Adams County planning panel approves rezoning and conditional use for 3 luxury cabins at 3628 Highway 13

The Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a rezoning and a conditional use permit for Nicholas and Alyssa Corwin to develop three luxury cabins at 3628 Highway 13.

The rezoning request would change the parcel from an A-1 35 Exclusive Agricultural District to PR Planned Residential Community; the conditional use permit sought permission for three short-term-rental cabins on the 36-acre site. Planning staff noted the town of Del Prairie reviewed the application at its January meeting and did not object; the town recommended a condition limiting the development to three houses and requiring each unit to have its own well and septic.

Applicant Nicholas Corwin told the commission he and his wife plan three two–bedroom “luxury cabin” units intended for short-term rental markets, describing the site as “a beautiful lot” with natural trails and “a retreat — get out of the city, come and join the Dells.” He said most neighbors he contacted supported the plan and that a local contact will be available within 25 miles for emergency response and county contact.

Planning staff read a written letter of support from C.K. Milbauer, who said he met with Corwin and supported the rezoning and proposed cabins. Staff also advised that Colorado Department of Transportation review had occurred in relation to the property's 33-foot frontage and existing driveway access.

Commission discussion addressed limits on future density if the parcel is rezoned. One member warned that PR zoning allows higher density over time; staff clarified that conditions can be attached to the conditional use permit but not to the rezoning itself. To address that, the town of Del Prairie had requested the conditional-use limit of three houses; the commission included that condition in its approval. Another commissioner moved a size minimum so the cabins would meet full-time residence standards, and the commission adopted a condition of a minimum of 720 square feet per unit.

The commission approved the rezoning and the conditional use permit in separate votes. The rezoning will be forwarded to the full county board for final consideration on the 18th at 6 p.m.; the conditional use permit does not require full-county-board review. The conditional use approval includes the conditions discussed: a maximum of three houses, each with its own well and septic, a minimum unit size of 720 square feet, and that the conditional use takes effect only if the rezoning is approved at the county board.

Next steps: the rezoning application goes to the full Adams County Board on the 18th; the conditional use permit, as approved by the commission, stands unless the county board denies the rezoning.