Planning commission debates 'MFR 45' high-density zoning; seeks workshops with utilities, emergency services

At its July 28 meeting the Grand County Planning Commission discussed a proposed land-use code amendment, informally called “MFR 45,” that would allow up to 45 multifamily residential units per acre in parts of the county.

Commissioners said the proposal raised questions about infrastructure, emergency access, and whether the provision should be limited to specific locations. Planning staff member Chrissy, who presented the draft language, told the commission the version before them was not a repeal-and-replace but an addition intended to add specificity; she said she would not forward any draft to public hearing without development standards attached. “Before I would even put this in front of you, I would make sure that we have development standards for this specific section of code,” Chrissy said.

Why it matters: Allowing 45 units per acre on single-acre parcels would substantially increase allowable density compared with existing county standards and the June 23 future land use plan, which commissioners said does not include densities above 18 units per acre. Commissioners warned that adopting the change without standards or mapped locations could create conflicts with utilities, evacuation routes, and fire access…