City council on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a change in land development code that gives council the final say in approving major developments near parks, greenways or open space.
Longmont’s Planning Commission currently is the decision-maker for most building projects adjacent to greenways, parks or open space. Those proposals will now need approval from city council, along with a public hearing, if the new ordinance is approved March 30, according to a city staff report.
The change would not impact development applications such as site plans and final plats.
Council in July 2018 gave the go-ahead for the change in the land development code and in October told city staff members to make the revision and have it reviewed by legal counsel, the staff report states.
Councilmember Aren Rodriguez in October said the change would add transparency to decisions that involved large building projects near natural areas.
“I do not want to add further restrictions,” Rodriguez said at the time. “I just wanted to add a layer of accountability for the voters.”
Council members Tuesday night offered no comments on the proposal before approving the consent agenda item and scheduling it for the March 30 vote.
Resident Shari Malloy told council she favors the proposal because it would add another layer of protection over the city’s natural areas. Having both the Planning Commission and city council review the projects “will result in better outcomes for Longmont,” Malloy, of Stand With Our St. Vrain Creek, said Tuesday during the virtual public invited to be heard portion of the council meeting.
