Evergreen neighbors and experts renew opposition to 5950 McIntyre service plan amid legal filings and traffic concerns

Residents of Evergreen and outside experts urged the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 23 to scrutinize a proposed service-plan amendment that would clear the way for a more-than-500,000-square-foot distribution warehouse and industrial park at 5950 McIntyre Street. Julie Hogan, a volunteer with McIntyre Neighbors United, said the proposal is in its sixth referral and remains “overbuilding” for the area, raising concerns about truck traffic, noise and emissions.

The residents said they have pursued administrative and legal options. “We did file an opening brief last week on the grading permit appeal, under the Rule 106(a)(4) appeal with the state court,” Hogan said, and added that the group is prepared to bring a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act if stormwater and drainage plans violate federal requirements. Hogan also said the neighborhood retained counsel and submitted a new transportation and traffic report for planning staff’s review.

Local commenters asked the board to use existing local planning guidance when reviewing the service plan. “Area plans reflect the vision that the people of the community have for themselves and for their landscape,” said Catherine Mauzz, who urged commissioners to consider the Evergreen area plan when evaluating the service plan and related policy and statutory criteria.

Tim Leonard, who described decades of experience in commercial real estate and with special districts, warned the commissioners about metro-district governance where developers control board appointments and debt decisions. “Eighty percent of these metro districts and BIDs operate exactly how they’re supposed to,” Leonard said, but he urged commissioners to examine whether developer-controlled arrangements risk shifting infrastructure costs to the public or tenants.

No formal action on the McIntyre site plan occurred at the Sept. 23 meeting; speakers’ remarks were part of the public-comment period ahead of a scheduled service-plan hearing. Commissioners and staff did not commit to a specific decision during the meeting. Planning and zoning staff will present the formal hearing record and recommendations at the public hearing on the case.

Community members said they will continue to monitor the county’s referral responses and planning documents and, if necessary, pursue appeals of any approvals.

The speakers urged commissioners to examine traffic, stormwater, building scale and the potential for off-site impacts before voting on any service-plan amendment.