HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 DD Staff Report 05.22.2013Director's Decision
5/22/13
File No . GAPA-7534
GH
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REQUEST
APPLICANT
PROPERTY OWNER
ASSESSOR'S PARCEL #
PROPERTY SIZE
LOCATION
ACCESS
EXISTING ZONING
Administrative Review for a Vehicle Safety
Area -Small
PDC Energy
Chevron
2171-182-00-008
The Site will be approximately 0. 75 acres in
size at final design and build-out.
The property is located approximately 7 miles
northwest of Parachute off of County Rod 215
and Garden Gulch Road in Section 8, T6S,
R96W .
The facility is located approximately 0.45 miles
west of County Road 215, at the base of
Garde n Gulch Road between the security
station and Parachute Creek. It is located
adjacent to other PDC -Chevron Facilities.
The p roperty is zoned Resource Lands (RL)
Gentle Slopes
I. GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Applicant is requesting approval for an existing vehicle safety area which serves
as a chain-up area during periods of inclement weather. The site is also used for
removing chains and checking vehicles after coming down Garden Gulch Road. The
Application requests approval for reconfiguration of the existing vehicle safety area in
coordination with the creation of a Water Storage -Draw Facility adjacent to the site.
The proposed use meets the definition of a Small Vehicle Safety Area as it is less than
4 acres in size and will have no long term parking, loading/unloading of equipment or
material, storage or staging in the facility . Access to the site is from County Road 215
on private roads that are compacted dirt and gravel. The access road serves a variety
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of oil and gas facilities in the Garden Gulch area. The road adjacent to the facility
reflects general compliance with the ULUR Roadway standards for secondary or rural
access road.
VICINITY MAP
The facility is unmanned with exception of vehicles t hat are installing chains.
Sanitation facilities are available at the adjacent guard station. A dust mitigation plan is
in place for both the roadway and the vehicle safety area. The vehicle safety area has
a compacted dirt and gravel surface .
The facility development includes the following :
• Removal and relocation of an existing fence along Garden Gulch Road.
• Installation of jersey barriers separating the vehicle safety area from the Water
Draw Facility
• Removal of approximately 0.582 acres of vegetation adjacent to the Garden
Gulch Road to create the reconfigured vehicle safety area.
• Additional gravel and compaction in the reconfigured area.
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II. LOCATION -SITE DESCRIPTION
£•1 '11 L
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Site Plan & Drainage Plan
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ET E''E T
The site is located in an area characterized by open space , agricultural ranching
activities, natural vegetation, and oil and gas operations. Existing vegetation
surrounding the site consists of mixed sagebrush . The site has moderate slopes and
minimal additional disturbance is anticipated by the proposal. The site sits well above
Parachute Creek and is protected by existing and proposed storm water management
improvements.
Ill. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REFFERAL AGENCY COMMENTS
Public Notice was provided for the Director's Decision in accordance with the Unified
Land Use Resolution of 2008, as amended. No public comments have been received
at this time. Comments from referral agencies and County Departments are
summarized below and attached as Exhibits.
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1. Garfi k ld County Consulting Engineer, Chris Hale , Mountain Cross Engineering:
Discussed Traffic Count numbers and impacts to County Road 215 . He also
indicated no comments in regard to the waiver requests .
2 . Garfibld County Road and Bridge Department: No comments received.
3. Garfield County Vegetation Manager, Steve Anthony : Indicated that the reclamation
plan is acceptable and the project is not recommended for long term re-vegetation
security . He also requested that certified weed free straw be used for erosion
control.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SITE
Vehicle
4 . Garfield County Environmental Health : Noted the follow ing topics .
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• Dust Control Plans and Storm Water Best Management Practices.
• Recognition of the Radon comments in the Application.
• Truck operations practices to avoi d soil contamination .
5. Grand Valley Fire Protection District: Had no objections to the facility .
6 . Other agencies that did not submit co mments include : (a) the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment ; (b) Bureau of Land Management;
(c) Town of Parachute ; and (d) Colorado Parks and Wildlife .
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IV. STAFF COMMENTS AND ANALYSIS
In accordance with the ULUR Administrative Review, the Applicant has provided
detailed responses to Section 4-203, Submitta l Requirements, applicable sections of
Article VII, Divisions 1, 2, and 3, and Section 7-906 Vehicle Safety Areas and Section
7-1101 Industrial Use Standards. The Applica t ion materials include an Impact Analys is
and related consultant reports, technical studies, and plans . Key topics for the review
are summarized in the following sections .
