HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.09 Supplemental Application 02.07.2014Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
February 7, 2014
Re: Response to January 27th Completeness Review for Skylark School, Mountain View Church
Property, GAPA 7770.
Dear Kathy and Tamra,
Following your letter of January 27th and to provide the requested information for Completeness, I have
the following additional information. You have graciously granted a waiver of the geology report, and
thank you. The other reports or plans are provided as follows.
Section 7‐203 ‐ Grading and Drainage. The site plan has been updated to show the site
drainage patterns, general areas of vegetation and surface types, snow storage areas to meet the 2.5%
code requirement, and the basic hydrology data. A signed and stamped engineering report is also
provided correlating this data shown on the plan.
Section 4‐203‐F ‐ Landscape Plan. Existing vegetation and trees are provided on the site plan.
Commentary on the vegetation and its sufficiency as site BMP is also provided in the drainage report.
We have no plans for changes to or additional landscaping.
Section 4‐203‐G.5 ‐ Groundwater and Aquifer Recharge. Mr. John Currier, a licensed
engineer in the state, has provided a letter of commentary on the groundwater for the site.
Section 4‐203‐G.6 ‐ Environmental Impacts. Mr. Steve Dahmer of Environmental Solutions
has provided a professional assessment of the environmental impacts with attention to the riparian area
(river bank).
Section 4‐203‐G.7 ‐ Nuisance. I have provided a one page commentary concerning potential
nuisances as noted in your letter.
Section 4‐203‐L ‐ Traffic Study. A Basic Traffic Study has been provided, signed and stamped by
myself.
The deed only is provided with this supplemental information. I merely did not want to mistakenly leave
something out with the previous packet so I overloaded you.
A sign application has been sent to Mr. Carmoney for review. We gladly submit to County sign codes
and, it appears, for CL zoning, our current sign and proposed addition is well below the 150 square foot
limit, coming in at 35 square feet for the main sign, with an existing 6 square foot sign below. Our desire
is to add a similar, 6 square foot sign that has yet to be designed.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
The only easement of record is a shared Holy Cross easement for the ditch overflow and is indicated on
the site plan. The existing overheads along the top of the riverbank apparently have no recorded
easement. The signed site plan from Mr. Neil of Peak Surveying indicates as such.
We have added more dimensioning but please let us know what else you may like to see. We added a
typical parking space dimension (the previous county typical 9’x18’ size), as well as a few additional
dimensions to critical items such as the floodplain limit.
Parking data is provided via an aerial map that indicates the space count as well as a general guide for
the traffic study to show the portioning of traffic to the driveways. The spaces are now shown on the
site plan as well.
Section 4‐203 D.11‐Elevations. We have provided recent photos of the visible sides of the structure.
4‐203 D.4‐Existing Vegetation. The aerial shows a good representation of the vegetative cover and the
site plan shows, with basic notes, the areas of groundcover, planted trees, and the native vegetation on
the river bank. The environmental letter provides greater detail on ecological conditions. We have no
changes planned for any vegetation.
Driveway and encroachment permits. First, this application has brought to our attention that this parcel
does not have recorded driveway permits. We have initiated that process with the County Road and
Bridge department and will follow up. Mr. Prehm has indicated that we may be asked for permits or
they may provide an exemption letter. The driveways were in their current geometry at least as early as
1993 as old aerials reveal, and it is believed since the mid 1980’s, and paved in 2000. Secondly, the site
has a portion of the asphalt parking in the CR 154 right of way and that too has been brought to the
attention of R/B. For this application, we do request to leave all the physical elements as is, provide the
driveway permits and, if requested, an encroachment permit for the parking areas and sign.
Utility service. The site was on a local septic, but has been on City of Glenwood Springs water and sewer
for several years.
For additional licensing requirements we have attached a summary of the State directives for non‐public
schools. We will have minimum attendance days which we will meet and will have to show upon
request to the State. The State does not require a specific curriculum or accreditation, although we do
have those through our Parent Organization of Ambleside Schools International. In short the State only
requires our registering as a small, non‐profit business and meeting local codes. Skylark will be the
twelfth school of this organization. Further information on our partnership can be found at
http://www.amblesideschools.com/.
