Elbert County to consider 5,672-acre Colorado Plains Ranch plan

Elbert County’s Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a Nov. 4 hearing on a proposed rezoning for the 5,671.9-acre Colorado Plains Ranch. The planned unit development (PUD) would allow 44 types of uses, but the proposal has not been approved.

The plan divides the site into four areas for industrial agriculture; industrial, technology and energy uses; transportation; and uses along the State Highway 86 corridor. Examples include data and technology operations, energy generation and storage, mining, feedlots and concrete batch plants, the proposed PUD materials say.

Higher-impact uses would require an Enhanced Site Development Plan and a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. Other uses would still require site-plan review. The proposal sets a framework for future development; it does not approve construction, the county’s staff report says.

Water service and highway access remain issues for later site-plan approvals. Staff says the site’s annual water supply is limited to 184.7 acre-feet under the county’s 300-year rule. The applicant proposes a metropolitan district to provide water and wastewater service; staff says the district’s service plan or another service arrangement would need approval before site-plan approval.

Staff had received six written comments opposing the proposal by Oct. 26, primarily citing water and environmental concerns. Staff also reported no outstanding objections from referral agencies. Traffic studies and a Colorado Department of Transportation highway-access permit were not complete when staff prepared its report. Staff says access permits, any required road improvements and traffic-management measures must be addressed before site-plan approvals.

A Board of County Commissioners hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18, after the Planning Commission hearing. Both hearings are future proceedings.