Board of County Commissioners Land Use Meeting/Public Hearing - 2026-02-10
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved two land use items: the Hempville Subdivision second amendment replat (SB2025-013) to subdivide a single-family lot into two lots on Wolfenberger Road, and the Sterling Ranch PD fifteenth amendment (ZR2025-014), which rezones approximately 595 acres from agricultural/rural residential/general industrial to Sterling Ranch PD and increases the maximum dwelling units from 12,050 to 16,050. Both items passed unanimously with conditions.
Key Decisions (2)
Hempville Subdivision Second Amendment Replat
Approval to subdivide a single-family residential lot into two lots on the south side of Wolfenberger Road, west of Castle Rock and east of State Highway 105. The site is zoned large rural residential and currently has a single-family residence and detached garage built in 1994. Access via private road connecting to Wolfenberger Road with 40-foot utility and access easement. Water and sewer via individual well and septic systems. Applicant: David E. Archer and Associates; Property owner: Bob Hyer.
Sterling Ranch PD Fifteenth Amendment - Rezoning and Major Amendment
Approval to rezone approximately 595 acres (532-acre Comoros/Waterton Business Park property and 63-acre Burgess property) from A-1, RR, and GI to Sterling Ranch PD, and increase maximum dwelling units from 12,050 to 16,050 (adding 4,000 units). The Comoros property includes approximately 194 acres designated as open space conservation for wildlife corridor and Laveres buffer. The Burgess property located east of Rampart Range Road. Also rezones the 70-acre ARS property from GI to D2 for compatibility. Applicant: Sterling Ranch Development Company.
Zoning Changes (3)
Comoros/Waterton Business Park property - Southeast of intersection of Moore Road and Waterton Road, adjacent to Sterling Ranch, Plum Valley Heights, and Laveres
Sterling Ranch Development Company
Burgess property - East of Rampart Range Road, approximately 3,000 feet north of intersection with Waterton Road
Sterling Ranch Development Company
ARS property within Sterling Ranch PD
Sterling Ranch Development Company
Development Activity (6)
Sterling Ranch PD Fifteenth Amendment
Increases maximum dwelling units from 12,050 to 16,050 (4,000 additional units). Adds approximately 595 acres to PD. Approximately 1,500 acres of open space and wildlife corridors planned. Currently 3,000 homes built (25% build out). D2 zoning with Special Character Zone E overlay for commercial uses. Estimated 4 units per acre suburban density.
Hempville Subdivision Second Amendment Replat
Subdivides one single-family residential lot into two lots. Existing single-family residence and detached garage (built 1994). Private road access with 24-foot width plus shoulders (gravel widening). Individual well and septic systems.
Chatfield Basin Water Reclamation Facility
Wastewater collection and treatment facility currently under construction, expected to open in 2027.
Douglas County School District Neighborhood School
Neighborhood school opening in 2027.
John Adams Academy Charter School
Charter school currently under construction, opening 2026.
Douglas County Library
New library expected to open in 2027.
Market Signals (7)
Housing Demand
Sterling Ranch is ranked #1 best-selling master plan community in Colorado and #42 in the United States (John Burns rating), with 3,000 families and nearly 10,000 residents currently, indicating strong demand for suburban residential development in Northwest Douglas County.
Housing Demand
Applicant stated there is desperate need for housing across the metro area and Sterling Ranch strives to provide affordable, attainable home ownership opportunities.
Infrastructure
Over $288 million in transportation improvements scheduled for the Chatfield Basin area through 2050, including Santa Fe widening, Titan Road improvements, Waterton Road corridor upgrades, and Moore Road widening planned for 2026.
Commercial Demand
Sterling Ranch residents have provided resounding feedback requesting more commercial development, which the Special Character Zone E overlay is designed to address.
Infrastructure
New state Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code requirements expected to add $30,000-$50,000 to home construction costs, impacting housing affordability.
Housing Demand
Comparative analysis shows Sterling Ranch has lower total ownership costs than other Douglas County master-planned communities (Macanta, The Canyons, Solstice) when accounting for property taxes, HOA fees, and metro district fees.
Infrastructure
Sterling Ranch homes use significantly less water than comparable communities - averaging 58,000 gallons/year versus 72,000 in Castle Rock and 79,834 in Highlands Ranch.