Respectfully,
Rick L. Barth, Applicant Representative, Chairman, Skylark School
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
GRADING AND DRAINAGE – EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Mountain View parcel drains almost entirely northeast to southwest and predominately in sheet
flow. Off site‐flows are minimized by CR 154 as it directs nearly all flow, save that which is in the
southwest shoulder of the roadway, northward via a County maintained roadside ditch. Therefore we
only have on‐site flows with which to contend. A site map and aerial is attached in the packet for
review.
The site has no discernible gulleys or ditches, save the small swales on each property boundary which
serve as surface flow diversions. The southern ditch not only takes a small amount of flow from the site,
but is primarily an irrigation ditch overflow and runs along the shared property line with the unoccupied
commercial property to the south (a.k.a. the “Buffalo Valley” site). The north side has a small swale
between our parcel and the neighboring residential parcel, keeping flows from that lot entering onto the
Mountain View parcel. The two driveway entrances have typical culverts for CR 154 street and ditch
flows but no interconnected storm sewer. Soils are predominately Atencio‐Azeltine, Class B soils with
little or no obvious imported soil material on site.
On‐site runoff is primarily sheet flow. The main, southeast parking lot drains NE to SW at an average 5%
slope in sheet flow to the vegetated area prior to reaching the major grade break to the river bank. The
NW parking lot sheet flows at very flat grades in the parking with minor concentrated flows in heavy
storms as it leaves the hard surface, northwestward, down through the vegetated play area and to the
river. At the grade break, the slope significantly steepens, varying between 8:1 and 5:1 slopes and is
heavily vegetated. No disturbance has occurred on that slope nor will we. Therefore, we do not have a
proposed grading plan to provide, but only the existing conditions with general flow directions.
Likewise, we are adding no drainage elements, therefore only existing conditions are shown.
Snow storage is typically pushed off to the edges of the parking area in the vegetated flat spots. The
Church already contracts for snow pushing and removal. Snowmelt occurs well within boundaries of
healthy vegetation to trap sediments.
We have no equipment nor temporary roads. Steep slopes are shown on the site plan and much of the
river bank is greater than 20% in steepness. We have no construction schedule, spill prevention plan or
other construction associated elements. Permanent stabilization is already evident and healthy with
existing landscaping and native vegetation that appears to perform well. No changes shall occur.
Further, with that, we have no erosion control measures which are required as flows leaving the site go
through well vegetated and rocked areas already.
A calculation sheet using the Modified Rational Method is presented for existing conditions and pre‐
construction conditions. While existing conditions (paved parking, structure) increase runoff peak, there
is no downstream property impact therefore detention is not required. Stormwater management is
DRAINAGE CALCULATIONS for:MOUNTAIN VIEW CH.2/3/2014 0:00
Skylark School 12:36:29
Drainage Area Designation:PRE-DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS (ASSUMED)
Surface description:All Native vegetation
PROPERTY GENERAL SURFACE DATA Soil Information
Total Drainage Area:4.15 acres SCS Type: Presuming all native, Atencio-Azeltine
Weighted C:0.2576
STEP 1: Surface Identification STEP 2: Overland Tc (if applicable)
"C" VALUE CALCULATION C
DEVELOPMENT TYPE acres factors TIME OF CONCENTRATION
Impervious 0 0.97 **** OVERLAND ****
Gravels 0 0.8 Upstream Elevation 5884.00
Native 2.55 0.3 Dnstream Elevation 5876.00
Rocky/Bare Soil 00
Heavy Native 1.6 0.19
Avg. Pasture 0 0.26 C factors from TR-55 chart, attached
TOTAL SITE ACERAGE 4.15
STEP 3: Total Time of Concentration
Tc CALCULATION Length Slope k Tc
Overland 50 16.00% 1.0400 6.38
Velocity
Length (fps)
Sheet Flow 200 3 1.11
Velocity
Length (fps)
Concentrated 700 5 2.33
Total 9.82 min
**use 10 min Tc
STEP 4: Compile to determine Q values
GLENWOOD SPRINGS IDF CURVE
RUNOFF Intensity Q=CiA
@ Tc (cfs)
(in/hr)
i2=1.55 Q2=1.66
i5=2.25 Q5=2.41
