The Aurora City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2025103 on Nov. 3 to amend the Unified Development Ordinance provisions that govern the Airport Potential Zone (APZ) surrounding Buckley Space Force Base.

The Planning and Business Development Department recommended the text amendment “to promote additional development opportunities in the Accident Potential Zone or the APZ District,” planner Jeremiah Fettig told the council during a public hearing. Fettig said the proposal restores light manufacturing as a permitted use, clarifies which dimensional standards apply, adds certain accessory allowances and sets a 38-foot height maximum for residential uses in the district.

The council held a public hearing before the vote. Sal Perdomo of Titan Development, which identified itself as the contract purchaser of a 76-acre vacant parcel in the APZ, told council members the company supported the amendment and expected the site to be used for light industrial and commercial jobs. “We are excited to be investing in your city and to be working in your city. We're in full support of this proposed text amendment,” Perdomo said.

Fettig told the council the proposed amendment would not render any property nonconforming and that staff removed two provisions from the original draft after receiving questions from Buckley. He said Buckley supported adding light manufacturing back into permitted uses and submitted comments that are included in the item backup materials.

Fettig also tied the amendment to the city’s comprehensive-plan goals for economic development, saying the changes would “provide additional development and employment opportunities while maintaining a safe environment.” The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval at its Oct. 22 meeting.

After the public hearing closed, Council member Lawson moved to approve item 11a; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The ordinance amends UDO text that staff cited by table and section number; the council packet lists Buckley Space Force Base as a referral agency and includes its comment letter. Staff said it plans a more comprehensive future update to the APZ standards.

Provenance: staff presentation and ordinance language are in the council packet and are summarized in tonight’s public hearing transcript. The first staff presentation begins at 00:08:35 and the final vote is recorded at 00:18:14.

Ending: City planning staff said they will return with a broader APZ update later; Buckley’s referral comments are included in the meeting backup.