The Chaffee County Planning Commission continued the Aspire Tours land-use hearing until Jan. 25, 2022, following a tedious evening of deliberations and discussion to arrive at findings of fact for the Aspire application.
Commissioners JoAnne Allen and Paul Rauschke expressed opposition to the land-use application. Most of the planning commissioners, however, expressed general support for the commercial development but contingent upon significant conditions related to road-safety and water issues.
Planning Commission findings include:
- The Land Use Code “states desired uses in the Rural Zone are those that do not adversely affect agricultural production or community character.”
- “This application complies, with conditions of approval, with the requirements of the Limited Impact Reviews … .”
- The “blind hill” section of County Road 190W does not meet current County standards, and testimony indicates “widespread local concern over the grade, width and sight lines.”
- Division of Water Resources data from nearby wells show “well depth and pump rate variability.”
Planning commissioners plan to address conditions for approval of the application at their Jan. 25, 2022, meeting, and Commissioner Marjo Curgus suggested those conditions will include well testing to determine adequate water supply.
Curgus also suggested speed bumps as an economical option for slowing traffic above and below the blind hill.
