What’s Happening?

What’s Happening?

Greenville University, based in Illinois, recently purchased a 30-acre property at 7551 Blue Creek Road—land that has always been zoned A-2 Agricultural/Residential, just like the surrounding properties in the Blue Creek Valley.

Now, Greenville is asking Jefferson County to approve a zoning change that would allow them to develop the site into a commercial equestrian school for their academic program. Their application includes a Planned Development proposal to rezone the property for far more intensive use than has ever existed in this area.

Their proposal includes:

  • A dormitory ("barndominium") to house 17–37 college students and staff

  • Accommodations for 13–30+ horses

  • New road access and utility infrastructure

  • Regular deliveries of hay, feed, and other supplies

  • A program where out-of-state college students live on-site for 16-week sessions, rotating in and out year-round

  • The construction of multiple new wells, with a request to significantly expand their water rights beyond what a residential well can support

While Greenville already partners with a nearby commercial equestrian facility, this plan aims to create their own permanent, self-contained operation in the middle of a quiet, low-density residential area.

Why This Is a Major Shift

Historically, this land has only supported small-scale agricultural use. Previous owners boarded a handful of horses or gave riding lessons, always on a limited scale and with minimal disruption. This new proposal represents a shift toward intensive institutional use of the property—effectively introducing a college campus and commercial livestock operation into a rural residential neighborhood.

In scale, density, and purpose, this development is entirely out of character with the surrounding Blue Creek Valley and broader Evergreen/Conifer region.

Timeline & Where Things Stand

  • Greenville has submitted their application to Jefferson County.

  • The county will post yellow notification signs on the property for a brief 28-day public comment period.

  • After this, the application will go to the Jefferson County Planning Commission for review and a public hearing.

  • If approved, it would then go to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

This is our opportunity to speak out. If the community does not show organized, well-reasoned opposition, the rezoning may be quietly approved—with long-term consequences.

Where to Learn More

You can view the official documents through the Jeffco Planning website:
➡️ Jeffco Citizen Portal
Use the Address Search and enter: 7551 Blue Creek Rd

We will also continue posting updates and materials on this site as the process unfolds.

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