Obermeyer Hydro asks to expand facilities

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Arequest from Obermeyer Hydro Inc. to expand its research, development and manufacturing facilities at County Roads 74 and 15 evenly divided a six-member Larimer County Planning Commission on March 19.

As a result, the project will go to the county commissioners with no recommendation on whether to approve or deny the request for special exception. The commissioners' hearing is set for April 28 at 6:30 p.m.

The planning commission's 3-3 vote on denying the application demonstrated the quandary the county faces in trying to provide more business opportunities in rural areas without disregarding the county's master plan and land-use plan.

Henry Obermeyer brought his 3-year-old company to northern Colorado in 1990, locating it on the property where he lived, which is zoned O-Open. That zoning is predominantly for agricultural and rural residential uses.

Obermeyer Hydro builds spillway gates that are operated by inflatable air bladders. It has annual sales of about $7 million with customers in 35 states and more than 20 countries.

The county granted special exceptions in 1990 and 1994, which allowed Obermeyer to expand buildings and hire up to 10 employees. The company, however, has grown well beyond that level. Obermeyer told the planning commissioners he just signed paychecks for 55 people. At any one time, five to 10 of those employees could be traveling.

The Obermeyer application seeks to increase employment to 160 over 15 years. The company wants to expand in phases by building new office space, expanding the shop, and constructing several new buildings. At completion, building area would total 75,750 square feet.

Several Wellington business people turned out to support the Obermeyer Hydro request, saying the area needs jobs.

"If we lost this plant, this would be devastating to our community," said commercial real estate broker Ron Young.

Obermeyer Hydro employee Michael Schneider, who lives in Horseman Hills, said he can walk to work. Not commuting to Fort Collins has reduced his fuel costs by $200 a month, he said.

Obermeyer noted that he has purchased additional land to keep the manufacturing facility surrounded by open space. The largest of the proposed new buildings will look like a riding arena, he added.

Obermeyer estimated it would cost $3 million to move his company to an industrial zone, and the 22-foot diameter autoclave, essential to his product, may not by moveable. It was built on site.

"You represent exactly the issue that we've been struggling with," said planning commissioner Roger Morgan. "How much latitude do we give a business until it has to relocate?"