Montrose City Planning Commission recommends approval of Ponderosa Ranch rezoning

The Montrose City Planning Commission on June 24 voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request that would transfer about 1.12 acres from an open-space tract in the Ponderosa Ranch subdivision to the parcel addressed 1269 Spring Creek Road and change the receiving parcel's zoning from R-6 (medium-density/manufactured housing) to B-3 General Commercial.

Staff told the commission the request meets the criteria in section 11712 subsection A, is compatible with surrounding uses and would avoid a split-zoning condition on the site. "Staff finds that the proposed reszone is in compliance with section 11712 subsection A," the staff report said, and staff recommended approval at the hearing.

The applicant, Glenn Mchuan, who identified himself as a real-estate broker and a Ponderosa HOA board member, told the commission the parcel is "excess" land used as an access corridor to a cul-de-sac and said the HOA plans to fence the subdivision and transfer that strip to the adjacent commercial owner. "We want to knock down that crime and that's part of the reason", Mchuan said, explaining the HOA has experienced trespass and theft and intends to use proceeds from the transfer to fund subdivision improvements.

Two residents who live near the parcel spoke during the public-comment period. Michael Simpson (63749 Spring Creek Road) asked whether the rezoning would allow access through the Hemlock Way cul-de-sac to his property and whether approving the request would set a precedent affecting his own plans to rezone in the future. Aaron Ramstrom (1321 Blue Lake Drive) asked whether rezoning to B-3 would increase commercial truck traffic on State Highway 90/Spring Creek Road, whether the area would lose its current open-space status and how any new access would interact with the state-controlled highway.

City staff and the applicant responded that the rezoning itself does not grant new internal access through the cul-de-sac. Staff member Jason told the commission there is "no direct access" from the parcel to the west and that "that cul-de-sac would not be extended" by the rezoning; any access to the highway would be subject to state authority and separate approvals. Staff and the applicant said the intent is to fence and close internal connections, not to create a new road through the neighborhood.

After limited discussion and questions for staff about parcel configuration and adjacent county-owned land, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the rezoning to B-3 General Commercial District, citing the staff report and evidence presented at the hearing. The motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor with no recorded opposition; the motion passed.

The recommendation will go forward to the next step in the city's review process; this commission action is a recommendation and does not by itself change the city zoning map. The commission also discussed housekeeping items after the vote, including a planned legally defensible training session for commissioners and a correction to the next meeting date (July 8).