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Aurora council approves UDO change replacing preliminary plats with optional neighborhood plan
Summary
Council adopted a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that replaces the rarely used preliminary plat process with an optional neighborhood plan step and removes sub-area process variations for development applications. Staff said the change aims to streamline master plan and site-plan sequencing.
The Aurora City Council voted to adopt a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to replace the preliminary plat process with an optional neighborhood plan and to remove sub-area variations in development application procedures. The amendment, item 11B on the March 24 agenda, passed after a public hearing.
Asia Tibbs, planning supervisor in the city’s Planning and Business Development Department, told the council staff proposed the changes after work in 2024 with the Red Tape Committee and a consultant MIG study. Tibbs said staff and a range of advisory groups — including the Development Review Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, the Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee and pilot programs — collaborated on the draft. The Planning Commission recommended approval at a Feb. 26 public hearing.
Under the amendment, the preliminary plat process (which staff said is largely unused) would be replaced by an optional neighborhood plan that links master plans to the civil plan process for neighborhood infrastructure and construction. Staff said this would simplify master plans, reduce the need for frequent master plan amendments during site planning, and better align plat submittals with civil plan review timelines. The amendment also removes varying approval processes tied to sub-areas of the city; instead, staff proposed aligning approval authority to application type — with more discretionary matters going before deciding bodies and technical, standards-based applications eligible for administrative approval.
Speakers during the public hearing included residents who asked questions about public input and the process; public commenters included Madian Shoffner, Robert Lewis and others. Staff answered questions and recommended the council adopt the text amendment, finding it met the UDO approval criteria.
Council Member Drinsky moved to approve the ordinance; Council Member Bergen seconded. After limited council discussion thanking staff for outreach and review, the motion passed and the council adopted item 11B.
Staff said the change is intended to reduce duplication between master plans and site plans and to streamline review timelines. Implementation will require updates to process guidance and coordination with review boards and departments engaged in development review.
