Thornton council approves annexation, zoning and site plan for 16‑lot Timberleaf Estates

Thornton — The City Council unanimously approved the annexation, zoning amendment and a conceptual site plan for Timberleaf Estates, a proposed 16‑lot single‑family subdivision at 13251 Yosemite Street.

Colin Weihab, the city’s principal planner, told council the 4.79‑acre parcel is adjacent to existing Timberleaf development and is designated in the comprehensive plan as single‑family neighborhoods. Staff recommended approval after concluding the proposal meets annexation criteria, is fiscally sustainable and would add a minor number of peak‑hour trips to surrounding intersections. Staff noted the project would generate an estimated nine additional students and requires a public land dedication or fee set at $29,899.

Doug Small, the property owner and applicant, said the development would range from about 6,298 to 8,314 square‑foot lots and would be accessed from East 132nd Drive by a new cul‑de‑sac with a gated emergency access to Yosemite Street as required by the fire department. He said a traffic study found the subdivision would add about 14 morning peak trips and 18 evening peak trips, which staff characterized as negligible.

The staff report identified a 60‑foot cell tower on the property. The annexation agreement requires the tower operator either to obtain a special use permit to bring the facility into compliance by Dec. 6, 2026, or to elect to abandon the facility by July 22, 2041 (the current lease expiration date).

Neighbors who participated in a neighborhood meeting on Sept. 16 raised concerns about traffic, architecture compatibility with adjacent lots and municipal maintenance costs; staff said planning commission reviewed the application Sept. 16 and voted 5–0 to recommend approval.

Council members asked about occupancy of the existing farmhouse (staff said the homes were uninhabitable), environmental study plans (none yet; the applicant said it would be pursued) and controls for the stubbed road and emergency access (the emergency access will be gated and the southern stub would be a non‑through stub). After public comment and questions, council introduced ordinances and resolutions covering the findings of fact, annexation, zoning and conceptual site plan; all motions carried unanimously.

The council’s votes complete the first‑reading and approval steps described in the staff presentation; the annexation ordinance and related zoning actions were read and approved by title during the meeting. The city will administer the conditions listed in the annexation agreement and proceed with required permitting and any subsequent special‑use processes for the cell tower operator.