Guide

This guide has been developed by the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District to provide homebuilders a source of information to enhance their building experience and to provide information to residents. This guide is intended to reduce the burden of dealing with multiple entities by giving you and/or your contractor names, addresses, telephone numbers and some of the information that is required to be submitted to the various entities and to provide information about Forest Lakes. Specific questions concerning District services should be directed to the District offices. We invite your comments regarding ways to improve this guide. The District office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please contact us for additional information and/or assistance.

Welcome to Forest Lakes! Your property may be referred to by the street address and/or unit and lot number. Your monthly Metro bill provides both the property address and the account number (which is your unit and lot number).

FOREST LAKES METRO DISTRICT (FLMD)

WATER, SEWER AND OTHER SERVICES

The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District is a Special District organized July 18, 1973 in accordance with Colorado statutes to carry out the Public Works aspects for the Forest Lakes community. The District is a quasi-municipal governmental entity with taxing authority responsible for providing water, limited sewer, roads and recreational services in Units 1, 2, 4 and 5. District services are currently not available to all lots. A five- (5) member elected Board of Directors who are Colorado electors governs the District. The Board meets, unless otherwise posted on the Metro bulletin board at the mail stop, the second Tuesday of each month, at 1:30 p.m. in the Forest Lakes Community Center, 998 Alpine Forest Drive. You are encouraged to attend.

The District business offices are located in Bayfield at 271 N. Mountain View Dr., #107.

Mail: P.O. Box 440, Bayfield, CO 81122.

Telephone: (970) 884-2925.

Fax: (970) 884-0305.

Email: flmd@flmd.com

Home Page: http://www.flmd.com visit the site for information, agendas, announcements and calendar of events.

Official Posting Place: Forest Lakes Mail Stop, 257 Alpine Forest Dr.

The District maintenance shop is located at 6893 County Road 501, Bayfield, CO 81122. This is on the West Side of County Road 501, North of the main entrance to Forest Lakes; the telephone number is (970) 884-2111 (also used for District emergencies including after hours).

YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE METRO DISTRICT to get water and/or sewer services. This agreement outlines the services to be provided and the cost associated with them. The District maintains service lines from the main to the meter, cleanout or property line, whichever comes first. All water services require metering which is calculated in the connection charge as outlined in the service agreement. Current 5/8" service connection charge is $1,100.00. If your water and/or sewer plant investment/tap fees have not been paid, they will be included in the agreement (current 5/8" tap fees are $6,000.00/water, $7,000.00/sewer). Payment of a services impact fee ($2.25/sq. ft. in Units 1,2,4 & 5) is required and is based on the floor area square footage as measured from the exterior walls (includes but is not limited to additions and garage conversions, contact Metro regarding alterations and/or expansions. All Metro fees, rates and charges are subject to change without notice. A properly executed service agreement, plans review (including 11X17 site plan) and payment of fees are required before the District will sign your County building permit. All structures must be connected to an approved sewer system and properly maintained for water service. Physical tapping of water and sewer mains and issuance of District excavation permits are suspended between November 1^st and April 15^th (dates subject to change based on weather), please plan accordingly.

WATER/SEWER MAIN EXTENSIONS requests are to be submitted in writing on or after June 1 of each year for construction consideration in the following year since services are not available to all areas. Application reviews are subject to, but not limited to existing facilities and systems, prior approvals and accumulation of services impact fees. The District reserves the right to deny, in the Boards sole discretion, any application for a main extension. Main extensions in all Units except 3 will be considered at this time. Additional limits may apply within these areas based on available facilities and systems at the time of request. Roads without underground utilities will not be substantially improved until the buried utilities are installed.

DISCHARGES INTO THE DISTRICT SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM shall consist of sanitary sewage only. Industrial wastes and storm waters shall not be permitted to enter the sanitary sewer system. Roof and footing drains shall not be connected to the sanitary sewer system.

