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Jefferson County planning commissioners recommend raising Chatfield Green CDP unit cap to 850 to allow Shea Homes rezoning
Summary
The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend a Chatfield Activity Center CDP amendment raising the residential cap from 805 to 850, a change staff and the applicant say is needed to allow Littleton to process a rezoning for a proposed 27-unit project; residents raised concerns about unit counts, water, traffic and preserving view corridors.
Jefferson County Planning Commission members voted unanimously on Dec. 10 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve an amendment to the Chatfield Activity Center comprehensive development plan (case 25-115487CH) changing the maximum dwelling-unit cap for Chatfield Green from 805 to 850.
Staff presented the amendment as a narrow change to the CDP’s maximum dwelling count that would allow the City of Littleton to accept and process a concurrent rezoning and subdivision application for a small, vacant parcel at the neighborhood entrance. Case manager Sarah Knowles told commissioners the CDP — adopted by the county and City of Littleton through an intergovernmental agreement in 1991 — governs allowable uses and maximum dwelling units; staff concluded the requested increase conforms with the CDP and recommended approval.
The applicant, represented by land-use consultant Marcus Pockner of Shea Homes, said the developer’s proposal is a 27-unit residential project on that remnant parcel and that the 850 figure was negotiated so both jurisdictions and the applicant would not have to return repeatedly for small amendments. "Our request is to simply amend that unit count for the CDP and allow us to start processing a formal rezoning in the City of Littleton," Pockner said. He added the cap was increased to provide flexibility for future code changes — including accessory dwelling unit rules — and to accommodate minor adjustments that could emerge during Littleton’s review.
Residents and HOA representatives told the commission they support a limited, parcel-specific outcome but worry the higher cap could be used more broadly. Donna Szewczak said she submitted a petition of roughly 425 signatures supporting "27 additional homes not in support of opening up the whole community" and urged the commission to honor the original cap. Other commenters and HOA members disputed whether the existing built count is 805, 806 (the City of Littleton’s number, cited by staff), or 799 (HOA count), and asked for any approved increase to be explicitly tied to the parcel under consideration.
Staff and the applicant acknowledged the differing counts and said the commission must respect Littleton’s inventory as part of the jointly enforced CDP; staff also reiterated that view-corridor protections in the CDP would not be changed and that transportation impacts to county roads are not expected because the streets in Chatfield Green are maintained by Littleton. Knowles listed key infrastructure providers: Denver Water for water service; Ken Caryl Ranch Water and Sanitation District for sewer; and South Metro Fire Protection District for emergency services at the entry station.
Commissioners discussed the rationale for the number 850 and the degree of flexibility it creates. Several members said staff’s findings and the CDP’s infrastructure assumptions — including the CDP limit of six dwellings per acre across the roughly 346-acre area — provide assurance that the modest increase would not exceed planned capacity. After discussion, Commissioner Larocque moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Becker seconded and roll-call votes were recorded in favor from all commissioners present.
The planning commission’s recommendation is advisory; final approval rests with the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, which is scheduled to consider the CDP amendment on Jan. 13, 2026. The applicant and Littleton must complete the city’s rezoning and subdivision review before any building permits would be issued.
Why it matters: The change affects the long-term maximum housing capacity for the Chatfield Green neighborhood and sets a procedural path for the property owner’s rezoning request. Supporters say it prevents repeated CDP amendments and allows necessary flexibility for evolving state and local housing rules. Opponents worry an increased cap could lead to unexpected density and urged clearer limits tying any unit increase to the specific parcel or project.
Next steps: The planning commission forwarded its unanimous recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, which will hold a public hearing on the case in January.
