Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Weld County certifies $24,200 in compliance penalties for outdoor storage at commercial property
Summary
The board certified $24,200 in daily penalties against Chevy Truck Parts LLC (care of Douglas Rupel) for ongoing noncompliant outdoor storage and related land-use issues after staff said progress has been limited.
GREELEY — The Weld County Board of County Commissioners on March 31 voted to certify $24,200 in compliance penalties as a special assessment against Chevy Truck Parts LLC, c/o Douglas Rupel, citing ongoing outdoor storage and land-use permitting gaps.
Assistant County Attorney Adria Shield introduced the item, and code compliance staff described the property at 19570 County Road 28. Staff said the site previously hosted a tire-recycling operation that lacked appropriate land-use permits; the recycling operator has been leaving the site, but county staff reported ongoing outdoor storage of commercial equipment, recreational and personal vehicles, and semi-trailers. Although a salvage-yard nonconforming use existed historically, staff said that nonconforming use appears to have been abandoned, so current outdoor storage requires land-use approvals.
Staff recommended certification of daily penalties totaling $24,200 because the application and permitting for outdoor storage had not been completed. Owner Douglas Rupel told the board he has been working on required items for years, including stormwater-related submittals and a new permitted septic system, and said contractors have estimated costly retention-pond work. Rupel also said he is negotiating with a prospective new tenant, a residential geothermal company, and had submitted lease materials to county staff the week before the hearing; no active site-plan or use-by-special-review application for that new use was before the board at the time.
Commissioners discussed the record and staff recommendation. Commissioner Scott James moved to certify the fines; Commissioner Kevin Ross seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Following the vote Rupel asked whether the certification meant he must pay immediately; commissioners confirmed the certification passed and recommended follow-up conversation with staff.
Why it matters: Certification places the penalties on the county treasurer’s rolls as a special assessment if not resolved, which can lead to collection actions. Staff cited the long-running nature of permitting issues and the lack of a completed application for current outdoor storage uses.
What’s next: County staff said the tire-recycling tenant is leaving; land-use work would need to proceed for any new tenant or continued outdoor storage. The owner may pursue administrative or court remedies or complete required planning and site improvements to seek relief or a waiver.
Speakers (selected): Adria Shield, assistant county attorney; Nicole Brick, code compliance; Donnie Anderson and Max Lanier, Planning Services; Douglas (Doug) Rupel, property owner; Commissioners Scott James, Kevin Ross, Jason Maxey.
