Town of Parker and Douglas County Intergovernmental Agreement
and Comprehensive Development Plan

Background/Purpose:
The Local Governmental Land Use Control Enabling Act (C.R.S. § 29-20-101, et seq.) makes explicit the authority of local governments to jointly plan and regulate land use.

The Town of Parker and Douglas County entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement that established a jointly adopted Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) to allow for joint planning and to guide future land use decisions in areas of mutual interest.

Initial Term and Effective Date:
The CDP, effective on May 14, 2003, establishes a term of five years, which shall automatically remain in full force and effect for successive 5-year terms through the year 2022, unless terminated sooner.

Primary Elements:
The CDP establishes:
• A joint planning area that includes the Town’s ‘Urban Growth Area’ and a ‘Community Separation Buffer’
• A framework for land-use decisions
• The Town’s commitment to anne x enclaves within the Urban Growth Area and establishes standards for the Town to review annexation petitions in a consistent manner
• A joint review process at the staff level for reviewing land use applications
• An amendment process to the CDP

Urban Growth Area:
The Urban Growth Area represents the boundary of the Town’s potential future annexation area. For incorporated lands, development will be permitted in compliance with the Town’s regulations. For unincorporated lands, development can continue to build out in compliance with existing entitlements. Request for additional entitlements would require annexation to or a pre-annexation agreement with the Town.

Community Separation Buffer:
The Community Separation Buffer represents a buffer around the Urban Growth Area that provides a transitional edge between the Town and other unincorporated communities and municipalities. The Buffer is divided into five separate ‘regions’ to acknowledge their unique and different character and growth patterns. Development consistent with its current zoning designation will be processed through the County’s standard process. Redevelopment applications will also be processed through the County; however, the application will be jointly reviewed at the staff level of both the County and the Town first. This review is intended to ensure compliance with any specific principles and requirements that are outlined in this CDP.

First Amendment:
The first amendment to the CDP, effective May 17, 2006 modified the boundary of the Town’s Urban Growth Area.

Click here to view a jpg file of the amended Douglas County IGA Joint Planning Area.

Recognition:
Received the DRCOG Metro Vision Award, second place in April 2003.

You may purchase a copy of the ‘IGA and CDP between Parker and Douglas County ’ at Town Hall for $10.