Arapahoe County approves first zoning step for Residences at Platt Canyon

Arapahoe County commissioners on June 23 approved the first board-level step for the proposed Residences at Platt Canyon, an 11-acre planned unit development near South Platt Canyon Road and the South Platte Reservoir, after a hearing focused on traffic, trail access and neighborhood outreach, according to the board’s hearing record.

The proposal, case GDP25-003, would rezone the site to a planned unit development with a general development plan, the county agenda shows. County staff said the application covers five to eight parcels and allows up to 16 dwelling units per acre. The applicant said the current concept is about 30 to 35 single-family detached homes and that the higher density cap is intended to preserve flexibility later in the process.

Staff described the June 23 hearing as the first of three PUD steps and recommended approval with two conditions: a comprehensive preliminary geotechnical investigation for the full site, based on Colorado Geological Survey comments, and a neighborhood outreach meeting before the next step, the specific development plan. Staff also said the Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 on May 5.

Traffic on South Platt Canyon Road dominated much of the hearing. Staff said a traffic study estimated about 839 daily trips at maximum buildout and found level-of-service grades from A to D, adding that staff did not expect a major traffic impact.

Nearby residents disputed that assessment. Commenters described backups on South Platt Canyon Road, said it is already difficult to leave the neighborhood and argued more homes would worsen congestion and safety on the two-lane corridor.

Commissioners also questioned staff and the applicant about a possible trail connection and any crossing of South Platt Canyon Road. Staff said a trail link was not part of the rezoning request itself but had been requested by county open space and parks staff. Because the road is under CDOT jurisdiction, staff said the county, CDOT, parks staff and the applicant would need to work together on options if the project advances. Detailed crossing plans would come later, at the administrative site plan stage, staff said.

The applicant said it held a community meeting in May 2025, mailing about 51 notices and drawing 12 attendees. Residents there raised concerns about traffic, vehicle safety and views, the applicant said. The applicant also told commissioners it would hold another neighborhood meeting after submitting a specific development plan so residents could review a more detailed trail-crossing proposal.

Some neighbors said the outreach had been inadequate, criticizing the timing of the mailed hearing notice and saying on-site signs were hard to read from the road.