i25=3.25 Q25=3.47
i100=4.3 Q100=4.60
NOTES:
DRAINAGE CALCULATIONS for:MOUNTAIN VIEW CH.2/3/2014 0:00
Skylark School 12:36:29
Drainage Area Designation:EXISTING CONDITIONS
Surface description:Native, landscape, hard surface
PROPERTY GENERAL SURFACE DATA Soil Information
Total Drainage Area:4.15 acres SCS Type: Atencio-Azeltine (Class B)
Weighted C:0.5353 Native/Lndscp, Heavy Native Veg
STEP 1: Surface Identification STEP 2: Overland Tc (if applicable)
"C" VALUE CALCULATION C
DEVELOPMENT TYPE acres factors TIME OF CONCENTRATION
Paving/Impervious 1.72 0.97 **** OVERLAND ****
Water 0 0.8 Upstream Elevation 5884.00
Landscaped/Native Veg 0.83 0.3 Dnstream Elevation 5876.00
Rocky/Bare Soil 00
Heavy Native 1.6 0.19
Avg. Pasture 0 0.26 C factors from TR-55 chart, attached
TOTAL SITE ACERAGE 4.15
STEP 3: Total Time of Concentration
Tc CALCULATION Length Slope k Tc
Overland 50 16.00% 1.0400 6.38
Velocity
Length (fps)
Sheet Flow 200 2 1.67
Velocity
Length (fps)
Concentrated 250 4 1.04
Total 9.09 min
**use 10 min Tc
STEP 4: Compile to determine Q values
GLENWOOD SPRINGS IDF CURVE
RUNOFF Intensity Q=CiA
@ Tc (cfs)
(in/hr)
i2=1.55 Q2=3.44
i5=2.25 Q5=5.00
i25=3.25 Q25=7.22
i100=4.3 Q100=9.55
NOTES:
This represents the current, existing conditions of Mountain View parcel. No changes associated with
the Skylark School application. While this is an increase in peak over pre‐construction conditions
(assumed) there is no downstream property with which detention would be required due to no
downstream property impact. Flows discharge directly to the Roaring Fork River.
Environmental Solutions, Inc.
600 CR 216 Rifle, Colorado 81650
(970) 618-6841 phone ~ (970) 625-1673 fax
email sdahmer@mailcw.com
Created by: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 1 of 5
February 6, 2014
Mountain View Church
Attn. Rick Barth
2195 CR 154
Glenwood Springs, CO 81652
Rick:
Per your request I have visited the Mountain View Church property located along the Roaring Fork River
at 2195 CR 154 in Glenwood Springs to investigate the riparian vegetation, habitat condition and current
wildlife use on the property. The following letter is my professional opinion regarding potential impacts
to those environmental resources based on the plans you submitted to operate the Skylark School from
existing church facilities and our telephone discussions of said plans. My letter is directed toward
addressing the current Garfield County Land Use & Development Code (Article 4, Division 2, Section 4-
203(g)) and comments on your original permit application submitted by County planning staff, which you
provided for my review.
It is my understanding that no additional buildings or parking areas are to be constructed and that there
are no plans for surface disturbances outside existing buildings on the site, which would remove or alter
the native vegetation now occurring on the hillside between the church and the river.
Current Site Conditions:
During my site visit February 5, 2014, I found the subject parcel generally covered with snow, ranging in
depth from 4-14 inches, depending on slope, aspect and vegetation cover. Approximately 2/3 of the
parcel is already developed, consisting of the main church building, two smaller outbuildings and a
significant area of paved parking. Undeveloped areas north, east and south of the improvements are
clearly landscaped, mainly consisting of lawn areas, landscape boulders, planted trees and shrubs, and as
such offer little in the way of wildlife habitat.
The only notable wildlife habitat and native vegetation community occurs west of the buildings on a
relatively steep embankment that terminates along the Roaring Fork River. The upper 80% of the slope is
clearly upland in nature and consists of a mature canopy of tree species, mainly comprised of Gambel’s
oak, pinyon pine, Utah juniper, along with a few Siberian elm and some narrowleaf cottonwood trees in
the mix. The mid-story is dominated by woody shrubs including serviceberry, chokecherry, skunkbush
sumac, and red-osier dogwood. Understory plants are sparse, mainly due to shading by the taller, woody
species in both upper canopies. Those herbaceous species that persist are scattered in patches where
sunlight penetrates to ground level, and primarily consist of smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, Rocky
Mountain clematis and common tansy, which is a noxious weed.
