HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 Staff Report•
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BOCC 5/2/05
MLS
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REQUEST Conditional Use Permit to operate an Aircraft Landing
Strip (Heliport)
APPLICANT (OWNER) Turnberry Ranch, LLP
LOCATION Property located approximately 5 miles north of
Carbondale in the Upper Cattle Creek area.
ACCESS
SITE SIZE
WATER & SEWER
EXISTING ZONING
CR. 113
625 acres
Well water
A/RJRD
I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
A. Proposed Request
The Applicant requests approval from the Board to allow an Aircraft Landing Strip, specifically
helicopter landing pad on their property. The application has two alternative landing sites, due
to the need to acquire an amendment to Nationwide Section 404 Permit issued to the
applicant.(Helipad A) This structure will consist of a 4 foot high raised circular concrete pad that
is 25' in diameter. If the permit amendment is not approved, the applicant will move the landing
pad location to another site nearby on the property that is outside of any wetlands. (Helipad B
This pad would be a 2 foot high raised square concrete pad, 25' square. Landing at the facility
is proposed to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but 75% of the activity will occur
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Except for fueling and emergency repairs, all
maintenance activities will be conducted off-site at one of the local airports. Fueling will be
done by a 500 gallon mobile fuel tank kept on site.
B. Site Description
The property is located
Creek area. The ranch
construction barn with
at the intersection of County Roads 113 and 115, in the upper Cattle
has a main residence, a guest house, 2 older barns and presently under
2 employee housing units built into it. The ranch sits in an open
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meadow, in which Cattle Creek runs through it in an east to west direction. There are
significant areas of wetlands adjacent to Cattle Creek. The ranch complex sits in a relatively
flat open meadow of approximately 40 acres. The remainder of the ranch is fairly small rolling
hills, with primarily grassy types of vegetation with very few trees.
II. AGENCY and OTHER COMMENTS
A. Referral Agencies: The proposed use was referred to these agencies:
a. Garfield County Sheriff. The Sheriff's Department has received complaints from
residents in the area about the low level of flight over residences in the surrounding
area. Exhibit G
b. Garfield County Airport Manager: At staff' s request, Brian Condie verbally noted
that the FAA has complete jurisdiction over all flying violations. The County should
not designate a specific flight path, but can suggest a preferred route. It is possible to
bring action against a pilot through the FAA, but the process requires the filing of
various forms with documentation over a specified period of time.
III.REVIEW STANDARDS
A. Zoning: The applicant's property is located in the Agricultural/Residential/Rural Density
(A/R/RD) zone district, in which an Aircraft Landing Strip is a Conditional Use. Section
2.02.03 of the Zoning Resolution defines an Aircraft Landing Strip as, "A private facility for
accommodation and servicing of aircraft, the use of which shall be limited to the owner or
owners of the lot upon which the facility is located."
Conditional Uses are subject to the standards in Section 5.03 of the Zoning Resolution. Staff has
provided the standards in bold italics below followed by a Staff Response.
Section 5.03 Review Standards
I) Utilities adequate to provide water and sanitation service based on accepted engineering
standards and approved by the Board of County Commissioners shall either be in place
or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use;
Staff Comment: The proposed helipad has been developed to meet the needs of the
existing house, guest house and ranch operations. It will not need any additional
domestic water or sewer service. This standard has been met
There is no emergency plan provided in the application, identifying how water would
be provided in case of an emergency. An emergency response plan needs to be
developed, to identify the method and materials that will be utilized in the case of an
emergency. The property is not within any fire district boundary and as a result, may
have deal with their own emergencies.
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2) Street improvements adequate to accommodate traffic volume generated by the
proposed use and to provide safe, convenient access to the use shall either be in place
or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use;
Staff Comment: The applicant has provided information that indicates the proposed
use will not encourage or result in any more daily trips than exist at the current time.
This standard has been met
3) Design of the proposed use is organized to minimize impact on and from adjacent uses
of land through installation of screen fences or landscape materials on the periphery of
the lot and by location of intensively utilized areas, access points, lighting and signs in
such a manner as to protect established neighborhood character;
Staff Comment: The proposed use has been in existence for a while and has
generated complaints from neighbors due to low flying aircraft, but not due to the
appearance of the property. No amount of screening would hide the helipad from the
view of individuals traveling by on the County road. The only lighting proposed
would be vertical lighting on the helipad for use during nighttime or inclement
weather landings. No signage is proposed.
