Rural planning projects often present unique challenges, from balancing operational needs with neighborhood concerns to navigating county permitting requirements. What may seem like a straightforward process can quickly become complex when access, safety, or community impacts are involved. AGPROfessionals Planning Team recently guided a Weld County client through these challenges, developing creative solutions that supported the business, addressed neighboring residents’ concerns, and achieved a successful permitting outcome.

From Technical Assistance to Full Project Management

This commercial client initially engaged AGPROfessionals for engineering and site planning services while they began navigating the land-use permit process on their own. They later reached out to our Planning and Permitting team for support in preparing the required technical studies, intending to continue coordinating directly with the county.

As the project advanced, the landowners realized the permitting process was far more complex and time-sensitive than expected, involving multiple agencies, detailed documentation, and ongoing coordination. To keep the project moving efficiently and ensure compliance, they elected to have AGPROfessionals manage the full permit application from start to finish. This allowed them to remain focused on their business operations while our team guided the project through county review.

The Problem Grows: Needed USR Permit is Challenged by Concerned Neighbors

Changing the intended land use to meet this landowner's needs required a Use by Special Review (USR) permit, for which AGPROfessionals began the application process. As the USR review progressed, property access became a central issue. County policy strongly preferred that the business continue using the existing shared access road, which served three residences, including the client’s own residence. However, neighbors raised significant safety and nuisance concerns about increased commercial traffic on a driveway intended for residential use by three properties. These concerns generated meaningful pushback, threatening the project's viability.

To resolve the issue, AGPROfessionals worked closely with county staff to negotiate a variance that allowed the creation of a separate commercial access road dedicated to business operations. This solution provided the best balance for all parties, protecting the safety and quality of life of adjacent neighbors, improving operational safety for the business, and giving the county a path to approve the USR confidently.

Success

AGPROfessionals’ Planning Team represented the client throughout the permitting and public hearing process and worked to resolve all concerns. Specifically, we provided:

• Full-Service Permit Project Management: Transitioned from technical support to complete oversight of the permitting process, streamlining coordination with the county and ensuring compliance.
• Creative Access Solution: Negotiated a variance for a dedicated commercial access road, balancing county policy with neighborhood safety and operational needs.
• Neighborhood Cohesion: Addressed traffic and nuisance concerns, fostering a positive outcome for both neighbors and the business.
• Timely Return to Operations: Enabled the client to efficiently resume business operations once approvals were secured.
• Comprehensive Technical Expertise: Prepared the full Use by Special Review (USR) application, managed agency referrals, and responded to county comments, supporting a successful approval.

Let AGPROfessionals Support Your Planning and Permitting Needs

Land use, planning, and permitting projects are rarely simple. County codes and zoning requirements can be complex, and even minor issues can create pressures and community concerns. By combining technical expertise, strategic permitting support, and creative problem-solving, AGPROfessionals helped the client navigate these challenges, address neighbor and county concerns, and achieve a successful outcome that balanced compliance, operational needs, and community cohesion.

The Planning and Permitting Team at AGPROfessionals has decades of experience guiding clients through these challenges. Contact AGPROfessionals to learn how our team can support your next project.