Commerce City planners to review proposed land-use code changes
The proposals include allowing warehouses by right in one district and changing rules for vehicle businesses, parks and development review; public hearings are expected later this year.
Commerce City planning commissioners are scheduled to discuss staff-proposed changes to the city’s land development code on Oct. 6, including allowing warehouses and distribution centers by right in the Corridor Campus district.
The staff presentation also proposes allowing vehicle sales and rentals by right on sites smaller than 3 acres in the Industrial Airport district, while sites larger than 3 acres would need a conditional use permit. It would add electric-vehicle charging stations as a permitted use. A by-right designation would classify a use as allowed in a district; it would not approve a specific project.
Other proposals would remove the 20-acre minimum for applying for a planned unit development overlay, allowing smaller properties to seek that option without guaranteeing approval. Staff also proposes exempting public parks from open-space standards; private parks would remain subject to them.
For development review, staff wants to let the director waive pre-application or neighborhood-meeting requirements in unusual cases. The presentation says waivers would be uncommon. The package also includes proposed changes to approval criteria and appeals.
The joint study session is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. during the Planning Commission meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 7887 E. 60th Ave. The meeting agenda lists a study session, not a formal action. The hybrid meeting can be viewed on the city’s YouTube channel, with participation available through Zoom registration.
Staff describes the package as roughly 15 “Tier 2” amendments, more substantive than earlier corrections and clarifications. Staff expects the amendments to go to the Planning Commission and City Council for public hearings later in 2026, though no hearing dates are listed.
The staff report says the 2025 code took effect Nov. 10, 2025, but applies to a property only after a zoning action is taken on it. Citywide legislative zoning work is underway, with adoption targeted for early 2027.