HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.0 Staff Report 8.13.14&rq*{ G
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Planning Commission
Exhibits - TXTP 7936 Vegetation Management
Proof of Publication
Garfield Land Use and Code
Garfield Count've Plan 2030. as amended
Staff dated July 9,2014
Staff Presentation dated 9.2014
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D Application
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Ad Name: 10222552A
Customer: Garfield County Building
Your account number is: 1008693
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
T'HE- ts[f,"Lf,
SYT\ZN T'E.t.f,@RAIW
STATE OF COLORADO,
COUNTY OF GARFIELD
I, Michael Bennett, do solemnly swear that I am
Publisher of The Rifle Citizen Telegram, that the
same weekly newspaper printed, in whole or in part
and published in the County of Garfield, State of
Colorado, and has a general circulation therein; that
said newspaper has been published continuously
and uninterruptedly in said County of Garfield for
a period of more than fifty-two consecutive weeks
next prior to the flrst publication ofthe annexed legal
notice or advertisement; that said newspaper has been
admitted to the United States mails as a periodical
under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1879, or
any amendments thereof, and that said newspaper is a
weekly newspaper duly qualified for publishing legal
notices and advertisements within the meaning of the
laws of the State of Colorado.
That the annexed legal notice or advertisement was
published inthe regularand entire issue ofevery number
of said weekly newspaper for the period of 1
consecutive insertions; and that the first publication
of said notice was in the issue of said newspaper dated
512912014 and that the last publication of said notice
was dated 512912014 the issue of said newspaper.
In witness whereof, I have
06102t2014.
my hand this
Michael
Bennett, Publisher Publisher Subscribed and sworn
to before me, a notary public in and for the County of
Gaffield, State of Colorado this 06102D014.
My Commission expires:
November 1,2015
PUBLIC NOTICE
Take Notice that the Board of County Commission-
ers has requesled to amend multiple arlicles of the
Lan-d Use and Development Code including, but
not limited. to Articles 1, 4, 7, I and 15, in regard to
vegetation management.
All persons affectod by the proposed text amend-
ment are invited to appear and state their views,protesls or support. lf you cannot appear person-
ally at such hearing, then you are urgsd io stateyour views bv letter, as the Plannino commission
wlll give consideralion to all commen-ts roceived, in
deciding whether to approve, modily or deny the
text amendments. The application may be re-
viewed at the office of the Commurity Develop-
m€nt Department located at 1 08 8lh Street, 4th
Floor, Garfield County Administration Bullding,
Glenwood Sprinqs, ColArado between the hours 6,
8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday ihrough Friday.
A public hearing on this request has been sched-
uled for the gth day of July at 6:30 p.m. in the
County Commissioners Me-etinq Hooin, Gartield
Counti Administration Buitding: 108 8ih Slreet,
Glenwood Sprinos, Colorado
Published in the Citizen Telegram May 29. 20'14.(1O222s52\
EXHim'
here unto setffi
PAMELqJ. i
scHULlZ i
1r,......d
A
Community Development Department
108 8d'Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970194s-82L2
www.Rarfi eld-countv.com
tr Development in 100-Year Flood
tr Development in 100-Year Floodplain Variance
E Code Text Amendment
E Amendments to an Approved LUCp
E un Eutn E suP E Zone DistrictE PUD f] PUD AmendmentE MinorTemporary Housing Facility E edministrative I
E Vacation of a County Road/Public ROW E Appeal of Administrative lnterpretationtr Location and Extent Review tr Areas and Activities of State lnterest
tr Comprehensive Plan Amendment
E vtajor E Minot
E Accommodation Pursuant to Fair Housing Act
E Time Extension (also check of
Owner/Applicant
Name: Board of County Commissioners Phone: (97O )945-8212
MailingAddress: 108 8th Street, Suite 401
state: CO zipcode: 81601
Representative (Authorization Requ ired)
Name: Tamra Allen, Planning Manager Phone: (970 )945-8212
MailingAddress: 108 Bth Street, Suite 401
state: CO Zipcode: 81601
E_mair : tal len@garfield-cou nty. com
Text Amendment in regard to vegetation management (Articles 1, 4,7 , and g).
