The Jefferson County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of case 25-101666RZ Thursday, backing a rezoning request to change 8345 South Brentwood Street in Littleton from R‑1 (single-family) to R‑2 (two-family) zoning to permit a duplex on a 0.3-acre lot.

Staff and applicant: Reid Powers, the county case manager, told commissioners the primary requests and development standards for R‑2 are similar to R‑1 in building height and setbacks, though R‑2 allows a duplex (two dwellings) and thereby increases density. Powers’ staff analysis concluded the proposed rezoning "meets most but not all" CMP policies because it would exceed the CMP’s recommended density of fewer than four dwellings per acre (the duplex would produce 6.66 units per acre). The applicant provided a market and planning rationale that county staff said sufficiently addressed two of the three factors required when a rezoning departs from CMP land-use recommendations: mitigation of impacts and compatibility with surrounding uses.

Public testimony: Neighbors spoke in opposition at the hearing. Alex Laraque, whose home is immediately south of the subject lot, told the commission that raising density and building a large duplex would reduce privacy and could increase property taxes. Jack Wright, a neighbor across the street, said the rezoning would raise density above the CMP recommendation and stressed the neighborhood’s preference for low-density single-family character.

Applicant case and engineering: Applicant Jeremy Hayes (Colorado Native Properties LLC) described planned duplex construction intended to fit the neighborhood pattern and referenced wider county housing goals, including the county’s 15-year housing strategic plan and state housing policy encouraging gentle infill in existing urban areas. Powers noted the site has a small area of dipping bedrock that will require a geotechnical report at the building-permit stage. Water and sewer service letters were provided by Meadowbrook Fairview Metropolitan District; fire service will come from South Metro Fire and law enforcement from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Council deliberation and rationale: Commissioners discussed CMP guidance, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allowances and how R‑2 differs from R‑1. Several commissioners said duplexes represent a form of “gentle density” and cited housing strategy goals; others noted the rezoning departs from the CMP’s preferred density recommendation but that the scale and building standards would remain consistent with surrounding lots.

Outcome and next steps: Commissioner Messner moved approval; Commissioner Bollin seconded. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners. If the board approves the rezoning, the applicant must pursue building permits, grading permits and any required geotechnical reports; if the owner elects to convert a duplex into two separate lots for sale, a minor adjustment (lot division) would be required.

Quote: "The r‑1 zoning building standards are very similar to the r‑2 building standards, and the primary use...would appear residential in nature. It shouldn't stick out like a sore thumb," Reid Powers said during the presentation. Neighbor Alex Laraque said: "A large duplex so close to our property would reduce the privacy and safety of the back of our backyard where our children play daily."

Context: The rezoning was debated in the context of countywide housing needs and policies that encourage modest infill; commissioners balanced the CMP’s numeric density guidance against broader housing objectives and site-level compatibility.