Fort Collins City Council
300 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
To: Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis, and Council Members Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Potyondy and Ohlson
Madam Mayor and members of City Council:
Alongside our many partners speaking with One Voice for Housing, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages your vote in support of Ordinances 055, 056, and 057, 2024, as listed under Item #13 on the April 16 agenda.
Though we believe the foundational document and recommendations presented this evening lack the complete vision necessary to meet the challenges that lie ahead, we recognize the greater benefit of moving our community forward. The code changes you are considering this evening represent significant improvements to a document that is cumbersome, confusing, and fraught with specificity that precludes innovation and creativity.
Fort Collins is no longer a suburban college town with abundant greenfield development opportunities. As such, our most significant planning document must reflect both the challenges and rewards of an urban environment capable of supporting current and future residents.
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is a proud advocate for our workforce, their families, and our collective wellbeing. Housing affordability and the right to live, work and recreate within the community we call home is a fundamental precept of a healthy, vigorous economy. These foundational updates to our land use code represent a small step towards a more inclusive, equitable environment.
We look forward to continued engagement on Phase II of the land use code update and further refinement of the document as the recognition and acceptance of more diverse housing options evolve within the community.
Thank you for the dedication you have invested in this process and the personal sacrifices you have endured to reach this moment. We appreciate your service to our community.
Respectfully,
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Ann R. Hutchison. CAE
President & CEO