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Harmony moratorium K'd
p-aa.vy
Projects on hold
for six months
By TONY BALANDRAN
The Coloradoan
In an unprecedented move,
Fort Collins City Council on
Tuesday night gave unani-
mous endorsement to a six-
month moratorium on com-
mercial and retail projects
along Harmony Road.
Council members agreed the
measure allows city planning
officials time to review the
rules and regulations that
guide development along what
Annnnnnne is known as
M•word use the Harmony
rising/CS Corridor, be-
tween College
Avenue and Interstate 25.
Councilman Alan Apt said
the move will give residents,
developers and city staff a
chance "to fine tune" the Har-
mony Corridor Plan "so the
Moratorium
Continued ham Page Al
said, the economy slows.
Apt defended the city's ac-
tion.
"We've been accused of
being a no -growth council," he
said. "What we're trying to do
is manage growth — not stop
it.... If we are going to take
the time (to review regula-
tions), then let's take the time
to do it right."
Supporters of the morato-
rium also backed the council.
Scott Mason, president of
Citizen Planners, a local group
that educates residents about
growth and development is-
sues, said retail projects "are
threatening the intent of the
Harmony Corridor Plan."
Without a moratorium, he
said, citizens will become po-
Growth
community gets what it wants
as a whole."
Such a moratorium — if ap-
proved on second reading July
5 — will delay a controversial
154,000-square-foot neighbor-
hood shopping center planned
north of Harmony Road be-
tween Wheaton Drive and Mc -
Murry Avenue. The ordinance
would be in effect from July
larized on the growth issue.
"This is an opportunity to
sit down and resolve the con-
flicts at one time without the
pressure of any project loom-
ing over our heads," he said.
Five council members were
present at Tuesday night's
meeting. Mayor Ann Azari
and Councilwoman Chris
Kneeland were absent.
Two weeks ago, council
members approved some
changes to the Harmony Cor-
ridor Plan and the Land De-
velopment Guidance System
— the documents of regula-
tions that steer how the city
reviews developments.
The changes — some that
restrict the placement of com-
munity and regional shopping
centers to five main intersec-
15 to Jan. 15, 1995.
The project's developer, who
could not be reached late
Tuesday for comment, has
threatened to sue the city over
his right to development if the
plans are delayed.
Critics of the moratorium
explained to council members
that a temporary ban will
hurt the city economically by
eliminating opportunities of
employment. They also argue
that it would negatively im-
pact landowners who can't sell
tions on Harmony Road —
were given final approval
Tuesday night.
However, some council
members thought the changes
were not enough. Those mem-
bers said they wanted a stron-
ger method of preventing re-
tail and commercial projects
from being built on Harmony
Road, where the city had
planned to accommodate in-
dustrial and large employers.
So a moratorium was sug-
gested.
Councilman Bob McCluskey
said the move is a good idea
"if we use the time ef-
fectively."
"There are a lot of concerns
(about Harmony growth) out
there ... and we need the
time to process that."
their properties to potential
retail and commercial develop-
ers.
"Nobody wants California
coming into Fort Collins, but
nobody wants to be without a
job," Fort Collins r 'nt
Yolanda Nicely said. " b._- dto-
rium is just the beginning of
stagnation. There is plenty of
room to grow in Fort Collins,
and it needs to grow."
With a moratorium, she
See MORATORIUM, Pap A30