Planning Commission Recommends Approval of WF Real Estate Rezone, Sends Case to County Commissioners

The Elbert County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval April 15 of a rezoning request from agriculture to residential-agriculture for a 40-acre parcel identified as Parcel Number 6425100023 (case RZ2024-0023), forwarding the application to the Board of County Commissioners with conditions the applicant must meet before the rezone becomes effective.

Staff planner Kelsey Landen told the commission the applicant, John Wilson of WF Real Estate, requested rezoning to Residential Agriculture (RA) and that the parcel is located southeast of Sun Country Subdivision and north of County Road East 154. Landen said the only development standard difference between RA and the current AR zone was a lot-width requirement and that both districts allow a 10-acre minimum lot size.

Landen reviewed the administrative timeline: a January 2024 pre-application meeting, a March 2024 community meeting, a formal application deemed complete in August 2024, referrals in September 2024 and subsequent referral clarifications requested after an April 1 Planning Commission continuance. She said referral agencies including the Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Geological Survey and CORE electric clarified they had no outstanding objections; Public Works had inspected and approved a 60-foot gravel road providing access.

After commissioners asked routine clarification questions about the road and referral responses, a motion was made to recommend approval of RZ2024-0023 subject to the conditions in the staff report: removal of public hearing signs within 14 days of the BOCC decision (or removal by the county with reasonable charges), payment of all fees and satisfaction of conditions before the rezone becomes effective, and recordation of all appropriate documentation within 180 days of BOCC approval. The commission voted in favor and the motion passed; the case is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioners on April 23.

The Planning Commission and staff noted there were no outstanding objections from reviewing agencies in the packet and that the applicant had provided responses to referral comments. The applicant was present at the hearing and indicated he was available to answer follow-up questions at later stages.

The BOCC will hold the final decision on April 23; the Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory. The rezone will not become effective until conditions and fees are satisfied and the rezone exhibit is recorded.