At the toe of the slope a true riparian community emerges due to the proximity of surface and subsurface
flows in the Roaring Fork River. Here the slope flattens along a narrow floodplain and Coyote willow
dominates the vegetative community, along with reed canarygrass. In the mesic, riparian strip, there are
Created by: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 2 of 5
likely several other species of herbaceous plants present during the growing season, but these seldom
persist in an identifiable form once snow begins to accumulate.
Evidence of wildlife use on the parcel was sparse and included a single set of deer tracks ascending the
embankment, three deer rubs (small trees that male deer rub with their antlers during the mating season),
two cottontail rabbits sighted and two magpies. A bald eagle is known to occasionally utilize a dead-
standing ponderosa pine tree on the western bank of the river, opposite the church parcel, but no suitable
perches are available on the church property itself. No eagles were seen during the site visit.
The relative lack of wildlife use on the parcel is not an unexpected finding. Adjacent parcels on the same
embankment as well as those immediately across the river are all developed with a mix of single family
homes and commercial space, along with the associated human activity such development entails. Much
of the adjacent development is located right down to the river’s edge, which impacts habitat suitability
directly and removes all buffering capacity to adjacent habitats. Further, County Road 154 and State
Highway 82 offer significant barriers to terrestrial wildlife movement to or from the church property, and
contribute a great deal of almost-continuous noise. In essence, the native-vegetation uplands are an island
of habitat amid significant development and traffic, and the narrow riparian area adjacent to the river,
though contiguous on the church parcel, is significantly interrupted by shoreline developments in the
larger regional context.
Existing human activity was easily noted during the site visit, with a number of people sighted and heard
on adjacent properties. Activities included wood-chopping, snow-removal, vehicle traffic and noise from
a generator and dogs. I did note two vehicles entering the church parking lot with four individuals
entering the main church building.
There are no improved trails or access routes to the river on the church parcel, though the hillside was
passable with a little persistence through the brushy undergrowth to reach the river.
A search of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service iPaC system revealed 10 species potentially occurring or
having suitable habitat in or near the project area. None of these species has any designated critical
habitat in the area. The on-site habitat evaluation ruled out the possibility of occurrence of all but one
species, (yellow-billed cuckoo), and though the habitat type is potentially suitable, its isolated nature and
patch size do not meet the minimum standards noted in the scientific literature. Therefore it is highly
unlikely that the church parcel would be utilized by that species.
Proposed Changes:
The applicant proposes no change to surface gradients or vegetative cover on the property. There are no
proposals to build trails or other access points to reach the river or cross the riparian area. All
improvements noted in the permit application will be done to the interiors of existing buildings on the
property. Therefore, there will be no direct impacts to the riparian area, upland vegetation or wildlife
habitat as a result of the proposal.
I noted in comments from the County that there may be some concern about student recess noise causing
impacts to neighbors. While such effects to neighbors are outside my purview, I can speak to the indirect
effects of noise disturbances on wildlife. These effects are highly variable among species and situational
contexts. In this case, the amount of human encroachment, habitat fragmentation and significant human-
related noise already affecting this site substantially negates any concern of an incremental increase in
periodic noise events. The species utilizing this parcel are largely habitat generalists and are habituated to
the extant noise levels in the vicinity. A periodically recurring noise increase due to human voices in this
context is highly unlikely to change habitat use by the species residing on the site.
Created by: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 3 of 5
Summary of Findings:
Given the existing conditions of the upland and narrow riparian corridor on the site, the isolated nature of
the habitat, lack of any designated critical habitat for any species in the area and the fact that the applicant
does not propose to modify any of the habitat on the property, it is therefore my professional opinion that
the proposal will have no effect to wildlife, wildlife habitat or the riparian zone along the Roaring Fork
River.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need further information.
Steve D. Dahmer
Created by: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 4 of 5
Photo 1: Beginning of native upland slope below Mountain View Church.
Photo 2: View of typical upland vegetation on slope below the church.
