GarCo Report

New cell tower proposed near Aspen Glen

By James Steindler Contributing Editor

The Sopris Sun was recently nudged by a reader to look into a legal notice that ran in the Oct. 13 issue regarding the construction of a proposed Verizon Wireless cell tower near Aspen Glen.

It turned out that the property in question, located on County Road 109 immediately south of Aspen Glen’s driving range, is owned by Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD). The fi re department was deeded the property when Aspen Glen was fi rst being developed.

According to Fire Chief Rob Goodwin, Verizon Wireless reached out a few years ago to propose leasing a piece of the lot to place a cell tower. The CRFPD board agreed to have Verizon pursue the endeavor but, pending the approval of its development, has not fi nalized a lease with the cellular company.

The proposal is for a 65-foot “monopine” telecommunications tower, which apparently would resemble a pine tree. According to the public notice, the anticipated lighting application would be medium intensity and include dual red and white strobes.

“We’re still interested in leasing a portion of it to them and they’re still interested in doing it, so hopefully at some point it will move forward and we’ll have better cell service in there,” Goodwin told The Sopris Sun.

Goodwin expects that once the permits have been approved and both parties sign a lease agreement, Verizon will pay a rent monthly for the portion of the land it uses.

Highway 82 commuters know that the section

Just down County Road 109, between the entrances to the Iron Bridge and West Bank subdivisions, a monopine tower already stands. Photo by James Steindler which spans Aspen Glen is a deadzone for cell service, and even more so do the residents in the area.

Not only will it improve cell service, but Goodwin believes it will have the added benefi t of community safety and enhance emergency response. “Improved communications there is going to help everyone, including us … and having the ability to put any radio antennas we might need up there would help too. I think it would be very benefi cial to public safety and to the public.”

There is an eagle protection zone which was recently contested when it came to additional development proposed in Aspen Glen on the north side of the river. The proposed tower is south of the river and about a mile away, as the crow fl ies, from the buff erzone. Goodwin said he knows about the buff erzone. He stated that he doesn’t believe it is anywhere near there, but acknowledged he is not the “right guy” to speak to that component.

Sheryl Bower, community development director for Garfi eld County, has not received any zoning application from Verizon. However, she stated that Verizon will need to get approval from the county before proceeding.

Verizon speaks

According to Heidi Flato, a communications manager with Verizon, the notice printed in the Oct. 13 issue was “the local public notice that is required as part of our NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] regulatory process.”

She added that the zoning process has not yet begun, which explains why Garfi eld County had not yet been notifi ed about the proposed project prior to The Sopris Sun’s inquiry.

Verizon’s engineers examine current network usage and data trends to determine placement for small and macro cellular sites.

“We spend a great deal of time with each community to take into account unique needs while engineering the best possible network,” said Flato. When pressed about what sort of community outreach was performed in this case, she said, “I don’t have a lot of detail.”

“This proposed cell site in Carbondale will improve Verizon’s network coverage and capacity in the area — particularly important now and into the future, as many residents will continue to depend on reliable broadband service to work and learn from home,” Flato stated.

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Editor’s note: The Sopris Sun is proud to return to regular Garfi eld County coverage. Better yet, ace reporter Amy Hadden Marsh will be on the beat. If you would like to help us underwrite this feature in 2023, contact Todd@SoprisSun.com

On Monday, the Garfi eld County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a preliminary plan for the Eagle Ridge subdivision with 19 townhouses and 16 single-family units on 7.3 acres near Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus. Three townhouses and one single-family home will be deed-restricted.

Eagle Ridge is part of the Los Amigos/Elk Springs Planned Unit Development (PUD), originally approved in 1979. The site was partially developed in the early ‘80s and now resembles a ghost town with the ruins of unfi nished foundations and a partially graded landscape bisected by Auburn Ridge Lane. The developer plans to remove the foundations and improve the road.

The Elk Springs Homeowner Association will supply water to Eagle Ridge residents through a water allotment contract with the Basalt Water Conservancy District. The Spring Valley Sanitation District will provide wastewater services. There is some concern that, even though water has been allocated to Eagle Ridge, ongoing drought will reduce the supply.

The Garfi eld County Planning Commission in September recommended approval of Eagle Ridge with conditions, including infrastructure needs, water management, revegetation and weed control plans and a state health department stormwater permit. Developers agreed to submit fi nal engineering plans before building infrastructure improvements. Once improvements are complete, housing construction will begin.

Elk Springs residents, living north of Eagle Ridge, voiced concern about headlights shining into their homes as well as outdoor lighting, dogs at large, open burning of any kind, xeriscaping and wildlife. Some written comments were entirely against the development.

Commissioner John Martin warned developers to pay attention to recommendations from a geological survey, citing the 2003 sinkhole that swallowed a CMC soccer fi eld. He also said that Eagle Ridge will bring longneeded housing to the south side of Glenwood Springs.

In other news, commissioners gave thumbs up to a request to sign an agreement between Habitat

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The Garfield County Commissioners, art by Larry Day for Humanity and Alpine Bank to prioritize two units in Wapiti Commons in Rifl e for county employees. Martin voted in favor of the request but not before stating that he’d prefer Pitkin and Eagle counties to provide worker housing.

Aspen Polo Partners presented a fi nal plat presentation for McClure River Ranch, east of Carbondale, which commissioners also approved. Key issues identifi ed by county staff included a management plan for the Ute ladies'-tresses orchid, a listed threatened and endangered plant species found on the property.

Commissioners okay’d the weekly consent agenda and all action items as well as the transfer of a liquor license to Liquor Cave Colorado in Battlement Mesa. Monday’s public hearing for the license was continued from the Nov. 14 meeting. Commissioner Mike Samson requested clarifi cation on the new owner’s legal background, which was resolved during Monday’s meeting. Garfi eld County resident Jeff Holub brought up the need for a guard rail along a section of County Road 113 about six miles from Highway 82 where Holub recently lost a neighbor to a fatal car accident on a dangerous curve. He said that several cars have gone off the road after failing to navigate the curve. Martin told County Manager Fred Jarman to get the county road and bridge department to look into the problem.

When Christmas was outlawed in New England, an interesting group of Unitarians revived it. Rev. Norris recounts their story.

“Why the Unitarians Saved Christmas” by Rev. A.G. Norris. Live Music by Jimmy Byrne.

Sunday, December 11th, 10am

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Community Room/Third St. Center in Carbondale or via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/97893023273 Meeting ID: 978 9302 3273 - Passcode: chalice