In yet another rebellion against some state mandates, Teller County commissioners Erik Stone and Bob Campbell approved a resolution to impose an emergency moratorium on construction of major utility projects. Commission Chair Dan Williams was attending a Colorado Parks and Wildlife meeting, wher e he represents Teller County. He was absent from the commissioners’ Dec. 18 meeting. At issue is the Teller County commissioners’ commitment to ensuring local control. “Basically, the state is moving into a season where we anticipate major changes to our local authority,” Stone said at the meeting. The changes, if approved, would supersede the commissioners’ authority to review and approve large scale wind and solar projects in zones in unincorporated Teller County. The temporary moratorium, not to exceed six months, targets construction of projects that include commercial battery energy storage and solar collection. The emergency nature of the resolution is, in part, a response to inquiries about constructing such projects on undeveloped county land. “We will be adopting our own regulations,” Stone said. In approving the resolution, the commissioners declared they have the authority to make and adopt a zoning plan for all or any part of unincorporated territory in the county. The moratorium prohibits construction of structures used, or to be used, for any business, residential, industrial or commercial purposes. According to the resolution, the six-month moratorium is to give the county sufficient time to develop appropriate permitting standards. The resolution states that the moratorium does not apply to the current expansion of the wastewater treatment facility.   The resolution highlights a law passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 1974 that allows local governments to maintain control over certain local development projects that have statewide impacts.  The resolution is preemptive. “We are going into an uneasy framework with the state legislature, anticipating there will be some attacks on our 1041 powers,” said Campbell, referring to the 1974 legislation HB74-1041. It “allows local governments to identify, designate and regulate areas and activities of state interest through a local permitting process,” the Colorado Division of Local Government website states. In another strike at independence, the commissioners voted to opt out of the state’s graywater control program. Graywater includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, washing machines and laundry tubs. The program permits the use of graywater for certain purposes and authorizes the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules and regulations regarding the use of graywater. According to Austin May, environmental and septic services officer with Teller County Public Health Environment, the county has the authority to opt out of the program. The resolution addresses the potential cost of oversight due to the lack of resources and the commissioners’ dedication to remaining debt-free. The resolution prohibits the treatment and use of graywater within the county. “We have no ability to oversee the program,” May said. In other business, the commissioners approved a request by Taylor McGinty to transfer the liquor license for TMT Irish, doing business as McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub. Jillian McCarthy, WIC Education Specialist for Teller County Public Health Environment; Kim Newsom, Public Health RN; and Lisa Hoekman, customer service specialist for Community Development Planning, each received five-year employee service awards. ...read more read less