HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from RB CIVIL LLC 08.22.201911
RB Civil
August 22, 2019
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 471-1103
romeo@rbcivil.com
3971 Bighorn Road #7L
Vail, CO 81657
Andy Schwaller, Chief Building Official (sent via email: aschwaller@garfieid-county.com)
Garfield County Building Division
Cc: Joe Gebhardt (jpgPhuntercreekgroup.com)
Re: 16704 Highway 82 — Roaring Fork Ranch Grading Permit GRAD -12-17-5054
Dear Andy:
RB Civil LLC (RBC) is submitting this letter to you regarding the aforementioned project. It is my
understanding that Garfield County requires an evaluation of the project status and
construction to date. Specifically, I am providing you with documentation describing the
existing conditions and providing recommendations to the owner to improve grading permit
compliance moving forward.
I. Purpose
The Roaring Fork Ranch project referred to as the "Project" includes site grading and
irrigation ditch work located at 16704 Highway 82, approximately 0.7 miles east of Catherine
Store Road in Garfield County. RBC visited the site on Wednesday, August 7 as requested by
the owner to evaluate existing conditions and respond to Garfield County comments. The
owner, Joe Gebhardt and contractor, Travis Hughes of Hughes Excavating received the major
grading permit with conditions on December 14, 2017. The owner informed RBC that the
Project was previously suspended in Fall 2018. The owner and contractor are interested in
maintaining compliance with Garfield County requirements.
II. Background
RBC reviewed documentation for the subject property and associated grading permit.
The following documents were reviewed as a basis for compliance with the approved permit:
• Garfield County Grading Permit GRAD 12-17-5054 16704 Highway 82 received from
Lindsey Krol email.
• HCE Exhibits D-1 Site Grading Site Map and D-2 Site Grading Disturbance Map dated
10-19-2017
• HCE Plans dated 10-30-2017
• HCE Storm Water Management Plan dated 10-19-2017, revised 11-15-2017
III. Garfield County Correspondence
Romeo of RBC contacted Andy Schwaller, Garfield County Chief Building Official, via
telephone to request clarification necessary to keep the Project in compliance with County
requirements. Andy informed Romeo that the primary items that need to be addressed
RB Civil, LLC 1
RFR-190821-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Thursday, August 22, 2019
include:
• Construction to date must be consistent with the permit conditions and approved
plans. Continued work activity must comply with the County grading permit and State
requirements.
• The irrigation ditches and neighboring properties must be protected.
• Erosion control needs to be addressed and maintained.
• The Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) needs to be followed.
IV. Site Visit Observations and Recommendations
RBC's background review and site visit observations gathered information described
below. Romeo and Travis discussed the existing conditions, construction activity, corrective
action items, and long-term planning for the Project. Proposed recommendations are included
herein.
A. Grading Plan and Irrigation Plan
True North staking was observed to compare existing conditions versus design grading.
The findings below describe the slight variation of existing conditions compared to the design.
1. Upper pasture
• The actual upper pasture toe of slope is approximately 20' horizontally south from the
designed location.
a Fill heights are within 1'-2' of designed elevations which will accommodate final
grading and topsoil placement.
• Cut stakes identify approximately 11' height in the existing western slope. The
deviation may be attributed to the existing slope being uniform versus the design with
horizontal undulating areas.
2. The eastern property line appears to be within boundaries of the grading plan.
3. The middle infill is isolated in a protected area and presents negligible impact to the
site. The owner has rights to the existing ditch and must be protected.
• Piles are staged in the middle area for topsoil, organic, and manure mixtures. Final
placement of these stockpiles is anticipated for the berms currently under
construction.
• Materials have been sorted for boulders, concrete, and miscellaneous fill.
• Grading of proposed landscape berms depends on construction sequence and will
continue as additional material is delivered, placed, and shaped. Landscaping will also
be completed based on the completion of berms which is dependent on market
demand and availability of material.
