John Scarffe, Gilpin County. The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners saw a request for a garage variance in Wondervu during a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at the Gilpin County Courthouse. Two members of the public addressed the Board regarding the request.

Ronald James McLaughlin of Arvada requested the variance on behalf of applicant Elizabeth McLaughlin for a variance to build a detached garage 15 feet from the property line on lot two of the Wondervu Ranch on Indian Peaks Road off Highway 72. Although the property sits in Gilpin County, it borders Boulder County.

Community Development Director Tony Petersen told the Commissioners that the applicants want to build a 27ft 4in by 34ft garage that will be 15ft high. It will be 15ft from the property line instead of the 30ft required by zoning. The only portion of the lot available is the corner lot because the water table and steep slope cause difficulties in constructing a driveway elsewhere on the property.

“We concur with that description,” Petersen said. “The physical conditions on this lot do qualify it for a variance.” It will have little or no impact on neighbors.

McLaughlin said they plan on adding vegetation and landscaping so the visual impact will be lower. They plan to bring in a lot of fill, and would have to cut down multiple trees to move the garage closer to the house.

Two neighbors spoke in opposition. “My concern is whether this variance goes through does it have an effect on Boulder County and what their expectations are. We want to put a horse stable on this property.

“We just started down this path and would like to get a subdivision exemption through Boulder County.” The creek runs through the properties and the septic system is on Highway 72.

Another neighbor who owns property across the road, said: “Our neighborhood is already pretty crowded. A number of exceptions have been allowed. We didn’t move to the mountains to have neighbors across the street from us.

“It’s making us all feel more crowded,” The neighbor said. “Our entire property is in Gilpin County. We were told no one would buy that property because of the difficulty to build on it. We had no problem with the house, which will be out of everyone’s site line until they started talking about a garage.”

Commissioner Buddy Schmalz said this does add a unique twist to it but that he wouldn’t object to the structure being 15ft instead of 30. The issue is the visual impact from across the street. “What if they build a room on top of that?”

Commissioner Gail Watson asked if the fact that it’s a garage and not a home will be less impeding. Board Chair Linda Isenhart said she sees nothing wrong with the variance but would like to find solutions for the visual problems created by the garage.

Petersen replied that if they built a room they would have to come back to the Board, but it could turn into a two car garage with a vestibule. He said they would figure out the best way to screen that.

McLaughlin said they were fine with a restriction like that. “We’re trying to minimize the impact.”

The Board approved the variance with conditions of restricting increases on the height of the garage and further screening.

Commissioner Watson brought up the possibility of funding $500 scholarships for Gilpin County attendees of Rural Colorado Philanthropy Days. The funds would be used for lodging or transportation costs and cover the cost of the program for one day. Registrations would cost about $75. Watson wants to show that the county is supportive and would draft an invitation that would go out. The event would give County organizations the opportunity to make pitches to potential funders. She listed organizations such as Eagles Nest, Gilpin Seniors and a number of other nonprofits.

Schmalz said this could become a slippery slope of what kind of things in which the County gets involved. “All of the sudden we have all of these little things,” Schmalz said. “I could think of a hundred other things like this. I’m surprised they find $75 a hardship if they feel this is important.”

Watson replied that this would be a small amount of money to advocate for a project the Board supports. “I think it is important the County put a small amount of money toward that.

Isenhart said they should go ahead and plan on authorizing the $500.

Schmalz seconded a motion to approve the scholarships and then voted against it. The motion passed on a two to one vote.

Public Works Director Bill Paulman requested a reallocation of funds for the Department. He said this year started out with a series of equipment failures that will strain the Department’s annual budget. The emergency generator at the Justice Center needs an engine rebuild at a cost of $30,000.

The engine problems started last January, and this winter it became apparent the engine was just worn out, Paulman said. It is important for the jail and Community Center to have power. “Power outages can cause havoc up there.”

One of the large heating coils on the Public Works HVAC started leaking and needs replacement for $16,500, Paulman said. The Cold Storage building garage door needs to be replaced for $7,300, and the biomass conveyor belts must be replaced for $9,400 because the quality of wood chips it produces went way down.

The Public Works hot water pressure washer needs replacement for $9,000. Water runs across the road eroding roads instead of going into culverts, Paulman said.

“All of these would practically exhaust the budget,” Paulman said. The Department had budgeted to buy a new roller and grader, but the roller came in $9,000 under budget, and a grader was $61,000 under budget.

“I think we have more than enough money to cover the generator and heater from those funds,” Paulman said. The bids on the generator are very close. “I don’t think we’ll be over that.”

Isenhart said this all adds up to about $71,000, and Schmalz said: “This is the kind of stuff we hope doesn’t happen. We’re fortunate the bids came back a little lower. It’s the cost of doing business.”

The Board approved the reallocation. The Board met on March 22 and will meet again on Tuesday, April 12, at 9 a.m. at the Gilpin County Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City.