During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around the approval of a comprehensive plan that includes the development of High Plains Parkway, a major north-south arterial road intended to connect Brighton to Denver. City Manager Rogers clarified that High Plains Parkway has already received approval through various Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) over the past decade. The comprehensive plan aims to provide additional guidance on how to develop the corridor, particularly in areas that have yet to see significant development.

Concerns were raised by council members regarding the implications of this plan for local residents, particularly those in the northern Reunion area. One council member expressed apprehension that the development would transform the community into an industrialized bedroom suburb, potentially stifling local economic growth and funneling opportunities to neighboring cities like Denver and Brighton. The member emphasized the need for a more strategic approach to development, suggesting the extension of Tower Road to better serve Commerce City’s future.

The discussion highlighted a sense of frustration among council members about the perceived inevitability of the current development plans, with assertions that the comprehensive plan effectively cements existing decisions regarding High Plains Parkway and Tower Road. The meeting underscored the tension between development goals and community interests, as officials grappled with the long-term vision for Commerce City amidst ongoing pressures from developers.