The Weld County Board of Commissioners has approved revisions to Chapter 27 concerning Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) following an extensive public consultation process and collaborative efforts. The approval, which comes after a three-reading process, marks a significant update to the county’s development regulations.
Starting in December 2023, the Department of Planning Services conducted a thorough review of the PUD process and recommended its removal from Chapter 27 due to low application requests and ongoing confusion among staff and the public. This decision was driven by outdated practices that no longer aligned with current development needs.
Originally, PUDs were intended to provide site specific development options for property owners and developers seeking alternatives to standard zone district criteria. Throughout the code change process, multiple public meetings were held to address concerns raised by residents, planning staff, developers, and municipal leaders across Weld County.
The board endorsed the revised code, eliminating new PUDs aligning with the county comprehensive plan, which states urban-scale residential development belongs in municipalities, however, the county is still interested in commercial and industrial development. The revised code clarifies the county has other subdivision options still available, which include:
- 35-acre lots by deed
- Minor subdivisions of up to nine lots with access to public water
- Rural land divisions of up to four lots with access to public water
- Re-subdivision for splitting lots within existing subdivisions and townships (up to two new lots)
- Family farm divisions (allowing farms/ranches with a minimum of 37.5 acres to be divided into two lots)
“We are grateful to everyone involved in this endeavor, from municipal leaders and staff, to developers, and the community. The removal of the PUD process signifies a streamlined approach aimed at ensuring comprehensive participation in future urbanized development processes,” stated Commissioner Chair Kevin Ross. “The county remains open for business for commercial and industrial development and welcomes future residential development. We just want to ensure it happens in the right areas.”
As one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, Weld County anticipates its population exceeding 600,000 by 2050, according to projections from the state demographer’s office. Discussions among municipal leaders, staff, and elected officials emphasized the importance of managing growth in a manner that benefits all residents and communities across Weld County.