As noted previously, the ranch is located in a fairly wide open valley, with the nearest
existing house being 1452 ft. away. There are another five houses within a one (1)
mile radius of the site, ranging from 1679 ft. to 4567 ft. away. The complaints
received by this office and the Sheriff' s office go more to the flight paths of the
helicopter than anything else. This will be discussed further in the next section of the
report.
A related issue could be the hours in which the landings may occur. Presently, the
applicant is proposing to use the pad 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although they
note that 75% of the flights occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Staff suggests that the
applicant be limited to take -off and landings between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except in
emergencies. This standard has been met
Section 5.03.04 Aircraft Landing Strip
Such strip may not be in conflict with any reservation, regulation or requireinents of the
Federal Aviation Administration.
Staff Comment: The applicant has filed FAA Notice of Landing Area Proposal (Form
7480) for a approval pursuant to 14 CFR Part 157. This standard has been met
As noted earlier, Brian Condie, Garfield County Airport Manager has stated verbally that all
enforcement of FAA regulations should be left with the FAA. The County can suggest a
preferred route for landing and taking off, but it should not be an mandated route. If there
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were and accident as a result of following a prescribed route, the County may have some
liability. The applicant' s pilot is required to follow all FAA flight rules and procedures, to
which he can be held accountable for any violation. If the Board is inclined to identify a
preferred direction for take -off and landing, staff would suggest that all take -off and landing
occur from the south or southeast. This is based on the nearest residence being just under a
mile away.
B. Other Staff Comments. The application includes a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineer's (ACOE) office regarding a settlement of a violation of Section 404 regulations. The
letter indicates that the applicant has entered into a settlement agreement with the ACOE for a
restoration project, related to the discharge of dredged or filled material into the waters of the
United States. In a follow up with the Grand Junction office of the ACOE, staff was informed
that they were not aware of any helipad being located in their jurisdictional area, until April 26t.
The individual involved with the project indicated that it would be unlikely that the ACOE would
authorize the placement of a helipad in any of their jurisdictional area, particularly if there is an
alternative area outside of the jurisdictional area. The conclusion being that any approval given
to a helipad, should be based upon the final determination of the ACOE.
IV. RECOMMENDED FINDINGS
1. That proper publication and public notice was provided as required by law for the hearing
before the Board of County Commissioners.
2. That the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was extensive and complete,
that all pertinent facts, matters and issues were submitted and that all interested parties were
heard at that hearing.
3. That the application is in compliance with the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as
amended.
4. For the above stated and other reasons, the proposed use is in the best interest of the health,
safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County.
V. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Board of County Commissioners APPROVE the Conditional Use Permit for
an Aircraft Landing Strip with the following conditions.
1. All representations of the applicants contained in the application and made during the
public hearing on the application shall be considered conditions of approval, unless they
are modified by the Board of County Commissioners.
• 2. The helipad will be limited to use by the applicants, unless it is used for emergency
purposes by another person.
3. The applicant shall continue to comply with all FAA Notice of Landing Area Proposal
(Form 7480) requirements.
4. Prior to approval of the Conditional Use permit, the applicant shall get a final
determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the placement of the
helipad in the jurisdictional area of the Corp. If the approval for Helipad A cannot be
accomplished, the applicant shall use Helipad B..
5. The applicant be -limited to take -off -and -landings b .ween 7 a.m. and-lpme l
emergencies. -
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6. The preferred direction fortake=of€-and landing-s1-ese--ffr m the -south err southeast. ��'�
7. Prior to issuance of the permit, an emergency response plan will be provided to the
County, identifying methods and techniques to be utilized in dealing with a helicopter
related accident and the source of accessible fire protection water.
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Lou 'allario
Sheriff of Garfield County
April 22, 2005
Garfield County Planning Department
RECEIVED
APR 2 2 2005
Gi+Kr icLU COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
Re: Turnberry Ranch LLC Conditional Use Permit
1078th St.