Section 7-906 Standards for Vehicle Safety Areas
The Applicant demonstrates general compliance with these standards that address
prohibited uses, access/backing, clear vision areas and lighting . Ongoing compliance
should ~e a condition of approval.
Access -Traffic
The Application documents the legal access to the site along with a description of the
roadway as currently in use , the minimal traffic impacts associated with the use , and
construction related traffic activity . Access into the site should be clarified on the site
plan anp through signage and/or additiona l delineation . Signage identifying the
potential for additional truck movements should be considered for this section of
Garden Gulch road.
Re-vegetation. Weed Control and Reclamation
The site is included in long term reclamation p lans for the area. Comments from the
County Vegetation Manager indicated his comfort level with the current plans including
integrated weed management. Use of weed free straw for storm-water management
should le required pursuant to the County Vegetation Manager's referral comments.
Safety
An Emergency Response Plan was provided with the Application submittal. The plan
and contact information should be kept updated .
Nuisance Impacts including Noise
The Application notes that no nuisance impacts are anticipated from the use .
Operational policies including but not limited to prohibitions on long term parking of
vehicles should address any nuisance concerns . No noise impacts other than typical
truck traffic are anticipated associated with the facility .
Storm Water. Drainage, and Erosion Control
The Application includes detailed plans addressing these key topics. The site has
existing sediment basins and erosion protect ion along the adjacent roadway and the
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perimeter of the site. Compliance with Storm Water Management Plans, Drainage and
Grading Plans, and Erosion Control plans should be should be required.
Article VI I Standards including Section 7-1101 Industrial Use Standards
The Applicant has adequately addressed the applicable provisions of Article VII subject
to compliance with conditions of approval, with a general summary provided below :
• There is no potable water demand for the facility. A waiver has been requested
fnom the water supply plan requirement.
• A portable toilet is located adjacent to the site at the guard station and should be
maintained for use by this facility.
• No new roads are proposed and existing roads provide legal access to the site .
• The Applicant's Geologic Hazards Report does not identify major geologic or
soils hazards with the exception of landslide potential and slope hazards .
Based on Staffs site visit clarification of this part of the report's conclusion
should be provided to establish the lack of hazards affecting the proposed use.
• No impacts on agricultural uses or adjoining properties are anticipated based on
the type of use.
• A wildlife study was provided in conjunction with the adjacent Water Draw
Facility. The study included a general finding that no threatened, endangered,
or sensitive wildl ife species listed for Garfield County were observed or would be
expected to occur in the project area. In addition the report indicates that no
BLM sensitive plan species would be affected by this project.
• The facility is not located in an area with wetlands, water bodies or streams .
• There is no storage of chemicals, fuel, or oil and gas products on the site . No
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plans (SPCC) is applicable.
• No installations requiring Air Quality Permits from the CDPHE are proposed.
• The Application included a Dust Mitigation Plan.
• A Class I Cultural Resources Study was conducted by Flattops Archaeological
Consultants with a finding of "no historic properties affected".
V. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan 2030 designates the site as Industrial. Excerpts from Land
Use Description Section Chapter 2 and Section 9, Mineral Extraction are provided
below.
Chapter 2 -Land Use Designations
Industrial (I) Description: Indoor manufacturing, outdoor equipment
storage, business parks, energy processing and uses that produce odor,
noise , light, and or emissions.
Section 9 -Mineral Extraction -Policies
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2.[ Mineral resource extraction activities will protect critical wildlife habitat
as identified by state and federal agencies. Development within these
dhsignations that cannot be designed, constructed and conducted so as
t9 have a minimum adverse impact upon such habitat or these wildlife
S{Oecies shall be discouraged.
4.1 Facilities that are appurtenances to oil! gas development activities
(dompressors, etc.) are considered appropriate in all land uses so long as
t1 ey meet the respective mitigation requ irements of the ULUR to maintain
compatibility with surrounding land uses .
The location and design of the proposed facility is in general conformance with the
Compre ~ensive Plan Policies subject to proper m itigation of impacts .
