Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Westminster council approves first reading to reclassify former Zurger Elementary site amid neighborhood safety and testing debate
Summary
After hours of public comment and debate over plutonium testing and neighborhood impacts, Westminster City Council voted 5–1 (one recusal) to approve on first reading a comprehensive plan amendment to change the former Zurger Elementary School site from public/quasi‑public to residential low density, subject to staff conditions.
Westminster City Council on Jan. 26 approved on first reading a councilor bill to change the land‑use designation for the former Zurger Elementary School parcel from public/quasi‑public to residential low density, a step the city said could enable up to about 40 homes if later development plans are approved.
The decision followed a continued public hearing and more than an hour of council deliberation that centered on environmental testing for plutonium, infrastructure capacity and neighborhood integrity. Councilor Jack Johnson moved the measure, saying the change “meets the vision of that neighborhood” and advances the city’s housing goals. The motion passed on first reading by a 5–1 roll call vote; one councilor recused themselves because of a perceived financial interest.
Why it mattered: Neighbors and community groups urged caution, saying the site lies in a region historically associated with contamination…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
