Aug. 25, 2025 — Larimer County Commissioners approved a special review and associated appeals that allow construction of four new enclosed storage buildings and continued on-site rental operations at 4140 East County Road 30, a 3.74-acre parcel north of the Fort Collins–Loveland Airport.

Staff said the application meets the county’s special review and general review criteria and that the appeals meet the county’s appeal review criteria. Michael Whitley, senior planner with the Larimer County Planning Division, told commissioners the project “complies with the special review criteria” and that the appeals “comply with the appeal review criteria found in section 6 72 b 5 of the Land Use Code.” The board voted 3–0 to approve the special review and the appeals.

The decision allows four new metal storage buildings to be constructed in two phases, labeled A, B, C and D on the plans, totaling about 20,256 square feet of new storage space. The property already contains a building that formerly housed a veterinary clinic, a single-family home (constructed in 2021) and a 2,223-square-foot barn. The owner, Don Kennedy of MDMK Land Trust LLC, and the applicant, Jacob Brenninger of Shamrock Building, told the board the buildings will store rental equipment and tools for a party-equipment rental business; the applicant estimates normal business hours of Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with 10–15 employees on site.

Why this matters: the parcel is zoned AP (Airport), a district that allows a wide mix of uses and also applies architectural standards intended to protect compatibility with nearby residences and landscape. Those architectural standards are numeric and prescriptive; the applicant’s metal buildings do not meet several of the measurement-based elements such as required facade recesses and minimum roof-rise proportions but include visual articulation (different materials, awnings, dormers, landscaping and fencing) that staff and the Planning Commission judged to meet the intent of the code.

What the board reviewed: Whitley explained that Sections 4.9 and related subsections of the Larimer County Land Use Code — standards for building facades, roof form and architectural detail — apply in urban districts and growth management areas and are designed to break up large building masses. Staff’s packet documents how the proposed façade treatments, roof dormers and landscaping differ from the numeric prescriptions but nevertheless advance the code’s stated intent. The case went to the Planning Commission on July 16, which recommended approval by a 7–1 vote with no public testimony at that hearing.

Owner and applicant comments: Don Kennedy, the property owner, described landscaping, fencing and a six-foot screen fence to reduce visibility from the road and said, “I take pride in this property.” Applicant Jacob Brenninger said the proposed buildings were intended to be an improved appearance relative to nearby industrial buildings.

Commissioners’ concerns focused on compatibility with nearby residential areas and adjacent environmental resources. Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally and others asked about landscaping, seed mixes and lighting; staff confirmed the photometric plan shows downcast fixtures and that landscape plantings and a seed mix for detention areas are included in the plan set.

Formal action: Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally read and moved the recommended motions to approve the Kennedy Enclosed Storage Special Review (file 24-ZONE-3655) and to approve the appeals to Sections 4.9.03(c)(2) and (3), 4.9.03(e) and 4.9.03(f) of the Land Use Code. Both motions passed 3–0.

What this does not do: the board’s action approves the special review and the appeals as presented; it does not change other regulatory requirements such as building permits, or short-term rental rules (not applicable to this project), nor does approval waive other legal obligations. Staff emphasized that the approvals were based on the appeal review criteria and that the approval was the minimum action necessary under those criteria.

Next steps: the county will record findings and conditions as part of the approval; construction and associated permits must follow the county’s permitting and inspection processes.