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Carson's main gate is functionally classified as"congested".Major sections of the highway are <br /> two lanes,including the point at which Transit Mix proposes to access the highway.The <br /> proposed highway access point is also located at a historically dangerous place,with multiple <br /> fatal traffic accidents in recent years.Unfortunately,the 2040 MTCP Roadway Plan does not call <br /> for any improvements to Highway 115 through the year 2040,so the highway we have now is <br /> what we will live with for many years to come.If the Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry is allowed to <br /> proceed,an already congested highway,currently bearing truck traffic from three active quarries, <br /> will be burdened by as many as 624 additional trucks per day when the quarry is at full <br /> production.This additional traffic will exacerbate traffic hazards not only for the local residents, <br /> but also for the many commuters who use this major thoroughfare to Colorado Springs,as well as <br /> the many tourists,bicyclists,and motorcycle clubs who frequent the area for its unique <br /> geographic/topologic and aesthetic appeal. <br /> Existing Ouarries.There are currently three quarries operating within a five mile stretch along <br /> Highway 115,the nearest less than three miles from the proposed Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry site. <br /> The quarry operators report they are currently operating at roughly half their capacity.When <br /> questioned why such low production,the response is"insufficient demand".This calls into <br /> question the need for yet another quarry on the backs of the already burdened local residents. <br /> Surely the real,proven need for more aggregate mining is a necessary component to approving <br /> such a detrimental activity in people's front yard. <br /> Proximity to Local Residents.There are more than 140 properties within two miles of the <br /> proposed quarry site,some as close as 1200 feet and with direct line-of-sight to the quarry <br /> operations.The vast majority,if not all,of these property owners are vehemently opposed to the <br /> applicant's quarry plans.The policies incorporated in the El Paso County Southwestern Highway <br /> 115 Comprehensive Plan(see below)state"any resource extraction operation should be located a <br /> minimum of two miles distant from any dissenting residents". A petition is in process at the <br /> present time to be presented when complete to document the near-unanimous opposition by <br /> residents along a 15-mile stretch of Highway 115 to this permit. This means over 500 residents <br /> feel impacted negatively by this application,particularly in the matter of declining real estate <br /> values,which will be documented in subsequent inputs. <br /> Comprehensive Develooment Plan.This application for permit is in clear violation of the <br /> current Southwestern(Highway 115)Comprehensive Plan.This is a plan commissioned and <br /> adopted by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners for the Highway 115 area.This <br /> comprehensive plan foresaw the potential for future demands for mineral resource extraction in <br /> the area,and adopted specific policies to address it.The Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry application is <br /> in specific violation of the following policies in this plan: <br /> 1. The entire burden of proof for demonstrating the existence of extractable mineral <br /> resources should lie with the applicant. Designation of potentially extractable mineral <br /> resources in the Master Plan for the Extraction of Commercial Mineral Deposits should <br /> in no way be seen as a justification or an implied right for mining. <br /> 2. Resource extraction operations in general are not supported in the planning area. <br /> However,the presence of existing operations is recognized,and if future conditions <br /> dictate the necessity for additional supplies of aggregate,the expansion of existing <br /> operations is preferred over new Quarries. <br /> 3. At no time during their operations should resource extraction affect the quantity,quality, <br /> or dependability of residents' existing water supplies or result in the diversion of existing <br /> water supplies.The full burden of proof for assuring this will lie with the applicant. <br /> 4. Access from Highway 115 to any resource extraction operation should not affect the <br /> quality of the existing access to area residents. <br /> 3 <br />