Council Approves Multi-Family Housing Changes & Looks at Others

Fort Collins City Council on Tuesday, September 18th passed changes to the land use requirements that govern multi-family developments within Fort Collins. FCBR representatives were on hand to express their support for the proposed changes while reminding Council that the changes should not be seen as insignificant given impacts to housing affordability even though from a procedural standpoint the changes were easily implementable.

The changes adopted by Council will require more stringent development review standards of medium density mixed-use neighborhoods to all multi-family development proposals. The changes are intended to foster structure designs, open-space minimums, access to parks and other stricter standards. It also would reduce from 10 acres to five acres the allowance for residential development within Neighborhood Commercial Zones, which encourage business development.

The issue of whether to require developers during the city planning process to submit a safety plan for coping with nuisances that their tenants might cause, was dropped from consideration. Instead, council will review it as a consideration in the student housing plan in the process of being crafted. FCBR had asked Council to consider alterations to this so we were happy to see this item moved.

These changes are the first of three phases that are planned to be looked at with regard to multi-family housing and student housing.

The second phase is already taking shape and was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Board on Thursday, September 20^th. FCBR has not established positions on the items coming out of phase two but do have some concerns and questions that were expressed at the meeting. Here is a synopsis of the phase two proposed changes:

 PHASE II LUC CHANGES

The principal purpose for phase II is to address intensity concerns as voiced by concerned citizens and recommended in the West Central Neighborhoods Plan. The following recommendations are a result of follow-up discussions with the City’s Land Use Code Team based on the phase II proposals presented to City Council.

1. Language from City Council Work Session AIS:

Propose a maximum number of units within a development that can be heard in a Type 1 Hearing. For example, any multi-family project greater than 100 units must have a Type 2 Hearing.

1. Language from City Council Work Session AIS:

Propose additional requirements for projects that have a certain percentage of units that are 4+ bedrooms.  For example, projects that exceed 100 units and have 25% of units with 4+ bedrooms must comply with added mitigation measures.

1. Language from City Council Work Session AIS:

Consider whether defining student housing by some method is needed.  For example, should a student dwelling unit be defined, an overlay district formed or a University District established.

1. Language from City Council Work Session AIS:

Consider whether any adjustments to the TOD boundary or requirements should be made.