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Arapahoe County planning commission approves Holly Hills replacement school, 5-1, while neighbors press traffic and drainage concerns
Summary
The Arapahoe County Planning Commission on Oct. 28 approved Cherry Creek School District's location-and-extent application to replace Holly Hills Elementary with a consolidated two-story school, voting 5-1. Commissioners approved the project subject to a condition that outstanding public works items, including traffic-study updates, be resolved before final plan signatures.
The Arapahoe County Planning Commission approved a Cherry Creek School District plan to replace the aging Holly Hills Elementary School with a two-story consolidated campus, voting 5-1 on Oct. 28, but neighbors and some commissioners pressed the district and county staff for further work on traffic and drainage.
The motion, made by Commissioner Latsis and seconded by Commissioner Saul, carried after a roll call in which Commissioner Howe voted no and Commissioners Miller, Saul, Sava, Chair Pro Sam Lasse and Chair Morehouse voted yes. The approval is subject to Condition 1 in the staff report, which requires the applicant to address public works and development staff comments, including outstanding engineering items and an updated traffic impact study (TIS), before final plan signature.
Why the decision matters
Cherry Creek School District proposes to consolidate Holly Hills and nearby Holly Ridge into a single two-story elementary school on the existing Holly Hills site to replace aging facilities and improve operations. The district said the project is funded through the district's 2024 bond and mill levy and represents a roughly $65,000,000 investment; the applicant expects to open the new facility in 2027. Staff told commissioners the application generally conforms to the Arapahoe County comprehensive plan and the Land Development Code, and recommended approval with one condition.
What was presented and discussed
Kat Hammer, Arapahoe County senior planner, summarized the application and noted staff's recommended approval with one condition. David Henderson, Cherry Creek School District deputy chief of operations, said the district is…
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