[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",5977647,"mediaKeyId","5818681-51b909c17e68db75c9bbeccf308887b2","parentId",5818681,"title","County staff recommend denying Verizon/Geneva eligible facilities request; commissioners decline to schedule appeal hearing","audioSeconds",862,"startMs",1929000,"endMs",2791000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818681-51b909c17e68db75c9bbeccf308887b2&start=1929&end=2791","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818681-51b909c17e68db75c9bbeccf308887b2/thumbnail_1929000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977647/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/County-staff-recommend-denying-VerizonGeneva-eligible-facilities-request-commissioners-decline-to-schedule-appeal-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977647-e408439897578aa49bea52f0b4b4d160/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965552&Signature=PWLoBQB3v8IkLI51GJ2VDOBn6Th1Jj1kc3Kb5DxZEVm79AZ-AxBxsQMTbiUfThtQuxWW9ul5AA77jIYnnC4TOMj89P8ROYeBJTP-J67Z1~wj2~oCh6cA~P6mckU5BeeiFobs~Q2fB1chHld2dWLBg5kmmMe2x5FkAd60cMvzihRVblICqJ57IAGMOZS-rTpfiz4RzZh8SMVtcuxmwxA5oJGfpoLfCIH8MuvsZ04JwjfX0yeDYUvt8bbUfBgTRb8Xm-Mhmc~s~2EwraDnIzZjTPW-ZBC4Nxodp~EXSHwW3WrDkwiYXPuuLQ0fN6Ac5vbR1BgIe4JhxfFMIxhBR4Ke8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arapahoe County CO","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","Arapahoe County staff told commissioners at a study session that a 2025 eligible facilities request to modify a concealed, flagpole‑style wireless facility at Lakeview Park fails to meet county setback and concealment rules, and the board declined to schedule the applicant’s appeal for a public hearing.

“The planning division manager denied the application finding that it did not qualify as an eligible facility because the existing antenna was not cited in compliance with the land development code at the time and the conditions of approval for its construction,” Jason Reynolds, presenter for Public Works and Development, said, summarizing the file history.

The details matter: staff said the county’s original approval required a 50‑foot minimum setback for a 50‑foot structure and that supplemental materials attached to that 2005 approval depicted a 54‑foot setback. But the applicant’s materials show the pole is actually 37 feet 1 inch from the closest property line, a shortfall staff cited in the denial. The applicant later sought to raise the structure to 71 feet 6 inches, which staff said created a risk that an extended antenna could fall onto adjacent residential property.

The planning division’s timeline included an initial eligible facilities request received March 28, 2025, an application finalized June 27, 2025, and a planning manager denial on July 30, 2025. The applicant filed a timely appeal on Aug. 13, 2025.

Reynolds and Director Brian Weimer explained the core legal question to the commissioners: whether the applicant can rely on prior county approvals to argue that the existing, nonconforming placement is effectively grandfathered, which would allow a non‑substantial modification under federal eligible‑facilities rules. County attorneys also noted a related legal history: the county previously approved a different disguised tower proposal that was appealed and is now the subject of litigation.

County legal staff referenced federal regulations commonly cited for expedited tower amendments — described in the transcript as “6409a” — and the Arapahoe County Land Development Code as the controlling local authority. Staff said the proposed height increase would defeat concealment efforts and would further violate the county setback requirement.

The board’s practical choices were to schedule a public hearing on the appeal or to let the planning manager’s denial stand. After questions and discussion about safety and precedent, one commissioner said she was inclined to deny the appeal because of safety concerns. “If it’s not far enough away that that couldn’t happen, which is my understanding of why you would deny this,” the commissioner said.

When asked, legal staff said the applicant could sue the county and seek an order requiring allowance of the modification; that litigation risk exists whether the board hears the appeal or not, staff said. Commissioners indicated they were comfortable with staff’s recommendation. The session record shows three commissioners (present while Commissioners Baker and Sunny were absent and excused) agreed not to schedule the appeal for hearing, leaving the planning manager’s denial in place.

