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Staff proposes easing minimum lot sizes where central water is available; commissioners warn of growth and water‑rights impacts
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Summary
County planning staff proposed reducing minimum lot sizes for subdivisions served by central water to 2.5 acres (and 5 acres for well+septic), down from a general 10‑acre standard, prompting commissioners to request cross‑department review of roads, infrastructure and potential impacts to water rights and aquifers.
Jennifer Jones, community and development services planner, presented proposed edits to the subdivision regulations at a Feb. 11 work study that would change several minimum lot‑size thresholds for developments using central water and on‑site septic.
Staff said the county’s baseline has been 10 acres for a well and septic system and 5 acres where a community (central) water system is provided. Jones relayed feedback from peer counties and suggested permitting 2.5‑acre minimum lots if central water is available while keeping 5 acres for individual well and septic. "If there is central water, I would not be opposed to making that minimum lot size 2.5," Marissa Ginger said.
Commissioners raised several concerns: the county must consider the cumulative effect of lowering lot sizes on road infrastructure, public works costs, growth patterns and demand for services. Commissioner Dallas Schroeder warned that reducing lot sizes from 10 to 5 (or to 2.5) could enable more minor subdivisions on a single 40‑acre parcel and generate growth the county must plan for.
The board also discussed proposed language about restricting development supplied from Denver Basin aquifers (including Dawson Basin supplies) and whether such restrictions could amount to a regulatory taking; legal staff advised that codified rules applied uniformly are less likely to be a taking, but that the language should be clarified.
Ending: Staff will gather additional input from Public Works and other departments, review neighboring counties’ standards, refine the draft language (including water‑supply and aquifer provisions), and return the revised proposal for further consideration and eventual public notice.
