COLUMBINE VALLEY —The will go forward as planned in Columbine Valley after a special election saw voters side with the town’s board of trustees.
The Dec. 10 election asked whether the rezoning of the land in question near West Bowles Avenue and South Middlefield Road should be repealed. The land was rezoned by the town board in April to allow for a residential development proposed by .
Sixty-three percent voted not to repeal the rezoning while 37 percent voted for it in unofficial results. Turnout was strong with 711 of 1,147 registered voters casting a ballot, nearly 62 percent. Town Administrator J.D. McCrumb said the results would be official in about three weeks. The election cost the town approximately $5,000.
“I was pleased to see that the electorate had supported our position,” Columbine Valley Mayor Gale Christy said, adding that construction on the site could begin as early as January.
After the town board passed the rezoning of Willowcroft, a group of residents gathered about 200 signatures — more than the 5 percent of registered voters that was needed — and asked the board to reconsider. The council voted unanimously to move forward, which triggered the special election.
Columbine Valley resident Dr. Brian Macaulay led the charge to have the rezoning repealed and expressed disappointment at the result.
“I don’t think the results are in the best interest of Columbine Valley, but I respect that people had a say and were able to vote,” he said.
According to Macaulay, the main issue was that the board approved a plan with a higher density than was allowed in the master plan without having a reason for doing so. He also said the decision sets a bad precedent for the remaining undeveloped parcels in .
The land is zoned for medium density, which allows 2.4 units per acre. The proposed development is for 41 patio homes and a lot for a two-story home, which equals out to 2.95 units per acre.
McCrumb had previously stated that there is a clause that allows for an exception to be made for a “superior” development. This development was deemed to be one because of future right of way and significant open space.
Sean Duffy, who headed up the “No on Question 1” campaign for the Kenney Group on behalf of Taylor Morrison, said that while it would have been easier to just see things go through smoothly, there is a silver lining.
“The good thing about it is that it was an opportunity to give more households information,” Duffy said.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com
