The Bay and Broomfield Community Center Rezoning

Project Description

The City and County of Broomfield has submitted a new application proposing a rezoning of a portion of Broomfield City Center Subdivision Filing No 2, Lot 1. Broomfield City Center Subdivision Filing No 2, Lot 1 is owned by the City and County of Broomfield and totals approximately 26.72 acres in size.

The parcel is developed and includes the George Di Ciero City and County Building located on the west side of Spader Way, and the Broomfield Community Center and the Bay Aquatic Park located on the eastern side of Spader Way.

The rezoning request is for the portion of the parcel located on the east side of Spader Way which included the Broomfield Community Center and the Bay Aquatic Park. This portion of the property contains approximately 13.3 acres.

Project Details

Location: Generally located east of Spader Way

Project Type: Rezoning 

Applicant: The City and County of Broomfield

City and County Staff Analysis

Rezoning Request: The property is currently zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD) and is governed by the City Center PUD Plan. The PUD zone district is more typically used for larger multi-use projects to allow for flexible development incorporating innovations and best practices. The City is proposing to rezone this portion of the property from PUD to Parks, Recreation and Open Lands (PROL).

The PROL zone district is a newly established zone district in the City and County of Broomfield. On December 5, 2023 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2220 which amended Section 17-07 Open Lands and Public Facilities Zone District of the Broomfield Municipal Code, and established three distinct zone districts. The ordinance established Chapter 17-07 Public Facilities District, Chapter 17-07.1 Open Space District and Chapter 17-07.2 Parks, Recreation and Open Lands District. The intent of this ordinance was to provide the opportunity for more appropriate zoning of city-owned property and to encourage and allow for community use, necessary municipal facilities, or protection of open space and parks.

With the adoption of Ordinance No. 2220 The PROL district was created to provide areas for active or passive recreation for the public. The PROL district establishes recreation centers, community centers, field houses, swimming pools, and leisure pools as permitted uses by right. These uses align with the Broomfield Community Center and the Bay Aquatic Park and is the most appropriate zone district for those municipal facilities.

The PROL district established a maximum building height of 50 feet, the existing Broomfield Community Center is approximately 44 feet in height, and the Bay Aquatic Park is approved for a maximum building height of 45 feet. Both facilities are consistent with the PROL zone district’s maximum allowed heights.

The PROL district also establishes a building setback requirement of 30 feet + 1 foot for each 2 feet of building height in the PROL District measured from residential property line. The property is surrounded by other City and County of Broomfield owned properties which are not residential. As such, the existing development also complies with the required setbacks of the PROL district.

The underlying Comprehensive Plan Land Use is Public/Quasi Public. Public/Quasi-Public Lands include government offices, service centers, major utility infrastructure such as water and wastewater treatment facilities, community and senior centers, libraries, fire stations, schools, hospitals, churches, and other large public/quasi public facilities. The Broomfield Community Center and the Bay Aquatic Park are both consistent with the anticipated uses for the Public/Quasi Public land use and as such is consistent with the Broomfield Comprehensive Plan.

This application proposes to rezone the property only. No changes to the facilities, services or programs provided by the Bay Aquatic Park or the Broomfield Community Center will result from the rezoning of the property.

Public Engagement

Members of the public can engage with this project using the Broomfield Voice platform, or email planning@broomfield.org. This Broomfield Voice page will collect feedback on this project until Monday, June 3, 2024*. Feedback shared on this project page will be provided to City Council as they consider the development application.

*There are multiple public hearings required as part of this development application. Public feedback and comments will be compiled and shared during these multiple steps. Please check the key date section of this page for the most up to date information on scheduled public hearings. Feedback received through the Broomfield Voice will be shared with the decision making body (City Council and the Land Use Review Commission) with a cut off of the day before each meeting.

Public can also participate in the Land Use Review Commission hearing (in-person only), and in the City Council hearing both in-person, or by phone utilizing the connection information that will be shared on the meeting agenda which will be published on the City Council Meeting Website. These hearing dates are provided in the key date section above.

Rezoning applications are formal development applications. No concept review is required for rezonings so this is the first step in the process. The process for a rezoning application includes a neighborhood meeting, a public hearing before the Land Use Review Commission and two readings of the zoning ordinance at City Council. The second reading of the ordinance is a required public hearing.

The project timeline on this page provides an overview of the next steps in the development process should the developer choose to move forward with their proposal.