A.

Generally. The Director of Community Development ("Director") is the member of the City Staff who is ultimately responsible for processing an application to decision (in the case of administrative approvals) or recommendation to an approving body (in the case of discretionary approvals). The Director shall designate staff members to manage applications through the review process and be points of contact for applicants, and may also delegate review responsibilities to other members of the City Staff with relevant technical training or expertise, or, as appropriate, to consultants that are authorized by the City Council.

B.

Duties and Responsibilities. The Director shall allocate and supervise staff from the Community Development Department to:

1.

Receive and log applications for development approval.

2.

Keep records of development applications, including materials and outcomes.

3.

Review application materials and verify that applications are complete.

4.

Communicate with applicants to inform them that their applications are complete or not complete; and if the applications are not complete, what items are required.

5.

Manage the processing of applications according to Article 14, Permits and Procedures.

6.

Process and review all applications (or cause the applications to be reviewed) and either decide the applications or make a recommendation regarding how the application should be decided.

7.

Set applications on agendas of the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council, as appropriate.

8.

Provide public notice as required by this LDC.

9.

Promptly issue written permits, resolutions, or orders that reflect the substance of approvals granted pursuant to this LDC.

10.

Maintain the Zoning Map, including:

a.

Updates to reflect rezonings;

b.

Resolution numbers to indicate conditional use approvals, including conversions of minor nonconforming uses; and

c.

Appropriate annotations to indicate limited use approvals.

11.

Track the term of approvals, and keep records of approvals that have expired.

12.

Enforce the provisions of this LDC and approvals granted hereunder pursuant to Article 15, Enforcement and Remedies.

13.

Make recommendations regarding amendments to this LDC and to the Comprehensive Plan and Sub-Area Plans of the City of Centennial.

A.

Generally. The Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority ("SEMSWA") was formed via an Intergovernmental Agreement ("IGA") among the City of Centennial, Arapahoe County, the Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority, East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, and the Inverness Water and Sanitation District. SEMSWA is a political subdivision and a public corporation of the state, falling under the guidelines of Colorado state statute for a "drainage authority."

B.

Development Review Role. The duties and responsibilities of SEMSWA are set out in the formation IGA dated September 19, 2006, and the implementing IGA dated December 17, 2007, as may be amended from time to time. Applications for development approval are referred to SEMSWA for review for compliance with the SEMSWA Stormwater Management Manual and the SEMSWA Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control Manual. SEMSWA also issues Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC) and Floodplain Development (FPDP) Permits directly.

C.

Floodplain Development Permit. The duties and responsibilities of SEMSWA for review and issuance of floodplain development permits are set out in the implementing IGA dated December 17, 2007, as may be amended from time to time.

A.

Generally. The Floodplain Administrator is the Southeast Metropolitan Stormwater Authority ("SEMSWA"), or a designee of the City Manager who ensures that the regulations of this LDC with regard to floodplain management and flood damage prevention are administered and enforced.

B.

Designation of Floodplain Administrator. SEMSWA or a designee of the City Manager is appointed to administer and implement Division 7-3, Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention, by granting or denying floodplain development permit applications in accordance with its provisions and other appropriate sections of 44 CFR (National Flood Insurance Program Regulations) pertaining to floodplain management.

C.

Duties and Responsibilities. Duties of the Floodplain Administrator shall include but not be limited to:

1.

Permit Review.

a.

Review floodplain development permit applications to determine whether proposed development including the placement of manufactured homes, will be reasonably safe from flooding.

b.

Review, approve or deny all floodplain development permits as required by Division 7-3, Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention, and Section 12-14-206, Floodplain Development Permit.

c.

Review all floodplain development permits to ensure that all necessary permits have been obtained from those Federal, State or local governmental agencies (including Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1334) from which prior approval is required.

2.

Recordkeeping.

a.

Maintain and hold open for public inspection all records pertaining to the provision of Division 7-3, Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention.

3.

Interpretation of floodplain boundaries. Make interpretations, where needed, as to the location of the boundaries of the floodplain areas (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions).

4.

Responsibilities with Regard to Alterations of Watercourses.

a.

Notify adjacent communities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

b.

Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished.

5.

Floodplain Information and Determination.

a.

When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 12-7-303, General Provisions, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation data and floodplain data available from a Federal, State, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) or other source, to administer the provisions of Section 12-7-304, Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction (Standards).

b.

If adequate data is not available, the Floodplain Administrator shall require the applicant to provide additional data, information and/or studies for review.

c.

When a regulatory floodway has not been designated, the Floodplain Administrator shall require an applicant to provide a floodway analysis defined by using the cumulative effect of the proposed development combined with all other existing and anticipated development such that there will not be a rise in the base flood by more than one-half foot.

