HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252598.tiff Hearing Certification
Docket No. 2025-62
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
Use by Special Review Permit, USR25-0014, for Keeping of Exotic Animals outside
of subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone District —
Lembke Family Preserve, LLC
A public hearing was conducted on September 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with the following
present:
Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair
Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro-Tern
Commissioner Jason S. Maxey
Commissioner Lynette Peppier
Commissioner Kevin D. Ross
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Jan Warwick
Deputy County Attorney, Karin McDougal
Department of Planning Services Representative, Molly Wright
Development Review Representative, Dan Campbell
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated August 13, 2025, and duly published
August 15, 2025, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted to consider the
request of the Lembke Family Preserve, LLC, for Use by Special Review Permit,
USR25-0014, for Keeping of Exotic Animals outside of subdivisions and historic townsites
in the A (Agricultural) Zone District. Karin McDougal, Deputy County Attorney, made this
a matter of record.
Molly Wright, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the
proposal, shared construction activities will take place in ten (10) phases, the first of which
will include a 5,000-square-foot metal feed barn, and the future phases will include
additional feed barns of similar size and construction type, with an office trailer for
administrative tasks, general storage, and restrooms for employees. Ms. Wright explained
there will be up to ten (10) employees onsite at full buildout, with two (2) employees onsite
initially. She described the sign posting and location of the site, reviewed the Code criteria,
and shared the land is primarily agriculturally based, stating the project is consistent with
the intent of the A (Agricultural) Zone District. Ms. Wright explained the closest USR, a
compressor station, is located 1.5 miles to the west, with the nearest residence being
four (4) miles to the west. She relayed no communication was received from surrounding
property owners (SPOs), there are Development Standards (DS) in place for protection
cc..PL.(DE/M'.J/oA/M,,J/KR) 2025-2598
I I/i 1/25 PL2970
Hearing Certification (USR25-0014) — Lembke Family Preserve, LLC
Page 2
of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the neighborhood, and animal waste
will be disposed of, following all pertinent regulations. Ms. Wright entered the favorable
recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record, as written, and displayed
images of the site and surrounding views.
Dan Campbell, Department of Planning Services, Development Review, stated access
will be onto County Road (CR) 69, which is a paved local road. He stated the latest
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counted 339 vehicles per day, with 34% being trucks, and
the 85th percentile speed is 53 mph. He shared the application states the site will
generate an average of ten (10) passenger car daily round trips, with an occasional truck
and trailer to deliver animals, as needed. He stated a Final Drainage Report is required,
and a Weld County Grading Permit is required, if more than one (1) acre of land is
disturbed.
Brian Aucone, applicant representative, in response to Chair Buck, indicated they had not
had contact with any of the Commissioners regarding this case. He narrated a PowerPoint
presentation (Exhibit D) regarding the application, and shared space is the number one
factor for the applicant, as this would be a second campus for the Denver Zoo. He
discussed how they move the animals for the breeding population, and shared the
sustaining of wildlife populations for the future is their mission. He explained the use of
the extra space in relation to the breeding program, the holding of animals prior to
movement to other locations, or housing animals that are displaced from their herd, in
support of the wild populations of endangered species. He shared there is also a need
for temporary movement of animals during construction at the main Zoo campus,
explaining this is an ideal site due to its isolated location, which would not be open to
the public, and he described the proposed fencing. In response to Commissioner Maxey,
Mr. Aucone described the conversation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and their
concerns. He described an overview of the emergency response plans they have in place
for different scenarios, and addressed how animal waste for the exotic animals is
collected and disposed of. He further stated the animals are closely monitored and tested,
sharing there is more concern of transmission of disease from outside native animals. In
response to Commissioner Maxey, Mr. Aucone confirmed there are no carnivores, at this
time, knowing there is an understanding that additional approval would be required for
larger species, and they would be ok with coming back for an amendment to include other
animals at the site. Commissioner Ross commented he does not believe there is a need
for a second approval for larger animals.
Rich Coolidge, Civitas Resources, offered his support to the request, stating he has had
a good working partnership with the Lembke family concerning this application.
