Planning commission recommends rezoning of 9000 E. Nichols Ave. to ECMU‑75; neighbors raise height and traffic concerns

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 25 to recommend approval of an ordinance to rezone 9000 East Nichols Avenue from Business Park 35 (BP‑35) to Employment Center Mixed Use 75 (ECMU‑75). The property is roughly 5.5 acres and currently contains an office building built in 1984.

Staff presentation and findings

Miss Campbell (staff) summarized the request and the Land Development Code rezoning criteria. The property sits within Midtown Centennial and, staff said, is near the Dry Creek Light Rail Station and the Centennial Promenade retail area. Campbell told commissioners staff found the rezoning would implement goals in the Centennial Next comprehensive plan and Midtown guidance by permitting a broader mix of uses and supporting transit‑oriented development in the area.

Campbell said the rezoning does not itself authorize development; any future site plan would require a separate public hearing because of the property's proximity to residential zone districts. Staff noted technical reviews completed for the rezoning: a Phase I drainage report was reviewed and accepted by the stormwater authority, and referral responses were received from Southgate Water and Sanitation District, South Metro Fire, and Excel Energy. A traffic impact study is not required at the rezoning stage but would be required for any future development proposal.

What ECMU‑75 would change

The proposed ECMU‑75 zone would allow a mix of office, commercial and residential uses and increase the maximum building height on the property from 35 feet to 75 feet. Campbell noted compatibility requirements: because the site abuts residential property, future development would be subject to a minimum 50‑foot setback on the rear property line and a 40% opacity buffer yard where required. Parking requirements are driven by the future use; the zone change does not itself change parking ratios.

Applicant remarks

Dustin Jones, representing Ogilvy Partners (the property owner), said the rezoning is intended to provide flexibility for future reuse as the suburban office market evolves. Jones said the 75‑foot designation would support the density needed to make redevelopment economically viable and that no physical changes to the site are proposed as part of the rezoning.

Public comment and concerns

Two residents from the adjacent Willow Creek neighborhood spoke during the public hearing. Marilyn Oakes (8877 E. Nichols Place) said she was "concerned about the height" and said increased density would mean more traffic and reduced privacy for homes backing the site. Jean Groves (8898 E. Nichols Place) said the proposed 75‑foot height would be at odds with the west‑side vision discussed in the Midtown sub‑area work and cited current congestion on Yosemite Street as a concern when accidents on I‑25 divert traffic.

Staff response and next steps

Campbell reiterated that the rezoning would allow more uses but would not approve a site plan or a specific building. She noted any future proposal would require traffic analysis and a site‑plan public hearing; the rezoning alone does not change drainage, stormwater, or sanitation requirements. Southgate Water and Sanitation offered comments on future development modeling, and the city expects additional technical review at the site plan stage.

Motion and disposition

Commissioner Lloyd moved to recommend approval of Ordinance No. 2025‑O‑10 to rezone the property to ECMU‑75, citing the staff report dated June 20, 2025; Commissioner Old Masters seconded. The clerk called the vote and the motion passed; the transcript records the outcome as "it passes" but does not record a roll‑call tally. The recommendation will be considered by City Council at a public hearing scheduled for July 15, 2025.