Agenda Date: 4/15/2024
Subject:
Title
Littleton Boulevard Subarea Plan Scope Discussion
Body
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Prepared By: |
Jerad Chipman, Acting Planning Manager |
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Presentations: |
Jerad Chipman, Acting Planning Manager |
PURPOSE:
Staff is seeking input and feedback from the Planning Commission on the scope of a proposed Request for Proposal (RFP) regarding economic and housing development, historic preservation and multimodal transportation along the Littleton Boulevard Corridor.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
Robust and Resilient Economy
Safe Community
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide an overview of the draft scope of the Littleton Boulevard Subarea Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On March 5, 2024, the City Council adopted the attached Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy following nearly a year long process that began in April 2023.
The process identified Littleton as a community of character, one with rich history, amenity rich, and with proximity to a thriving metropolis. The study generated a series of recommendations across six pillars - 1) Business Vitality and Adaptability; 2) Workforce and Talent Attraction; 3) Fostering a Livable Economy; 4) Enhancing Historic Character and Cultural Fabric; 5) Supporting Industry and Investment in City Infrastructure; and 6) Regional Economy Positioning. The strategy is built around a community-driven, future framework of “A Creative, Cutting-Edge Small Town”. A key theme is the focus on enhancing and maintaining community character. While there were several recommendations emerging from the study, City Council at their 2024 retreat directed staff to prioritize exploration of a Littleton Boulevard overlay district or subarea plan.
Littleton Boulevard nicknamed the “Mid-Mod Mile,” for the unique mid-century modern architecture that can be found in both commercial and residential buildings along the corridor, has long been a priority for the City of Littleton. This corridor, once the main economic corridor of the city, is home to a large concentration of mid-century modern architecture, both commercial and residential.
In 2002, city council voted to ratify a corridor study of Littleton Boulevard, which would have created design guidelines to enhance future development and preserve the unique character throughout the corridor. Though adopted, the plan was never implemented. Since then, two other studies commissioned by the city, as well as one Capstone project from a student at the University of Colorado-Denver’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning, have been conducted and provided further insight and recommendations.
As the region and Littleton continue to grow and develop there is increasing pressure on the historic attributes of the city that require careful consideration for preservation. Littleton Boulevard provides a unique opportunity to preserve and showcase the mid-century commercial and residential architectural styles. This corridor has also been identified as a priority for economic development opportunities, increased housing density and enhanced multimodal, transit, and pedestrian amenities. As a key gateway to the city, this sub-area plan has been identified as a key strategy to investigate these opportunities and to establish a character area along the corridor.
The plan area of study will be primarily focused on the north and south side along Littleton Boulevard, from Crocker Street to the eastern city limits. Staff also sees opportunity to expand the study area to streets immediately adjacent to Littleton Boulevard, where housing density, economic opportunities and multimodal connectivity have an integral relationship with the Boulevard.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• 2002 City Council direction to investigate the potential for an overlay on Littleton Boulevard
• 2018 State Historical Fund grant to develop a historic context and complete reconnaissance and intensive survey forms related to the development of commercial modern architecture in the city’s Littleton Boulevard corridor.
• 2021 ULUC drafts contemplated a Mid-Modern Design Overlay for this area. It was determined in discussion with City Council and Planning Commission that additional work and research beyond the scope and timeframe of those updates were needed. As a result, the ULUC reflects a Mid-Modern Design Overlay that is reserved as a special corridor planning area.
• A capstone report produced by a UC Denver student, provided recommendations for preservation and enhancement of the Boulevard.
• 2024 City Council retreat identified the Littleton Boulevard study as a 2-3 year initiative with plan completion set for the second quarter of 2025.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Funds to be appropriated at time of contract award.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
No staff recommendation has been developed for this discussion.
ALTERNATIVES:
No alternatives have been developed for this discussion.