After heated public comment, council advances Lionstone rezoning with new garage and floodplain rules

The Jefferson County Council moved an amended rezoning plan for the Lionstone (a.k.a. Lion's Den) development forward after prolonged public comment and council debate.

Councilman Crowell proposed—and the council approved—amendments to bill 26-09240 requiring that each single-family dwelling include a "functional and fully enclosed attached garage" with capacity for two passenger vehicles side-by-side and a two-vehicle side-by-side driveway. The council also strengthened floodplain language to prohibit buildings within the 0.2% (500-year) floodplain and to require removal of structures from the 500-year floodplain. The amendment passed 7–0; the final vote on the amended bill passed 6 yes, 1 no, advancing the rezoning to perfection.

Public comment was extensive and mixed. Neighbor Catherine LaFarth said, "Without revision, I am definitely against the current Lion Stone project," speaking for nearby property owners concerned about scale and siting. Multiple residents spoke in favor of the project and several identified themselves as property owners adjacent to the site; the applicant, Skip Stone, identified himself and said he was available for questions. During council discussion members debated enforceability (for example, parking on narrow streets and the county's ability to enforce no-parking rules) and the intent behind floodplain language.

The measure's amendment text was clarified and staff agreed to produce a revised bill copy reflecting the new language before the next meeting. The council's action does not yet represent final development approval; the rezoning was advanced with the new conditions attached.