Rezoning Markel Open Space

This is a new rezoning application! You may leave comments and/or ask questions about the proposal using the tabs below.

Project Overview

The City and County of Broomfield is proposing to rezone a portion of the Markel Open Space from the legacy Boulder County Agricultural A(B) district to the Broomfield Open Space OS district. The proposed rezoning is intended to align the permitted uses with those uses allowed in the Open Space Zone District. The application will also include a Comprehensive Plan land use map amendment to change the property land use designation from residential to open lands.

The proposed land use application pertains to an approximately 26 acre parcel owned by the City and County of Broomfield as depicted in the aerial photograph on this page. A future land use application is anticipated to propose the same rezoning and map amendment on an approximately 6-acre, adjacent property currently owned by the Markel Family. Broomfield intends to purchase this property and would pursue the land use changes following purchase of the property. The larger, Broomfield-owned property currently contains a small pond area lined with tall cottonwood trees. The smaller, privately-owned property to the northeast contains a plugged and abandoned well head. Both properties are addressed in the Markel Open Space Plan recently completed by the Open Space and Trails Department and Capital Improvements Division which includes trails and seating areas throughout the site for public use. The Broomfield City Council approved this Plan on December 12, 2023. There are no changes proposed to this recently approved Markel Open Space Plan. For more information on this approved plan, please visit the Broomfield Voice project page.

Background on the Open Space District

City Council approved the new Open Space zone district on December 5, 2023. The Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee also vetted the details of the Open Space Zone District. The rezoning of this property will help with transparency in zoning for current and future residents. By rezoning the property to the OS district the public will more easily be able to find the allowable uses on these city-owned properties and understand the development requirements such as allowed building height and setbacks. This rezoning to OS will also help to clarify the development process for city-owned property.

Project Details

Applicant: City and County of Broomfield
Location: 5765 W 136th Ave - Northeast of the intersection of W 136th and Aspen St
Project Type: Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Amendment

City and County Staff Analysis

Zoning, Surrounding Uses and Comprehensive Plan: The purpose of this rezoning and map amendment is to align the parcel’s zoning and use with the approved use of the site. The current zoning permits a range of uses that are not consistent with an open space property such as single-family residences and limited commercial uses such as nurseries and veterinary clinics. Rezoning the parcel to the OS district will limit the permitted uses at the site to those outlined in section 17-07.1 of the Broomfield Municipal Code including native natural areas, passive trails, viewing wildlife areas, benches, shade structures, and other similar uses. The approved Markel Open Space Plan will continue to define the specific uses that are allowed on this site.

Landscaping, Open Lands, Parks and Trail Amenities: The Markel Open Space was purchased with Open Space funding from the Open Space and Parks Sales and Use Tax, which also ensures that the land will remain as open space. The Open Space protection provisions of the Broomfield Charter Section 18.3 will also continue to be applicable. The proposed rezoning to open space is consistent with the Open Space, Parks, Recreation, and Trails Plan (2024) vision for the property as protected for open space purposes.

Possible Key Issues: Currently, there are no key issues identified.

Public Engagement

You can engage with this project using the Questions and Comments tabs below, by emailing planning@broomfield.org or by providing comments at a public hearing. Following the review of the formal application, public hearings will be scheduled. Public notices will be sent to property owners within 1,000 feet of this project, sign(s) will be posted on the property, and a notice will be published in the Broomfield Enterprise newspaper. Members of the public can attend the public hearings and provide in person comments if desired.

The project timeline on this page provides an overview of the next steps in the development process.