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tefepfiane 970-945-0453
rFaz• 970-945-6430
EXHIBIT
4
Comments to 15. APPROACH AND DEPARTURE ROUTE, 8(3) Design of the proposed use is organized
to minimize impact on and from adjacent uses of land..... in such a manner as to protect established
neighborhood character. Response: Applicant submits that the sze and remote location of its property
effectively eliminates any and all adjacent property impacts that could be presented by operation of the
proposed heliport.
Comment: The Sheriff's Office has received numerous complaints from adjacent neighbors concerning the
operation of the helicopter from the applicant's property. Specifically, the complaints have centered around the
low level of flight over residential houses in the area.
July 29, 2004: I initially contacted Steve Hackett, Garfield County Planning Department Code Enforcement
Officer on complaints from home owners at Homestead Estates and surrounding individual homesites
concerning low flights over their residences.
September 1, 2004: I was contacted by Turnberry Ranch pilot Scott Google concerning the complaints of the
helicopter flying at low levels over residences in the area. He advised that they were receiving the same
complaints in Pitkin County and that he was trying to work with the owner of the helicopter on the problem.
March 1, 2005: I was contacted by Turnberry Ranch pilot Jim Balman(Sp) who advised that they were buying a
larger helicopter with twin engines and he understood there had been complaints of low flying from neighbors.
He wanted to set up a time, once the helicopter was delivered, that someone from the County could fly with him
and point out the problems. To date, that has not been done.
I have observed the Turnberry Ranch helicopter flying at house top level in front of , and
over my residence on several occasions since the summer of 2004. As the helicopter
flies, my residence is approximately 1 1/2 miles from the proposed heliport.
James H. Sears
Emergency Operations Commander
Garfield County Sheriff's Office
EXHIBIT
N
Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91: General Operating & Flight Rules
§ 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.
(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final
authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may
deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section
shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the
Administrator.
§ 91.13 Careless or reckless operation.
(a) Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an
aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
(b) Aircraft operations other than for the purpose of air navigation. No person may
operate an aircraft, other than for the purpose of air navigation, on any part of the surface
of an airport used by aircraft for air commerce (including areas used by those aircraft for
receiving or discharging persons or cargo), in a careless or reckless manner so as to
endanger the life or property of another.
§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below
the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without
undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over
any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle
within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except
over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be
operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in
paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons
or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply
with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.
FYI: Mark below is a case study on this topic.
T. 19, 1976
MR. GEORGE CHAVATEL
Dear Mr. Chavatel:
This is in response to your letter of June 28, 1976, regarding the activity of a helicopter
which lands and takes off from an area 300 to 400 yards behind your residence in
Abingdon, Virginia. You state that this operation occurs daily, carrying a mining
engineer to the Clinchfield section of nearby Russell County, and that the aircraft ascends
directly over your house which is located in a residential area. You also point out that an
airport is located just four miles west of Abingdon. In addition, you state that you
recently observed a helicopter landing in the parking plaza of a nearby motel.
With respect to what Federal regulations apply to the helicopter operations you
describe, Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules, of the Federal Aviation
Regulations prescribes general rules governing the operation of certain aircraft, including
helicopters. Specifically, Sec. 91.79 prescribes the following minimum safe altitudes:
Sec. 91.79 Minimum safe altitudes: general.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may
may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a)Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit, fails, an emergency landing
without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b)Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement,
or over any open air assembly of persons, altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest
obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c)Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface,
except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In that case, the aircraft
may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d)Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed
in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to
persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall
comply with routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the
Administrator.
In addition, Sec. 91.13 prohibits the operation of an aircraft "in a careless or reckless
manner so as to endanger the life or property of another."
The taking off and landing of a helicopter over a residential area is not, in and of itself,
an unsafe operation, nor is it necessarily unsafe to land at a location not publicly
designated as an airport. With respect to the specific operations you describe, we are
unable to determine from the information you have provided whether the aircraft you
describe were being operated so as to cause a hazard to persons or property on the
surface. If you wish to explore this matter further, we suggest that you contact the FAA
General Aviation District Office 16, Byrd Field, Sandston, Virginia 23150 (703-222-
7494).
