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Albany County planners recommend denial of Paris zoning change after neighbors raise septic and character concerns
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial of a zoning-district amendment that would have converted a small parcel at 1124 Highway 11 from ranchette to commercial after staff raised plan‑consistency concerns and neighbors testified about septic, setbacks and neighborhood character.
The Albany County Planning & Zoning Commission on Oct. 8 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners deny a request to change the zoning of 1124 Highway 11 from ranchette to commercial. Planning staff told the commission the application—filed as ZDA‑908‑25 for owner Paula Paris—does not conform with the county comprehensive plan, which designates the site for rural residential use, and noted an open enforcement case arising from three dwellings on a lot that does not meet allowed density.
Why it matters: Commission members said rezoning the quarter‑acre parcel would broaden future uses and could create an incompatible commercial envelope behind existing residences. Several commissioners also cited a recent denial in Centennial as precedent for resisting ad hoc rezonings created to retroactively legalize existing noncompliant uses.
Staff and applicant accounts: Planner Joe summarized the file and the department recommendation to deny, noting notice and review requirements had been met but that findings for approval were not supported by the comprehensive‑plan map and dimensional standards. Joe said the original 2008 building permit listed the structure as an accessory building, not a dwelling, and staff considers the property currently out of compliance.
The applicant’s representative and property owner speaker, Pablo Carris, told the panel he has operated rental cabins at the site for roughly 17 years and said he did not realize the configuration violated zoning. “I didn’t know until recently that I was not compliant,” Carris said, adding he would prefer to keep operating the business and believed commercial zoning would help him maintain the property while the nearby lodge is closed.
Neighbors’ testimony: Multiple residents urged denial. Clark Gunther, Kenny Langford and several members of the Palmer family described the neighborhood as overwhelmingly residential and raised concerns about septic systems, well placement and impacts to wildlife and community character. Langford said he had granted an easement expecting single‑family residential use and described problems with short‑term renters at the property.
Commission action and vote: After extended questioning about setbacks and septic documentation, Commissioner Hinckley moved to recommend denial of the zoning change on the basis that the applicant had not shown the proposal complied with criteria in the Albany County zoning resolution; another commissioner seconded. The motion carried; the commission will forward its recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners deny ZDA‑908‑25.
What happens next: The county commissioners will take the commission’s recommendation under review at a future Board of County Commissioners meeting. The applicant may address outstanding enforcement items or pursue alternative remedies such as a change of use process with the planning department.