B. Basin Irrigation Ditch
• Work for the new irrigation improvements is postponed due to owner logistics. The
flared end section on the east side of the driveway is installed as well as the driveway
width for the Basin Ditch crossing.
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com
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RFR-190821-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Thursday, August 22, 2019
• Proposed fill north of and adjacent to the existing Basin irrigation ditch indicate
approximately 9' of fill material is required to meet the design elevations. Additional
import will be required to complete the grading per plan.
C. Erosion Control
• The upper pasture was closed off with traffic barrels and cones. Vehicle tracking
control appeared satisfactory but must be reimplemented at the upper pasture entry
when final grading and topsoil placement occurs.
• Vehicle tracking control at the middle entrance is accumulating sediment. This
entrance should be monitored closely for maintenance to ensure the mud control is
effective moving forward.
• Add silt fence at toe of upper pasture to prevent sedimentation from overflowing to
the middle entrance and vehicle tracking control area.
• Silt fence needs repair on the north side of the Basin ditch.
• Dust control has been provided by water truck and mag chloride applications.
• Surface roughening should be implemented at in -progress areas and in exposed areas
that are treated with mulch, seeding, or other BMPs.
• Mulching with straw or mulch should be reapplied to cover bare areas using a
guideline of maximum 10 percent bare ground exposed.
• Pasture seeding is present in various areas with straw. Use temporary seeding to
stabilize disturbed areas that will be inactive for an extended period. Permanent
seeding should be used to stabilize areas at final grade that will not be otherwise
stabilized.
• Add straw bales or sediment control logs where appropriate.
D. SWMP
• The owner and contractor need to comply with the stormwater management plan
with consideration of construction sequence and timing.
• In reference to the SWMP, a reminder of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that
should be implemented are described below. Further reference material can be found
in the USDCM Volume 3 (Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual by Urban Drainage
and Flood Control District) for guidance in carrying out BMPs to minimize water
quality and quantity impacts from stormwater runoff.
o Check dams (staked straw bales and straw logs) placed in drainage paths.
o During rough grading erosion control blankets or vegetation will be placed on
slopes of 2:1 or greater as shown on the grading plan)
o Final re -vegetation and landscaping commence and all necessary seeding for
final re-veg will be installed and BMP's will be maintained until permanent
vegetation has taken hold.
o Sediment and mud shall be prevented from leaving the construction site by
installing vehicle tracking control pads.
• Major soil disturbances will be seeded and mulched within seven (7) days after final
grade is reached or if areas have been exposed and inactive for more than forty-five
(45) days. In the interim condition, water trucks should be utilized onsite for the
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com
3
RFR-190821-Letter-GarCo Andy Schwaller-Grading Permit
Thursday, August 22, 2019
duration of the construction period to minimize fugitive dust. Conditions of the
permit require that disturbed areas must be revegetated within 6 months.
• Inspection and maintenance is required after any precipitation or snowmelt event.
The logbook needs to be kept up to date and retention of records is required.
• Final stabilization should achieve erosion reduction, vegetative cover, and control
pollutants in stormwater discharges that occur after construction operations have
been completed at the site. After final stabilization is established in completed areas,
excess sediment and the erosion control measures should be removed.
V. Conclusion
The owner expressed that he will be available on site to address corrective action items.
The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining safety and traffic control for the project.
Access near the project area must be provided to public and private roads while
accommodating the construction activity. Traffic control must be provided during hauling
operations.
Construction activity for the grading permit will continue for the duration of the 10 -year
permit with compliance with County requirements. Utilities and other work in the approved
plans will resume upon the owner resolving logistical issues.
Long-term revegetation, landscaping, and tree planting is planned for future
completion. Improved aesthetics are expected from restoring the disturbed areas after final
completion.
Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or need additional information about
the contents of this letter.
Sincerely,
RB Civil LLC
Romeo A. Baylosis, P.E.
Owner
rb
RB Civil LLC
RB Civil LLC
79 Ermine Lane
Carbondale, CO
www.rbcivil.com
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