The Board reviewed the Conditions of Approval and Development Standards.
Commissioner Maxey asked if language could be worked in regarding the potential
addition of larger carnivores. Commissioner Ross reiterated the applicant will not be
bringing carnivores to the site at the start and there is adequate fencing, which should be
2025-2598
PL2970
Hearing Certification (USR25-0014) — Lembke Family Preserve, LLC
Page 3
enough. Chair Buck stated she is not sure about stopping the opportunity for future use
of the site. Commissioner James expressed he agrees with Commissioner Maxey.
Ms. McDougal requested a five (5) minute recess to work on language. Upon
reconvening, Ms. Wright suggested the addition of Development Standard #4 to state:
"The applicant is required to apply for a Minor Amendment if large carnivores, such as
large cats or bears, are proposed to be included at the facility."
In response to Chair Buck, Brian Aucone, on behalf of the applicant, indicated they have
reviewed, and agreed to abide by, the Conditions of Approval and Development
Standards, as amended.
No public testimony was offered regarding changes made to the Conditions of Approval
and Development Standards.
Commissioner Maxey moved to approve the request of the Lembke Family Preserve,
LLC, for Use by Special Review Permit, USR25-0014, for Keeping of Exotic Animals
outside of subdivisions and historic townsites in the A (Agricultural) Zone District, based
on the recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission, with the
Conditions of Approval and Development Standards, as amended. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Ross and it carried unanimously. There being no further
discussion, the hearing was completed at 10:58 a.m. (Clerk's Note: Teams recording start
timestamp 30:18)
The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above
and foregoing Hearing Certification, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following
vote on the 8th day of October, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye �►••�+•.,,,,
Scott K. James, Pro-Tern: Aye ��: 1 I xi �'�
Jason S. Maxey: Aye I ` 4 (16
Lynette Peppier: Aye e =
Kevin D. Ross: Aye %to
Attest: �� � s"�
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-2598
PL2970
ATTENDANCE LIST
c► )Z4126
t1AE -.PL.E
{ �` AQr $S;�Gf'€�f,�3TATEYZt1�). �N�AIt�� �`� 'tN)?x
' ' d
G"!r'3l^L!.-� IY I T 4 s'f.� r' S f/C�. lit._- �i 1 k.aNftS l,�, ,, ci`I.-((J.. ` Licit/
C� Y
,AA a 4 t c (. .1..1 571_, ta t lZe_/s1 co, offfc +
7s'ZO Loa f 4f c+ z.c � —° �1 r a 'i2 —
M 4F zt se 6t0Q wo-rt (.4- 7_O0 , ft,rseQas(evcl-yeotu ks.cuvti 7-se-c I✓
EY) c& J-f t,t- 19)5 beet col W1 W i adscv_ eye tit.- P rnd cute o rip Lin \,Nalgt. NJ
I -1-Yi cl vt'o 22 11-14 Sk". hv-c 1-L N`f-(R
ArtAppunp-- Pg....wicaz_ 3o2 Lip Lin"- PN'e., Ciimc,nda. 1 •1•• ••4 1
1
`� � -es,,.Z Li �S �� II� WE � �S W"' -6 C ���I 4'O V iZ.il V`. (J^,'� w'�i�(},1�\'OY,
ics54✓ 1,4y 0 � ., ,, e �i (�0,,ti ...e F 4;71-V' .�.r I
ssi3 , ,,,A \,.391te�^S.t-( i -� �s ��6?>:�isac �t,, oil e70)2", (, , r�t�
r; .� u �J 2 le � ,<,, jo , co ,r ►� 3..,...,E,2,�0-, - ,r)4_..;(.�-- y
r /' i 5�` 1 P�c`7 f� � `S 5 5- �7�' i n5c)1,4 C' c'uk 'fet:�"C2 *1 71 7c(Ni I1 `-to sa��, ek Cat�c eeA tat 1�k 1.'St)iv& jev i4d/cetif‘ Autto y
Tr 3.tetet 4.<�ne, 5,1 tiL n Rv-c, ptu/..4425 119 n v 14403( rnsrt. coat I,0eid 14
Hello