HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/4/2023 - Memorandum From Meaghan Overton And Noah Beals Re: Land Use Code Engagement Update
Planning, Development & Transportation
281 N. College Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
www.fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 30, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
THRU: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director, Planning, Development & Transportation
Paul Sizemore, Director, Community Development & Neighborhood Services
FROM: Meaghan Overton, Housing Manager
Noah Beals, Development Review Manager
RE: Land Use Code Engagement Update
Bottom Line: In preparation for Council’s April 11 work session, staff has compiled and
summarized hundreds of public comments received from November 2022 through February
2023 to identify key themes for additional community dialogue. During the month of March, staff
has also held 8 one-on-one or small group meetings to review planned engagement activities
and begin in-depth dialogue with community groups. Following a citywide postcard mailing in
early April, staff will be hosting a wide range of community engagement events in April and May.
Background
At a work session on February 14, staff shared a proposed approach for additional engagement
on housing-related Land Use Code (LUC) updates and code reorganization. Most
Councilmembers supported the proposed approach, with stages and approximate timelines as
presented below:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7E0EB00F-7EB3-49FB-8784-B3C3849979A5
Planned Engagement Strategy
City staff has begun to re-engage community members to gather feedback on housing-related
LUC changes. The target audience is citywide, with some engagement methods tailored to
specific audiences.
Initial engagement activities have centered around sharing information about the Guiding
Principles of the LUC update work, reviewing the history of the effort through adopted plans,
and consulting community members about specific potential revisions. A synthesis of over 350
public comments received between November 2022 and February 2023 has resulted in
identification of specific topics that have received the most questions and input from community
members in the period between adoption of the Land Development Code and the February
Council Work Session after the repeal of the LDC. Staff will review these topics at the April 11
work session and will seek additional direction from Council about other topics that should be
addressed in engagement activities.
Specific topics for additional engagement identified to date:
1. Where to permit housing choices and associated regulations (e.g. Accessory Dwelling
Units, duplexes, triplexes)
2. Affordable housing definitions, incentives, and requirements
3. Size, height, form, and allowed density of specific housing types
4. Notification, community input, and review procedures for residential development
5. Interaction between the code and private covenants (HOAs)
6. Infrastructure and utilities (including parking)
7. Additional topics as directed by Council
Updates and Planned Events: Over the last month, the staff team has prepared a
comprehensive engagement and communications plan and has scheduled a wide range of
engagement events in April and May. Staff have also met with several community groups so far
Stage 1
(Mar-
Apr)
•Begin outreach and engagement efforts
•Identify focus areas for potential adjustments
Stage 2
(Apr-Jun)
•Gather input
•Community engagement events, consultation, and dialogue
Stage 3
(Jun-Jul)
•Formulate and analyze code revision options/alternatives
•Testing & legal review
•Public draft
Stage 4
(Aug-Sep)
•Recommendations & Adoption
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7E0EB00F-7EB3-49FB-8784-B3C3849979A5
and will continue to engage with HOAs, community groups/organizations, and other specific
audiences throughout the LUC update process.
Tasks completed include:
• Meetings with community groups (8 completed, 2 scheduled in early April)
• Updated project web pages, which will remain the base for project information moving
forward: https://www.fcgov.com/lucupdates
• Planned communications campaign to correspond with citywide postcard mailing to
include a press release, social media posts, radio ads and email newsletter updates
• Updated Online Feedback Form (live now)
• Updates to Boards and Commissions (ongoing)
• Bilingual (Spanish-English) translation services integrated into engagement activities
• Confirmed funding for this phase of work through 2023-2024 Budget Offer 23.8 (Land
Use Code Update Phase 2). Because funding is being re-allocated from Phase 2 to this
effort, staff will request a supplemental appropriation for Phase 2 LUC updates at a later
date.
Upcoming engagement events scheduled to date:
• Early April – Postcards arrive in mailboxes
• April 12th, 6:00-9:00 p.m. – CityWorks 101 presentation on LUC updates
• Earth Day 4/22, Open Streets 6/4, Bike to Work Day 6/28, etc. – Tabling at events
• April 24th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Virtual Information Session
• April 26th, 5:30-8:00 p.m. – Deliberative Forum with Center for Public Deliberation
• Late April – Next Level Neighborhood Walking Tours
• Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in May – Neighborhood Walking Tours
• May 8th, 2:00-7:00 p.m. – In Person Community Open House
• June (dates TBD) – Overflow Neighborhood Walking Tours as needed
Upcoming Council touchpoints:
• April 11th Work Session: Discuss engagement strategy, proposed topics, and potential
framework for code revisions/alternatives
• May 23rd Work Session: Present feedback received so far and explore code
revisions/alternatives
• July 25th Work Session: Present engagement summary, discuss proposed code
revisions and analysis of alternatives
• August 22nd Work Session: Present draft code amendments
Next Steps: At a Work Session on April 11, staff will review the engagement strategy, seek
Council direction about proposed topics for engagement, and share a potential framework for
code revisions and exploration of alternatives.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7E0EB00F-7EB3-49FB-8784-B3C3849979A5