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Mission: The Planning Division provides for an attractive, convenient and harmonious community through the implementation of planning
policies and principles outlined in the County's Comprehensive Plan. We strive to provide timely and accurate professional
service, with emphasis on customer service, and monitor all permit and enforcement activity in accordance with County procedures.
Planning also ensures that all land development activity results in a high quality of life for residents and businesses and
that property values are maintained through the fair and consistent administration of adopted Arapahoe County codes.
The Planning Division plays an important role in achieving Arapahoe County's objective of providing for an attractive, harmonious
and accessible community through the implementation of planning policies and principles and zoning and animal control codes.
The Long-Range Planning, Current Planning, Zoning and Animal Control Sections work together as a team to provide information,
direction, recommendations and enforcement on all land use and development-related issues, as well as animal and mosquito
control services and local implementation of the statewide noxious weed control program. The division provides services primarily
to the unincorporated urban and rural areas of Arapahoe County.
Boards and Commissions: Two separate and distinct oversight committees also are part of the Planning Division:
- Planning Commission: The seven member appointed citizen commission conducts public hearings on applications for the rezoning and development of
land, proposed changes to the Land Development Code, and new or updated elements of Arapahoe County's Comprehensive Plan and
is advisory to the Board of County Commissioners.
- Board of Adjustment: This five member appointed citizen board makes determinations on applications for variances and special exceptions to the
Land Development Code.
Public Input and Referral Process: The East County Advisory Planning Commission represents interests of eastern, rural Arapahoe County through an advisory referral
process, providing input to Arapahoe County Planning Commission decisions. The Planning Division also uses an extensive referral
system to gather input from affected cities within Arapahoe County and other neighboring jurisdictions, as well as from neighborhood
and home owners' associations, the Arapahoe County Airport Authority (Centennial Airport) and various regional, State and
federal agencies with protected interests or regulatory authority. Public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board
of County Commissioners provide direct opportunities for citizen participation in the decision-making process for land use
and development within Arapahoe County.
Arapahoe County Government Partners:: The Planning Division works closely with the Engineering Services Division of Public Works and Development on land development applications and with the Transportation Division on long-range planning issues, as well as supporting the Arapahoe County Open Space Division in its efforts to ensure the conservation of rural, wild and sensitive lands within the County. The County Clerk and Recorder records and maintains minutes of public hearings on planning and development related issues before the Planning Commission
and Board of County Commissioners and the Assessor's Office maintains public property records.
The goals of the Planning Division are as follows::
- Provide accurate and timely professional services to those clients requiring planning or zoning assistance, with emphasis
placed on customer service.
- Represent Arapahoe County interests at the staff level and provide support to County leaders participating in regional land
use, transportation, air quality and water quality planning activities of the Denver Regional Council of Governments and implementation of Metro Vision 2035.
- Implement planning policies and principles outlined in the Arapahoe County Comprehensive Plan and SubArea Plans applicable to land use and ensuring availability of water resources, wastewater treatment capacity and
transportation infrastructure to support new development of land or redevelopment of land at higher densities.
- Provide professional evaluation, analysis and recommendations regarding proposed development plans, policies, regulations,
and legislation to the Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners, Board of Adjustment and the public.
- Ensure that residential and business property values are maintained through fair and consistent administration of adopted
County codes.
- Process permit applications and ensure compliance with zoning codes for fences, signs and temporary uses and provide zoning
review of building permit applications.
- Recommend changes to the Land Development Code necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan policies and to provide for quality development, compatibility in land uses, and the efficient processing of applications
for permits and land development proposals.
- Administer and enforce animal control codes to provide for the safety and welfare of Arapahoe County residents and pets.
- Administer regional and statewide programs at the local level, including the mosquito control program to limit incidence of
West Nile Virus and the State of Colorado noxious weed control program.
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| Jan Yeckes |
| Division Manager |
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