An RV park that may be developed east of Boyle Park and north of Grand Avenue has raised questions during recent public debates about its potential environmental impact.<\/p>\n
Some residents voiced their concerns at town meetings that the RV park might negatively impact the river.<\/p>\n
Now that the town board has approved a change to the land-use code that allows RV parks on all lots zoned as multifamily residential, developers may start the permit process to build the park.<\/p>\n
If the developers submit an application, the town wouldn\u2019t do an environmental-impact review, but it would require that the developer provide engineer-approved drawings that adhere to floodplain requirements, said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips.<\/p>\n
Drainage is also part of the review, and the water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters, she said.<\/p>\n
She said that she may ask for a statement of effects on wildlife, vegetation and wetland designations. But there is no formal requirement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTownwide, we do not require any special environmental review for development that abuts the Mancos River or Chicken Creek, but there is a required setback from those water channels of 25 feet,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
One of the town\u2019s options for permitting RV parks would have been to require a special-use permit, which would have required the RV park to be reviewed during two public hearings.<\/p>\n
The town board members discussed this option. But at the June 25 meeting, the board voted to change the land-use code and adopt a strict set of guidelines that would apply to any RV park in a multifamily residential area.<\/p>\n
The town\u2019s guidelines or \u201cspecific use criteria\u201d say that any park can only operate from 8 a.m. to dusk, and would be subject to town laws regarding noise and lights. Generators would be prohibited.<\/p>\n
The laws also require 6-feet-high screening around any park to allow for privacy. A developer could use hedges or fencing.<\/p>\n
Phillips said a special-use permit would not necessarily have granted the town more control over the project because the RV park would still be subject to the same guidelines now in place.<\/p>\n
If the developers submit an application, Phillips, who is also the planning and zoning administrator, will be assisted by the public works director and the building inspector in reviewing it.<\/p>\n