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19316 Ward Creek (r <br />Cedaredge. CO $1 3~ -" ~ ' ~ `'~LS <br />15 Feb 05 ~ <br />FFa ~ 7 2005 ~-~ <br />Delta County Planning Department <br />Delta County Courthouse Ste 115 <br />501 Palmer St <br />Delta, CO 81416 <br />Re: SD05-01 Benson Brothers -New Gravel Pit <br />Gentlemen: <br />I am writing to advise the department of my whole-hearted opposition to the above <br />application. <br />As a party to the Benson Brothers' presentation and tour of their newly-acquired property <br />in Colby Canyon I have concluded that their proposal is totally inappropriate for the <br />location indicated. The area commonly referred to as Colby Canyon, while the site of <br />one or more now-defunct coal mines and shale-quanying operations, has evolved into a <br />relatively populous rural residential area with some residual ranching activities and the <br />recent inclusion of a small owner-cultivated vineyard. <br />The proposed inclusion of asurface-mining operation with attendant noise, dust and <br />heavy,tnick traffic would seriously degrade what has recently become a residential area <br />attractive to both young families and reasonably well-to-do retirees. A number of these <br />families have;buittaarge homes.on°e~ctepsive.lots,while preserving much of the natural <br />habitat andlhe;remnanls:of agrarian activates. A review;of;yourrecocds.and the, . , , <br />information available in the county GIS.department would reveal the number of homes <br />within a region of influence (unfortunately negative) of the proposed mine. I can only <br />foresee negative impacts on the quality of life in the neighborhood including, but not <br />limited to, excessive noise, dust and heavy truck traffic on the sole hard-surfaced road <br />serving Colby. <br />I moved.to Colby. a year and a half ago, purchased some prgperty with a house, anal <br />made the acquaintance of a number of local residents all of whom savor the rural <br />atmosphere, splendid views, abundant wildlife and ready access to urban amenities and <br />services. I took an unpaid but exceedingly time-consuming position on the Board of <br />Coalby Domestic Water Company devoting my personal time, energy and some money <br />attempting to restore sustainability to this little rural water company. Much as I might <br />wish otherwise, I would not hesitate to leave Colby and Delta County were this industrial <br />operation admitted to the neighborhood. I have no intention of spending my declining <br />years: in the:company of a business activity,which,plans to,spend the,next "twelvrr to. . <br />y years": {Bensons'=own words) taking.. from the ;area at considerable ,costao the <br />twent <br />neighborhood:and:bringing nothing of;yalue;in;retum. <br />. -. ;< <br />Sincerely; ; <br />Paul Priest <br />