You ask whether local authorities, including state police and town and city police, have
been left the discretion to determine policy on the use of helicopters. Congress, by
enacting the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, has vested authority for the safety regulation
of civil aviation in the Federal Aviation Administrator, to the exclusion of state and local
authorities. However, we would expect that State and local authorities are generally
aware of the air safety responsibility of the FAA and would bring any suspected
violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations to the attention of the FAA.
We hope that the information we have provided will be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
NEIL R. EISNER
Assistant Chief Counsel
Regulations and Enforcement Division
Office of the Chief Counsel
RPR.28.2005 6:4DRM ASPEN EARTH MOVING
L Carol Koris
Samuel L. Neth
630 Foster Ridge Road
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
928-8665(home)
April 27, 2005
Garfield County Building and Planning Department
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
NO,377 P.2
EXHIBIT
� y
Re: Conditional. Use Permit for Tumberry Ranch, LLC
We have received a copy of Mr. Soffer's, a/k/a Tumberry Ranch, LLC, application for
conditional use permit and have more than a few concerns about his request to add yet
another helipad to his property.
We would like to respond to question number three in that Mr. Soffer's ranch is within 1
mile of County Road 115. County Road 133 would not be the only road affected by the
flight path of his helicopter. His response to question number eight is the most
disturbing to our property as well as our peace and serenity. Mr. Soffer responds that
his flight pattern will be "directed away from such structures" and more importantly, "will
be at an altitude to be relatively imperceptible". We own property in Homestead Ranch
which is on County Road 115 adjacent to High Aspen Ranch (formerly known as Buck
Point Ranch). In the fall of 2004, Mr. Soffer, on more than 3 occasions, flew directly over
our house. In one particular "buzzing" of our house, Mr. Soffer's helicopter was so close
to our house that we could see the person in the pilot's side back passenger seat was
wearing a white sweater. That is entirely too close to our house. Also, during one of
these occasions, Mr. Soffer's helicopter was seen behind our property, flying over the
property known as "Spring Valley Ranch" and the upper meadows of the "Gould Ranch".
What we witnessed that day was his helicopter hovering in one spot, descending straight
down and ascending at the other end of the pasture, below tree line. He would then
repeat the same thing and ascend at the opposite end of the pasture. This continued for
about 3-4 passes. The meadow's he was "buzzing" is the summer range for an elk
herd. We contacted both Jim Sears — Garfield County Sheriffs Office, Larry Gepfert -
DOW and the FAA in Denver to report these incidences of low level flying, and our
concern he was chasing the elk herd with his helicopter.
So we hope you can understand our apprehension and uneasiness in the planning
department's consideration of Mr. Soffer's application. We hope that you will take the
extra time needed to research the impact that his one helicopter has had on the houses
surrounding his helipad and what further impact a' second helipad will inflict on our
community.
Thank you for your time and consideration in reading our letter.
Sincerely,
Samuel L. Neth
L. Carol Koris
April 29, 2005
Garfield County Commissioners
Garfield County, Colorado GARFIELD COUNTY
RE: Turnberry Ranch LLC Conditional Use Permit -Heliport BUDDING & PLANNING
EXHIBIT
a
RECEIVED
APR 2 9 2005
Dear Garfield County Commissioners:
I would like to raise some concerns about the
"Turnberry Ranch LLC Conditional Use Permit for a Heliport" to be located on that
property.
Being one of the adjacent properties directly North of the Turnberry Ranch("Ranch"),
we are between the Aspen Airport and the Ranch, and if this is the destination for flights
originating from the Ranch, those helicopter flights would possibly be over our property.
Although we deal with small -plane flight training over our property when the weather
is good, those flights are usually at a higher altitude and create less noise that helicopter
flights approaching and departing a heliport. I have spent 4 years as a Air Force jet fighter
mechanic, so am familiar with the noise a helicopter can make, and over the last few years
have dealt with both military and fire -fighting helicopters in our area.
