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of trucks hauling cattle in and out, noting it's different as opposed to what she considers a
<br />business operation and not a residential effort especially after walking it, and it really appalled
<br />her.
<br />Mr. Leverington asked Ms. Olshaw if she was aware the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had
<br />reviewed the application and stated they had no objections or concerns with the floodplains.
<br />Ms. Olshaw replied yes, noting she was aware of the history of Rye and the Greenhorn Creek.
<br />There was a 100 -year flood in the 1920s that covered a huge area with water. In the 1970s,
<br />another flood wiped out the bridge that crossed the Greenhorn Creek directly north and east of
<br />the property, noting it happens. Mr. Leverington asked Ms. Olshaw if her expertise was more
<br />valuable than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Olshaw replied no, but she had a different
<br />take on it. Having lived there and knowing the history, things happen just like the U.S. Army
<br />Corps of Engineers and the levies on the Mississippi River. Having lived there she's very aware
<br />of the wildlife, noting they co- habitate with them. Mr. Leverington stated the District Wildlife
<br />Manager, Mr. Jeremiah Johnson, stated the impacts on the wildlife would be minimal and he
<br />asked Ms. Olshaw if she disagreed with his expertise. Ms. Olshaw replied his remarks indicated
<br />if everything was followed the impacts would be minimal. Mr. Leverington stated that's what Mr.
<br />Gagliano is proposing. Ms. Olshaw stated she's worked with wildlife biologists and it takes
<br />years to gain an understanding of an area. Anyone can go in and make an assessment, but
<br />having lived there 56 years she knows the type of wildlife that crosses the land. It's reality
<br />between living there all the time and being an observer who goes in once or twice and makes
<br />an observation. Mr. Leverington asked Ms. Olshaw if she was testifying that her experience
<br />living there gave her greater expertise than someone who's educated and paid by the State of
<br />Colorado to make the assessments. Ms. Olshaw replied it's a different kind of expertise, not
<br />one learned in school, but one that's learned by living on the land.
<br />Mr. Gale Johnson, 8400 Park Road, Rye, spoke in opposition to the special use permit. He
<br />reported his sister Joann and he were born and raised in Pueblo and still maintained close
<br />relationships in town. They're the owners of record of the property at 8400 Park Road, which is
<br />located directly north of Mr. Barickman's property. The entrance to his house is 50 feet from the
<br />entrance to his land. After looking at dozens of properties in the Rye and Beulah area, their
<br />family chose to purchase this particular piece of land and house more than 60 years ago. They
<br />chose this location for the same reason most people choose to live in the Rye area. It's a
<br />beautiful, peaceful, quiet, remote, and tranquil place to live, which is wonderful. He, his sister,
<br />her friends, his wife, son, daughter, family, and friends, all love to spend time at their family
<br />mountain home, which their son refers to as their small piece of paradise. However, this quiet
<br />and peaceful atmosphere has been eroding over the past two years. When the rock picking
<br />operation began some two to three years ago, they made the assumption that some rocks
<br />would be removed and the operation would wind down. They thought perhaps the rocks were
<br />being used for landscaping at Mr. Barickman's home on Zorn Road, which is a beautiful piece of
<br />land. In retrospect, that was a naive assumption. Instead, the project has expanded and the
<br />area where the rocks are hauled to be stockpiled or stored is about 150 feet from their front
<br />door. Imagine having multiple pieces of heavy earth moving equipment like bulldozers, front
<br />end loaders, excavators, large tractors, and low boy trailers, consistently operating two doors
<br />down the street from your house. They sometimes begin as early as 6:30 a.m., and run as late
<br />at 9:00 p.m. The concerns he expressed tonight aren't meant to be narrow - minded or mean.
<br />Quite the contrary, they found the Barickmans to be extremely friendly and cordial neighbors
<br />ever since they bought the property a few years ago. They stopped by his home on numerous
<br />occasions to talk but he never had the opportunity to speak with them. They were told to feel
<br />free to hike on their property anytime, and the operation crew was very friendly and cordial. A
<br />year or so ago when erosion, caused by the mining operation, destroyed the entrance to their
<br />SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPEAL NO. 2011 -002
<br />STAFF REVIEW 11 -30 -2011
<br />-DRAFT MINUTES-
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<br />PCPC
<br />EXHIBIT NO.
<br />3 cont'
<br />11 -15 -2011
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