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New ski resort takes big step

Steve LynnVail correspondentAspen, CO Colorado

MINTURN – A private resort company’s preliminary plans for a ski resort and golf course were endorsed despite several pages of recommendations from town planning commissioners. Regarding the environment, Ginn’s application “is missing many details on matters that applicant is currently working on which must be completed and submitted before” approval, according to commission documents. Ginn has yet to provide written approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment for its bike path, specific information on how it will install utilities, and other details, the document states. Despite those, Minturn planning and zoning commissioners Wednesday night recommended approval for the Ginn Development Co.’s preliminary plans for its Battle Mountain resort. The recommendations deal with raffic improvement plans, wildlife issues, employee housing, the bike trail through the project, the clean-up of the contaminated Eagle Mine and others.The commission has held 10 public meetings on the resort. But Woodruff refused to call the vote an endorsement. The recommendation of approval for Ginn’s preliminary plans is not a “blanket approval of what they want to do,” he said. Town council membes have a lot of work to do, but Woodruff hoped that commissioners’ work would help them make an informed decision, he said. Ginn now takes its plans to the Minturn Town Council, who are expected to begin their review in June.Time and effort from planning commissioners and town staffers led to “a better plan for us and for the town’s citizens,” said Bill Weber, Ginn senior vice president.Planning and Zoning Commissioners have worked hard and Andy Kaufman, owner of Minturn Saloon, said he hopes that town councilors will carefully review the conditions.Minturn is located southwest of Vail.