Douglas County commissioners remand Sundown Oaks metropolitan district service plan back to planning commission

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 9 to remand the Sundown Oaks Metropolitan District service plan to the Planning Commission for additional review.

The item concerns a proposed metropolitan district to finance and operate public improvements for a 37‑lot residential project in the Franktown rural community. The board’s remand followed staff presentations, testimony from the applicant and a strong record of public opposition reported to county staff and commissioners.

The service plan before the board would create a new Sundown Oaks Metropolitan District under Colorado Revised Statute Title 32 to finance public improvements for the site north of State Highway 86 and east of Highway 83. DJ Beckwith, Principal Planner with Douglas County Planning Services, told the board the Planning Commission voted 6–2 on Aug. 4 to recommend denial of the originally submitted plan, citing concerns about financial viability, consistency with the Comprehensive Master Plan and whether a metro district is in the best interest of the area to be served.

“At a public meeting on 08/04/2025, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the service plan by a vote of 6 to 2,” DJ Beckwith said during the staff presentation.

Applicant representative Nicole Paykoff told the board the service plan had been revised after the Planning…