Fort Collins Land Development Code

by | Dec 13, 2022 | From the CEO

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Ann Hutchison

PRESIDENT & CEO

For questions and comments on this blog, please email Ann at [email protected]

Fort Collins Land Development Code

by | Dec 13, 2022 | From the CEO

Please help us share the word: DO NOT SIGN THE PETITIONS TO REPEAL ORDINANCE #114 AND #115.

Your Chamber has teamed up with an impressive array of businesses, leaders in the non-profit sector, and housing advocates to help share insight into the new code and to amplify the need for a more diverse, affordable housing supply in Fort Collins.  At FoCoForward.org, you’ll find a wealth of resources to help understand what the new code does and does not do.  As well, you’ll find responses to the growing list of false representations put forward by the leaders of the repeal campaign and those collecting signatures on their behalf.

Of greatest concern is the assertion by some that those involved in the process of redrafting the code were guided by self-interest and monetary gain and that City staff is doing the bidding of deep-pocketed out-of-state developers.  While such false narratives can be effective in collecting signatures, it is simply not true.  The Chamber did participate in the two-year process to update the code, as did many other community members, because we know that lack of housing diversity is one of the largest and most difficult barriers facing citizens in Fort Collins.  This effort to erode the trust in our elected leaders, distrust of professional City staff, and suspicion of each other is a battle in which we all lose something very dear – a sense of community and desire for shared prosperity.

As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to contact us directly with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this issue.  We are happy to have a transparent, authentic conversation about our role in the code development, the opportunities that we think will come from the changes and how you can get involved in this important conversation moving forward.

And please, take time to learn the facts, consider the outcome and DO NOT SIGN THE PETITION!

Some Basic Information

Following a two-year public process, City Council adopted a new Land Development Code that replaces the 1997 Land Use Code on November 1, 2022. The new code will go into effect January 1, 2023.

As part of the revision process, the Land Use Code was renamed the Land Development Code to better reflect the intent of the document. It does not mean that the code is intended to encourage or facilitate development activity; it simply contains the requirements and processes that apply to development projects.

The stated objectives for the revised code include:

  • Increase overall housing capacity (market rate and affordable) and calibrate market-feasible incentives for affordable housing
  • Enable more affordability, especially near high-frequency transit and amenities
  • Allow for more diverse housing choices that fit in with the existing neighborhood context
  • Make the code easier to use and understand
  • Improve predictability of the development review process, especially for housing

Notable provisions:

  • Accessory dwelling units are now allowed in all residential and mixed-use zone districts.
  • Residential development proposals that conform to all zone district requirements outlined within the code will be subject to the Basic Development Review process.
  • Incentives for housing development that targets households at or below 60% of area median income have been formalized.
  • Neighborhood notification, historic preservation and short-term rental polices remain in place.

City Fact Sheet here:  https://www.fcgov.com/housing/files/ldc-fact-sheet-nov-2022.pdf?1669064656

Summary of code changes here:  https://www.fcgov.com/housing/files/ldc-residential-table-nov-2022.pdf?1669222473

FOCO Forward here: https://www.focoforward.org/

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