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News from Jefferson County
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Simply click the link above, enter the email address you'd like the newsletter to be sent to and then choose the "Jeffco eNewsletter" option. |
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| Improper Zoning Corrected by Board's Approval
At its December 14 hearing, the Board of County Commissioners approved a rezoning at 8680 West Jefferson Avenue near the Foothills Golf Course in south Jeffco. The rezoning approval converts two adjacent parcels, which total 2.93 acres, from Agricultural-Two to one Planned Development (P-D) zoned parcel.
 The south 1.93 acres, which is currently vacant, was an improper division of land created in 1972 when several landowners bought and divided a larger area south of their properties. The parcel of land was brought to the county's attention when the current owner wanted to apply for building permits and could not due to the improper zoning.
The owner worked with the
Planning and Zoning Division to apply for the P-D rezone and the application was heard and recommended for approval by the county's Planning Commission. It was then brought before the BCC on December 7. However, questions were raised concerning the setbacks on the south side of the property adjacent to the golf course. To allow time for the applicant to address the board's questions, the item was continued to the BCC December 14 public hearing.
Between hearings, the applicant worked with staff and modified the setbacks on the south side of the property from 50 feet, which is consistent with the A-2 zoning in the surrounding area, to 180 feet which will restrict the landowner from building any structures within that setback.
The new zoning allows for a single family residence and one oversized storage building on the property. The property currently has a single family residence and the applicant has expressed his desire to build an accessory structure to store his vehicles. As a condition of the rezoning, the total amount of accessory buildings cannot exceed 8,000 square feet, and before he can build any buildings, he will be required to obtain the necessary permits and approvals through the county's Planning and Zoning Division, as well as the Building Division.
The rezoning application did receive opposition from neighboring landowners who mainly expressed concerns about the accessory building that could be built once the new zoning is in place. However, the BCC did decide to move forward with the approval since the applicant agreed to additional conditions that should help alleviate some of the concerns. |
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Highlands at Table Mountain Development Rezoning Approved
The Board of County Commissioners approved an application to rezone 58 acres from Agricultural-Two to Planned Development. The application was approved with several conditions that included moving the access point that was proposed in the original Official Development Plan (ODP).
 The land is located near Table Mountain and is west of Easley Road and north of 53rd Drive. The rezoning will allow up to 34 single-family detached residential lots and the sole access road to the development will be through the Van Bibber Corridor. This will connect the property directly to Easley Road, a county maintained collector street.
The Van Bibber Corridor was purchased in 2009 by Jefferson County from Xcel Energy, which has retained a transmission line easement over the corridor for the existing overhead power lines. The land was bought to connect a regional trail system in the area. The applicant will purchase the land from the county to build the access road but the county will maintain a trail easement.
During several public hearings dating back to 2007, surrounding property owners have voiced concerns about possible increased traffic and the various proposed access points. The BCC had reservations as well and at its September 14 public hearing, it unanimously denied the application. At that time the proposed access to the property was not adequate and did not conform to the North Plains Community Plan. However, after the applicant, David R. Heimbecher, made substantial changes to the ODP, the BCC granted a rehearing of the subject.
At the December 21 hearing the BCC agreed with the Planning Commission and staff recommendation that the revised proposal now conforms with the North Plains Community Plan and is compatible with existing and allowable land uses in the surrounding area. The proposed minimum lot sizes of 0.75 acres allows for open areas throughout the development in close proximity to North Table Mountain. The proposed development also includes 20 percent open space and prohibits buildings on the 30 percent slopes or greater. |
| Sheriff's Office to Apply for Grant
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Unit's request to apply for a grant to help support local emergency management programs.
 The Emergency Management Performance Grant/Local Emergency Support (EMPG/LEMS) is funded through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Emergency Management. The purpose of the EMPG/LEMS is to encourage the development of comprehensive, risk-based, all-hazard emergency management programs. The funds are authorized by Congress on an annual basis and are passed to state and local organizations through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
If awarded, the Emergency Management Unit will use the funds to help cover operational costs and programs that include emergency training exercises and public education. In 2010, the county received $110,000 and expects to receive a similar amount in 2011. |
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Staff Briefings
County Preparing Land to Sell
At staff briefings, Assistant County Administrator Kate Newman briefed the commissioners on preparations the county has been making to get a parcel of land ready for sale.
Jefferson County purchased approximately 35 acres at 4100 Youngfield in 1931 for $10. In the intervening 79 years, the county has operated a gravel mine, used the property as a storage facility for Road and Bridge operations, and built the Table Mountain Animal Center at that location.
In 2005, Cabela's and Molson Coors initiated a development proposal in the city of Wheat Ridge on adjacent property to the south and west of the county property. Since that time, the county has independently relocated the Road and Bridge operations and the Table Mountain Animal Center. Additionally, the county has imported fill dirt to reclaim a portion of the mining site.
Currently, Cabela's and the Longs Peak Metropolitan District, which was created to provide services for the development such as road construction and maintenance, have offered the county $2,550,000 for the property. If the sale agreement is approved, Cabela's will receive the approximately seven acres that are prepared for commercial development and the remaining acres of wetlands and open space will be taken over by the Longs Peak Metropolitan District.
Before the property is completely ready for sale, Jeffco has a few more items on its to-do list. Staff is working with the city of Wheat Ridge to annex the parcel into that city since it is an enclave surrounded by incorporated land.
Part of the property contains wetlands. Cabela's has a redesign plan that will need to be approved by the US Corps of Engineers. The new design will make it a more effective wetland. The county will also need to reserve an easement for the Clear Creek Trail located through the middle of the property.
Next on the list, staff will be working with the state Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety to close out the mining permit. Finally, the county will need to demolish the existing building on the site. |
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