In Arapahoe County, Colorado, the I-2 Zone District exists to provide a suitable location for heavy industrial projects. This zoning complements the county's' Comprehensive and SubArea plans for land use, in that it stresses coexistence with other land use designations and seeks to minimize environmental impact. For example, all I-2 Zones must be located at a sufficient distance from residential zones and must have roadways sturdy and large enough for trucking. Developments in these areas must contain noise, fumes, and smoke within property lines and must include high visual interest architecture to enhance the community.
Arapahoe County examines current and future development in light of these regulations. In 2005, for example, the Four Square Mile Sub-Area Planning Commission and Committee addressed the needs of a suburban area that has the Cities of Denver and Aurora as its perimeter. The area includes industrial zoning for more than 2.3 million square feet of building space and 39.9 acres for outdoor storage. The committee examined the roadways and potential industrial needs of the area and set up a strategy for future review, which would ensure that all developments attended to the requirements of I-2 zoning.