Commissioners set 17
conditions that need to be met
by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG — The Huerfano County Commissioners listened on Tuesday to Sonic Bloom spokespeople Jess Greis and Kristen Sommers make their final pitch to allow the four-day music festival to occur in Huerfano County this summer.
Gries ticked off all the points the festival organizers had made on the commissioners ‘must do’ list spelled out in the last meeting, but there were still large unanswered questions looming, such as having a traffic control plan in place approved by the Colorado State Patrol, and taking into account close neighbors’ vociferous objections.
Commissioner Max Vezzani then made a very long motion, consisting of 17 points Sonic Bloom would have to meet by May 12, which would result in the approval of a temporary use permit for the festival.
Vezzani’s 17 conditions are as follows:
1. A maximum number of ticket sales of 3,500 will be allowed.
2. Provision of I-25 traffic plan approved by Colorado State Patrol and CDOT.
3. Working out agreement with Sheriff Bruce Newman for routine and added law enforcement rescources.
4. Obtain an authorized liquor license from Huerfano County.
5. Require all vendors to obtain a valid sales tax license.
6. Coordinate with Huerfano County Road and Bridge, and pay for the neccesary water and magnesium chloride to treat approximately six miles of CR 650.
7. Provide a plan for initial on-site fire fighting capability as approved by the local fire district.
8. Provide an after action report to Huerfano County regarding all the provisions or conditons of the Special Use Permit.
9. Provide supplemental medical and ambulance services as agreed to by the ambulance director, including payments for any transports for which the ambulance service does not collect fees.
10. Provide a written plan to the county, showing how cessation of musical performances will be handled, assuring a 1 am nightly curfew.
11. Develop and submit a noxious weed management plan approved by NRCS and the county weed manager.
12. Provide necesary insurance documents naming Huerfano County as co-insured and a $200,000 security bond.
13. Provide hourly decibel readings at sites to be specified by the county; readings are to be taken each hour from 9 pm to 1 am.
14. Provide road signs and speed signs for CR 650.
15. Provide access permits for residents who live along CR 650.
16. Pay the cost of a county inspector who will ensure these provisions are in compliance.
17. All items listed here are to be completed by May 12, 2015.
Many of the conditions made by Vezzani’s motion have already been met, but there were a few potential sticking points.
Vezzani’s condition that the festival sell no more than 3,500 tickets resulted in a definite balk from Greis, who noted the other conditions here required a greater financial commitment than anticipated, and 3,500 tickets was possibly too low to make the festival profitable.
The door was left open for possible negotiations on the final number.
Greis also requested the bond amount the county required be reduced by the amount Sonic Bloom would be paying up front for other county services, such as ambulance service.
Other points that may be negotiable were the 1 am music curfew, and the May 12 deadline.
Commissioner Gerald Cisneros voiced his concerns about neighbors having access to their property during the festival, but seconded the motion and Chairman Ray Garcia voted in favor.
If Sonic Bloom can meet these terms, and they wish to continue with these restraints, they will get their special use permit.
