PERMFILE136695 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

X55 ~~ ~ ~ X005- 07l V Mr. Steve Shuey, Division of Minerals & Geology 101 S. 3rd Street, Room 301 Grand Jnnction, CO 81501 RECEI~/ED ~ ~'AN (~ 9 2006 `division at Minerals and Geology 3 January 2006 Subject: Objection to the Benson Brothers Red Shale Quarry in Goalby Canyon If Deha County had established zoning restrictions in the unincorporated areas of the county, Coalby Canyon (an area comprised of farms, ranches, vineyards and orchards, in addition to many residential dwellings) would undoubtedly have been zoned `4ura]/residential". The establishment of the subject quarry, a heavy industrial activity to be centered m the midst o£the.canyon, would-never have-arisen. There would not now be the numerous concerns expressed by the residents related (but not limited) to storm water ruuofl, dust on an abutting vineyard and nearby homes resuhing in crop losses and impacting heahh, related noise and traffic on the canyon's sole paved access with trucks entering just below a blind curve and associated negative impacts on property values. The applicant was required to apply for approval in accordance with the current Deha County Specific Development Regulations. These regulations (Article I, Section 4) require that any approval action is to be consistent with the Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) intentions regazdmg health, safety and management of developmental changes as they may affect neighboring landowners, as well as to achieve the goals and to implement the policies of the Deha County Master Plan. A review of the latter document will clearly indicate that outright approval is inconsistent with those goals relative to `reservation of rural lifestyle", `reservation of agriculture", `protection of private property rights" and "expansion of existing businesses...only when such businesses are compatible with the quality of life valued by the residents of Delta Count}'. After receiving a large outpouring of concern at public meetings, petitionslmailings requesting denial action and a denial recommendation from the Deha County Planning Staff; the BOCC took mediation actions leading to a fording of "conditional approval". However, your organization could still find that the reclamation permit for the subject quarry should be denied in the interest of satisfying the citizens' concerns. I have strong objections to this quarry operation and request that you do in fact deny this permit. I request to be given the opportunity to be present at all proceedings and to be on your mailing list. I further desire that apre-hearing public conference (including a site tow) be held in the Cedaredge area prior to your regularly scheduled public hearing on the permit application - which I trust will be conducted at a convenient location, either Delta or Grand Junction, to asswe participation by Coalby Canyon residents and/or their appointed representatives and legal counsel. Respectfiilly, Patricia L. Crader ~ copy to¢ Div. of Minerals & Geology 21182 Uintah Road 1313 Sherman St., Rm 215 Cedaredge, CO 81413 Denver, CO 80203 970-856-6974