Although we do not outright object to the Turnberry Ranch LLC's ability to have a
helicopter on-site, we did not purchase mountain property to have to deal with with this level
of noise potential.
These are the questions I would like answered, if possible, by the applicant and/or the
Commissioners:
1. Number of possible flights per -week, weekday vs. weekend?;
2. General time of day/night of these flights?;
3. Would these flights be seasonal, or focused around holiday weekends?;
4. Would the flight paths be varied over the adjacent properties?;
5. What are the qualifications of the helicopter pilot, since "mountain flying" in
any aircraft, is hazardous at best, and the weather and winds in our area
change quickly?;
6. Would the helicopter pilot be doing "practice flights" over the area?;
7. Who would be providing "maintenance" on the helicopter, locally, or would the
helicopter be flown to a maintenance facility?( I raise this issue, since next to
"pilot error", "maintenance errors" are the highest listed reasons for helicopter
crashes, generally.).
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns as adjacent property owners to this
Conditional Use Permit Application.
Sincerely,
Dave & Sue Faulkner,
745 C.R. #170, Carbondale, CO 81623
970-963-6810
Mark Bean
From: Kris Wilson [kris@softridge.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 2:25 PM
To: tim@balcombgreen.com
Cc: roger@softridge.com; Mark Bean
Subject: Neighborhood interest in Turnberry helicopter pad
Hi Tim,
Thanks for calling yesterday. I have a partial list of people who are interested in
meeting with you and Mr. Soffer regarding his helicopter pad and flights. Some have not
responded to date so there may be many others. I'll do what I can to coordinate efforts
and again, I'm a very concerned resident of our peaceful and extremely quiet neighborhood
area. I don't represent any formal group.
The affected neighborhood area spans the mesa region north of the Roaring Fork Valley,
west of Basalt Mountain, and east of Lookout Mountain and includes Upper Cattle Creek,
Missouri Heights, Coulter Creek, Fisher Creek, and Spring Valley areas.
Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you regarding a date and
time when we can meet and discuss our concerns.
Kris Wilson
9205 County Road 115
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Kris and Roger Wilson - 384-2581
Jim Sears and Andrea Holland Sears - Neighbor 379-4202 Max MacDonell- Ranch Manager Gould
Ranch 379-4301 (cell) Michelle Savage, Office Manager High Aspen Ranch, Pat Sessions, HOA
President and developer, Brian Soucie - Ranch Manager all can be reached at 384-1213 Mark
and Mimi Kistner - 963-0876 neighbor in High Aspen Ranch Ron Hughes - neighbor 945-0764
Carter Budwell - Roaring Fork Land CO - 927-8080 Mike Sullivan - neighbor in Spring
Valley 945-2599 Joe Enzer Snowmass Land Co, Owner, Coulter Creek Ranch, 26 lots. 923-2880
Tony and Carolyn Scheer, Aspen Real Estate 920-2006 Chet Garling - Pres. HOA Homstead
Homeowners Assoc. 945-8027
1
May 21, 2005
Garfield County
Building and Planning Department
108 8th St Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
REC I VED
MAY 2 5 2005
GARFIELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING
Patrick Sessions
\ I anagi77g Director
Gentlemen,
As a homeowner residing at 1649 High Aspen Drive, Glenwood Springs, CO,
President of the High Aspen Ranch Homeowner's Association at 9495 CR 115,
Glenwood Springs, CO, and the Developer of High Aspen Ranch, I have the
following comments regarding the conditional permit for a helicopter landing pad
at 8076 CR113, Glenwood Springs, CO. We have no objection to the approval of
this application subject to the inclusion of the following restrictions and
conditions:
1. Restrict the hours of operation to 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
2. Restrict the usage to the Owner's helicopter only.
3. Allow unrestricted use for Government agency emergency helicopter
access including EMS and Firefighting uses.
4. Approach and Departure routes should be over the least populated areas
and should not over -fly the High Aspen Ranch or Homestead subdivisions.
If these conditions are not part of the approval, we strongly object to the approval
of this application.
