Timnath adopts land‑use code updates: bans gated communities, adds state‑required turf limits and directs further landscaping rules
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Summary
The town added an explicit prohibition on gated residential developments and updated landscaping rules to implement Colorado’s SB24‑5, restricting nonfunctional turf on certain public/commercial/common interest areas and directing staff to return with a plant list and maintenance standards. Council added a friendly amendment to align initial turf limits with state minimums and requested more study.
The Timnath Town Council on Dec. 9 adopted land‑use code amendments that reintroduce a prohibition on gated residential communities and revise landscape standards to comply with Colorado’s Senate Bill 24‑5, the town said.
Planning staff and the applicant team framed the gate prohibition as a clarification of the town’s comprehensive plan goals to preserve connectivity and public access. "No residential development shall include physical barriers or other controlled access that restricts vehicular or pedestrian access to streets, sidewalks, pathways, or trails within the proposed development," Mister Kemper explained during the presentation; exceptions were identified only for emergency or utility access and to allow typical fencing around individual private lots.
The council also considered changes to align local code with SB24‑5, which limits nonfunctional turf, artificial turf and invasive species on redevelopment projects and certain public and commercial lands. Staff summarized the state law and proposed local triggers for redevelopment (for example, triggering when gross floor area increases by 65% or landscaping is modified by 50%) and proposed to require low‑water turf in functional areas where appropriate.
"Senate Bill 245 is really focused on turf, and it limits nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species in new developments and redevelopment projects," the landscaping presenter noted during the hearing. Planning Commission had urged staff to calibrate triggers and provide more clarity and a plant list; council adopted the amendment with a friendly change that narrows the initial turf prohibitions to the state minimums and directs staff to return early next year with a recommended plant list, establishment/maintenance standards and additional landscape policy work.
The measure drew public comment from a builder with experience in gated subdivisions who urged case‑by‑case review and design solutions that preserve connectivity while allowing controlled access in some contexts. Council members expressed support for tighter water‑wise landscaping but also asked staff to research long‑term maintenance needs and to include parks and recreation and other stakeholders in crafting a definitive plant list.
The code amendments passed on a 4‑0 vote after the friendly amendment directing further work was adopted.
