Planning commission recommends Sugarloaf Mountain Ranch wildfire-mitigation CUP and site plan

The Lake County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit and site plan for Sugarloaf Mountain Ranch, a proposed wildfire-mitigation base of operations and utility facility on 20.6 acres west of Turquoise Lake.

County staff described the project as part of a Colorado State Forest Service agricultural program to support forest health and fire mitigation. Melissa (county staff) told the commission the application would place three agricultural structures to store equipment used for seasonal forestry work, reduce exposed equipment, and enable maintenance of county communications and early-warning fire-detection systems located on the property. The project site is embedded within a larger 875-acre holding, staff said, and presented minimal traffic impacts.

The planning commission’s recommendation includes binding conditions to satisfy safety and environmental concerns. The commission asked that the applicant comply with Leadville Lake County Fire & Rescue requirements, produce an emergency-evacuation plan, implement a wildlife-mitigation plan with a defined safety zone, prepare a hazardous-chemical storage plan for fuels and oils, and provide water-storage capability for fire-suppression efforts at the time of building-permit review. Staff also recorded representations made by the applicant in the application and hearing as binding conditions of approval.

Applicant Tim (representing the property owner) told the commission the site supports county cell towers, an early-warning fire-detection system and mine-mitigation activities, and said his equipment currently sits uncovered and requires enclosed storage for upkeep and access.

The planning commission made two separate motions — one recommending approval of the CUP and another recommending site-plan approval — and approved both by roll call. The recommendations and the written findings required under county code will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action at a later meeting.