Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Water Districts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioner opposes Jam Ranch rezone if it creates separate groundwater-based water district
Summary
Commissioner Tricia Bernhardt said the Jam Ranch rezoning (35 homes on 87 acres) appears to rely on a new groundwater-based water district and urged exploring connection to adjacent Castle Pines rather than creating another well-based district.
Commissioner Tricia Bernhardt raised a referral regarding the Jam Ranch rezoning at the Feb. 23 Douglas County Water Commission workshop, saying documents indicate the developer intends to form a new water district relying on groundwater to serve 35 homes on roughly 87 acres.
"It is my understanding ... they are planning to create a new water district using groundwater for this development of 35 homes on 87 acres. I'm opposed to creating another water district when in fact this land is adjacent to Castle Pines," Bernhardt said, urging that the developer pursue connection to an existing system.
Other commissioners agreed that, where feasible, developments adjacent to existing districts should connect rather than forming new well-based districts. Harold Smethill and others noted the commission can recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that service plans be revised, but the board holds ultimate approval authority for service plans and scope.
No formal vote on the rezoning referral was recorded during the meeting; staff were asked to note the comment for referral files and future board consideration.
Next steps: Staff will record the commission’s concern in the referral notes; land-use and service-plan approvals remain subject to planning and Board of County Commissioners review.