Created by: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 5 of 5
Photo 3: Typical riparian vegetation adjacent to the Roaring Fork River. Note single-family residence at
water’s edge on opposite bank.
Photo 4: Young narrowleaf cottonwood “rubbed” by mule deer.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
Additional requested information.
Nuisance Impact
Noise, vapor, smoke, dust, glare, vibration, etc. must be considered due to potential impacts to adjacent
owners. Is there exposed soil that could result in dust, will the students have outside recess that may
cause noise, etc. Please provide information on these issues.
Noise: The vast majority of the time the students will be in the school. There will be occasional outdoor
activities, including recess, nature studies, etc. The playground equipment is the church’s and is going
away, and will not be a part of Skylark (this is intentional as even recess has a purpose). The primary
location of recess will be the northwest fenced in area in between the main structure and the modular
unit. This location is west or away from the nearest adjacent residence. Therefore this residence is in
between the church facility and Highway 82. It would seem the children’s potential noise would be
quite minimal compared to the noise from the adjacent Highway. Too, the hours of the school are
typical, working hours and the recess/outdoor times will be limited and supervised.
Skylark School will have no activities that add to vapor, smoke, glare or vibration. The church uses gas
and electricity for heat and hot water. There would be no known dust impacts as the site is well
vegetated with a mix of native ground cover, planted grasses, and mostly deciduous trees.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
BASIC TRAFFIC COUNT ANALYSIS AND ENGINEERING OPINION, PER SECTION 4‐203‐L‐2:
It is our understanding that a Basic Traffic Study, per 4‐203‐L‐2 is requested by County Code. As you will
see, our projected traffic volumes do not trigger any of the elements of L‐1‐b, therefore the Basic study
should suffice. This will consist of an appropriate site map and aerial photo, description of anticipated
traffic movements, and primary intersection points. We also will comment on the recently discovered
driveway issues at the end.
As the site plan and aerial show, there are no internal roads. The two driveway accesses proceed
immediately to parking areas. These accesses have been in use since the mid‐1980’s with the initial
construction of the church but driveway permits cannot be found in our records or County Road and
Bridge. The driveway access points are approximately 350 feet apart on the large lot. There is no
interconnectivity to adjacent lots. The county roads within 1 mile of the parcel are 154, 115, with 127
and 163 being across the river. The nearest intersection is Highway 82, to the immediate south and east
of the site. This intersection already has controlled and protected right and left turn lanes. There is no
construction activity associated with this application therefore construction traffic is not a concern.
For any provided equations or charts, the input variables were larger than our anticipated largest school
by a fair margin, including a potential expansion to 12th grade. All Institute for Transportation
Engineering (ITE) samples were of schools of several hundred or greater. Since we have no available
model to present an exact comparison, we propose the following calculation and comparison to current
county statistics. The following has been presented to the consultant reviewer for the County, Mr. Chris
Hale.
The existing land use is a church facility. No separate access easements are required. Attached is the
ITE catalog chart, 560, using number of seats for a typical Sunday in the peak hour of 250. From this,
Sunday morning use gives total vehicle trips of 164, which measures well with our experiences. In
reality, the parking lot is approximately ¾ full on any given Sunday, equating to approximately 75 to 80
vehicles (or 150 to 160 trips), matching closely with the proposed ITE model which is approximately a
50% higher impact than our school anticipates in the worst case. Therefore the impact to the Highway
82 stoplight is less than would be on a typical Sunday. For north‐bound traffic, the alternative of CR 154
helps to alleviate pressure on the Highway 82, left turn light.
The proposed school use is for Monday through Thursday, typical school hours of 8 AM to 4 PM with
anticipated traffic peaks just before and just after those timeframes. The morning would be anticipated
to be the slightly more concentrated impact, with nearly all traffic arriving between 7 and 8 AM. The
evening hour will be more spread out as students leave more gradually pending parent pick up times
and staff will tend to work later than 4 PM.
With no planned construction, section 2.d of the Basic Study is not applicable.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
We submit a reasonable and conservative estimation is using one half of the total expected occupancy
as our trip count. So, at full K‐12 capacity with 108 students, 12 staff, and 4 church staff, that equates to
124 persons and therefore 62 trips, presuming 2 people per car. At the presumed 70/30 breakdown,
that would put 42 vehicles at the Highway 82 light and 18 on CR 154 over that hour timeframe.
