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Centennial planning commission approves Tesla collision‑repair conditional‑use permit
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Summary
On Jan. 14 the Centennial Planning and Zoning Commission approved resolution 2026PZ‑R‑01 to allow a Tesla major vehicle repair (collision) center at 15030 E. Fremont Dr.; staff said operations will be indoors with screened outdoor storage and coordination with South Metro Fire Rescue and state permitting.
The Centennial Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 14 to approve resolution 2026PZ‑R‑01, granting a conditional‑use permit for a Tesla major vehicle repair facility at 15030 East Fremont Drive (case COND‑25‑0002).
Planner Brad McKinnis told commissioners the application is the first conditional‑use permit the commission will consider after the city transferred approval authority from City Council. He said the proposed collision‑repair operation is defined as a heavy‑industry/major auto repair use under the Land Development Code and that staff found the application meets the applicable standards in LDC §12‑14‑601C. "This will be the first conditional use permit application considered by the planning and zoning commission," McKinnis said, and staff recommended approval with conditions.
Tesla representative David Coulter described the center as public‑facing but "a very controlled public facing element," with appointments handled through the Tesla app and typical in‑office customer time of "about 10 to 15 minutes." Coulter said the facility will not perform battery repairs on‑site; batteries would be isolated and removed and sent to specialized facilities for repair. He added that hazardous materials would be stored inside an on‑site accumulation area and removed by licensed contractors with documentation of chain‑of‑custody.
Staff told the commission the roughly 14.27‑acre property is zoned industrial and located within the city’s Employment and Innovation hub. Approval conditions and LDC requirements include that heavy‑industry work be wholly performed indoors, bay doors remain closed during automotive work except when transferring vehicles, and vehicles awaiting service be stored in screened areas and not in public rights‑of‑way. McKinnis said portions of the property lie within the 100‑year floodplain but that the applicant coordinated with South Metro Stormwater Authority to avoid changes to approved drainage infrastructure. South Metro Fire Rescue provided detailed input on specialized fire‑prevention systems for the use.
Commissioners asked how the city would enforce noncompliance; staff said enforcement generally begins with code compliance and education and can escalate to municipal court if necessary. On public hearings, the chair opened the item and no members of the public signed up to speak.
Commissioner Panek moved to approve the resolution, Commissioner Unger seconded, and the chair called the vote and announced the motion passed. Following approval, McKinnis said the applicant must submit signed, notarized CUP site‑plan documents and obtain the required building, fence and other permits before commencing operations.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to operate the heavy‑industry use at the subject property subject to the stated conditions and required permits.
