HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondenceDave Argo
From: Dave Argo
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 3:10 PM
To: Doug Hayes
Cc: Andy Schwaller (aschwaller@garfield-county.com); Jim Wilson; Patrick Waller
Subject: Pre -Existing Steiner Barn - Obtaining Building/Septic Permits
Doug:
As requested, I got together with a few folks here on staff — Andy Schwaller, Jim Wilson & Patrick Waller — to discuss the
existing Steiner Barn/Residence which was built in 2008 without building or septic permits.
After discussing several options, the simple conclusion we arrived at is this building requires a building permit. Clearly,
usage of this structure does not fall under the Agriculture exemption (no permit required), because the upstairs has
been — and is currently — used as something other than strictly "agricultural" use. By obtaining a building permit "ex post
facto" your client will be able to utilize the barn's upstairs area for a number of uses: rental housing, Ag employee
housing, storage for items other than strictly agricultural use (such as the furniture it currently houses). However, the
intended use of the upstairs will need to be clearly identified on the building permit application.
Since Ernie Kollar wasn't able to help, we suggest that you seek out another Engineer(s) to see if you can find someone
else willing to certify structural compliance with Garfield County's basic building requirements — snow/wind loads, depth
of footings below frost, etc. This may involve spot testing or pot -holing existing footings, but it seems like it should be
something that can be accomplished. Technically speaking, this certification can be performed by a Colorado licensed
"design professional" (Engineer or Architect) but it will need to be someone who is practicing in their professional area
of expertise, and the issues we are most concerned about here are structural in nature.
In order to obtain a building permit, you will need to fill out our standard building + septic permit application along with
applicable plans — including to scale floor plans that can be used to verify square footages. If the Owner's intended use
of the upstairs is residential and the area exceeds 1,000 SF in size, a land use change permit may be required for a
"secondary dwelling unit". Otherwise, if area is less than 1,000 SF you will need to fill out the one-page ADU application
(no fees or additional land use permits necessary).
We hope the foregoing description provides you with a clear path to obtaining the necessary permits for your client's
continued use of this existing building.
Dave Argo
Plans Examiner
. Garfield County
Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tel: 970-945-8212 Ext. 1610
Email: dargo@garfield-county.com
Web: garfield-county.com
1
Dave Argo
From: Dave Argo
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 10:17 AM
To: Doug Hayes
Cc: Patrick Waller; Andy Schwaller (aschwaller@garfield-county.com)
Subject: Steiner Barn w/Upstairs Residence
Doug:
Just wanted to update you on the Steiner Barn/Residence located at Orchard Creek Ranch. We have reviewed plans for
this project and the Building Permit is essentially ready for issuance — but only after the subdivision of this property has
been finalized through our Planning Dept.
One outstanding question or clarification I have is in regards to the septic system. In your application package you
included the following items:
A. Septic System Permit issued on 12/7/2007 for installation of the OWTS when this "Ag" building was originally
built.
B. Engineer's Report for Septic System — from Boundaries Unlimited and dated 9/27/2019. I believe that this
report is not for the barn, but rather it is for the newly completed single-family residence which was recently
issued a Certificate of Occupancy from our office. This assumption is based on photos included in this report and
my conversation with Jim Wilson, our Building Inspector. Unless you contact me to the contrary, we will remove
this report from this project file as the original septic system permit (item A above) is really all that we require
for issuance of the building permit for the barn + upstairs residence.
It is my understanding that your team is working with Patrick Waller to finalize this Subdivision process, and we will
place the plans in our "Pending" projects file until the Subdivision process has been completed.
If you should have any questions, please contact either myself or Patrick.
Thanks,
Dave Argo
Plans Examiner
C. Garfield County 1
Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tel: 970-945-8212 Ext. 1610
Email: dargo@garfield-county.com
Web: garfield-county.com
1