Sincerely,
Patrick Sessions
President
High Aspen Ranch Homeowner's Association
PES: ms
9495 Red Canyon Rd., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.384.1213 • fax: 970.384.1214
www.highaspenranch.com
STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Owens, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bruce McCloskey, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: (303) 297-1192
June 13, 2005
Mark Bean
Garfield County Planning Department
108 8th Street, Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RECEIVED
JUN 1 5 2005
GARFELD COUNTY
BUILDING & PLANNING'
SOF
For TVildlife-
For People
RE: Turnberry Ranch LLC, Conditional Use Permit
Dear Mr. Bean:
The Colorado Division of Wildlife staff has reviewed the plan for a Conditional Use Permit for
the proposed operation of a private use heliport on the Applicant's property.
The CDOW is concerned about the impacts of low flying aircraft may have on the local wildlife.
We would recommend that aircraft avoid flights that may disrupt big game animals during
regular rifle seasons, winter concentration areas from flights from November until May, and
closures to avoid calving areas. We would recommend flights at higher elevations during
these periods which should preclude conflicts. The river corridors should be avoided during
the nesting periods for eagles, herons, and raptors.
In the past, the Division has received complaints from adjacent neighbors and hunters
concerning the applicant's low flying helicopter. The Division has talked to the owner about
this and advised him about the laws pertaining to harassment of wildlife by humans. However,
given this application, it is important to note these past problems.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments. If you need additional information,
please contact DWM Kelly Wood at 963-6523.
Sincerely,
i
Pat Tucker
Area Wildlife Manager
Cc: DOW — J.Bredehoft, R.Velarde, K.Wood, file
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Ken Torres, Secretary
Members, Robert Bray • Rick Enstrom • Philip James • Claire O'Neal • Richard Ray • Robert Shoemaker
Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament
On June 04, 2005 at the CMC Campus, Jeffery Soffer, owner and manager of Turnberry
Ranch, LLC ("Applicant"), together with his consultants and pilots met with neighboring
property owners for the purpose addressing: a) the impacts presented by helicopter flight
operations in and out of the Turnberry Ranch property as proposed under Applicant's present
application for Conditional Use Permit to Operate an Aircraft Landing Strip (Heliport); and b)
measures which could be taken to mitigate such impacts. During the course of this meeting it was
agreed that Applicant's implementation of the following measures would adequately mitigate
flight impacts upon the neighboring properties:
• Flights to and from the helipad shall occur only during daylight hours (dawn to dusk).
This is consistent with the VFR operations proposed.
• The helipad shall be limited to Applicant's single helicopter use; provided that other
helicopters may make use of the helipad in emergency situations.
• The minimum flight elevation to be maintained over residences shall be 1000' above
ground level ("AGL"), provided that Applicant shall be allowed a lower AGL in times of
inclement weather. Hovering operations over any of the surrounding properties or
residences shall not be allowed.
• Flight paths shall be varied to minimize the impacts to any single property or
neighborhood.
• Applicant shall provide neighboring property owners with current contact information
for the purpose of lodging with Applicant, complaints relating to flight operations.
• Applicant shall develop in consultation with Garfield County Planning Staff and
Emergency Preparedness Director an emergency plan for helipad operations.
Consideration of Applicant's Conditional Use Permit by the Garfield County Board of
Commissioners is scheduled to occur June 20th, 2005 at 1:15 p.m. During this public hearing ,
Applicant has agreed to enter the above representations into the record as binding commitments
on its behalf.
Exhibits for Turnberry Ranch, LLP, CUP Public Hearing held on May 2, 2005.
Exhibit Letter
(A to Z)
Exhibit
A
Mail Return -Receipts
B
Proof of Publication
C
Garfield County Zoning Regulations of 1978, as amended.
D
Garfield County Comprehensive Plan of 2000
E
Project Information and Staff Comments
F
Turnberry Ranch, LLP, CUP Application
G
Letter from the Garfield County Sheriff's Department dated 4/22/05
H
FAA Regulations and Case Study
I
Letter from L. Carol Koris and Samuel L. Neth dated 4/27/05
J
Letter from Dave a d Sue Faulkner dated 4/29/05
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U
V
X
Y
Z
AA
BB
CC
DD
EE
FF
GG
HH
II
JJ
KK
LL
MM
NN
00
PP