As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Commerce City’s council chambers, residents gathered to voice their concerns about the future of their neighborhoods. The Planning Commission Meeting on September 2, 2025, became a platform for passionate discussions, particularly surrounding the proposed development of new apartment buildings in the North Range area.

One resident expressed deep apprehension about the increasing number of rental properties in the vicinity. “If we build too many apartment buildings in the North Range, it’s gonna become a land of rental properties,” they warned, highlighting the existing apartment complex and rental homes within a half-mile radius. The speaker pointed out that another apartment complex is set to rise at 104th and Blackhawk, further clustering rental properties in the area.

The resident's concerns extended beyond mere numbers; they emphasized the transient nature of rental communities, suggesting that such developments could undermine the sense of community that many long-term residents cherish. “Rental properties... don’t contribute to a sense of community,” they lamented, advocating instead for the construction of senior housing on the proposed site.

Moreover, the speaker raised alarms about potential impacts on property values, arguing that the introduction of more rental units could decrease the value of homes in nearby neighborhoods like Harvest Meadows and Frontera Village. “Whenever you build a rental property like this, it decreases the value of the properties that are adjacent to it,” they stated, painting a picture of a community at risk of losing its stability and character.

As the meeting drew to a close, the commission noted that there were no further public comments, leaving the weight of these concerns hanging in the air. The discussions from this meeting reflect a community grappling with the balance between development and maintaining the essence of their neighborhoods, a challenge that will undoubtedly shape the future of Commerce City.