Stroh Ranch residents expressed concerns and support for the proposed 275-unit Mill Creek development near Parker Road and Stroh Road. 

The council unanimously refused to approve an ordinance to amend the Stroh Ranch Planned Development Master Plan 3nd Amendment during the July 17 meeting. 

The development would have extended from the intersection of Parker Road and J Morgan Boulevard in the north to Stroh Road between the King Soopers shopping center and Village on the Green neighborhood in the south. 

The applicant submitted a rezoning application that would have amended the Stroh Ranch Planning Development zoning to add 275 residential units to the planned development for use in the Mixed Use Planning Areas for Filings 14 and 15. 

The nearly 23 acres is currently zoned for residential and commercial use. 

The proposed rezoning would have increased the residential dwelling units from 2,817 to 3,092 units, utilizing the additional residential space for mixed-use development. 

According to a document provided to the town, the rezoning application, the project would have incorporated a requirement for up to 39,500 square feet of commercial use for retail, restaurant, office and service use. 

The proposed rezoning application was posted on the town website on June 1 and received a number of public comments.

Residents spoke about their position for the rezoning at a June 8 planning commission meeting, followed by a four to one approval by the commission. 

During the July 18  meeting, council members expressed concerns while looking at the nine land use ordinance criteria. 

In addition to concerns about adequate traffic circulation, schools and services, the two criteria councilmembers struggled with were whether there was a need for the proposal and if there had been significant changes in the area to warrant a zone change. 

“I don’t know if this particular parcel of ground is indeed a correct site for the proposed development,” said Mayor Pro Tem John Diak. “I do believe there is a housing need in the region but as the testimony indicated, I believe that Stroh has fulfilled their obligation for the residential units.” 

With nearly an hour of public comment, a majority were against the development, however, there were a few that were supportive of the project. 

One resident said it is the appropriate density to transition from a single family to a retail center and another said Mill Creek did a good job reaching out to the community. 

Those against the development were concerned the additional units would bring more density. Residents said the development would worsen traffic congestion and parking issues, increase crime and put more strain on the schools with additional students. 

Stroh Ranch resident Joy Overbeck said there are public safety concerns, citing crime statistics from the Parker Police Department that have shown an increase in crime at the three complexes closest to Stroh.

“We Stroh residents have suffered more break-ins and other crimes since South Ranch Crossing apartments opened in October,” said Overbeck. “Our once peaceful neighborhood - children are being harassed, called obscene names at our playgrounds and people are smoking weed in our parking lots.” 

Another resident moved to Parker from Denver to be in a safer community and better quality of life also worries about the increase in crime. Having herself and family been a victim of a crime, Martha Martinez spoke about her experience living across from an area that was redeveloped. 

“Let’s keep it as it is and protect the voters, the people that you know, your families,” said Martinez. “I plead to you as a mom, as a nurse, as a woman, that’s all I can do for you - this is my simple statement. And from my growing up and from seeing what has happened in Denver, this is what’s going to happen here in Stroh Ranch.”

Details concerning the development and public comment can be found on the Town of Parker’s Youtube Channel.