Jefferson County & Clear Creek County Master Plans
Learn what the Jefferson County and Clear Creek County master plans say about the Greystone area and the proposed rezoning.
Both Jefferson County and Clear Creek County have adopted comprehensive planning documents that guide future land use and development. This page summarizes what those plans say about the Greystone area and how the proposed rezoning compares with the vision established by each county.
What does the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan say about the Greystone Area?
Jefferson County just updated its Comprehensive Plan. The new Together Jeffco 2045 seeks to promote flexible land use but recognizes the need to limit density in our rural and high-risk Mountain Areas. It highlights the goal:
Limits Density to Protect Mountain Areas. Limits density in rural and high-risk Mountain Areas to protect rural character and reduce exposure to risks like wildfires and wildlife conflicts. Focuses new development in areas with existing or easily accessible services, emphasizing high-quality, mixed-use neighborhoods. Updated land use policies reflect the risks of and mitigation for wildfire hazards in Jeffco. Together Jeffco, 2045 Comprehensive Plan, p. viii
What zone is Greystone in?
Under the new Comprehensive Plan, Greystone is in or near “Rural” and “Mountain Residential” land use planning areas.
The Rural area provides for very low density residential, stating: “Residential uses should generally be one dwelling unit per 10 to 35 acres.” The Mountain Residential also calls for low density residential developing, specifying: “Where adequate evacuation routes are available, residential uses should generally be one dwelling unit per 5 to 10 acres.”
A 25-bed residential treatment center does not fit any of the uses for this area, as they are restricted to low-impact, low density uses.
Under the new Comprehensive Plan, commercial uses, like hotels and medical offices, are to be located in commercial or mixed-use zones. Greystone is located far outside the areas designated in the FLUM (Future Land Use Map) for commercial or mixed-use activities and far outside the “Activity Centers” designated for commercial and higher density uses in Evergreen.
What does the Evergreen Area Plan say?
The Evergreen Area Plan places the Greystone property in an “Area of Stability.” This means if any changes are made, they need to “downzone” or lessen the use. Under the Evergreen Area Plan, it would be improper to rezone a 26-acre parcel from agriculture to a multi-bed “residential treatment center” (or more aptly a commercial hotel) with a licensed psychedelic drug “healing center”. Instead, any rezoning should lower the density and use.
No change in circumstance supports disregarding the Evergreen Area Plan which was updated after extensive study and community input effective December 9, 2015.
What are the zoning rules in Clear Creek County?
Clear Creek County, like Jefferson County, has zones for Agriculture (the current designation for Greystone), Commercial and Planned Development. Their Planned Development zoning is stricter than Jefferson County because it is to be used only when the proposed development does not fit within another zoning definition. A residential treatment center offering overnight accommodations for 25 clients plus “wellness services” including psychedelic care would fit Clear Creek County’s commercial zone, not in a residential neighborhood.
What does the Clear Creek County Master Plan say about this area?
The Clear Creek County Master Plan promotes zoning that respects the rural nature of most of its community. It includes the “East Mount Evans Area Master Plan” dated June 11, 1993, which outlines key goals emphasizing maintenance of the “unique mountain environment and rural atmosphere of the East Mt. Evans area.” It does not provide for commercial businesses in this location.
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