Severance council approves Northgate Lake preliminary plat after drainage, traffic and open-space debate

The Town of Severance on March 25 approved the preliminary plat for Northgate Lake, a 315-acre development that would add 671 single-family lots, future multifamily acreage, about 29 acres of commercial land and a 10.47-acre site the Weld RE-4 School District has identified for a future elementary school. Council passed Resolution 2025-12R by roll-call vote after a public hearing and more than two hours of staff, applicant and resident testimony.

Why it matters: The project, annexed and concept-approved in 2022, would substantially enlarge Severance’s housing stock and add commercial acreage intended to attract a grocery anchor and other services. Council and planning staff said the town still lacks immediate water and sewer infrastructure to serve the full project; the developer must show how utilities, drainage and other infrastructure will be constructed before the final plat is approved.

Council and staff said the preliminary plat itself met land-use-code criteria, but the approval carries conditions. Planning staff listed 14 conditions (included in the resolution) that must be satisfied during the final-plat process. Those include detailed engineering on stormwater…