Commission approves Highlands Ranch amendment adding 350 units after applicant reduces height and unit count

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted May 12 to approve the Highlands Ranch Plan Development 84th Amendment (ZR2026‑00002), authorizing the addition of 350 dwelling units in planning area 85 after the applicant revised the proposal to address prior board concerns.

County planner Matt Jacobowski reviewed the staff report, noting the site is within the Highlands Ranch plan development and that the planning commission recommended approval 5–0. Staff reported standard referral comments, will‑serve letters from utilities, and no opposition from neighborhood property owners in the immediate planning area.

David Foster, land use counsel for the applicant, and Daniel Jennings of Norris Design explained how the application was substantially revised after the board denied a larger 400‑unit proposal last year. Revisions include a reduction from 400 to 350 units, removal of an eastern building adjacent to Children’s Hospital, expanded open space, lowering apartment roof lines by about seven feet, and moving buildings farther from the hospital (the closest building is now roughly 300 feet away). The project team also committed to building a traffic signal at Plaza Drive/Plaza Circle/Greensboro Drive and offering a preferred leasing program for local hospital and school employees.

Applicants presented letters and ‘‘will‑serve’’ confirmations from Highlands Ranch Water, South Metro Fire and Rescue, Douglas County School District and the Highlands Ranch Community Association. The Economic Development Corporation and two public commenters — an EDC representative and a Ben Franklin Academy parent — spoke in favor, citing workforce‑housing and safety benefits from the proposed traffic signal.

Commissioners pressed the applicant about views from Children’s Hospital and said condition two (which relies on commitments made in the public proceeding and in writing) would be important at the forthcoming site improvement plan. The applicant accepted the staff conditions. A commissioner moved to approve ZR2026‑00002 with the two conditions; the board voted unanimously in favor.

The motion approves a PD amendment that increases the Highlands Ranch total to an estimated 36,418 dwelling units overall and requires technical corrections, finalization of commitments, and further site improvement plan review for detailed design and implementation.