[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609328,"mediaKeyId","2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc","parentId",2929449,"title","Aurora selects consultant for small-lot housing code audit; kickoff expected in April/May","audioSeconds",198,"startMs",1877370,"endMs",2076300,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc&start=1877&end=2076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc/thumbnail_1877370.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609328/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-selects-consultant-for-small-lot-housing-code-audit-kickoff-expected-in-AprilMay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609328-0a92952d1d5ffbf8aa1ef368019eca93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199400&Signature=MpoD3kwaqd6QtmLZBSOBgZFBlFqF6kuYm0o2KI3QnT36fcWaK97~TD-7U91c8CRKElPieVyZbLhoSX6Qcy8CO0YoeTxWaCSavm3zlgxPkqktBpru0HZ9rnFQanzLXUY0i2lscn5A5D7NIEd1daCjx~mJqkprW6xv3UTpl~txGHN5Eh-b76K5fkz9WYF1-Gu9WJlOfiJpbcbKV3Qh9mqE0JNIbsKbn9FI8y3I1vX07-zt~ARtTGHY1BZwk~KGvXCchZV9UvUOeEgdlAH2RUgbLy018dOqKIpERsCXN3Xnjq0fP5WjjLQw4tAFu6yueCZu2l8RukI-QxCo3bGjhrCZXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora City, CO","date","2025-04-09T17:18:06.323Z","article","Janine Rustad, director of Planning and Business Development, told the committee on April 9 that the city received three proposals in response to a request for proposals for a deep dive into small-lot housing code and selected one firm. The city will complete contracting in the coming weeks and expects an initial kickoff in April or early May.

Rustad said the consultant will conduct a code audit, stakeholder engagement including developer and public outreach, and provide visual design briefs and public-facing materials to explain small-lot changes. She said the team aims to complete work so code changes could move toward adoption in January, and emphasized that staff plan substantial public education and outreach to avoid the type of community backlash observed in other jurisdictions where rapid changes led to recall efforts.

Rustad said the consultant impressed staff with its balance of strategies to increase attainable housing while preserving community character and with an approach that includes frequent engagement with the development community and visual materials for residents. No contract name was announced publicly pending completion of the contracting process.

Committee members supported the emphasis on community engagement; staff said they will brief the committee as the project progresses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee - April 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The director of Planning and Business Development said the city received three proposals and selected a consultant to perform a code audit and outreach on small-lot housing; contracting is pending and staff expect an initial kickoff in April or May with adoption target in January.","taxTitle","Aurora City, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",5767,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609333,"Civitas seeks to remove a proposed residential-adjacent well, add wells at existing Reserve North pad; city staff recommend study-session review",448,2150020,2598940,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc&start=2150&end=2598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc/thumbnail_2150020.jpg","/articles/6609333/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Civitas-seeks-to-remove-a-proposed-residential-adjacent-well-add-wells-at-existing-Reserve-North-pad-city-staff-recommend-study-session-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609333-a6f880886bee527142e212360da9baa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199400&Signature=E4l1L1Zv9~8JboSbJhLA1TTG-STxHQja54WBt~Z5PYa9dQJQgDBahb27rjvpFdQapotUBVR6Po-hb~vObV1UoReRrd1CBuTamsJIg06ar0WTi42y-ze9T4MgMt7ETQWi2k0h0PagoDHL10FJaAQZuVyUHi8Zl0PUR1nSm0HmlrVA43laSVHKTNHk206xdEGspEokstNtinPFBnMH7TNf9ARiAvKdLnEmMVErjVVVtfXIz2Al300kyhzga3sW5gSLYER2mjtu9CReW6dOzoXZ0JrheJNBWJPnOTre8-xuU6~fXT4iX5htYGXdFjPniXKsmic7w-zArUkALPcroGV90Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City energy and environment staff and an asset manager from Civitas Resources presented proposed revisions to exhibits A and B of an existing operator agreement for oil and gas operations during the April 9 Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting. The proposed changes would remove one proposed site near residences, reduce the total number of wells, and add six wells to the existing Reserve North pad.

