Aurora annexes 2.589-acre Piccadilly parcel, approves mixed-use zoning; separate rezoning postponed to May 5

The Aurora City Council approved a series of actions on March 24 to bring a 2.589-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Piccadilly Road and East Stephen D. Hogan Parkway into the city and zone it Mixed Use Corridor (MUC). The council adopted a resolution making findings that the land is eligible for annexation, approved the annexation ordinance and then approved initial zoning to MUC as part of the item series (items 14A–14C).

Justin Andrews, project manager with the Office of Development Assistance, summarized the annexation process and said the petition for annexation had been filed by the property owner, Triple Creek Capital LLC. Andrews said the annexation follows Colorado law and the city’s multi-meeting annexation process; staff had previously made a finding of substantial compliance on Feb. 10. Planning staff, represented by Steven Gubrut, presented the initial zoning request and told the council the site is proximate to future transportation facilities, is within the commercial hub place type of the comprehensive plan and that initial MUC zoning is compatible with surrounding development. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the zoning map amendment.

During the public hearing several residents spoke. Public commenters raised concerns about public safety and police conduct in Aurora and asked the council to account for broader community needs; speakers included Madian Shoffner, Kayla/Kayoa Lewis and other residents recorded in the hearing.

Council proceeded through the annexation sequence: the council adopted the findings of fact for annexation (item 14A), then conducted the introductory reading and adoption steps for the annexation ordinance (item 14B). The council first voted to suspend additional public comment on the ordinance reading by a two-thirds vote; the transcript records that suspension passed 7-3. Council later adopted the annexation ordinance and then approved initial zoning to the Mixed Use Corridor district (item 14C). The initial zoning passed on the council motion; the transcript records the motion passed with council concurrence.

Separately earlier in the meeting the council considered item 11A — a public hearing on a zoning map amendment to rezone approximately 3.91 acres near East Jewell Avenue and South Juliet Street to R2 medium-density residential. Council Member Bergen moved to continue item 11A to the May 5 meeting to allow the associated site plan to return to the Planning and Zoning Commission first; the motion carried and the public hearing on 11A was continued to May 5.

Staff said annexation and initial zoning are intended to integrate the parcel into the city’s service, infrastructure and regulatory systems and to align the parcel with adjacent urban development. Staff and the applicant did not present a site plan at this meeting; if a development proposal is filed it will be processed under the city’s development review procedures.