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Variances from City of Aurora Regulations - (from the Eastern Hills Operations Plan and the Cherry Creek Vista Application Letter)
On behalf of ConocoPhillips Company, CVL respectively requests the following variances.
D. Development Standards, 3,d, Equipment height requirements
The Vapor Recovery Tower (VRT) and combustors located on the pad site are just over thirty-one and a half feet tall (31' -6"). Please see detail in Section E of this report for VRT detail. The VRT will be a permanent fixture on the pad site while the combustor will only be temporary until the pipeline can be connected. The City regulations restrict equipment height to a maximum of twenty feet (20') in height. CVL respectively requests relief from this requirement as this equipment is necessary for the process as a whole.
E. Access Roads
The proposed private access road will be sixteen feet (16') wide, with turnouts located approximately every 1,000 feet. These turnouts will provide for an additional ten feet (10') of width for 100 feet in length. The City of Aurora (City) normally requires a twenty-three foot (23') wide surface.
The City regulations state that private roads must conform to their roadway design and construction standards. CVL respectively requests relief from this requirement. In neighboring jurisdictions, it has been acceptable to build the access roads without plan and profile drawings. Instead, the horizontal alignment of the road is depicted, overlaid with existing topography and labels indicating existing longitudinal slopes. Typically, the contractor follows the existing terrain of the alignment, excavating for the roadside swales and using that material to build up the driving surface. This method minimizes earthwork. In areas where stormwater drainage conveyance is necessary, CMPs are installed to convey the five year historic flow, at a minimum. Minimum pipe sizes are 18 inch diameter. The vehicles that utilize these roads, most significantly the rig, are both long and heavy. It behooves COP to construct a quality road that requires minimal maintenance.
F. Additional Performance Standards, 7. Fencing
Barbed wire field fencing is proposed in lieu of the normally required screening "non-flammable material or chain link with slats". The purpose of the fencing is to visually delineate the operations area, and restrict wildlife and/or grazing livestock from entering the operations area. This well location is far from the nearest neighborhoods or commercial centers, in the middle of an agricultural landscape; this field fencing would be in concert with its surroundings.
F. Additional Performance Standards, 8. Landscaping
With the exception of the re-vegetation applications of seeding and mulch, landscaping e.g. turf grass or groundcover is not proposed. There is no water source nearby to support such plantings. As stated previously, the remote location of this well site should not necessitate screening from nearby residents.
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