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SAN JUAN COUNTY HISTORIC IMPACT REVIEW COMMITTEE SILVERTON, COLORADO Beverly Kaiser, Land Use Administrator Silverton. Colorado 81433 June 27, 2005 Re: Recommendations for proposed gravel pit on French Placer Dear Beverly: The San Juan County Historic Impact Review Committee inspected the above site on June 27, 2005. Attending were Beverly Kaiser, Land Use Administrator- County Planner, and Bill Jones, Steve Feam, and Scott Fetchenheir of the HIRC. The parties inspected the area within the flagged boundaries which was assumed to be the proposed gravel pit perrnit boundaries as required by the Division of Minerals and Geology. This area is just to the northwest of the existing °helicopter hanger" structures. The Silverton Northem Railroad grade traverses the flagged area on its easterly side, following a natural escarpment slightty above the flood plane of the Animas River. The grade essentially defines the westerly edge of the prior °helicopter hanger° improvements. The grade is well preserved and recognizable, showing remains of rotten ties and ditching. One section about 15 feet wide had been bulldozed through in prior years to make a road to the flood plane area. The flood plane area was inspected and no historic structures or sites were observed. It should be noted the entire Silverton Northern Railroad grade was spec~cally included in an historic overlay zone when the original zoning ordinance was passed in 1993. However it appears this overlay Section 1-107.2 was removed by Resolution 943 of the Board of County Commissioners on May 23'', 1994. It is suggested the zoning maps and other county records be reviewed to determine if the Silverton Northern grade andlorright-of-way is spe~cally designated for any preservation purpose. It may also be claimed by the county as aright-of-way. It is also suggested the original improvement permit for the °helicopter hangar" and associated Planning Commission recommendations and stipulations be reviewed to detenmine if the railroad grade was spec~catly excluded from development or otherwise protected. The Historic Impact Review Committee makes the following recommendations: 1. No development or excavation shall be made within 20 feet of the edge of the existing Silverton Northern Railroad grade, said edge being defined as the toe of the grade slope on either side of the centerline of the grade. The intent of this restriction is to preserve the structural integrity of the grade, as well as its historic integrity. 2. The railroad grade within the above defined edges should not be disturbed. 3. The existing access road that cuts through the grade may be used and widened as may reasonably be necessary to permit gravel pit operations.