As part of the Watkins/Bennett Area Vision Study, a water supply study is being conducted that is designed to inform land use concepts over the coming months.
This study started in late-2020 and looks at the area south of Interstate-70 between Watkins and Bennett. The study’s goal is to provide a vision for the area through a guided-growth plan, which will help local decision-makers outline future land uses for this rural area. This long-range planning effort is supported by the County’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that envisions how the County will grow, and charts a course for how to get there.
The County has retained a consultant to analyze water supplies in different growth scenarios. The study area is currently zoned as Agriculture1 (or A-1) with a minimum lot size of 19 acres. However, the Comprehensive Plan identifies this area as having the greatest potential to accommodate future residential and commercial growth.
Preliminary growth concepts include existing-, moderate- and high-growth scenarios. The existing-growth option aims to preserve the rural character of the area and would limit property owners who may want to develop their property with higher density. This concept relies on large properties to minimize residential growth.
The moderate-growth option aims to preserve the rural character of the area but provides flexibility for more single-family residential housing through clustered developments. This scenario also includes some commercial development. The high-growth concept would provide urban density, but only if water and wastewater infrastructure are provided. This concept includes mixed use with commercial and residential development.
The water supply study is expected to wrap up by the end of February. The third phase of the vision study would then involve presenting the growth concepts to the public to seek their feedback. The fourth and final phase will be to adopt the vision study as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
Learn more about the study and project updates.