PROPERTY PINS. It is the property owner's responsibility to locate and mark the property survey pins to facilitate installation of service connections and set back measurements. Click for Drawing of PROPERTY LINES SET BACKS.pdf

DRIVEWAYS AND CULVERTS are the property owner's responsibility and shall be installed in accordance with District specifications. A driveway interchange is defined as that portion of driveway located in the District right-of-way between the roadway edge and the property line, which is designed and used for the interchange of traffic between the roadway and the abutting property. Paving of the driveway interchange portion is not recommended and should terminate at the property line. District accepts no liability to paving damage that is located on District right-of-way and owners will be billed for damages to District equipment. Paving that impedes District maintenance operations may be removed at owner’s expense. Cutting or filling of roadway to match driveway interchange portion is prohibited. All driveway culvert installations require a District excavation permit. Please check with the Metro District for proper sizing and placement before you install it. Installations shall be in accordance with FLMD culvert drawing dated 6/13/90. The District reserves the right to discontinue water service to the property until an excavation permit is issued, approved and installation is accepted. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their culverts and for the removal or clearance of snow, ice or sleet upon any portion of the driveway approach even though it may have been deposited in the course of the District snow removal operations. Moving plowed snow from driveways back into the traveled roadway is not only dangerous to the traveling public but is prohibited under the model traffic code. Only roads serving habitable structures with Metro water service are plowed during winter months. Click for Drawing of DRIVEWAY ROW.pdf

WATER PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES, SUPPLY VALVES AND WATER SAVING DEVICES. A pressure reducing valve (Watts 25AUB o/e) should be installed by you or your contractor on your water service line, which is usually located inside your structure after the service supply valve. A supply valve with drain down capabilities should be installed in your plumbing system to facilitate draining of your potable water system. Water saving devices are required on all toilets with a maximum flush of 3.5 gallons or less and all showers shall have a shower restriction device installed per applicable County plumbing codes.

CENTRALIZED TRASH COLLECTION FACILITIES are provided by the District Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. , Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. subject to holiday closures at the District maintenance location. THIS SERVICE IS FOR FOREST LAKES RESIDENTS ONLY. Access is closed at all other times including Sundays and Holidays to reduce illegal dumping. Please only household trash, do not place construction materials, tree and yard trimmings, appliances, furniture, hazardous, toxic or radioactive wastes or hot ashes in the containers see specific list of prohibited waste by clicking here. The District will continue to bill you for the District centralized trash facilities in addition to the charges billed by private trash collection services, when used.

The Bayfield Convenience Center located on La Plata County Road 223 West of Bayfield provides a seasonal yard waste program free to local residents and is also a recycling drop off point. A use fee is imposed on household trash, construction materials, appliances, furnishings, etc. For more information including days, times and rates, please call La Plata County at (970) 382-6200 or click here for County solid waste & trash disposal web page. You can also check with the City of Durango for recycling events by clicking here.

Please DO NOT PARK ON THE ROADS. They are too narrow to safely provide on street parking and two travel lanes and is prohibited by the covenants. Off street parking on your property and driveway plowing is required. The District is not responsible for accidents with items left on the roads. We are unable to plow areas where an accident potential exists. Vehicles are being towed so please avoid a substantial towing bill by not parking in these areas.
When planning construction and activities, keep in mind the average snow fall is 65" per year so snow removal and storage from driveways, structures, etc. should be considered. Unless you love to shovel snow, plan your structures such that snow sliding off the roof will not interfere with access to both the living areas and garages. The District requires the use of the front set back zones for snow storage; location of structures within these areas should be avoided. The District is not responsible for damages to structures located within these areas resulting from District maintenance activities. To facilitate locating your property please put the street address on the structure facing the road from which access is obtained.

Copies of the restrictive covenants may be obtained from the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder and/or your Realtor.

UPPER PINE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, P.O. Box 341, Bayfield, CO 81122, (970) 884-9508 provides fire protection services to Forest Lakes. We currently enjoy a class 6, ISO insurance classification. Dial 911 for fire and emergency service. There are NO OUTSIDE FIRES permitted in Forest Lakes at any time. Wildfire mitigation is strongly encouraged, contact Upper Pine Fire for information.

