Planning Commission refining Irwin draft plan

Project will likely move forward under Major Impact heading

The Gunnison County Planning Commission met on Friday, December 6 to continue refining its draft recommendation on the proposed Scarp Ridge LLC sketch plan. Once the draft is complete, the recommendation will be sent to the Gunnison County Board of Commissioners for consideration.

According to county planner Cathie Pagano, that could happen any time after the commission’s January 17 meeting that will address any suggested changes in the recommendation.
Under the sketch plan, Scarp Ridge requests the approval of a master plan for its property in the Irwin area that would incorporate the use of the existing lodge for weddings and events and as a conference center, and would call for the development of six new single-family residences on adjoining mining claims.
The plan includes one storage structure, one elevated overlook structure, and one alpine hut; the addition of a roof deck to the existing parking barn; an outdoor pavilion that would seat approximately 170 people; new mountain bike trails; zip-lines; a kids’ village to include playground equipment; and a reroute of the existing Scarp Ridge trail, including trailhead parking, signage and vault toilets.
Combined, the proposed structures and facilities would comprise a year-round commercial resort.
The Planning Commission and invested stakeholders have been debating the merits of the plan since June of this year, and though the original sketch plan and the bulk of the Planning Commissions recommendations have remained largely intact, several modifications have been made to address community and government concerns, said Scarp Ridge LLC representing attorney David Leinsdorf.
“The overall scope of the project has not changed significantly in my view,” said Leinsdorf. “Details have changed but I don’t think it’s very different than what we’ve seen.”
Some of the details changed in the plan itself include: the construction of only one alpine hut where originally two were called for; the implementation of a conservation easement; adjustments for wildlife and noise; and the clustering of residential developments on adjoining mine claims.
As of the December 6 meeting, the Planning Commission was leaning toward recommending the sketch plan to the county commissioners under the classification of a major impact sketch plan. This designation would require Scarp Ridge LLC to continue working with the Planning Commission and Gunnison County in the development of a preliminary plan and a final plan.
According to the Planning Commission each of these plans is distinct, each requires additional detail and approval, and the approval of one plan does not ensure the approval of the other.
Further, the Planning Commission suggested the sketch plan be approved with several conditions, including:
—A clear and distinct phasing plan to be submitted at the preliminary plan.
—The inclusion in the site plan of proposed building envelopes for all proposed structures and the delineation of the location of proposed amenities including trails and zip-lines.
—The addressing of whether the proposed and existing trails on private property will be open to the public and how that will be managed in the preliminary plan.
—The completion and reporting of noise level as part of the preliminary plan
—Application for a watershed permit from the town of Crested Butte in conjunction with the submittal of the Preliminary Plan.
—A wastewater treatment plan as part of the preliminary plan.
—Cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service to determine the appropriate public process for the proposed realignment of the Scarp Ridge Trail, any changes to the existing access easement and any other impacts to other trails (including the Ridge trail) or public lands associated with the proposed project.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet January 17 to continue reviewing, and likely complete, its draft recommendation for the sketch plan.