sorts out that subdivision patchwork of fire districts, aligning coverage areas so it will be easier for owners to understand which fire district they belong in. The overall goal is to make possible more efficient delivery of emergency services to properties.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a new bed and breakfast permit for the Liars Lodge Bed and Breakfast, represented by Michael Sorrels. The lodge is located at 30000 CR 371, Buena Vista.
In the same session, commissioners reviewed and approved two licenses. They approved a beer and wine license for Station 24 Cafe LLC, owned by Sarah and Mark Hammer. The Hammers, who are turning an old service station into a cafe, also own The Adventure Company next door at 12867 U.S. Hwy 24/285.
Commissioners also approved a request from Bioenergetic Healing Center LLC to transfer their retail marijuana Optional Premise Cultivation license to Antero Sciences LLC as well as a retail marijuana optional premise cultivation license for Antero Sciences LLC.
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