Contested Smeltertown rezoning for proposed ice rink draws residents— calls for traffic and environmental studies

Chaffee County commissioners on Aug. 19 heard extended public comment and a planning staff report on a conditional rezone request from industrial to mixed-use rural for two Smeltertown parcels proposed as an ice rink and a riverside passive park. Applicants with the Arkansas Valley Sports Group (AVSG) said they bought the parcels to create an affordable ice facility and community recreation space; neighbors and multiple county speakers urged more traffic, environmental and drainage analysis before any entitlement change.

Planning staff told the board the request would require later administrative review if the zone change is approved, but that the mixed-use-rural district better matches the future-land-use guidance in the county comprehensive plan than the current industrial zoning. Staff also flagged a countywide shortage of industrially zoned land and noted that some industrial uses have setbacks from mixed-use-rural boundaries, which could create new nonconformities if the rezone proceeds.

The applicants, Rich Parker and John Fritz of AVSG, said the nonprofit group and its 501(c)(3) partner have built local ice programming and that a permanent rink would expand year-to-year recreation and youth…