6.

Map Revisions.

a.

Under the provisions of 44 CFR, Part 65, Section 12 of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations, the City of Centennial may approve certain development in the SFHA (A zones) on the City of Centennial's FIRM maps which increases the water surface elevation of the base flood by more than one-half (0.5) foot provided that an approved CLOMR is first obtained.

b.

LOMR-F. The lowest floor elevation for any construction of a new structure, redevelopment (substantial improvements) of an existing structure or addition to an existing structure on a property removed from the floodplain by issuance of a FEMA Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) will be required to meet the City's freeboard standards i.e., two (2) feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) prior to the placement of fill.

7.

Enforcement. The Floodplain Administrator shall enforce the floodplain management and provisions for flood hazard reduction standards.

8.

Variances. The Floodplain Administrator shall process variances requests for any deviation from Section 12-7-304, Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction (Standards), in accordance with Section 12-14-804, Floodplain Variances.

A.

Generally. Water and sewer service in Centennial is provided by water and/or sanitation districts. The Director shall maintain a list of water and sanitation districts in the City, and shall refer applications to the applicable water and/or sanitation district, as provided in this Section.

B.

Development Review Role. Applications for development approval are referred to the water and sanitation district (or districts) with jurisdiction over the parcel or lot proposed for development for review and comment. Where certifications of available capacity are required by this LDC, applicants shall seek such certifications from the applicable water and sanitation district (or districts).

C.

Areas Not Served by Water or Sanitation Districts. Most of the City is served by water and sanitation districts. Development in areas that are not served by water and sanitation districts is subject to review by the Arapahoe County Public Health Department, the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority, or other entity with jurisdiction and authority to grant or deny a permit for water wells and/or Individual Sewage Disposal Systems ("ISDS").

(Ord. 2024-O-05 §32)

A.

Generally. Fire protection service in Centennial is provided by fire protection districts. The Director shall maintain a list of fire protection districts in the City, and shall refer applications to the applicable district, as provided in this Section.

B.

Development Review Role. Applications for development approval are referred to the applicable fire protection district (or districts) for review and comment on issues pertaining to public safety and fire protection. The fire protection district shall specify the required fire flows, hydrant types, and hydrant spacing.

A.

Generally. In general, parks and recreation services in Centennial are provided by special districts. The Director shall maintain a list of special districts in the City that provide parks and recreation, and shall refer applications to the applicable district, as provided in this Section.

B.

Development Review Role. Applications for development approval are referred to the applicable park and recreation district (or metropolitan district) for review and comment on issues pertaining to parks and recreation. The Director may waive the referral requirement for applications that do not involve or affect parks and recreation facilities.

A.

Generally. As of the effective date, the City of Centennial is served by two school districts, Littleton School District and Cherry Creek School District. These districts are the providers of primary and secondary public education in Centennial. The addition, dissolution, or consolidation of school districts shall not affect the operation of subsection B., below.

B.

Development Review Role. Applications for development approval that involve residential uses are referred to the applicable school district for review and comment on issues pertaining to school capacity and transportation. The Director may waive the referral requirement for applications that do not involve or affect school facilities. Applicants may be required to submit a letter from the applicable school district that certifies that the school has capacity for the projected student population of development.

A.

Generally. The City of Centennial is served by a large number of metropolitan districts that provide infrastructure and public facilities to residents. The addition, dissolution, or consolidation of metropolitan districts shall not affect the operation of subsections B. and C., below.

B.

Registration of Special Metropolitan Districts. Special metropolitan districts may register with the City of Centennial for notice regarding applications for development approval that affect parcels within the neighborhood or within 500 feet of the neighborhood.

C.

Development Review Role. Applications for development approval that are located within a metropolitan district may be referred to the metropolitan district for review and comment.

A.

Generally. The City of Centennial includes many neighborhoods with active property owners' associations, or neighborhood associations or civic groups for the residents of the neighborhood. It is the City's policy to provide an opportunity for affected neighborhoods to be involved in development review.

B.

Registration of Property Owners' Association or Neighborhood Organization.

1.

Property owners' associations and other neighborhood organizations (e.g., civic associations or other non-mandatory associations) may register with the City of Centennial for notice regarding applications for development approval that affect parcels within the neighborhood or within a distance to the neighborhood specified in Section 12-14-311, Public Notice or Section 12-14-304, Threshold Review.

2.

The Director shall maintain a neighborhood registry. In order to be included within the neighborhood registry, the neighborhood association shall provide the following information, or confirm existing information in the City's records, if such information exists:

a.

