A petition seeking to reverse recent changes to the Centennial land development code that clear the way for new car dealerships, drive–thru restaurants and gas stations along a busy stretch of Arapahoe Road has been certified by the city clerk.
On Monday night, the City Council will discuss whether to repeal those changes or put the issue in the hands of voters via a special election.
The petition was filed with the clerk Dec. 19, according to the . In January, the clerk certified petitioners collected enough valid signatures from Centennial residents – the minimum necessary was 4,083 or 5 percent of all local voters — to put the referendum in front of the City Council.
“Council will discuss their options whether to repeal the ordinance, have a special election, etc. at the Feb. 6 Council meeting,” city spokeswoman Allison Wittern wrote in an email on Jan. 18.
Residents began gathering signatures after a Nov. 14 City Council meeting where members voted 6-3 to amend the city’s land use code. Specifically, the petition seeks to overturn changes to the code regarding spacing and area requirements for car dealerships, convenience stores and gas stations, and drive-thru restaurants.
Before the Council’s adoption of the ordinance, Centennial had prohibited further development of those types of already common business on Arapahoe Road between South Yosemite Street and South Parker Road. In 2015, the city launched the , leading to the ordinance rolling back of portions of that prohibition to make way for more development.
Now, petitioners want to reestablish many of those rules through the referendum.
The Centennial Neighborhood Coalition, as some referendum supporters have dubbed themselves, claims more car lots and gas stations on Arapahoe Road will negatively impact some of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
“Although dealerships require 5 acres, under this ordinance, smaller parcels could be combined to make the 5-acre requirement,” the group’s reads. “Drive-thru fast food restaurants and gas stations will generate more traffic and cause even more congestion on Arapahoe Road than it already has. Other cities have banned these businesses in order to preserve and enhance the community’s aesthetic qualities.”
Monday’s City Council will be held at Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Road, beginning at 6 p.m.
If the Council decides to call a special election to decide the issue it would have to be held by Jun. 28.