Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.ord.014.2001 Ordinance No. 0 U(-20e i Page 1 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, ADOPTING THE ECOLOGICAL BILL OF RIGHTS (EBOR) AS SECTION 2-310 OF THE POLICIES ARTICLE OF THE PITKIN COUNTY LAND USE CODE ORDINANCE NO. 2 001 Recitals I. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners has great concern with the deterioration and depletion of natural resources in Pitkin County and the Roaring Fork Valley. 2. Preservation of environmental quality and the ecological integrity of Pitkin County are of primary concern to the County citizens and elected leaders. 3. The enhancement, preservation, and assurance of environmental quality and ecological integrity are essential to public health, quality of life and the local economy. 4. Local citizen groups concerned with environmental degradation have rallied together to develop and endorse an Ecological Bill of Rights enumerating those ecological and environmental needs fundamental to the preservation of Pitkin County's natural heritage. 5. The Ecological Bill of Rights is consistent with and supportive of previously adopted County plans, policies and programs. 6. The Ecological Bill of Rights is crucial to the continued oversight and stewardship of our natural resources entrusted to the people of Pitkin County. 7. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners recognizes previous efforts to protect the environment by a 1989 passage of the first Ecological Bill of Rights and embrace the concept as being sound and necessary to preserve natural resources into the 2 1" century. 8. Within the scope of existing and future laws, regulations, guidelines and codes, and in consideration of the County Commissioners' obligation to make appropriate legislative and regulatory decisions based on individual circumstances and judgements, future land use legislation and development applications will be judged on the basis of their conformance with, and contribution to, the principles and goals espoused by the Ecological Bill of Rights. 9. The Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed amendment at a regular meeting on May 15, 2001 at which meeting the Planning Ordinance No. 0114'l#e 1 Page 2 and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendment with modifications. 10. After first reading and public hearing on June 13, 2001 and second reading and a public meeting on June 27, 2001, the Board approved the proposed Code amendment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners that it hereby amends the Pitkin County Land Use Code as follows: Adopting the Ecological Bill of Rights (EBOR)as Section 2-310 of the Policies Article of the Pitkin County Land Use Code 2-310 As residents of the City of Aspen and of Pitkin County, and stewards of our natural heritage and resources, we see the integrity of our valley ecosystem increasingly challenged by human activity. Population growth and the accompanying sprawl are seriously damaging and threatening to destroy the ecological carrying capacity (environmental sustainability) of this valley. Therefore it is the policy of the County to implement the following rights: 1) The right to breathe clean air and enjoy clear vistas. 2)The right to the preservation of natural riparian areas and wetlands. 3) The right to permanently protected minimum stream flows in rivers and creeks. 4)The right to the preservation and restoration of native wildlife and plant diversity by preservation of sufficient habitat. 5) The right to protection of designated wilderness through management of adjoining land in a way that preserves the integrity of the wilderness areas. 6)The right to a landscape kept free of noxious and invasive weeds. 7) The right of appropriate access to public lands on roads and trails historically open to the public consistent with the nature and designation of the public lands. 8) The right to dedicated open space protected from urbanization and development. 9) The right to the efficient and renewable use of energy. 10) The right to be free from excessive noise. 11) The right to see the night sky without the interference of unnecessary artificial light from growth, urbanization and highway development. 12) The right to the absolute minimum involuntary exposure to toxic chemicals, radioactive substances and energy forms that are hazardous to health. Ordinance No. 0N -2-001 Page 3 13) The right to maintain and not exceed the carrying capacity (sustainability) of the land and water, including protecting water quality. 14) The right to expect from our government legislation and active enforcement of land use and development regulations consistent with this Ecological Bill of Rights. INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING AT THE REGULAR MEETING ON THE 13`h DAY OF JUNE, 2001. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIME WEEKLY on THE 2ND DAY OF JUNE, 2001 APPROVED AND ADOPTED AFTER SECOND READING AND PUBLIC MEETING ON THE 27th DAY OF June, 2001 PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON THE DAY OF , 2001 THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION FOLLOWING FINAL ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADDO By:�& e Michael Ireland, Chairperson Date: 0 /U -©( ee . Dean, Deputy County Clerk Approved as to Form: John Ely, C r" orn RECOMME/NDEEDD FOR ADOPTION: ADOPTION: Cindy Houben, Community Development Director Endorsed by: Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Aspen Skiing Company Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council Aspen Valley Improvement Association Aspen Valley Land Trust Aspen Wilderness Workshop Audubon Society Community Office for Resource Efficiency Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association Independence Pass Foundation Public Counccl of the Rockies Roaring Crystal Alliance Roaring Fork Conservancy Rocky Mountain Institute Snowmass-Capitol Creek Caucus Sustainable Settings-COMPASS Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association Trout Unlimited Valley Resource Management Woody Creek Caucus aadmin.eborfinl.da