Jeffrey Moore, manager of the Energy and Environment Division, told the committee the requested revisions include canceling a previously approved well site that was \"less than 2,000 feet from two residences and zoned residential R2,\" reducing the total number of wells and well sites in the city, and adding six wells at the already producing Reserve North site (increasing that pad from nine to 15 wells). \"There are some benefits to the city,\" Moore said, including reduced impacts to residents by canceling the residential-proximate site, reduced surface and traffic impacts because the expanded Reserve North pad is close to I-70, and that the Reserve North pad is located in airport district zoning rather than residential.

Van (Mr.) Harrington, asset development manager with Civitas Resources, described the consolidation as a surface-use optimization: the company would forgo the Cottonwood Creek site (a not-yet-built pad south of Jewell Avenue) which is within about 1,400 feet of two residences and would have required traffic on Jewell Avenue. Instead the company proposes to add planned wells in a phase 3 to the existing Reserve North site north of I-70.

Moore emphasized that additional wells will still require separate city and state permitting and that the Energy and Environment Division has reviewed the request. He said the Oil and Gas Advisory Committee provided a letter of support that will be included in materials for council if the item moves forward. Moore recommended the committee forward the proposed exhibit revisions to the April 21 study session for further review; no formal committee vote occurred on April 9.","Civitas (formerly Cresent/Civitas Resources) proposed revisions to exhibits in the Cresno/Civitas operator agreement that would cancel one previously approved well site near residences, reduce total sites, and add six wells at the existing Reserve North pad; Energy & Environment staff recommend moving the revisions to a study session on April 21.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609337,"Draft Colfax/13th Avenue station-area plan recommended to advance to hearings; aims to spur mixed-use, transit-oriented development",406,1311330,1717590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc&start=1311&end=1717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc/thumbnail_1311330.jpg","/articles/6609337/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Draft-Colfax13th-Avenue-station-area-plan-recommended-to-advance-to-hearings-aims-to-spur-mixed-use-transit-oriented-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609337-798b8485467c6031e758bcafe060ace5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199400&Signature=XKC2GCsy7kWgjFnd7pgSoiharC1bimTRWgmI3k6R2PnRXt1zudKq~wrOwfOi2KiRs~SA6TrJNmYK5dVyD~kqtcqksOzG-g22BvKKSesJ92QLLRpEMUT-K0eExbYhV2CokfBuZxM1QKTXlV06KDZm2PLNlP-OJccSo2-P3Now9byByZym6zsOKC830lgPXKD4rew0ZerQ0S-zPohk~VKbVrlasZ9eTWQpFGrnTFAxQpcjXf03gjmxf1o-PHtJucqxoScfQx4p1J0xHl~EtUx2MSATe3X-ssOuZSBlalDCr0gopuszuREx3qkizRV13rXYKhCziunDLTkXFkCFxR-ghQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented a final draft of the Colfax and Thirteenth Avenue Station Area Plan to the Planning and Economic Development Committee on April 9 and requested the committee's direction to move the plan forward for adoption.

Daniel Krasnowski, supervisor in the Planning Department, described the study area as about 87 acres in north-central Aurora along Colfax Avenue that includes the Colfax Avenue station near Anschutz and the Thirteenth Avenue station east of I-225. The area is adjacent to major medical employers and existing neighborhoods including Hoffman Heights, Chambers Heights, and the Meadows mobile home community.

Krasnowski said the 2009 plan is outdated and does not reflect recent station locations, zoning changes or near-term development opportunities. The updated plan reaffirms the area's vision as a mixed-use, transit-oriented community, refines land-use frameworks, identifies recommended actions to implement the vision, and is intended to support an urban renewal plan that could fund infrastructure to enable near-term housing and other development.

