Alert – Proposed Zoning Changes in Unincorporated Adams County

Proposed changes to the zoning code could have significant impacts for industrial zoned property owners and businesses located in unincorporated Adams County. The first round of changes is in progress and more will follow. A group of concerned property owners and affected businesses, the Industrial Property Owners Consortium of Adams County (IPOC) has formed to help ensure that our concerns are heard and incorporated into the new regulations. We encourage you to join our growing numbers.

What changes are being proposed?

While the proposed changes may have varying effects depending on the exact location of your property, following is a general overview:

• Amend definition of “Outdoor Storage” to remove exceptions for merchandise and vehicles stored outside, and broaden County regulated activity to now include anything stored outside of a covered building for more than 72 hours
• Decrease the surface area allowed for Outdoor Storage for many I-2 and I-3 zoned properties
• Eliminate Outdoor Storage as a use-by-right for many I-2 and I-3 zoned properties
• Expand the requirement for Outdoor Storage to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, requiring the approval of the Board of County Commissioners which must be renewed every 5 years
• Creation of overlay zones that will impose strict design standards for future development in these areas, and may eliminate Outdoor Storage as a use-by-right in many cases

When will changes be adopted?

The current timeline proposed by County staff for the first round of changes is as follows:

• October 28, 2021 – Planning Commission hearing
• November 9, 2021 – Board of County Commissioner hearing

What can you do?

• Follow IPOC on Facebook
• Attend an IPOC meeting
• Contact adcoipoc@gmail.com to learn more