The commercial and industrial development of Monument’s Interstate 25 corridor will continue this year with the approval of a 10.3-acre business park between the interstate and Old Denver Road.

The plan continues a town trend to minimize the visual profile of industrial buildings along the west side of the interstate, where commercial development is backdropped by mountain views.

The project, lot 2 of the 62-acre Terrazzo-Baja Commercial Development, promises a mix of industrial, commercial and retail uses among six buildings. The total square footage of the project is 125,500.

The town of Monument has been negotiating with the developer on the project’s look, postponing a December decision to allow time for changes.

“We tried to listen to concerns and make some improvements,” said Jason Alwine of N.E.S Inc., who represented the park’s developers, Proterra Properties, LLC.

Among the changes were the adoption of a more muted exterior style that will use stone veneer and metal siding patterned to look like wood grain.

“It is certainly a massive improvement from how it will be perceived driving by,” said Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind.

The developer also adjusted the number of loading doors on buildings and fencing around outdoor storage.

The changes did not entirely mollify the Monument town council. Councilman Steve King said he felt the designation of the business park as “mixed use” obscured the “primary and dominant” use of the space for industrial use, skirting some industrial code restrictions.

Councilwoman Sana Abbott said she was “struggling” with the project’s plan for trash storage.

In a heated moment, LaKind addressed NES directly as “not a good business partner” for Monument.

“Why does everyone come to this town and screw with our code,” LaKind said.

Alwine countered by saying the project was exceeding code requirements for landscaping and is surrounded by commercial projects, including a large warehouse.

“To say we’re trying to skirt the rules, I don’t agree with that,” he said.

The project passed unanimously, with stipulations about trash, outside storage and the buildings’ stone veneer.

Proterra Properties CEO Andrew Briggs told the council that he planned to build out the business park on spec, constructing at least one building as a “showcase.”

The development company is based in Monument and has contributed to residential and commercial projects in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Commerce City and Colorado Springs, according to its website.