By Roshana Floyd, Planning Manager
Since its incorporation, the City of Lone Tree has taken great care to ensure that its development regulations facilitate the creation and preservation of a “premier Colorado community connected by great neighborhoods, vibrant public spaces, a beautiful environment, and thriving businesses.” The City accomplishes this vision by adhering to the principles and objectives identified in its Comprehensive Plan, and by implementing its municipal regulations (City Code) and Design Guidelines and Standards.
Collectively, these plans and regulations govern and guide development within the City. Code governs what uses may be located on a site, provides the mechanism for master site planning, identifies what documents are required for development applications, and outlines the public review process for development. Design Guidelines and Standards provide criteria for designing Lone Tree’s buildings, signs, public spaces, and landscaping in ways that complement Lone Tree’s vision as a premier Colorado Community.
All plans and policies benefit from periodic reviews and updates to integrate updated operational policies, best practices, laws, and land use trends. In fall of 2020 the Lone Tree Planning Division began work on amendments to Lone Tree’s Design Guidelines and Standards, as well as to Chapter 16 of City Code regulating zoning and land uses. In January 2021, staff began taking these recommended amendments before the Lone Tree Planning Commission and City Council for review, discussion and refinement. On March 15, 2022, the Lone Tree City Council approved amendments to Lone Tree’s Zoning Code (Ch. 16) and its Design Guidelines and Standards via the adoption of Ordinance 22-02. The updated Code and Design Guidelines and Standards are available here.
Noteworthy updates to the Code and Design Guidelines and Standards include:
- A development application review process that is easier to understand.
- Improved public noticing requirements for landowners and the public.
- Preventing encroachment in floodplains.
- Core design principles that focus on sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic stability, walkability, technological innovation and housing affordability.
- Expanded landscape design guidelines that focus on water conservation, improving air quality, and promoting plants and trees that are drought tolerant and fire resistant.
- Site planning guidelines for nonresidential development that encourages crime prevention through environmental design, the installation of pet waste stations, and reductions in light pollution.
- Development approval and property maintenance standards for non-residential uses that regulate vehicle stacking (when vehicles back up while waiting for a service, such as at drive-thru windows), the function of delivery areas, the overnight storage of delivery vehicles, and the placement of snow storage.
The Planning Division is available at any time to answer questions about planning and development in Lone Tree; you may contact their team by calling 303-708-1818 and asking for the Planner of the Day. You can view current development projects in the City here and may also sign up to receive notifications of new developments here.