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Commissioners debate"pause" on zoning as county updates comprehensive plan
Summary
The board discussed a potential pause or moratorium on zoning approvals while the county updates its comprehensive plan and regulations; commissioners expressed sharply different views on property rights, economic impact and timing and directed staff to schedule legal review in executive session.
The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners opened an extended discussion on whether to impose a pause on zoning approvals while the county updates its comprehensive plan and regulations.
Commissioner Schroeder argued strongly against any moratorium, framing the issue around private property rights and economic consequences. Schroeder delivered a prolonged statement tracing historical legal arguments about property rights and warned that a moratorium would "interfere with the free market," reduce housing supply and harm local businesses and construction jobs.
Commissioner McDaniel said he supports "slow and controlled growth" and wants a clear definition of a "strategic pause," including scope and duration. McDaniel said he favors hearing from citizens via surveys and completing an updated comprehensive plan before approving further development. "I do think that maybe a pause in the zoning might be a good idea," McDaniel said, adding that he does not like the word "moratorium."
Commissioner Buck said he was sympathetic to allowing the public to have a say and supported moving the issue to further legal and staff review. The board directed the county manager and county attorney to schedule an executive session to discuss legal options under Colorado statute (C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b)) and to return with recommendations. The chair confirmed the executive-session request would cover legal parameters; that session was held later in the meeting and not recorded in the public minutes.
Speakers during public comment asked the board to consider water, infrastructure and private-property protections. One public commenter noted the county already has thousands of approved lots and urged careful, narrow rules to avoid harming private-property rights and the local economy.
No moratorium ordinance or binding pause was adopted at the June 25 meeting; the board instead asked staff and legal counsel to produce options and to convene additional meetings and public engagement as part of the comprehensive-plan update process.
