Council approves final plats for Reunion Center amendments after residents press for more commercial

Commerce City Council approved two final‑plat amendments for Reunion Center Filing 1 on Jan. 5, clearing the way for 190 paired homes and 10 commercial lots in a mixed‑use neighborhood plan.

Applicant Terracina Design and Oakwood Homes presented the combined packages as two interdependent amendments (platted separately due to technical limits on lot counts). The proposal includes 190 paired (duet) homes, 10 commercial pads, and 3.4 acres of pocket and perimeter open space; applicants requested final‑plat approval to market lots and begin development steps. "These are for sale," Randy Bauer of Oakwood Homes told council when asked whether the duplex units would be owner‑occupied.

Planning staff reported the plat meets PUD and land‑development code criteria, that the school district has capacity for anticipated students, and that traffic mitigation measures are covered by a development agreement that includes specific off‑site improvements. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval; Planning Commission previously recommended approval.

Residents and several council members pressed developers on commercial delivery, noting long delays since Reunion Center’s original master plan. Council Member Kim urged the developer to "look into potentially building out the commercial vertical construction" and to inventory existing retail supply; other council members said the plats provide an opportunity to attract retail and address longstanding service gaps in the northern range.

Council approved Amendment 1 by an 8–1 vote and Amendment 2 unanimously. Councilmembers emphasized they will hold developers accountable for delivering commercial pads and asked staff to monitor mitigation measures for traffic and open‑space amenities. The approvals allow the developer to proceed with plat recording and to market commercial pads to prospective tenants.