Metro district, water board elections to be held May 2

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As upcoming elections are approaching, the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors has three open seats in the local to be held on Tuesday, May 2.

The metro district is composed of an elected seven-member board of directors who represent the entire community. The board sets policy and assists staff in budget preparation, maintenance of roadway landscaping, construction of storm drainage facilities and parks and open space.

According to a press release from the Highlands Ranch Metro District, six candidates are running for the three open seats.

Renee Anderson, who is currently the chair of the Highlands Ranch Metro District is running for another term in the Southwest Region.

Absentee deadline is April 25 SEE many of them are already working together to address the housing issues and what can be done at the local level. e City of Centennial has been working for more than a year on a housing study focused on the local needs. Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko said SB23-213 would wipe that out and require municipalities to follow new requirements.

In Castle Rock, Mayor Jason Gray said, “ e town’s policies — and more importantly, our planning — have provided for an array of market-based housing choices within Castle Rock while respecting property owners’ rights and ensuring quality town services, like longterm renewable water. We cannot allow the governor and the General Assembly to upend our community’s planning and character — and Castle Rock homeowners’ nancial investments — with this overreaching legislation.”

Gray said the council will vote on a letter and resolution to o cially oppose SB23-213 on April 4.

Castle Rock is not alone. In Parker, while the council hasn’t taken a stance on the bill, town o cials said a discussion and possible vote would be coming soon. Littleton may also consider an o cial action to oppose the measure.

In an email statement to Colorado Community Media, Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter said he appreciates the legislation the bill is trying to address, while noting that housing is an important issue that even Littleton has labeled as a top priority.

“While I personally would support much of the land use changes SB23213 suggests here in Littleton, such as ADUs (accessory dwelling units), missing middle housing, parking requirements, and occupancy requirements — I am concerned about the unprecedented preemption of home rule authority,” he said. “I think removing local input from land use decisions would be a step in the wrong direction for our state.” rough home rule, Piko said, Centennial has worked directly with citizens to create housing options to t local needs, which SB23-213 would end.

Home rule is a form or structure of governing de ned by the citizens of a municipality or county that allows for more control over matters of local signi cance.

“Centennial has recently engaged with our residents on several large housing projects, like e Streets at Southglenn and e District. Between e Streets at Southglenn and e District, we’re looking at adding an additional 3,000 units to our community,” she said. “ at process allowed for the opportunity to engage with citizens, the developer and the city to work through project proposals together to amend projects to meet the needs of our community. Even though not every citizen is happy with the outcome, they have the opportunity to have their concerns heard by their local o cials who can be held accountable for the outcomes of the development.”

Warren-Gully said Arapahoe County is working to address the housing shortage. e county cur-