Elbert County commissioners approve Goodman rezoning for 40-acre parcel

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the Goodman rezone, case RZ202300026, for a roughly 40‑acre parcel identified as Parcel Number 6425400002 in the Freedom Valley Ranch subdivision.

Kelsey Lanham, a planner with the Elbert County Planning Department, told the board the applicant, Cathy (Kathy) Goodman, requested rezoning of the entire parcel from Agricultural (A) to Residential Agriculture (RA). Lanham said the subject property — known as Parcel F after an earlier subdivision of a former 320‑acre tract into eight 40‑acre lots — is currently vacant and contains no structures. She said the only zoning standard that differs between AR (agriculture residential) and RA is minimum lot width: RA requires 200 feet and AR requires 250 feet.

Lanham said referral agencies including the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Elbert County Public Works reviewed the application and that no outstanding objections remained. She summarized the findings required by Elbert County zoning rules and said staff recommended approval with conditions including removal of signage within two weeks of final decisions, payment of fees and recordation of the rezone exhibit and related documents within 180 days of county approval.

Applicant Kathy Goodman spoke from the podium and said the 10‑acre‑plus lots proposed in the subdivision will serve as a buffer between nearby smaller‑lot housing and higher‑density development across the road. No written public comments were received during the county’s notice period, Lanham said; three people attended the applicant’s community meeting and two members of the public spoke in favor at the Planning Commission hearing.

A commissioner moved to approve RZ202300026; a second was recorded and the motion carried with affirmative votes. The board closed the public hearing and moved on to the next agenda item.

The approval is subject to the standard conditions set out in the staff report: removal of signs, satisfaction of fees and recording of required documents and exhibits. Lanham said the rezone will not become effective until those steps are completed and recommended recordation within 180 days.

The planning staff cited Article 3.C.4 of the Elbert County Zoning Regulations in evaluating the application against comprehensive plan goals, compatibility with surrounding uses, impact on public services, environmental and traffic impacts, and potential detriment to present and future county residents.

If the applicant completes recordation and satisfies the conditions, the official zoning map will be updated to reflect the change; Lanham noted the assessor’s map had not yet been updated at the time of the hearing.