.---~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chevron
PDC Site
t
Excerpt from Comprehensive Plan
VI. SUGGESTED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
That p rd per public notice was provided as re quired for the Director's Decision and
with the I adoption of conditions and granting of waive rs from the ULUR in regard to
Landscaping Plan , Water Supply Plan , Water, Wastewater , Public Utilities , and
Building Design standards , the Chevron -PDC E nergy Application for a Vehicle Safety
Area -Small adequately meets the requirements of the ULUR. The following are
provided as conditions of approval.
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1. That all representations made by the Applicant in the application shall be
conditions of approval, unless specifically altered by the Director's Decision.
2. That the operation of the Chevron -PDC Energy Vehicle Safely Area -Small
sh~ll be done in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local
reg lulations governing the operation of this type of facility.
Conditions Prior to Issuance
3. Prior to the issuance of the Land Use Change Permit, the Applicant shall provide
a supplement to the Geo-Hazard report including a more definitive determination
regarding the lack of any geological hazards including landslide and slope
hazards noted in the original report.
4. Pri<Dr to issuance of the Land Use Change Permit, the Applicant shall provide a
su~plement to the Traffic Analysis including a determination of minimal or no
impact on County Road 215, including a determination that no improvements are
needed at the County Road 215 intersection .
Wa liver Approvals
5. Waivers from Section 4-203 regarding Water Supply Plans and Landscape Plans
are approved pursuant to the approval cri teria contained in Section 4-202 of the
ULUR provided that the uses on the site maintain consistency with the Application
representations regarding the limited uses and act ivity on the site.
6 . Waivers from Article VII Standards regarding a Source of Water (Section 7-104),
Wastewater (Section 7-105), Public Utilit ies (Section 7-106) and Building Design
(Section 7-302) are approved pursuan t to the approval criteria contained in
Seation 4-117 of the U LUR provided the uses on the site maintain consistency
with the Application representation regarding the limited uses and activity on the
site.
Ot~er Conditions
7. The facility shall maintain compliance with CDPHE Storm Water Management
Permits and requirements, Drainage and Grading Plans, Erosion and Sediment
Control Plans, including re-vegetation, and Reclamation Plans. Re-vegetation
shall be initiated during the next growing season following completion of
corlstruction.
8. ThEf facility shall maintain compliance with Section 7-906 Standards for Vehicle
Safety Areas including but not limited to prohibition on long term parking, access
standards, clear vision areas at access po ints and intersections with future Water
Draw driveways , and lighting in accordance with Section 7-306.
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9. Portable toilet facilities will be provided on or adjacent to the site at the Garden
Gulch Guard Station .
10. The Applicant shall comply with their Noxious Weed Management Plan including
the best management practices. Certified weed free straw shall be used for storm
water mitigation.
11 . The Applicant shall install signage at the entrances to the facility directing and
separating vehicle safety area traffic from Water Draw traffic. Signage noting
additional truck traffic and turning activity shall be provided on Garden Gulch
Road adjacent to t he site. Protection for the existing pipe structure adjacent to the
east entrance shall be maintained in accordance with industry standards.
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May 20, 2013
RECEIVED
MAY 2 7 2013
GARFIELD COUNTY
IMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Glenn Hartmann
Garfield County Planning
108 81h Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RE: Small Vehicle Safety Area, Chevron: LIPA-7534
Dear Glenn :
MOUNTt\IN CROSS
fN<iINff RING, INC .
Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design
This office has performed a review of the documents provided for the Administrative Review
Application of Chevron for the Small Vehicle Safety Area (VSA). The submittal was found to
be thorough and well organized. The following comments were generated :
1. Table 1 in the Basic Traffic Study provides only nine months of data. The Applicant should
address if there was other data available for the e ntire year. The Applicant contends that the
drilling decrease is the reason for the decreased traffic , howe ve r decrease in traffic could
have other reason s such as seasonality. Additional traffic counts should be provided if
available.
2. The Basic Traffic Study provides only information on Garden Gulch Road. The Applicant
should address an impacts that are expected to CR 215 .
3. The waiver requests were reviewed and generated no comments .
Feel free to call if you have any qu e stions or comm e nt s.
Sincerely,
Mounta · Cross Engineer·
Chris Hale, PE
826 % Grand Avenue , Glenwood Springs , CO 81601
P: 970.945 .5544 F: 970 .945 .5558 www .mountaincross-eng .com
Garfield County
Vef!etation M anal!ement
May 20, 2013
Glenn Hartmann
Garfield County Community Development
RE : Chevron-PDC Small Vehicle Safety Area GAPA-7534
Dear Glenn,
Comments are below:
Noxious Weeds
The Noxious Weed Management Plan is acceptable.