FOREST LAKES MAIL STOP, located at 257 Alpine Forest Dr., in Forest Lakes. Post office boxes are available for Forest Lakes residents by contacting the Bayfield postmaster either at the Bayfield post office or by calling (970) 884-9618. This is also the official posting place of the Metro District. Please look for information posted on the Metro bulletin board located on the south side of the building east of the door.

LA PLATA COUNTY

Forest Lakes is located within La Plata County and regulated by various County departments (Building, Planning, etc.) which are located in the Courthouse, 1060 E. 2^nd Avenue (P.O. Box 99), Durango, CO 81302, call (970) 382-6200 for information.

The Building Department (970) 382-6250 provides the structural, mechanical and plumbing permits and inspections for your structure. You may also obtain a free street address sign for your residence. The State of Colorado covers electrical permits and inspections and are located at 1474 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301, call (970) 259-1300.

The Planning Department (970) 382-6263 may be involved if you are consolidating your lots and/or any other planning related activity. Please note that the District reserves all rights to the public utility easements located on property side and back lot lines.

The San Juan Basin Health Department (970) 247-5702, located at 281 Sawyer Dr. (P.O. Box 140), Durango, CO 81302, may be involved with your building. They are responsible for Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS) permits and inspections if you are building on a lot not served by the District central sewer collection system. You are required to provide Metro with a copy of your completed and approved ISDS permit. ISDS must be installed, approved and maintained for continued water service from the District.

Law enforcement is provided by the La Plata County Sheriff’s Department (970) 247-1157. The administration office is located at 742 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81301. Emergencies use 911. To report violations or dog problems use central dispatch (970) 247-1155 and/or the Humane Society (970) 259-2847.
County Weed program. Follow link or call 970-382-6462.
County Solid Waste & Trash Disposal Program. Follow link or call 970-382-6200.

ELECTRICITY

La Plata Electric Association, Inc. provides electricity to property in Forest Lakes. They are located at 45 Stewart, (P.O. Drawer H), Durango, CO 81302, and telephone (970) 247-5786. A utility excavation permit is required from the District for buried electrical installations located on public property, including the District owned right of ways and public utility easements. Owners and/or Contractors should arrange a meeting with the utility provider and the District, which is a requirement of the permit.

TELEPHONE

Qwest continues to upgrade the services available to property in Forest Lakes. The number to call for Qwest is 1+800-244-1111 for residential services. 911 emergency dialing is available in Forest Lakes. A utility excavation permit is required from the District for buried telephone installations located on public property, including the District owned right of ways and public utility easements. Owners and/or Contractors should arrange a meeting with the utility provider and the District, which is a requirement of the permit.

MISCELLANEOUS

During the winter months, please have your vehicle prepared for mountain driving. The District provides snow plowing, however, some roads have steep grades requiring adequate snow tires or chains to navigate. Four Wheel Drive vehicles are highly recommended if you do not reside in the valley.

Planning on installing a wood stove? Please be advised that Colorado requires all stoves, sold at the retail level, to be EPA certified for efficiency and low emissions. If purchasing a stove from a source other than a retailer, check to make sure the stove meets these requirements. Wise application of this alternate energy source in one of the most beautiful areas of Colorado will assure its continued use.

FOREST LAKES AGENCY CHECKLIST

INDIVIDUAL SEPTIC SYSTEMS (IF REQUIRED, SAN JUAN BASIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT)
IMPACT/TAP FEE/SERVICE AGREEMENT (FLMD)

BUILDING PERMIT (COUNTY)

CULVER/UTILITY EXCAVATION PERMIT (FLMD)

ELECTRICITY (LPEA)

TELEPHONE (QWEST)

This is intended as a guide only. Residents & Property Owners are encouraged to research all aspects of Forest Lakes whether they are building or living in Forest Lakes. The contents of this guide are subject to change without notice and ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONTAIN PROMISES ON WHICH YOU CAN UNCONDITIONALLY RELY.

(FLMD 09/10/09)

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