Key plan elements shown to the committee include a land-use framework that emphasizes commercial mixed use along Colfax and residential development south of Colfax near the Thirteenth Avenue Station, and a mobility network focused on new streets and pedestrian connections to better link neighborhoods to transit, retail and employment. Krasnowski highlighted an imminent project: an extension of Dillon Way to connect south of Tollgate Creek up to Thirteenth Avenue to serve near-term development parcels and provide public-safety access.

Krasnowski said staff recommend moving the draft plan through Planning & Zoning for a public hearing on April 23 and then to City Council in early June; the urban renewal plan process would follow into the summer. Council Member Jurinski asked about a fiscal note; Krasnowski said the plan adoption itself carries no fiscal note and that individual infrastructure investments would return to council with separate funding requests. The committee also discussed Regional Transportation District (RTD) involvement; staff said RTD has been engaged and supportive and that the city holds quarterly meetings with RTD.

The committee did not take a formal vote on April 9; staff asked to proceed with the public hearing and adoption schedule.","Staff presented a final draft of the Colfax and 13th Avenue station area plan covering about 87 acres in north-central Aurora and asked the committee to move the plan forward for adoption; next steps include a Planning & Zoning public hearing April 23 and City Council consideration in early June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609342,"Aurora to align ADU rules with state law; city to remove conditional-use requirement and expand zones",591,660820,1251900,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc&start=660&end=1251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc/thumbnail_660820.jpg","/articles/6609342/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-to-align-ADU-rules-with-state-law-city-to-remove-conditional-use-requirement-and-expand-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609342-c5b07930d9562678f66363f15eaf11e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199400&Signature=KatCA9gap6gq3mHASlMLqwh-lkF-7rdOQxv-G4LrZlFxezFhspSfVb9wqK62eW2ZYx6Y-P14E1iLAgsZWGCuAtoFlvWHv7HZfaynKk8ErWcjXun8OmzP3kedGYD9H9IXxPf9B68J8nw8zj4fr9Sw2dH30WKfmR4knPgZMJcG47R5ngMeZaU5vchHRpWqiwm3GYaKZ~pwvrYC5q5AMWWf38L0UV0ZMi~vbv530x74WF7H2Kt29Fi4suW2u60Jsy36fkujZNjjFaS9hPnU3syud~uyfA3bKGmYYiAb7U75suIgRTXWzTiputT1dxDb2cgPq5aDdoZoT00s7OY2E1esXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented a proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update on April 9 to align Aurora's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules with state legislation requiring jurisdictions to allow ADUs where single-family detached homes are permitted.

Jeremiah Fettig, planner in the Planning and Business Development Department, told the committee the bill requires jurisdictions to permit ADUs on lots where single-family detached dwellings are allowed and outlines broad constraints and permissions for local regulation. \"The bill requires subject jurisdictions across Colorado to permit ADUs on all lots where single family detached units are permitted,\" Fettig said, summarizing what staff believe are the bill's main requirements: an administrative approval process, allowed size ranges, limits on design and dimensional restrictions beyond those for single-family dwellings, and restrictions on covenants that would bar ADUs that otherwise comply.

Fettig explained Aurora has allowed ADUs since 2018 but under restrictive rules: ADUs were only permitted in three zoning districts with conditional-use permits, limited to detached rear-yard units, smaller than the state allowance, and required alley access. Staff propose removing the conditional-use requirement, expanding the zoning districts where ADUs are permitted, revising size and type definitions to include interior, attached and detached ADUs, and removing subjective restrictions from use-specific standards.

Committee members raised concerns about homeowner associations and local control. Council Member Bergen said the presentation should not opine on HOA authority because the bill's statutory language refers to \"local government\" and not HOAs; staff agreed to remove HOA language from future presentations. Council Member Jurinski criticized the state for reducing local home-rule authority and said jurisdictions may challenge the legislation.

