The Dolores County Planning Commission will hold their regular meeting in Dove Creek at the county courthouse at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24. There are two items on the agenda and they are Public Hearing for Draft Land Use Code and Land Use Application for Atmos Energy.

The draft Dolores County Development and Land Use Regulations are available at the Rico Town Hall.

At the regular Rico Town Board meeting held on Sept. 19, Town Attorney Susan Baker reported the Planning Commission reviewed the Institutional Controls Ordinance (IC) and with the exception of a few concerns, determined it was ready for a formal public hearing before that body for recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The Planning Commission had the following comments: 1. Add invasive species language for fill materials to IC Section 886.4 to prevent the spread of noxious weeds by contaminated/imported soils. 2. As it relates to Deed Notice language in Section 886.7, create a Town process whereby the Town would mail the signed deed notice to the County rather than requiring that the property owner to do it. 3. Ask ARCO to mitigate damage from rain and the washing of soils from unremediated streets onto remediated properties. 4. Ask ARCO to provide additional funding to reimburse owners of remediated and developed private lots for their cost of complying with the ICs Ordinance when conducting any new development activities such as adding a garage or remodeling. 5. Ask ARCO for additional funding to reimburse owners of remediated lots for future maintenance and repair of the soil cap due to erosion, damage or wear and tear.

Vacant lots sampling should begin in the coming weeks to complete the VCUP soils sampling process in compliance with the protocol established by the ICs Ordinance. This sampling will also assure a consistent and accurate GIS system for future use by Town property owners. Staff and ARCO are still in the process of finalizing the contract with Dave Folkes and EnviroGroup who will conduct the sampling.

The Town has asked ARCO to provide drafts of the proposed Trust Agreement which will be the basis for funding the ICs program, Town streets remediation and other components of the VCUP. It will be important for staff and the Town Team to review these Agreements and present them to the Board of Trustees for final review and approval before the VCUP settlement is completed.

The Team has also discussed with Trust for Land Restoration (TLR) and ARCO the possibility of retaining Dave Folkes and EnviroGroup to develop instruction manuals and permit forms to aid the Town in implementing the ICs Ordinance.