The La Plata County Planning Commission denied a proposed gravel mine south of Durango this week, and the project is now headed to a final vote with the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners.
In 2014, the Bonds family entered into an agreement with Crossfire Aggregate Services to develop a gravel pit on their land, as well as a weigh station, scale house and other operational buildings.
The property is an estimated 220 acres, about 1 mile northwest of the intersection at U.S. Highway 550 and La Posta Road (County Road 213).
A gravel pit operation requires a Class II land-use permit through the county. However, the project has been going through the planning process for years as a result of complications with the proposed operation.
Frustrated, the developers sought a “yes” or “no” vote with the planning commission, knowing that if the project was denied they could plead their case to county commissioners in a final decision vote.
The commission voted unanimously Thursday to deny the project.
Jim Tencza, chairman of the planning commission, said planners were able to work out almost 15 outstanding issues with the project, but problems linger, such as regulations related to water, sewer and road access.
Tencza said the commission offered to put off a vote and schedule another meeting to give both parties time to work out the remaining issues, but the developer wished instead to go before county commissioners.
According to planning staff, the developer has failed to provide an adequate water study, has not proved adequate access to the site and has not demonstrated compliance with the county’s development standards.
“The application has not met the requirements and procedures for a Class II land-use permit,” the county concluded in its report.
The developers, for their part, argued they have spent millions of dollars on the application process and have had a difficult time navigating through the demands of county staff and the code.
“We’ve been bickering back and forth for almost four years on very minor issues,” said Gregg Donaldson, a spokesman for the project. “We’ve gotten to a point where we’re very frustrated. ... We’ve done everything we possibility could to be fair and reasonable.”
The developers said the gravel pit would create 16 jobs and $20 million in tax revenue for the county. They also pledged $1.5 million to improve the intersection at U.S. Highway 550 and La Posta Road.
But because the application did not comply with the county water and sewer codes, County Attorney Sheryl Rogers said the planning commission could not approve the project.
It’s unclear when county commissioners will consider the proposed project.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