Ending: The denial remains in effect. County staff noted the applicant retains the right to pursue legal remedies; the board took no further action at the study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Arapahoe Board of County Commissioners Study Session on 2025-09-22","oneSentenceSummary","A county planning manager denied an eligible facilities request to raise a concealed wireless pole at Lakeview Park because the existing flagpole‑style facility does not meet county setback and concealment requirements. The applicant appealed; commissioners declined to schedule a public hearing and left the manager's denial in place.","taxTitle","Arapahoe County, Colorado","taxId",4125,"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},5977651,"REAP outlines 2026 push on Byers CTE programs, North‑side growth and West Bijou Creek restoration",1843,92000,1935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5818681-51b909c17e68db75c9bbeccf308887b2&start=92&end=1935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5818681-51b909c17e68db75c9bbeccf308887b2/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/5977651/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/REAP-outlines-2026-push-on-Byers-CTE-programs-Northside-growth-and-West-Bijou-Creek-restoration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977651-2efaf379059df6474a644d27a171f21b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965552&Signature=fzn4N3hp0UA8YuiHQxaXf~GzCY0BVcxqyvqItNZ4kr0yXTPpArtajwrKVQOLjXjLE0F1BMnk99~8Ul8U96TAVMt8C54J0dhjRgAR4X1gUOWojkqy1BtdXTwEYb4coxpZt5honb-ZQc7uIhv9TB5Y0k6MgNkUlQR4z1e2PKIZPgjzo6KNX4cdRQEkcLog30T~MRJO4owUN4Acf2k-1Uag-BC6eVhFPCi-RqjNoPj4EVqsbG4fUOdFZioWxaXunxe2c2XQYDATbK8ah0Q5PsGM61BVCZUrSSwkt9zyB0xWSgEfZ4vAZ3R~HA9ztI9y-0tJlt1F6pIx28NE1pnaefW5wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kip Sharudis, executive director of the I‑70 Regional Economic Advancement Partnership, told the Arapahoe County commissioners at a study session that REAP will focus in 2026 on career and technical education, supporting growth north of Interstate 70 in Byers, and preliminary work to secure federal funding for West Bijou Creek restoration.

REAP’s pitch centers on long‑range planning for eastern Arapahoe County, Sharudis said. “We’re focused in the 5 to 10 year from now range,” he said, describing REAP as a catalyst for investment and jobs in the I‑70 corridor.

The initiative’s nut graffrom the presentation is that small, targeted investments in schools and infrastructure could support an emerging outdoor‑recreation and agritourism economy north of I‑70 while preserving the small‑town character south of the interstate.

Sharudis said REAP plans to expand career and technical education (CTE) outreach in 2026, with four or five field trips for students from Byers and neighboring high schools (Bennett, Strasburg, Deer Trail and Byers) and follow‑up classroom counseling on basic job‑search skills such as resume writing and online applications. “We take kids on field trips to places, but then they come back and say, ‘Now what?’” he said.

He said Byers High School leads the region’s CTE work and that REAP expects a visit from U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper to tour Byers CTE classes and hold roundtable discussions on Monday, Nov. 10, including sessions on health care, aeronautics and tourism and outdoor recreation jobs. Sharudis also described a planned campus greenhouse at Byers High School and said REAP is working to time a ribbon cutting if construction finishes in time.

Sharudis described coordinated local investments that he said have set the stage for north‑side growth: a completed water pipeline north of I‑70, an extension of the South Metro enterprise zone boundary to include Byers, and interest from local accountants and business contacts to attract investment. “You guys invested in Byers by financing a water pipe. It’s done,” he said.

REAP also plans to pursue a larger landscape effort, describing West Bijou Creek as a corridor the group would like to rehabilitate from just south of Byers north to Colfax Avenue at the county line. Sharudis said the work could include creek channel stabilization, farmland preservation and trail/open‑space connections, and that REAP has begun initial contacts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture about a federal program administered through the Farm Service Agency. “REAP is starting to make initial communications to the federal USDA office to get them interested in this West Bijou Creek project,” he said.

Sharudis flagged two other local priorities: concern about state transportation funding priorities in advance of next year’s elections, and the near‑term effects of tariffs on local firms. He gave three data points: a 19% drop in local newspaper ad revenue so far this year, a Maverick Steel job whose steel tariffs raised costs by about $1 million overnight, and Oringa — a biochar company whose equipment ordered from India has been delayed by tariffs.

Commissioners and staff in the room offered brief comments of appreciation and discussed possible partnerships. Sasha Easton, director of Arapahoe Douglas Works, agreed to follow up on CTE programming and resume coaching. Commissioner Jessica Campbell and others offered to help with USDA outreach and support letters if REAP pursues federal grant applications.

Sharudis said long‑term health care capacity in Byers is a topic of local conversation: Lincoln Health staff have discussed options for a facility that would be more than a clinic but less than a full hospital if population and demand grow on the north side of I‑70.

REAP administrative officer Sherry James, who announced she will be leaving the area, was recognized for her work. Sharudis closed by reiterating plans to continue REAP’s outreach and events into 2026 and thanked the commissioners for their support.

Ending: The presentation was informational; no formal county action was taken. Commissioners encouraged ongoing coordination with county staff, Arapahoe Douglas Works and legislative contacts and offered support for grant outreach.","At a county study session, the I‑70 Regional Economic Advancement Partnership previewed 2026 priorities including expanded career and technical education at Byers High School, a planned school greenhouse, outreach tied to an extended enterprise zone, and an initial push to pursue USDA funding for West Bijou Creek conservation and recreation work.","actionData","errors"]

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County staff recommend denying Verizon/Geneva eligible facilities request; commissioners decline to schedule appeal hearing

REAP outlines 2026 push on Byers CTE programs, North‑side growth and West Bijou Creek restoration