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Adams County approves Steel Street rezoning to industrial district; staff cite future engineering review for stormwater
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning (RCU 2025‑18) to change a 6.2‑acre parcel at 8240 Steel Street from Agricultural A3 to Industrial I1. Staff and applicant said future site development will require engineering review to address drainage and performance standards for noise, lighting and air quality.
The Adams County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning on April 7 to change a 6.2‑acre property at 8240 Steel Street from Agricultural A3 to Industrial I1 (RCU 2025‑18).
David Dowoski, a planner in the county’s Community and Economic Development department, presented the request and said the site lies within the East Welby subarea plan’s mixed‑use employment designation. He said the parcel meets I1 minimum lot size and width requirements and that planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval. "If this proposed zoning were to be successful, it would just be a continuation of the industrialization that's happened overall in this area," he told the board.
Commissioners questioned safeguards for nearby water bodies, noise, lighting and air quality. County engineers including Matt Edmonds and planning staff said any future development would require a change‑of‑use application and a full engineering review that would evaluate stormwater controls, lighting plans and performance standards. "We would not be able to receive a change of use and pass an engineering review without adequately addressing the storm water to county standards," a county engineer said.
Applicant representatives with Center Land Company described a conceptual site plan and showed aerial imagery of industrial development progressing in the corridor. Todd Messenger, attorney for the applicant, said improved engineered development could improve runoff and reduce unregulated outdoor storage now seen on adjacent parcels.
There was no public comment on the case. Commissioner Onicio moved to approve the rezoning "with four findings of fact and two notes," the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Staff materials note that the City of Thornton flagged concerns about potential future storm‑water impacts; staff and the applicant said those issues will be addressed through later engineering review, drainage design and any required interagency coordination before building permits are granted.
The county’s minutes show planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval and staff will require standard change‑of‑use and engineering reviews before site development proceeds.