TYPE OF APPLICATION
D Administrative Review
tr Limited lmpact Review
tr Maior lmpact Review
tr Pipeline Development E Variance
INVOLVED PARTIES
ciry, Glenwood Springs
cit : Glenwood Springs
PROJECT NAME ANI rocATroN
Project Name:
Assessorrs Parcel Number:
Physical/Street Address:
Lega! Description:
Zone District:Property Size (acres):
Existing Use:
Proposed Use (From Use Table 3-403):
Description of Project: Amend code sections based on Board direction from May 6 work session
Submission Requirements
tr The Applicant requesting a Waiver of Submission Requirements per Section 4-202. Lisl:
Section: Section:
Section:Section:
Waiver of Standards
tr The Applicant is requesting a Waiver of Standards per Section 4-118. List:
Section:
Section:
Section:
Section:
File Number:Fee Paid: $ Nn
I have read the statements above and have provided the required attached information which is
correct and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Signature of Property Owner
REOUEST ERS
Date
TYPE OF Text Amendment to the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code
Vegetation Management Revisions
TXTP 7936
Board of County Commissioners
July 9,2014
FILE NUMBER:
I. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTTON
Background
Since the adoption of the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) in2013, certain deficiencies and
inconsistencies have been identified related to vegetation management, specifically the Garfield County
Noxious Weed ManaBement Plan as adopted in 2001. These inconsistencies have resulted in confusion
on the part of applicants who are submitting for Land Use Change permits. Making the expectations and
requirements clearer in the LUDC will help facilitate the overall Permit review process and make it
smoother for both Staff and applicants. The following is a brief discussion of sections that need
modification:
Section 1-102(8) - Authority and State Enabling Legislation
Section 1-L02(B) identifies the powers granted to the County by State Statutes. lt is proposed to
add the enabling legislation for the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, C.R.S. 35-5.5-101 et seq. This
section details the powers of the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") pertaining to
noxious weeds as well as addresses noxious weed management on private lands.
Section 1-301(E) - Weed Control and pets
Division 3 of Article L identifies Garfield County as a Right to Farm jurisdiction. Section E of this
Division states that "Landowners are responsible for controlling weeds, keeping pets under
control and other aspects of using and maintain property in accordance with County
regulations." lt is proposed to separate this section into one for weeds and one for pets and
other responsibilities. Doing so would help to highlight the importance of managing weeds in
conformance with both State and County regulations.
Section 4-203(A) - Professional Qualifications
Section 4-203(A) identifies the qualifications necessary for professionals who create the studies
required by the LUDC for Land Use Change Permit applications. The list of qualification currently
does not identify those necessary for the creation of revegetation and reclamation plans. lt is
proposed to add a line forVegetation Management Professionalwhich would include a qualified
botanist, ecologist, range scientist, or agronomist. Doing so will clarify the expectations on the
part of applicants for the creation of vegetation and reclamation related studies and plans.
Section 4-203(EX18), 9-102(t) - Submittal Requirements for Revegetation, Reclamation and
Soil PIan
Section 4-203(EX18)addresses Land Use Change Permit submittal requirements. This section
requires a Reclamation Plan that is "Consistent with the standards in Section 7-208" , bul
provides no further guidance for applicants regarding materials which are necessary for Staff,
Planning Commission andf or the Board to adequately review the applications against the
standards in Section 7-208. As a result, there has been some confusion on the part of applicants
as to what information should be submitted in their application.
The goal of this amendment is to make the submittal requirements in Section -203(E)(18) and
the standards in Section 7-208 consistent with the Garfield County Revegetation Guidelines as
adopted in 2001 and Reclamations Standards from the Noxious Weed Management Plan also
adopted by the Board in 2001.
While reviewing the various regulations for consistency, it was found that the Revegetation Plan
submittal requirements found in Pipelines Section 9-102(L) was a good model for revising
Section 4-203(EX18); the section which governs almost all Land Use Change Permits and
Divisions of Land Permits. To this end, the following recommendation draws off the format and
content which already exists in Section 9-102(L), with additional amendments to increase
conformity of that section with the adopted revegetation and reclamation plan and standards.