Revegetation
The Reclamation Plan provided is acceptable . The project will be a long term project; therefore staff will not recommend a
revegetation security. There does not appear to be any temporary reseeding associated with the project.
Best Management Practices
Staff requests that only Colorado Department of Agriculture certified weed-free straw bales be used for erosion control .
Please let me know if you have any questions.
,. LS-'
Steve Anthony
Garfield County Vegetation Manager
0375 County Road 352, Bldg 2060
Rifle, CO 81650 Phone: 970-945-1377 x 4305 Fax: 970-625-5939
Glenn Hartmann
From:
Sent:
To:
Morgan Hill
Thursday, May 16, 2013 2:23 PM
Glenn Hartmann
Subject: PDC Energy Vehicle Safety Area Land Use Review
Hi Glenn,
After reviewing the PDC Energy Vehicle Safety Area land use application, I have several questions/comments:
Because the majority of the facility is already existing, the need for proper dust mitigation measures during
construction is not much of a concern . However, dust control and stormwater BMPs should be used for the
small section of "proposed chain-up area" that will be an expansion. The applicant should also adhere to the
measures described in the Fugitive Dust Mitigation Plan when the site is in use .
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I noticed that the Impact Analysis has a section titled "Evaluation of any potential hazard that may have been
identified by the State or County Health Departments ." I can't remember having seen this in other applications,
but am curious the process the applicant used to identify these hazards. While I believe radon is certainly a
health hazard that should be identified and addressed, I have not heard of this being discussed in almost any
other workplace environment with the exception of uranium mines or other mill tailings operations . It would be
beneficial if this were included more often in a variety of different work environments, however, it does not
seem to be an issue at this site.
Because this site is in very close proximity to Parachute Creek, operators of vehicles should exercise special
precautions to keep contamination from occurring. Tank valves should be tightly closed and checks should be
done to be sure that vehicles are not leaking oil or other fluids while they spend time at the site putting on
chains and conducting load evaluations.
I will be in touch if anything else comes up. Thanks!
Morfa" 111ee
Environmental Health Specialist II
Garfield County Public Health
195 W . 14th Street
Rifle, CO 81650
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Glenn Hartmann
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Gentlemen,
Rob Ferguson [opschief@gvfpd .org]
Thursday, May 16 , 2013 9:14 AM
Glenn Hartmann
'Lorne Prescott'
Chevron -PDC small Vehicle Safety Area
This email is advise you both the Fire District has no objections to this vehicle safety area. It should be a good
area for this to be completed to prevent further accidents on Garden Gulch road. There is not a letter with it since it
doesn't really pertain to the Fire Code from our end and it is not in the lane of travel. Thanks have a great weekend!
Rob Ferguson
Deputy Fire Chief -Operations
Grand Valley Fire Protection District
Office : (970) 285 -9119
Fax: (970) 285-9748
Email: opschief@gvfpd.org
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Glenn Hartmann
From:
Sent:
Jeff Hofman uhofman@olssonassociates .com]
Wednesday, May 22 , 2013 4:00 PM
To: Glenn Hartmann
Cc: Lorne Prescott
Subject: Lighting
Glenn,
The chain-up/safety area currently has some downcast lighting near the security station and PDC plans to have some
lights near the water draw fill station facility and a small one nea r the pump house . They will be downcast and shielded
which is also a requirement of Chevron. PDC does not have a problem with similar conditions for their permit.
Thanks
Jeff Hofman, AICP I Olsson Associates
760 Horizon Drive , Suite 1021 Grand Junction, CO 81506 I jhofman@olssonassociates .com
TEL 970.263.7800 I DIRECT 970.263.6016 I FAX 970.263 .7456
O\o LSSON @
ASSOCIAT E S
~ Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
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Glenn Hartmann
From:
Sent:
Robert Knight [RobertK@parachutecolorado .com)
Wednesday , May 01 , 2013 9:47 AM
To: Glenn Hartmann
Subject: GAPA-7534
Attachments: Robert J Knight.vet
Parachute has no objection on this project.
Robert J. Kn i ght
lo n Of Parachute
To wn -dministrato r
(970 ). 285-7630 '.'or -~
robertk @para1chuteco lorado .com
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