Superior approves land-use change for up to 226 Rock Creek Ranch homes
The council approved the 22.68-acre project’s land-use amendment, while a proposed 50-mill metropolitan district, about $2.3 million in fee waivers and detailed wildfire, school and traffic requirements remain subject to later approvals.
The Superior Town Council approved a land-use amendment Sept. 14 for the 22.68-acre Zaharias property, allowing up to 226 for-sale homes while leaving financing, infrastructure and other project details to later approvals.
The council approved Ordinance O-20 in a 5-1 vote, changing the vacant property near South 88th Street and U.S. 36 from regional commercial to residential use. The amendment caps development at 10 homes per acre. It does not authorize construction; final development, plat, site-plan and infrastructure approvals remain ahead. The adopted ordinance takes effect 10 days after publication.
The developer, Garrett Companies, has proposed a metropolitan district with authority to levy up to 50 mills to help finance infrastructure. Creating the district, approving its service plan and setting any mill levy would require separate action by the Town Council.
Garrett also requested fee and use-tax waivers for the affordable homes. Town staff estimated the request at about $2.3 million, though the final amount would depend on the fee schedule in effect when permits are pulled and on later documents. The request applies to affordable units, not market-rate homes.
The proposal calls for at least 15% of the homes to be permanently deed-restricted affordable ownership units for households earning up to 80% of area median income — about 34 units at the maximum buildout. The developer’s presentation proposes a mix of detached homes and townhomes, with at least 45% of the homes detached. Final unit distribution and affordability documents would come through later approvals.
The developer and its traffic consultant proposed a signal at South 88th Street and Promenade Drive, turn lanes and other transportation improvements. The consultant projected that traffic could grow from about 9,000 to more than 12,000 vehicles per day over 20 years. Residents raised concerns about congestion, pedestrian safety, construction traffic and access near Reliance Circle; transportation details are expected to be addressed in a final development plan.
Council members and residents also raised wildfire and evacuation concerns. School capacity remains subject to further review: Garrett representatives projected about 95 students and said the Boulder Valley School District could accommodate them based on then-current utilization, while the mayor noted that possible changes involving Monarch K-5 could affect that calculation.
Later approvals are expected to address the final development plan, final plat, subdivision improvements, drainage, landscaping, architecture, amenities, circulation, public improvements, affordable-housing administration and financing. The council’s ordinance establishes the land-use change and density limit but does not approve the metropolitan district or detailed project obligations.