Section 7-2O8- Standards for Revegetation, Reclamation and Soil plan
While SectionT-208 has been the governing guidelines to date for both compliance and
submittals, this section remains largely intact relative to form and content. However, some
changes are proposed to this section to make the requirements consistent with those found in
the Garfield County Revegetation Guidelines and Reclamations Standards from the Noxious
Weed Management Plan. ln addition, some changes are proposed to clarify the language and to
extend the required timeframe to establish vegetation on a disturbed site from 2 seasons to 4
growing seasons, as it is a more realistic timeframe.
Article 15 - Definitions
Two definitions for "Garfield County listed Noxious Weeds" and "State Listed Noxious Weeds'
are proposed. These definitions are intended to clarify the weeds which are to be controlled and
examined in the Weed Management Plan.
II. SUMMARY OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDED CHANGES
The Vegetation Manager and Community Development Department concur that the LUDC and the
Garfield County Noxious Weed Management Plan should be consistent as well as provide for clear
expectations on the part of applicants of Land Use Change Permits. The Vegetation Manager and the
Community Development Department recommend amending the LUDC as indicated in red text:
sEcTroN 1-102(8)- AUTHORTTY AND STATE ENABUNG TEGISLATION:
It is the intention of the BOCC in adopting the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code to fully
exercise all relevant powers conferred by the laws of the State of Colorado including, but not limited to:
A. Colorado Constitution.
All of the powers reserved to the County by the Colorado Constitution.
B. State Enabling Legislation.
All of the powers granted to the County by:
1-. Title 16, Article l-3, Part 3, C.R.S., Restraint and Abatement of Nuisances;
2. Title 24, Article 65.1, C.R.S., Areas and Activities of State lnterest;
3. Title 24, Article 67, C.R.S., Planned Unit Development AcU
4.Title 24, Article 68, C.R.S., Vested Property Rights Act;
5. Title 29, Article 20, C.R.S., Local Government Land Use Control Enabling Act;
6. Title 30, Article 11, C.R.S., County Powers and Functions;
7. Title 30, Article 15, C.R.S., County Regulations Under police powers;
8. Title 30, Article 28, C.R.S., County planning Act;
9. Title 34, Article 1, Part 3, C.R.S., Preservation of Commercial Mineral Deposits;
10. Title 35, Article 5.5, C.R.S., Colorado Noxious Weed Act;
++11. Title 38, Article 30.5, C.R.S., Conservation Easements; and
*11 Title 43, Article 2, C.R.S., State, County and Municipal and Public Roads.
SECTTON 1-301(E) - WEED CONTROL AND pETS:
E. Weed Management €€'ctr€+ and Pets,
randewners are respensible fer eentrelling weeds; keepin€ pets under eentrel, and eth€r aspeets ef
using and maintaining preperty in aeeerdanee with Ceunty regulatiens
Landowners are responsible for managing all Garfield County listed noxious weeds and State of Colorado
listed noxious weeds on their property that are targeted for statewide eradication in accordance with
the Colorado Noxious Weed Act and the Garfield County Noxious Weed Management Plan.
F. Control of Pets and Responsibilities of Maintaining Property
Landowners are responsible for eent+eltingr
^e€ds-keeping
pets under controh and other aspects of
using and maintaining property in accordance with County regulations.
SECTION 4.203(A} - PROFESSTONAT QUALIFICATIONS:
6. Vegetation Management Professional. Weed management, revegetation and reclamation plans and
weed inventory reports shall be prepared by a botanjst, ecologist, range scientist, or agronomiqt.ffi 4 o'kr 7cn/,N ?d(
e 7' Other. Other professionals retained by Applicant to provide studies and analysis required by this
Code shall demonstrate qualification in the specific field, to the satisfaction of the reviewing body.
