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BOOK 95 PAGE 12 provide a Type D buffer and 3' high opaque feature along any abutting road right-of-way. Although the current requirement provides some buffering, the 3' high opaque feature does not appear to effectively screen vehicles, especially tall vehicles such as buses and recreational vehicles. Current LDR standards require 6' opaque features where it is intended to more thoroughly screen uses. In staff's opinion, a 6' opaque feature should be provided on unpaved vehicle storage lots along collector and arterial roadways, and along local roadways where properties on the opposing side of the street are not zoned for heavy commercial or industrial uses. The proposed amendment would require a 6' high rather than a 3' high opaque feature under such circumstances. Reference: PSAC meeting summary: 3/16/95 (attachment #6). Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes (attachment #7). 21. Restrictions on Certain Aspects of Mining Activities. During the recent appeal of the Rebel Ranch sand mine proposal, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to initiate an LDR amendment for increased setbacks from various mining activities such as excavation pit areas and material stockpiles. During discussion with the PSAC, the PSAC concluded that the LDRs should include a special setback from mining pits and stockpile areas to occupied dwelling units in the same manner as is applied to land clearing debris burning operations. In its review of mining ordinances of other jurisdictions and in available land use literature, staff found that no definitive standards are given -in regards to separating pits and material storage areas from adjacent residences. The county's current land clearing debris burning regulations, however, do set a minimum standard to mitigate the impacts of smoke and blown particulates on surrounding residences. That minimum standard requires a separation of at least 500' between the burn pit and any adjacent, occupied structure unless the occupant of the structure(s) submits a letter of no objection to the operation. An alternative to the 500' setback from occupied structures would be to apply the current required mining pit setback (150') to material stockpiles and on-site haul roads, except in the area where on site roads connect to the off-site haul route. This alternative would ensure a greater setback from aspects of mining activities, other than the mining pit itself, which could produce negative impacts (e.g. dust and. blowing particulates, noise) on surrounding properties. To gauge the development impacts of the 500' occupied structure and the 150' mining activities setbacks, staff reviewed 9 mining projects (8 approved projects, plus the Rebel Ranch project proposal) against these two alternatives. Staff found that 8 of the 9 reviewed projects would meet the 150' setback for all mining activities. The one project which would not meet the setback is the Rebel Ranch proposal. Staff also found that only 4 of the 9 reviewed projects would meet the 500' to occupied structures setback. In staff ' s opinion, a mining project applicant should be given the option to meet either of the two alternatives. The advantage to allowing such an option is that both alternatives provide protection to existing/surrounding residents, while the 500' occupied structure setback alternative could allow 12 MAY 159 1995