Larimer commissioners approve land-use consent agenda, advancing Dory and Fulmer appeals

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-0 on June 22 to approve its land-use consent agenda, advancing both the Dory Family Trust Subdivision & Appeal and the Fulmer Appeal without separate discussion. The motion approved the two cases subject to conditions in their staff reports and authorized Chair Jody Shadduck-McNally to sign the findings and resolutions.

Before the vote, Shadduck-McNally listed the two consent items and reminded attendees that consent matters are treated as routine unless a commissioner or member of the public asks to pull one for individual consideration. Commissioner John Kefalas said he did not want either item removed, and Shadduck-McNally said she did not either. No one in the meeting room or online asked to pull an item, and Kefalas then made the motion to approve the consent agenda.

One of the approved items, the Dory Family Trust Subdivision & Appeal, File No. 24-LAND4421, allows a preliminary plat for an 8.10-acre property at 8020 S. County Road 11 near Fort Collins to be divided into two residential lots, with 0.58 acres dedicated as right-of-way. The approval also includes an appeal to allow the new lots to use on-site septic systems rather than connect to the South Fort Collins Sanitation District, subject to the conditions in the Planning Commission staff report.

Staff had recommended approval of the Dory application with conditions. Those conditions include consistency between the final plat and the approved preliminary plat, collection of applicable school, transportation, park and drainage fees at building-permit issuance, and fire-sprinkler requirements for new residential structures unless Loveland Fire Rescue Authority approves an alternative. Additional conditions address engineered foundations, groundwater setbacks, radon mitigation, septic permitting for future development on Lot 1, and required shared-access improvements.

The second consent item, the Fulmer Appeal, File No. 26-GNRL0590, approves an appeal to county rules limiting the size of an accessory living area. The action allows an existing 864-square-foot attached basement unit at 3005 Swing Station Way near Fort Collins to remain larger than the 750 square feet otherwise allowed, clearing the way for the owner to continue through the county's as-built permitting and inspection process.

County staff had recommended straightforward approval of the Fulmer appeal, saying the extra square footage is entirely within the existing basement footprint and does not change the house's exterior appearance. Staff also said the property otherwise meets land-use standards and that approval would help bring the unpermitted basement unit into compliance. Public comments submitted before the hearing included one from a nearby resident supporting the housing and another objecting to rental or short-term rental use.