Fettig said staff will publish a draft of proposed code changes on Engage Aurora, hold study sessions before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, and schedule public hearings as required. No formal committee vote was taken at the April 9 briefing.","Planners presented proposed UDO changes to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) consistent with a state house bill; staff will remove a conditional use permit requirement, expand permitted zones, update definitions and publish a draft for public review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609345,"Aurora staff propose removing minimum parking requirements for multifamily near transit to comply with state bill",318,33740,351850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc&start=33&end=351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929449-008648d2fe9295dd24932375b055c1fc/thumbnail_33740.jpg","/articles/6609345/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-staff-propose-removing-minimum-parking-requirements-for-multifamily-near-transit-to-comply-with-state-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609345-435450d6bb3968eea7cf38c4fa1f3b27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199400&Signature=UYQhQsfUFprhr9~ZF1Frh31N9zM0OBnFoIlmHLo8C4v-I8RprbTEvJUJqhMNbGVbr-BciIvfocdXWSp~PLoMaNrxPB0IjvzUBWWxPV5yQUGyvDqm5vbr~VqYuI3S2JsrF5nMPxvC9q9L~ZNyLvCUFogzT8ba2w3TWZ4HQ9NiNjOUbpmYL20WkX2YYunRWjz698Mhjetns87qt6WXcNwfu~woEHeJ-HnxUaTV9LQ2CCHPSVfuSBa75dB5bKqpoHcXTmVe21GlkWrS3taHqMcwVPPHZ6vz2o5B8kXx91xEfnO6WiNDT5nEmxF6JbMWAqpCi1PGt-raV-gWOHRexZwRzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the Planning and Economic Development Committee on April 9 that they are drafting an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would remove city-mandated minimum parking requirements for new multifamily residential development located inside areas defined as applicable transit service areas.

Senior planner Sarah Weil told the committee the change is intended to bring the city into compliance with state legislation. \"House Bill 24-13 04 prohibits cities from enacting or enforcing minimum parking requirements for multifamily developments in areas that are considered applicable transit service areas,\" Weil said. She explained the bill applies to new multifamily developments, mixed-use projects that include multifamily, and adaptive-reuse projects composed of at least 50% residential uses.

The amendment would not prohibit developers from providing parking nor impose parking maximums, Weil said. Staff showed a city map identifying applicable transit service areas—typically parcels within one-quarter mile of bus or rail stops—and said most impacted areas are in western and central Aurora, with small segments in southeast and northeast Aurora also included. An interactive map will be posted on Engage Aurora so property owners and developers can confirm parcel status.

Weil said current practice in Aurora typically results in developments providing about 1.2 to 1.5 parking spaces per unit. \"The more parking required, the less space there is for additional units and open space,\" she said, and noted higher parking requirements can raise building and rent costs. Staff said they expect market-rate developers to continue providing similar parking levels, while some affordable projects may include fewer spaces based on financing and market studies discussed in a developer roundtable.

Director Janine Rustad confirmed staff are drafting UDO language so that multifamily inside applicable transit areas would have no minimum parking requirement, while multifamily outside transit areas and other uses would keep current standards. The draft would also add bicycle parking requirements for those areas and require any voluntarily provided off-street parking to meet ADA and parking-design standards.

Committee discussion included concern about home-rule authority. Council Member Jurinski said many municipalities are considering legal action against the state and voiced worries from residents about traffic and parking. Rustad and Weil said the city will submit a compliance report as required and that staff expect financing and market factors to continue to influence how much parking developers provide.

Staff plan to post a draft of the proposed code changes on Engage Aurora for public review and said the goal is to have the amendment approved by June. No formal vote was taken at the committee meeting.","City planners presented a Unified Development Ordinance amendment that would eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements for new multifamily developments inside applicable transit service areas in order to comply with a recently passed state house bill; staff expect to post a draft for public review and aim for council approval by June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora selects consultant for small-lot housing code audit; kickoff expected in April/May

Civitas seeks to remove a proposed residential-adjacent well, add wells at existing Reserve North pad; city staff recommend study-session review

Draft Colfax/13th Avenue station-area plan recommended to advance to hearings; aims to spur mixed-use, transit-oriented development

Aurora to align ADU rules with state law; city to remove conditional-use requirement and expand zones

Aurora staff propose removing minimum parking requirements for multifamily near transit to comply with state bill