Jefferson County Planning Commission approves library reuse at 11100 Bradford Road with traffic conditions

The Jefferson County Planning Commission on Jan. 8 approved a location-and-extent application allowing the Jefferson County Public Library to occupy an existing 64,000-square-foot building at 11100 Bradford Road in Littleton, contingent on traffic mitigation steps and a cash-in-lieu payment.

The commission voted 7-0 to approve case number 24-129561 SA, with Commissioner Lyles making the motion and Commissioner Spencer seconding. The roll call recorded votes from Commissioners Becker, Dunne, LaRocque, Messner, Spencer, Lyles and Chairman Duncan; the motion passed unanimously "with the 2 requirements as written in the revised staff report," the chair said.

The library proposal covers a 7.04-acre parcel currently occupied by a vacant office and distribution facility. Staff reported the building totals approximately 64,000 square feet and that the parcel is zoned Planned Development under the Ken Carroll Ranch North Plains segment amended Official Development Plan (ODP), which allows governmental uses such as a public library.

Jamie Hartig, planning staff, described traffic as the principal outstanding issue. Staff's analysis, citing a traffic study submitted by the applicant, found roughly 1,700 daily trips associated with the site and an approximate 20% increase in traffic at the nearby intersection of West Chatfield Avenue and Shaffer Parkway. "The applicant has agreed to contribute a cash in lieu payment for the portion of the off-site improvements based on the increased traffic volume," Hartig told the commission.

The commission's approval requires the applicant to: (1) provide analysis of Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants to determine whether a traffic signal or other mitigation is required at West Chatfield Avenue and Shaffer Parkway, and (2) contribute a cash-in-lieu payment covering 20% of the cost of the improvements at that intersection based on the 20% increase in traffic volume. If MUTCD warrants are not met but the applicant's licensed professional engineer nonetheless determines a signal is the best mitigation, the engineer must provide an engineering study documenting that conclusion. All required engineering studies must be accepted by Jefferson County before a building permit may be issued, according to staff.

Staff said the site already has sufficient on-site parking and is served by Ken Carroll Ranch Water and Sanitation District, West Metro Fire Protection District and the Jefferson County Sheriff for emergency services. The planning staff also noted there are no known historic resources on the subject property and that no exterior improvements or new official development plan amendments are proposed as part of this application.

Commissioner Dunn said he was "generally in support of the library at this site" but emphasized the need to resolve traffic-signal warrants and ensure appropriate mitigation for potential impacts to level of service.

The applicant (Jefferson County Public Library) declined to make a presentation. Staff reported it had received eight public comments in support of the proposal.

During the meeting's public-comment period, resident Gary Tyson spoke about a separate zoning matter — case number 24100589 RZ — alleging past violations and incomplete permit records for a property at 8567 West 100 8th Avenue and said he would provide additional documentation at a future meeting. Those comments were unrelated to the Bradford Road library case and did not affect the commission's action.

The commission noted the planning commission has final authority on location-and-extent cases and that the Board of County Commissioners does not review these decisions. The case concluded with the commission approving the application subject to the staff requirements and studies described above.