City Council on Jan. 12 heard more than two hours of public testimony and detailed staff and developer presentations on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment to redesignate the former Zurger Elementary site from public/quasi-public to low-density residential. The 8.08-acre parcel, owned by Jefferson County Public School District, would be redeveloped into roughly 40 single-family detached homes under the application brought by Cardell Homes and its consultant team.

Staff and the applicant framed the proposal as an infill redevelopment that would expand nearby Kings Mill Park by about 1.5 acres, improve aging infrastructure and stormwater systems, and return maintenance savings to the school district. Principal planner Jacob Acaza and planner Carson Beyerhoff told council the application was properly noticed (1,658 mailed notices) and recommended approval subject to conditions preserving pedestrian access and dedicating land and improvements for Kings Mill Park. The planning commission had recommended approval by a 7–0 vote at its Sept. 9, 2025 meeting.

The developer and its consultants said they had performed environmental reviews, including a phase 1 assessment and targeted soil sampling. Developer representatives described multiple memos and five on-site tests that returned results “well below” the state development threshold they cited; the highest sample they noted was 0.198 picocuries per gram (pCi/g), below the 0.9 pCi/g level the applicant referenced as a development standard in Colorado. The team also said the proposal would route stormwater to on-site detention, replace an aging water main on Field Street and West 91st Avenue, and preserve mature trees where feasible.

Opponents, including long-time neighborhood residents, engineers and health-care workers, urged council to deny the amendment or require substantially more testing and stronger safeguards before any land disturbance. Speakers referenced the Rocky Flats site and local fallout history, described health concerns and anecdotal cases of cancer and birth defects in the neighborhood, and questioned the adequacy and sample size of the testing provided. Several asked for additional sampling, escrow protections for affected homeowners, or reuse alternatives for the building (senior center, community uses). Supporters — including the Westminster Chamber of Commerce and housing-advocacy speakers — argued infill housing increases supply and that the sale would relieve the school district of ongoing maintenance costs.

Councilors pressed the applicant and staff about affordability (the developer said pricing would likely start in the low-$700,000 range), unit sizes (roughly 2,000–2,500 square feet with optional basements), the scope of park dedication and what infrastructure upgrades the city could expect to be paid by the developer. City engineering staff said the water-main replacement required for the project spans about 700–750 feet and estimated a developer-led replacement cost in the range of $250,000–$400,000 but pledged to provide a firmer figure during subsequent review.

After closing the public hearing and receiving 111 emailed comments and 35 voicemails, Councilor Johnson moved to postpone deliberation and formal action until the next council meeting so the full council could review the record and be present for deliberations. The motion passed on a 6–0 roll-call vote. Council did not take a final vote on the comprehensive plan amendment; staff and councilors indicated they will pursue additional technical information and time for council review before a final decision.

Next steps: Council’s formal deliberation and any final vote on the Zurger comprehensive plan amendment were continued to the council’s next meeting to allow time for additional materials and full council participation.