The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on July 22 approved Resolution CC-25-196 (case 24-113412RZ) to rezone 3942 South Palo Verde Road in Evergreen to a planned development following Mountain Residential 3 (MR-3) zone district standards, limiting the site to a maximum of 12 dwelling units and reserving at least 28% of the property for community parks and trails.

Planning staff and the applicant described two development options during the hearing: an eight-lot single-family plan with lot sizes ranging about 10,500 to 19,650 square feet, and a 12-unit plan made up of six two-family structures. Case manager Sarah Hoemeyer told the board the planned development is more restrictive than the MR-3 baseline for the parcel and includes mountain-area lighting and wildlife-friendly fencing requirements.

"The ODP also defines allowed wildlife friendly fence materials and height and requires at least 28% of the land area to be used as community parks and trails," Hoemeyer said. Applicant representative Richard Miller said fences would be limited to a 42-inch maximum and that chain-link fencing would be prohibited inside the development. Miller also said the design seeks to minimize tree removal and preserve a rock outcropping on one lot.

Staff said the site is identified as high wildlife quality and medium wildfire hazard; a wildfire mitigation plan would be required later during preliminary and final plat review. The applicant told commissioners the internal road would align where possible with an existing driveway to reduce grading and that existing private-access easement issues raised in neighbor comments would be addressed at platting.

Public testimony was closed with no speakers present in person or online on the rezoning, and the board approved the rezoning by voice vote. "I move for the approval of hearing regular agenda item 11.1," a commissioner said; votes recorded in the meeting minutes were "Commissioner Kerr? Aye. Commissioner Zenzinger? Aye. Commissioner Dahlkemper? Yes."

If the rezoning is to be developed, the applicant must submit a plat and comply with subsequent technical reviews for grading, drainage, parking, landscaping and other site improvements before building permits are issued.