Council approves Hanover plan development with Knapp Road development-agreement condition after resident objections
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Summary
Council approved a plan-development rezoning to build about 304,000 sq ft of light industrial space after hearing 52 written objections and resident testimony about flooding and construction impacts; approval was amended to require a development agreement for Knapp Road reconstruction within 90 days and passed final reading 6–1.
After extended public comment and staff briefings, the City Council on Jan. 26 approved a plan-development rezoning for a Hanover project that would add roughly 304,000 square feet of light-industrial space, contingent on the applicant entering a development agreement to reconstruct Knapp Road within 90 days of the Jan. 26 approval.
Resident Alejandro Barraza told the council he was concerned the development would worsen flooding along Clear Creek and could lower property values, and he urged councilors to "consider their neighbors." Staff reported the application had generated 52 written comments against the rezoning and 13 speakers to date. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 6–0 and staff recommended approval of the PD with conditions; staff added a recommended condition requiring a development agreement to reconstruct Knapp Road within 90 days.
Council debated neighborhood outreach, construction duration, traffic and the petition threshold needed to trigger a supermajority. Hanover representatives said they have a general-contractor model that allows close control of construction and said they routinely communicate with neighbors. A council amendment to include staff's Knapp Road development-agreement recommendation passed 7–0. The amended ordinance then passed on second and final reading 6–1, making approval contingent on executing the development agreement within the required timeframe.
Staff told council the PD includes deviations that generally increase standards and restrict certain uses; the amendment makes the rezoning conditional on the applicant executing a development agreement and meeting the 90-day requirement. Councilors asked staff and the applicant to maintain ongoing resident communication during the roughly 18-month construction period described by neighbors.
The council-record vote on the amended second reading was 6 in favor, 1 opposed.
