The Severance Planning Commission on June 18 voted to forward resolution PC 2025-09R, a package of text amendments and reorganization of Chapter 16 (land use code), to Town Council with a recommendation of approval.

Shaney (planning staff) framed the package as the final set of reorganizational edits intended to improve readability and usability of the town’s land use code. Shaney said the edits are largely organizational, adding intent and applicability paragraphs and relocating existing language so that the code “is better user friendly, specifically for ourselves as staff, and especially for you all as Planning Commissioners.”

Planning consultant Josh O’Halla reviewed Article 6 (design standards) and told commissioners the edits mostly move existing language into clearer positions, split long tables into smaller, more navigable sections and add clarifying lead-in language; Josh said the “criteria doesn’t change.” Later articles covered procedure language (use-by special review terminology), oil and gas application checklists and setbacks, solar facility definitions and floodplain language; commissioners and staff confirmed no substantive criteria changes were being proposed in the sections presented that evening.

Staff noted one procedural update since the packet: the town has entered an intergovernmental agreement with Weld County for Weld County to review oil and gas applications for compliance with state statute and to provide technical review support for the town if an oil-and-gas application were to be filed. Shaney said that note will be incorporated prior to final ordinance preparation for Town Council.

The commission also discussed lighting language, plugged-or-abandoned well setbacks, and the floodplain sections. Shaney and Josh said the work was focused on clarifying definitions, correcting table references and improving online navigability; no substantive policy changes were proposed in the parts presented. Shaney said the full revised code will be presented to Town Council in an ordinance-format package; staff expected Council to review the assembled ordinance at its August 12 meeting, following an initial administrative review on July 8.

A motion to adopt resolution PC 2025-09R and forward a recommendation to Town Council passed by roll call with affirmative votes from commissioners present. The commission and staff encouraged Town Council review and additional attorney review prior to adoption.