Westminster planning commission approves conversion of Zurger Elementary site to low‑density homes, drawing heavy neighborhood opposition

The Westminster Planning Commission on Wednesday voted 7‑0 to approve a comprehensive master plan amendment that would change the former Zurger Elementary School sitefrom a public/quasi‑public designation to residential low density, clearing the way for a Cardell Homes proposal for roughly 40 single‑family homes and a 1.5‑acre dedication to expand Kings Mill Park.

The amendment affects about an 8‑acre parcel in the Kings Mill PUD north of West 90th Avenue and adjacent to Kings Mill Park. Sarah Derringer, division president for Cardell Homes, told the commission the company was selected by the Jefferson County School District through an RFP process and revised its land plan after neighborhood and staff input.

The approval moves only the high‑level land‑use designation; Cardell still must submit a preliminary development plan (PDP) and official development plan (ODP) with engineering, traffic, drainage and landscape details for separate technical review and future public hearings.

Commissioners and staff said the application met the comprehensive plandefinition for residential low density: single‑family detached homes, a suburban fabric, and a density at or below the allowed five dwelling units per acre. Planner Julie Gamick presented the proposalas 4.95 dwelling units per acre, a slight reduction from an earlier…