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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpitco.ost.min.reg.06032004 . . . . Minutes OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 3, 2004 Plaza One Conference Room Board Members Present: Rick Neiley, Bill Fales, Hawk Greenway, Anne Rickenbaugh, Jesse Boyce Others Present: Dale Will, Barb D' Autrechy, Gary Tennenbaum, Suzarme Wolff, Sharmon Meyer, Marty Pickett, J en Seal, Tim Malloy, Keith Berglund, Reno Cerise, Billy Grange Anne Rickenbaugh called the meeting to order at approximately 9:05 a.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes of the April 14, 2004 Regular meeting were approved as amended. The minutes of the April 14, 2004 Executive Session, and the Regular and Executive Sessions for April 22, May 6 and May26, 2004 were approved. RMI/Windstar Master Plan Representatives ofRMI presented a revised draft master plan for the development of employee housing and new office and maintenance facilities at Windstar. Tim Malloy told the OSTB that they listened to the Board's concerns from the last meeting and tried to respond to them with revisions to the plan. Tim presented a sketch of the new plan, which showed the employee housing relocated into the building envelope ofthe main office building. The guest cabin and loafing shed were moved to just south of the sauna, along the road. Tim explained that this new design utilizes the existing dome and large trees and other vegetation to screen the housing development. Tim added that at this new location, the screening of visual impacts will be as good or better than the originally proposed location. Tim said that the pond would not be reshaped for this new plan, but might be reworked to improve habitat. Tim explained that this plan involved some compromises. The revised plan will require a fair amount of grading at the entrance, possibly construction of retaining walls, and the ditch located in the area may be affected. Parking for the housing will be close to the units and public parking for recreational use of the property will be down by the loafing shed. RMI will still include its previously a pet prohibition, closing public vehicular access beyond the Reserved Area, and restricted use of the tent in this revised plan. Tim and Jen clarified that the footprints on the presented sketch are approximation which err on the large size and that the southern building envelope (containing the guest cabin and loafing shed) may need to be expanded to the east slightly, to allow for circulation. It was also noted that the revised proposal does not require the road to be relocated. Bill said that the new proposal addressed all of his concerns. Other Board members agreed and expressed their gratitude. Hawk made a motion authorizing a written letter accepting the June 3'd draft of the RMI master plan, with the application amended to reflect RMI's concessions. A discussion on how to address the RMI concessions ensued. Marty stated that a pet prohibition would help them with enforcement issues with I . . . members of the visiting public. It was determined that amending the easement to prohibit dogs was preferred. Hawk restated his motion to accept the draft master plan of June 3'd and direct staff to write a letter recommending acceptance of the plan as submittable for a land use application by the BOCC. Bill requested that the motion include that the conservation easement will be amended to ban dogs and outside pets as requested by the landowner. Hawk accepted the amendment to the motion, and added the Board's appreciation for RMI's efforts. Bill seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Motorized Use on Public Trails Dale informed the Board that Reno Cerise and Billy Grange would be joining the meeting soon to discuss the issue of motorized vehicles on the Rio Grande Trail. Dale wanted to take the opportunity to preface that discussion with the Board. Dale told the Board that Reno has been warned about being on the Rio Grande Trail on his dirt bike to access other parts of his ranch. Gary commented that Reno is not joy riding, but is using the trail as a easier access route to other parts of the Ranch. He added that he does not want to issue tickets to ranchers, but that he has been having a lot of problems with motorized use ofthe trail. Bill said that he wanted to wait for Billy and Reno to show up. Dale noted that the golf course, next to these ranchers, was ticketed and fined for motorized use of the trail. He added that Title 12 prohibits motorized use without a permit from the County. Bill departed the meeting. Gary noted that this is a safety concern and that the County's motorized use of the trail is different because the County is covered by its liability insurance and is responsible for how it drives, and know when, where and how they are on the trail. Hawk stated that the Board would like to see these ranches preserved and that anything we can do to help them stay in agriculture would help this goal. Gary said his concern was not about these ranches as much, but that it would turn into a larger issue, since there are so many other ranches along the trail through Woody Creek, as well as along the Owl Creek Trail. The Board decided to suspend further discussion until Reno and Billy arrived. STAFF COMMENTS Fuel Reduction on Mautz Bill rejoined the meeting. Dale told the Board that Skip Harruntun, a resident on Thomas Creek Road, called and requested that OST perform fuel reduction on the area ofthe former Mautz Property (aka Crystal Valley Ranch) located between the river and the road. Skip claims that it is unmanaged and ready to burn up. Gary noted that the property he is talking about is a riparian area with great ecological values. Gary added that it is not a true fire hazard because it is located between the river and the road. Skip is requesting a letter from staff. Rick said that he would like to take a look at it. He added that if needed, they could call the Carbondale Fire Department and have them determine if the area is a fire hazard. The Board requested a letter from staff, asking for written clarification on what their concerns are and what they want, and stating that it is not OST policy to alter natural habitats without a compelling reason. AVLT Sharmon informed the Board that A VLT's former office manager had embezzled a substantial amount of money from the non-profit over her last year and a half of employment. Shannon said that A VLT is confident that they will recover the money. She explained that, as a result of this, A VL T will undergo a fraud procedures investigation, which is more stringent than an armual audit. They are also undergoing an easement self-evaluation with LTA. The Board offered its support and sympathies to AVLT. 2 . . . MOTORIZED USE OF RIO GRANDE TRAIL (continued) Billy Grange and Reno Cerise joined the meeting to discuss their motorized use ofthe Rio Grande Trail through their ranches for ranch operation purposes. Dale opened the discussion by stating that this is tough issue. The program does not want to see everyone along the trail to use the trail as a maintenance road. The Roaring Fork Club was ticketed for having motorized vehicles on the trail, and Dale felt that everyone should be treated the same. Dale added that there is also a public safety concern and a County Code that prohibits motorized use of trails without a permit or agreement. Reno said that he does not use the trail that much and that it has been his historic access to his head gate. Reno said that he has a clear view for half a mile up and down the trail from his ranch. He does not pull out onto the trail ifthere is an equestrian on the trail, and he pulls over and stops well in advance of meeting up with any other trail users. The headgate is located by the trestle next to the Roaring Fork Club (the Club). Dale said that the trail was built on the track through their ranch. Reno explained that there was a road on either side of the track before the trail was built, and that the trail through the Club is on that old road, not the tracks. Billy added that the old road is now fenced out through his property. The only other access to the headgate would be on Highway 82. Bill Fales felt that since the ranchers' use ifthe corridor is historic, unlike the Club's, that their continued use should be permitted. Rick added that the legislation calls on the OST to foster and promote historic agricultural use. He suggested an annual revocable license. Gary said that where there is a critical need to use the trail for ranching operations, then it should be permitted, but he did not want to see the trail used as an easier route for getting around the ranch. Gary added that he received complaints from people who are not allowed to take their dogs on that section of trail, yet the ranchers are allowed to drive on it. Dale noted that Title 12 of the County Code makes an exception to the motorized ban on trails for agricultural vehicles that have an agreement with the County. Hawk suggested that this may be an opportunity to educate the public about ranching. Annie said that the Board was willing to work with the ranchers, but that they needed to be aware that there are public safety and public perception issues that the Board has to deal with also. Gary emphasized that he did not want this special use to spread up the entire valley. Dale said that, for public safety reasons, and permitted use should be reviewed armually. Dale will write up a draft agreement on motorized use of the trail for review. Hawk noted the email included in the packet, requesting that dog ban on the Rio Grande Trail be lifted. He asked Billy and Reno if they have has any problems with dogs. Both ranchers said that there have been no conflicts with dogs since the fence was installed. Board and staff discussed the issue and agreed that some form of outreach to the surrounding community about responsible dog ownership and lifting the dog ban on a trail basis would be a good idea. The Board decided to hold one of its scheduled meetings in July in Basalt. STAFF COMMENTS (continued) Randall Park Camper and Other Enforcement Issues Gary informed the Board that Carol Alexi did not show up for her court date, and was subsequently found guilty, arrested and released. Since then, she has returned to her campsite on Randall Park. Keith has issued a second ticket to her on Tuesday. Annie said that the tent was still up on Wednesday. 3 . Keith updated the Board with his enforcement issues, saying that he issued Owl Creek Ranch a ticket for driving their 4-wheeler on the trail, and that there have been a lot of dogs on North Star this year, which is considered a "no tolerance" zone. Airport Ranch Survey Debbie Quinn joined the meeting to discuss the resolution of the Airport Ranch survey, depicting the Open Space and Airport portions of the property. Dale gave a brief background of the property and the boundary issues. He said that the County's latest proposal, depicted on a fax from Bud Eylar, is probably consistent with what was depicted as Open Space on an old archive map. The Board discussed the proposed allotment of the property, which put the flat bench along the highway between Public Works and the Sardy house in Airport ownership, and the property on the downvalley side of the Sardy house as Open Space. Rick wanted to see a 50-foot buffer from the top of the slope included as Open Space, to prevent visual impacts from future development. Gary suggested staking that boundary in the field to determine ifthat would be an adequate visual buffer. A discussion of development along the highway ensured. Debbie noted that the Airport Master plan, which is in effect for the next 20 years, does not call for any development on the east side of the highway. The Board agreed to accept the proposed survey, once a boundary for the visual buffer from the top of the slope is determined. Gary and Bud will conduct a site visit once a 50-foot setback has been staked, to determine ifthat is enough of a buffer. The boards will discuss their finding and finalizing the survey at the June joint meeting. . Annie left the meeting. SWLTA Conference Dale informed the Board that he and Barb attended a the Southwest L T A Conference and updated the Board. Fence on Wind Point Gary informed the Board that the Crystal River Country Estates installed a chain link fence on their strip of land that crosses the railroad grade, and put up a "no trespassing" sign. Gary will GPS the location of the fence to determine that it is on their property. BOARD COMMENTS McSkimming Properties Hawk asked Jesse to talk to the City Open Space board about 8 lots on McSkimming Road that flank Smuggler Mountain. Wingo Parking Rick expressed renewed concern about the parking situation at the Wingo take out. He believes that the parking there is not safe and wondered ifthere was something that the program could do. The Boards discussed various possible solutions, including contacting neighboring landowners and CDOT. . 4 . . . . . Rick also wanted to take a look at acquiring river access at the upriver end of the Lazy Glen homeowners association and establishing the river access on the south side of Kirianoffs. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at II :40 a.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a) and (b), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions, and litigations. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 12:50 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:50 pm. Approyed Attest I' '/ . Ii 'i '.. I . )'''V4 Ann Rickenb ugh, Chair Open Space and Trails Boar 5