sEcTroNs 9-102(r) AND 4-203(EX18)
Reclamation, Revegetation and soil Management Plan submittal Requirements
(Explonation: The below morkup is bosed on Pipelines Section 9-102(L), while the existing longuage found
in a-203(E)(18)is olso proposed to be eliminoted ond replaced with the some text, os indicoted below)
atien: A Revegetation, Reclamation and Soil Plan
that includes the following information and is consistent with the standards in Section 7-208:
1. A plant material and seed mix list that includes scientific and common names and the
application rate in terms of Pure Live Seed per acre, a planting schedule that includes timing,
methods, and mulching, and a map with a calculation of the surface area disturbance in acres of
2. Provisions for slffi'ging on-site topsoil, a timetable for eliminating topsoil and/or ^CCYie'"r{'o'9J*t ^t 4 r piles and a plan that provides for soil cover if any disturbances or stockpiles will sit exposed for a
€o r {'ilc-rt period of 90 days or more.
Yt{i::t^on1lr3. A weed Manasement ptan for att Garfietd countv tisted noxious weeds and state of cotoradod'7( (J' \ ,'5 u:: N 3. A Weed Management Plan for all Garfield County listed noxious weeds and State of Colorado qp'f."
(1 t ,,.rrot- .o listed noxious weeds that are targeted for statewide eradication. The Plan shall inclydg,qsite 2 **- ' ^[,,
u, ,Art'" specific map and weed inventory.A Weed Management Plan is reouired if an are{'A,r.rJo, ,n .7"',O'r*,y"J^l{
ereateris disturbed for the purposes of site construction, development or gradingffit ,Yrt)
r,;:''ru#::*:J:::;:]ffj::long-termfunctionofthesite(i.e.ouiraine,;::yy;/,o,,n,."o,W,*,;".
the area impacted (where the soilwill be disturbed). > <*-/ nte
4lltotd *tt( ,tr,'l- igltt or* t)/1 co/e mm"
, ')6'', r.1/' tJ '.u',,",,iili,ffi:Y.:::''.^requiredif,inthedeterminationoftheCountyVegetation
dff . I:i ( 6:;::ffi;:;",.ffi:;":.;r
eq uI I eu I r' II I r I re ue'[e, III IIrd L
* ^"r1, E / a. A potentialto facilitate the spread of noxious weeds;w) : l::.':::':'::::i:1"":'"T:::::,,^ ,^.,-^^^-o.; , ./ c. A potential for visual impacts from public viewing corridors;
,/]\ 6^ \ a.Sfeet Slos^al5% or greater or unstable areas; andlor
I q ,/ ,,& \ ". Disturbs ,n ,riV, acre or greater where topsoil is exposed for the purposes of site
I ( /')r- Q' f ,onttruction, development or grading but does not comprise the long-term functioning
I \ }.00 - t\ of the site (i.e. building footprint, road surface or permanent parking areas). , L/ /
*1.*,v^",,n.::dikk",,",:W;;:;i".,,:#^,^ff #::ffik"#ffif *
X' '--
- ^ . Manager that will be site specific and based on the amount of disturbance. The security shall V
?nrN be held by the County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished, or for a period of
/Z aoe - 3"1*rti*e approved by the County Vegetation Manager in any specific land use action, according to
+ the Reclamation and Revegetation Standards section in the Garfield County Weed
3una <.qrok \Aanagement Plan. The County Vegetation Manager will evaluate the reclamation andU- revegetation prior to the release of the security. The security shall be subject to all provision of
Article 13.
7-208- RECI.AMATION, REVEGETATION AND SOII MANAGEMENT PIAN STANDARDS
A. Applicability.
These standards shall apply to any development that requires a Land Use Change Permit,
including divisions of land, as well as to the following activities:
1. lnstallation of ISDS. lnstallation of a new or replacement ISDS.
2. Driveway Construction. Any driveway construction that requires a Garfield County
Access Permit or a CDOT Access Permit.
