by Rebecca Waddingham, Greeley Tribune
Right now, the plains of southeastern Weld County yield little more than a windswept view of farmland and the Rocky Mountains.
In 25 years, that land could play host to 25,000 new residents, if a developer’s view of the future is correct.
County commissioners approved a major step Monday for Pioneer Communities, a 5,600-acre residential development that calls for 10,000 homes north of Hudson and Keenesburg off Weld County Road 49.
Brad Mueller, assistant director of the Weld County Planning Department, said the development is about twice the size of Hudson and eight times the size of Keenesburg.
County planners recommended denying Pioneer’s application, which asked for changes in Weld’s comprehensive plan. The planning commission unanimously rejected the application in December.
But county commissioners unanimously approved it, citing a desire to plan for inevitable growth and keep water in the county.
Pioneer has rights to about 6,100 acre-feet of water, a huge amount, which could one day be sold to Denver metro-area communities if it won’t be used in Weld.
And Interstate 76, which is just south of the proposed development, will continue to grow as an arterial into Denver and Denver International Airport, said Chris Paulson, chief executive officer of Pioneer. Housing will come along with that, and commercial growth will, too, he said.
Commissioners worried that Pioneer will be a bedroom community for jobs in Adams County to the south, meaning that county could reap all the tax benefits from commercial and industrial growth. “Rooftops don’t pay their way,” said Commissioner Mike Geile.
But Joel Farkas, Paulson’s business partner, said housing would create a demand for commercial and entertainment services, which also will generate revenue for the county and towns near Pioneer.
Though Monday’s approval was a big step, the proposal is far from complete. Commissioners will meet again April 19 to discuss changes to the comprehensive plan, and the changes won’t be complete until the end of May.
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