As a comparison with the nearest ITE chart (#536), the equation T = 0.86(X) – 34.44 gives a resultant 58
trips. This was with a small sample size of schools much larger than Skylark intends. Therefore,
following these analyses we submit the ITE chart compares well with this analysis and, even that analysis
may be excessive. In reality, our experience with schools like this in the valley, there is much more
carpooling and shared family rides than as presented here, albeit anecdotal. For example, it is typical
that several of the teachers and staff will have multiple students at the school and will arrive in one
vehicle and staying, thereby reducing total trips. What is presented here is a worst‐case, highest impact
scenario and, in reality, is significantly over‐estimated for conservative purposes.
Driveway access consists of two points on CR 154. That connection either heads toward Glenwood on
154, or takes you immediately to the stoplight at Highway 82. The Highway 82 connection is anticipated
to be the main access point as it is already a lighted, controlled intersection with left and right turn
lanes. Use of southbound CR 154 will likely be minimized as that will generally serve only those from
south or west Glenwood not already on Highway 82. Therefore, per the aerial, we have presumed a
70% distribution of traffic to the south drive entry and, subsequently, entering and exiting via the
existing, lighted intersection of Highway 82. We submit this impact to Highway 82 is not substantial and,
since it would appear most the CR 154 accessed parcels are currently developed, there is to be little
additional future impact.
As a comparison, we took the 2002 County ADT data for CR 154 plus a 3% growth rate for each year
since (12 years to 2014). That total (highlighted) equates to 3655 vehicles in all directions. The 62
vehicles noted from the equation calculation presents 1.7% of that total.
We have gathered that since the expansion in 1999‐2000, the County has a desired policy of only single
driveway accesses per parcel. We request to keep the two driveway accesses as they are for the
following reasons.
Pre‐existing condition has had two driveways for 25 years with no apparent problems or
hazards
The driveways were shown on previous documentation with the County
The functioning of the site and CR 154 operates well as vehicles heading south go to the
south exit and those going to Glenwood typically to the north exist, reducing confusion
and conflict
They are 350 feet apart, already paved and have culverts, therefore built to County
requirements
feet
meters
500
100
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
http://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/nonpublic_index
Colorado Non-Public Schools
The term "non-public school" applies to private, parochial, and independent schools
which provide education to children of compulsory school age. Neither the State Board of
Education nor any local board of education has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of any non-
state independent or parochial school in Colorado. A non-public school is considered a private
business. If you would like to file a complaint against a non-public organization, please contact
the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Unit at (720)508-6006 or click here to visit their
website and file an electronic complaint.
A child in Colorado who has attained the age of six years on or before August 1 of each year and
is under the age of seventeen years shall attend public school; shall attend an independent or
parochial school which provides a basic academic education, or shall be instructed at home.
Information on Starting a Business - Private, independent and non-public schools
are considered to be small businesses in the state of Colorado. Click on the link for
information on contacting the Secretary of State's Office and the Colorado Small
Business Development Network.
Legal Requirements - Click on the link for requirements that must be met such as
health standards and compulsory school attendance.
CAPE - The Council for American Private Education site provides information on
legislative issues and policy regarding private schools, as well as publications, studies
and other resources.
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - This site outlines the federal programs, services
and benefits available to eligible children and employees of private elementary and
secondary schools in Colorado.
Colorado Private Schools Resources - Provides access to agencies that provide
accreditation, private school directories, and organizations that will search for private
schools.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
Colorado Non-Public Educational Statistics
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accredits its school districts and gives them the
authority to accredit public schools located within their boundaries. Since Colorado is an
educational choice state, the following directory is provided strictly as an informational service
to those interested in private, parochial or independent schools, and does not indicate a school
is "registered" with the CDE. The CDE does not endorse or accredit any private school.
In addition, the directory is not exhaustive; only private school administrators who
requested to have their school posted on the CDE website are on the list.
2011-12 Non-Public Schools Directory [PDF]
Non-Public Schools Pupil Membership - Fall 2006 through Fall 2010 [PDF]
Related Information
Non-Public Schools
http://www.privateschoolreview.com Private School Review-offering free, detailed information
on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of
the surrounding areas.