A map or written description of the neighborhood boundaries;

b.

A list of the officers in the association, including their mailing addresses, e-mail addresses (if available), and phone numbers;

c.

Date the association was founded;

d.

Approximate number of association members;

e.

Approximate number of housing units in the neighborhood.

C.

Development Review Role. If a development exceeds a threshold established by Section 12-14-304, Threshold Review, then the Centennial Council of Neighborhoods ("CenCON") and registered Associations that are within the notice radius of a parcel proposed for development are notified as provided in Section 12-14-311, Public Notice. CenCON and affected registered Associations are provided with an opportunity to meet with the development team and subsequently to review and provide comments on the application for development approval.

A.

Powers. The City Council shall have all powers conferred upon it by the City of Centennial Home Rule Charter.

B.

Delegations. The City Council delegates authority to the Director, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Hearing Officer as provided in this LDC.

C.

Appointments. The City Council shall have the power to appoint members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Hearing Officers as provided in Article X, Boards and Commissions, of the City of Centennial Home Rule Charter.

D.

Meetings and Procedures. Meetings of the City Council shall be conducted as provided in Article III, Meetings of the City Council, City of Centennial Home Rule Charter.

E.

Decisions. The City Council shall decide applications for:

1.

Regulating plans;

2.

Planned unit developments or PUD terminations;

3.

Rezonings;

4.

Text amendments;

5.

Vested rights determinations;

6.

Certificates of designation (and approval of uses that require them); and

7.

Right-of-way and plat vacations.

F.

Ratifications. The City Council shall include decisions of the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding Comprehensive Plan and Sub-Area Plans and amendments on its consent agenda for ratification.

G.

Appeals. The City Council shall hear and decide administrative appeals pursuant to Section 12-14-802, Appeals.

(Ord. 2024-O-07 §3; Ord. 2024-O-08 §§3, 4; Ord. 2024-O-14 §66)

A.

Established. The Planning and Zoning Commission is established pursuant to the authority of Article X, Boards and Commissions, City of Centennial Home Rule Charter. The Planning and Zoning Commission consists of seven members and two alternates.

B.

Powers. The Planning and Zoning Commission is delegated the following powers:

1.

Review and Decision after Public Hearing. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall review and decide after public hearing the following types of applications for development approval:

a.

Temporary use certificates for temporary conditional uses;

b.

Conditional use permits/WCF conditional use permits;

c.

Site plans as specified in Section 12-14-204, Public Hearing Development Orders;

d.

Variances; and

e.

Comprehensive Plan and Sub-Area Plans and amendments.

C.

Appointment. Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission are appointed by the City Council pursuant to Article 4 of the Centennial Municipal Code. Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission who have unexpired terms as of the effective date may continue in office until the end of their appointed term. Incumbent members are eligible for reappointment.

D.

Qualifications.

1.

No member of the Planning and Zoning Commission may also be a member of the City Council.

2.

Each of the members shall be a resident within the City.

E.

Term of Appointment; Removal from Office.

1.

Planning and Zoning Commission members shall serve a term of three (3) years.

2.

Members may be removed by the City Council without cause, in the sole discretion of the Council, pursuant to Article 4 of the Centennial Municipal Code.

F.

Vacancies. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of a term, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment by the City Council.

G.

Compensation. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall receive compensation in an amount determined by the City Council. The City Council shall also provide for reimbursement of the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission for actual expenses incurred.

H.

Officers. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall elect each year a Chairman and Chairman Pro Tem from among its members. The Planning and Zoning Commission may create other offices, as it deems necessary.

I.

Meetings, Minutes, and Procedures.

1.

Time and Place of Meetings. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall establish regular meeting times and places as is necessary to properly and expeditiously process land use applications and other business of the Commission.

2.

Minutes. Minutes of Planning and Zoning Commission meetings shall be kept and shall be a public record.

3.

Rules of Procedure. The Planning and Zoning Commission may adopt rules and procedures as it deems necessary for the proper conduct of its business which are consistent with the rules contained herein, the relevant procedures of Article 14, Permits and Procedures, the Constitution and statutes of the State of Colorado, and the Constitution of the United States of America.

4.

When Matters Submitted. A matter is deemed submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission on the date of the first Public Meeting at which the item is listed as an item for consideration.

J.

Quorum. The majority vote of the Planning and Zoning Commission quorum shall be necessary to make a decision or forward any recommendation to the City Council.

(Ord. 2023-O-12 §4; Ord. 2024-O-07 §4; Ord. 2024-O-08 §5; Ord. 2024-O-14 §67)