The Weld County Board of Commissioners approved a request to vacate Lot B of Subdivision Exemption SE‑1071 (VAC25‑0013) on Oct. 15, 2025 after a public hearing that included opposition from a neighboring property owner.

Planning staff presented the request. Matthew Bridal of Planning Services said Cairnstone Holdings LLC owns the parcel and that staff found the vacation met code criteria, subject to a condition that a revised land survey plat be submitted for review and recording. Bridal explained that vacating Lot B would remove the lot from the recorded subdivision exemption and enable alternative splitting options for the property owner.

The applicant, Mark Stonehacker, told the board his intent is to split roughly 71 acres into two parcels (two ~35‑acre parcels), saying the intent was to keep the land in the family and not to pursue higher‑density development. He noted intergovernmental agreements with nearby municipalities and said his long-term goal is to keep the property agricultural.

Dan Smickert, owner of Lot A in SE‑1071 and an adjacent neighbor, asked for the vacation to be denied or continued, arguing vacating Lot B now is premature because it could remove public safeguards (access, drainage, utilities) tied to the subdivision exemption. He asked that any approval include a condition requiring notification of neighboring property owners before future land‑use proposals.

Planning and development staff clarified access: County Road 18 is not a county right‑of‑way in that area; Lot B has legal access to County Road 1 via a 30‑foot access and utility easement along the property line. Staff also explained division options (family farm division and other administrative splits) and said a minor subdivision at this location would face practical obstacles because of municipal boundaries.

Commissioner Kevin Ross moved to approve the partial vacation; Commissioner Scott James seconded. After discussion and public comment, the board approved VAC25‑0013 by voice vote (aye). The approval included the staff condition that a revised land survey plat be submitted for planning review and recording.

The action removes Lot B from the previous SE‑1071 recorded exemption, permitting the owner to pursue different subdivision procedures consistent with county code and recording requirements; planning staff will track the required plat submission and recording.