Information on a specific non-public school should be obtained from the school directly.
Private Vocational Schools
For information about private vocational schools such as art schools, business colleges and trade
schools, contact the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational
Schools (DPOS), 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-866-2723, or visit
the Division of Private Occupational Schools website.
The State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) only accredits
community colleges and public area vocational schools. Contact the SBCCOE at 9101 E. Lowry
Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230, Phone: 303-595-1552, or visit the website at CCCS State Board.
feet
meters
500
100
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
http://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/nonpublic_index
Colorado Non-Public Schools
The term "non-public school" applies to private, parochial, and independent schools
which provide education to children of compulsory school age. Neither the State Board of
Education nor any local board of education has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of any non-
state independent or parochial school in Colorado. A non-public school is considered a private
business. If you would like to file a complaint against a non-public organization, please contact
the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Unit at (720)508-6006 or click here to visit their
website and file an electronic complaint.
A child in Colorado who has attained the age of six years on or before August 1 of each year and
is under the age of seventeen years shall attend public school; shall attend an independent or
parochial school which provides a basic academic education, or shall be instructed at home.
Information on Starting a Business - Private, independent and non-public schools
are considered to be small businesses in the state of Colorado. Click on the link for
information on contacting the Secretary of State's Office and the Colorado Small
Business Development Network.
Legal Requirements - Click on the link for requirements that must be met such as
health standards and compulsory school attendance.
CAPE - The Council for American Private Education site provides information on
legislative issues and policy regarding private schools, as well as publications, studies
and other resources.
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - This site outlines the federal programs, services
and benefits available to eligible children and employees of private elementary and
secondary schools in Colorado.
Colorado Private Schools Resources - Provides access to agencies that provide
accreditation, private school directories, and organizations that will search for private
schools.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
Colorado Non-Public Educational Statistics
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accredits its school districts and gives them the
authority to accredit public schools located within their boundaries. Since Colorado is an
educational choice state, the following directory is provided strictly as an informational service
to those interested in private, parochial or independent schools, and does not indicate a school
is "registered" with the CDE. The CDE does not endorse or accredit any private school.
In addition, the directory is not exhaustive; only private school administrators who
requested to have their school posted on the CDE website are on the list.
2011-12 Non-Public Schools Directory [PDF]
Non-Public Schools Pupil Membership - Fall 2006 through Fall 2010 [PDF]
Related Information
Non-Public Schools
http://www.privateschoolreview.com Private School Review-offering free, detailed information
on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of
the surrounding areas.
Information on a specific non-public school should be obtained from the school directly.
Private Vocational Schools
For information about private vocational schools such as art schools, business colleges and trade
schools, contact the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational
Schools (DPOS), 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-866-2723, or visit
the Division of Private Occupational Schools website.
The State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) only accredits
community colleges and public area vocational schools. Contact the SBCCOE at 9101 E. Lowry
Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230, Phone: 303-595-1552, or visit the website at CCCS State Board.
Skylark School
Mountain View Church, Property Owner
County Use Review Application, 12/13
Additional requested information.
Nuisance Impact
Noise, vapor, smoke, dust, glare, vibration, etc. must be considered due to potential impacts to adjacent
owners. Is there exposed soil that could result in dust, will the students have outside recess that may
cause noise, etc. Please provide information on these issues.
Noise: The vast majority of the time the students will be in the school. There will be occasional outdoor
activities, including recess, nature studies, etc. The playground equipment is the church’s and is going
away, and will not be a part of Skylark (this is intentional as even recess has a purpose). The primary
location of recess will be the northwest fenced in area in between the main structure and the modular
unit. This location is west or away from the nearest adjacent residence. Therefore this residence is in
between the church facility and Highway 82. It would seem the children’s potential noise would be
quite minimal compared to the noise from the adjacent Highway. Too, the hours of the school are
typical, working hours and the recess/outdoor times will be limited and supervised.
Skylark School will have no activities that add to vapor, smoke, glare or vibration. The church uses gas
and electricity for heat and hot water. There would be no known dust impacts as the site is well
vegetated with a mix of native ground cover, planted grasses, and mostly deciduous trees.