4
3. Preparation Area. All areas disturbed during development that do not comprise the
longer-term functional areas of the site but are those areas used for the short:llerm
preparation of the site.
he shortlql
,r'w':r)'ful/t'
B. Reclamation of Disturbed Areas.
Areas disturbed during development shall be landforms that
blend in with adjacent undisturbed topography
the final
landform is achieved, the surface shall bestabilized by vegetation or other means to reduce
further soil erosion from wind or water, provide forage and cover, prevent fugitive dust as
required by State Statute, and reduce visual impacts.
kcc L-*q,ff F*tf fi*
1. Contouring and Revegetation. Abrupt angular transitions and linear placement on
visible Slopes shall be avoided. Areas disturbed by Grading shall be contoured so they
can be revegetated, and shall be planted and have vegetation established. a{dg+e+ving
ith the eriginal en site vegetatien within 2 l\
and use,A uniform vegetative r"$P \
cover shall be established with an individual plant density of at least 70% of pre- (:,
^ , bY ^(o /
disturbance levels within 4 growing seasons.Revegetation cover shall consist of a \.\\ ;.0' ...
diversity of native and/or beneficial nonnative vegetation species capable of supporting \' f,, - ",^$the post-disturbance land use. State or County listed noxious weeds, as well as alien \<q'_\S)
annual invasive species, do not count as part of the 70% cover.To the maximum extent ' \."
feasible, disturbed areas shall be revegetated to a desired plant community with L23-,.k 1
composition of weed-free species and plant cover typical to that site. & gr-/
e4or",Vfr
2. weed Management. A management plan with appropriate strategies shail be 'a5q" uLsf
employed for all Garfield County listed noxious weeds, State of Colorado listed noxio ut Drrvn,y a
weeds that are targeted for statewide eradication. ,{ l" d*fr.
3. Application of Top Soil. Top soilshall be stockpiled, placed on disturbed areas and
managed for later use in reclamation. Provisions for salvaging on-site topsoil, a
timetable for eliminating topsoil and/or aggregate piles and a plan that provides for soil
cover if any disturbances or stockpiles will sit exposed for a period of 90 days or more
shall be reviewed and accepted by the Garfield county Vegetation Manager.
4. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls made of wood, stone, vegetation, or other materials
that blend with the natural landscape shall be used to reduce the steepness of cut
Slopes and to provide planting pockets conducive to revegetation.
5
5. Slash Around Homes. To avoid insects, diseases, and wildfire hazards, all vegetative
residue, branches, limbs, stumps, roots, or other such flammable lot-clearing debris
shall be removed from all areas of the lot in which such materials are generated or
deposited, priorto final building inspection approval.
6. Removal of Debris. Within 5 months of substantial completion of soil disturbance, all
brush, stumps, and other debris shall be removed from the site.
7. Time Line Plan. Every area OisturUeO shall have a time line approved for the
reclamation of the site
Article 15 - Definitions
Garfield County Listed Noxious Weed. An alien plant that has been designated as being noxious or has
been declared a noxious weed by the Board of County Commissioners.
State of Colorado Listed Noxious Weed. Any noxious weed identified by the Commissioner of the
Colorado Department of Agriculture by rule after notifying and consulting with the state noxious weed
advisory committee.
IV. SIAFF ANAI.YSIS - IUDC CRITERIA FOR A TDfi AMENDMENT
Section 4-114 outlines the procedures and criteria for consideration of a Land Use Code Text
Amendment request to the LUDC. The criteria for approval of a Land Use Code Text Amendment are as
follows:
1. The proposed text amendment is in compliance with any applicable intergovernmental
agreements; and
There are no intergovernmental agreements impacted by the proposed text amendment.
2. The proposed text amendment does not conflict with State law.
The Colorado Revised Statute Title 35, Article 5.5, C.R.S., Colorado Noxious Weed Act, as
amended, gives the County authority and responsibility to control noxious weeds on private
lands within unincorporated areas of Garfield County, Colorado. The proposed amendments are
to maintain consistency between State law, adopted Garfield County resolutions regarding
reclamation and revegetation and the Garfield County LUDC. This proposed text amendment is
in compliance with this statutory provision.
V. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission consider recommending approval of the text
amendments as amended by the Board of County Commissioners and outlined in this memo. Staff
believes that the text amendment as outlined brings consistency between the Garfield County Noxious
Weed Management Plan as adopted in 2001 and the LUDC and by doing so brings clarity to the Land Use
Permit application process.