County hearing set for controversial property rezoning decision

In a recent public hearing, the Elbert County Planning Commission reviewed a rezone application for a property located at 94100 County Road 7482 in Peyton, Colorado. The application, presented by Mark Denrader, Director of Community and Economic Development, seeks to change the zoning from agricultural (A) to residential agricultural (RA) for a 13.85-acre parcel, which is part of a larger 54.46-acre property owned by Jeremy and Kim Correll.

The rezone process began in August 2022 with a pre-application meeting, followed by a community meeting and a formal application submitted in 2023. The case was previously brought before the commission on May 7, 2023, but was returned due to a notification issue that was subsequently remedied by re-notifying affected parties in both Elbert and El Paso counties.

Denrader outlined the criteria for the rezone, confirming that it aligns with the goals of the Elbert County comprehensive plan and is compatible with surrounding land uses. He emphasized that the rezone would not adversely impact public services, the environment, or traffic congestion. The planning staff recommended approval of the application with four conditions, including the removal of public hearing signage within seven days of the Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) decision and the requirement for all fees to be paid before the rezone becomes effective.

Levi Gerald, the applicant, reiterated the importance of the notification process and confirmed that no additional information was necessary beyond what had been presented by the county. The BOCC is scheduled to hear the case on June 26, 2023, where a final decision will be made regarding the rezone application.