Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners Reviews Major Subdivision Application for Cattle Creek Ranch

Introduction

The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held a public hearing on August 16, 2023, to consider a major subdivision application for the Cattle Creek Ranch property. The proposal seeks to subdivide the 1,200-acre ranch into 43 residential lots, ranging in size from 10 to 40 acres.

Project Overview

The Cattle Creek Ranch subdivision project is located approximately 12 miles northwest of Salida, Colorado, in an area known as Poncha Pass. The site is bordered by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west and the Arkansas River to the east.

The proposed subdivision would include:

43 residential lots, each with a minimum of 10 acres
Access to a private, paved road
A community well and septic system
Covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) to ensure compatibility and preserve the character of the area

Application Process

The applicant, Cattle Creek Ranch, LLC, submitted a preliminary plat and other supporting documentation to the BOCC in June 2023. The application has since undergone a thorough review by the Planning and Zoning Department and other county agencies.

Public Hearing

The public hearing on August 16 was an opportunity for the public to provide input on the proposed subdivision. Numerous individuals and organizations presented their views, both in support of and in opposition to the project.

Key Issues

Several key issues emerged during the public hearing:

Water Resources: Concerns were raised about the potential impacts of the subdivision on local water resources, including the Arkansas River and groundwater supplies.
Traffic: Residents expressed concerns about increased traffic on Poncha Pass Road and other nearby roadways.
Wildlife: The area is home to various wildlife species, and attendees raised questions about the potential impacts of the subdivision on their habitat.
Preservation: Supporters of the project argued that the subdivision would preserve the open space and scenic beauty of the area. Opponents expressed concerns about the loss of undeveloped land and potential fragmentation of wildlife corridors.

BOCC Deliberation

Following the public hearing, the BOCC took the application under advisement. The Commissioners will consider all of the testimony and evidence presented before making a decision on the project.

Next Steps

The BOCC is expected to make a final decision on the Cattle Creek Ranch subdivision application within the next 60 days. If approved, the subdivision would add 43 new residential lots to the Poncha Pass area.