Elbert County commissioners approve Meadowbrook Ranches rezone in 2-1 vote
The Agriculture-to-Agriculture Residential change covers about 35 acres near Parker; county records reviewed do not show final action on a related minor plat.
The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners approved a rezone Aug. 12 for about 35 acres at 43248 Meadowbrook Circle near Parker, changing the property from Agriculture to Agriculture Residential and allowing 10-acre minimum lots. Commissioners Dallas Schroeder and Mike Buck voted for the change; Byron McDaniel voted against it, [according to the county’s meeting minutes](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9728).
The action approved the zoning change, not a subdivision or plat. It did not create or record lots or authorize construction, well, septic or building permits. The posted resolution lists conditions including fee payments, completion of required conditions and recording documents within 180 days of BOCC approval. Because the resolution is unsigned and leaves its resolution number and individual vote fields blank, it is not the source of the 2-1 tally, [the resolution document shows](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9720).
Application materials describe a proposed three-lot layout: two new 10-acre lots and an existing approximately 15-acre homesite. The existing home and outbuildings would remain on the 15-acre portion, [the county’s application materials show](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9708). The proposal remains subject to separate subdivision, well, septic and other approvals.
The Planning Commission voted 8-0 on Aug. 4 to recommend approval of the Vail Rezone, RZ-2026-0002, with staff conditions. Its minutes record opposition from Parker resident John Steven Jones, who cited potential impacts on ranching and farming, development within an existing development and the precedent the change could set. BOCC discussion included homeowners association issues, private-road maintenance and use, access-road specifications, communication with neighbors and compatibility with surrounding properties, [the Planning Commission’s minutes show](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9729).
County Public Works required the private access road to provide a 16-foot all-weather driving surface, professionally stamped final plans and private-road maintenance arrangements because Elbert County does not maintain private roads. Questions at a Feb. 3 community meeting included fire protection, access, well and septic requirements, and whether existing 35-acre properties could be subdivided. County referral materials say the Rattlesnake Fire Protection District raised no stated objection, but the materials do not establish its capacity to serve future development. They list a Jan. 7 pre-application meeting, Feb. 3 community meeting, March 31 application submittal, April referrals, a June well-permitting referral, July notice and sign postings, and the Aug. 4 and Aug. 12 hearings, [the referral materials show](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9710).
The Colorado Division of Water Resources said the existing well permit would have to be re-permitted under Water Court case 03CW0102 or plugged and abandoned before subdivision approval. The two new lots would need separate well and septic permits, with soils reports and engineered designs if required, [the county’s planning staff report says](https://elbertcoco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=9638).
Related plat remains unresolved
The records reviewed do not document final action on related minor plat MP-2026-0002. The Aug. 4 Planning Commission recommendation and Aug. 12 BOCC action address the rezone, not a separate plat approval or denial. No signed plat decision, recorded plat, plat-specific action date or official record of postponement or withdrawal was located. The proposed three-lot layout and review milestones should not be described as completed development or approval of the minor plat.