The Orchard Mesa planning area contains a wealth of natural
resources and amenity values. Most of the neighborhoods benefit from
great views of the Grand Mesa, Bookcliffs, and the Colorado National
Monument. The area also includes mineral resources, historic and existing
drainage channels, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and the Colorado and
Gunnison River floodplains.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
Mineral resources are predominantly upland gravel deposits on both the Colorado River and Gunnison River bluffs as well as floodplain deposits along both rivers. The current five gravel pits in the area are all outside of the City limits. Some coal deposits exist along the Gunnison River near the Department of Energy facility. These resources are all identified in the County’s Mineral and Energy Resources Master Plan and mapped in the
Mineral Resources Survey of Mesa County (1978).
As Orchard Mesa grows, the potential for land use conflicts
increases between gravel operations and other development. Mineral
extraction is regulated by local development codes and the State of
Colorado.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
Evidence of unstable slopes, soil creep and slumping is easily
seen along the bluffs of Colorado River. Numerous locations along
the Colorado and Gunnison River bluff lines show signs of soil movement
and unstable slopes, including some areas where residential development
has occurred. In the 1980s several homes in the Lamplight Subdivision
were damaged and ultimately removed due to earth movement sliding
towards the Colorado River as shown below.
City and County development codes set forth specific criteria
for land use and development activities to avoid hazard areas or mitigate
potential impacts. The codes also have standards for development along
mapped ridgelines visible from major transportation corridors.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
The Highway 50 corridor is a major entryway to the Grand Junction
area and offers visitors and residents their first view of the urban
area. The image many people have of Orchard Mesa and the Grand Junction
area is based on their experience along this corridor. Orchard Mesa
is located above the majority of the urban area and boasts some of
the best scenic views of the Grand Valley, the Uncompahgre Plateau,
Colorado National Monument, the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa.
Like much of Mesa County, the enjoyment of the night sky is
a high priority for residents of Orchard Mesa. Development codes include
specific standards for outdoor lighting in and outside of the Grand
Junction City limits.
The Mesa County Board of Health’s advisory body, the Grand
Valley Air Quality Planning Committee, studies and addresses air quality
issues such as: oil burning furnaces, illegal trash burning, legally
permitted open burning, visibility, wood stove use during winter months,
vehicle emissions, fugitive dust complaints, neighborhood odor complaints,
etc.
Mesa County Resolution MCM 2002-066, Mesa County Air Pollution
Resolution on Open Burning, sets forth direction for air quality protection
consistent with Section
25-7-128 of
the Colorado Revised Statutes. The County’s resolution provides
specific direction for open burning in the designated air shed, prohibited
materials, general practices, exemptions, permit requirements, local
fire protection agency requirements, and season and timing of burning.
Agricultural burning is generally exempt from regulation and the resolution
prohibits open burning of residential household trash.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
The 100-year floodplains of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers
are designated as critical wildlife habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for several endangered fish species: the Colorado pikeminnow,
razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and humpback chub. The western yellow-billed
cuckoo is proposed for threatened status. The Colorado hookless cactus,
a listed threatened plant, is also in the area. Local development
codes require minimum setbacks from the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers
and consultation with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service for input on development near drainages
and other wildlife habitat.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)