Agenda Date: 04/07/2026
Subject:
Title
Charter Sec. 65.5, Regarding Comprehensive Rezoning in Residential Districts, Implementation Update
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
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Presentations: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
PURPOSE:
Staff will provide an update about the implementation status of Charter Section 65.5, which was approved by voters in November 2025.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
Littleton voters approved Ballot Question #3A on the November 4, 2025 election ballot, which amended the City Charter to add Section 65.5. Since voter approval, City staff have been working to refine the implementation process of this amendment. This refinement effort stems from certain nuances within the text that require additional interpretation, specifically, the relationship between the limitation on residential land uses and the prescribed procedure for comprehensive rezoning.
Despite the complexities, the City strives to honor the will of the voters, approximately 54% of whom voted to approve the charter amendment. Currently, the primary impact of Section 65.5 involves permit applications for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Operationally, staff will continue to deny permit applications for ADUs in the zoning districts specified in Section 65.5 unless they meet the criteria in the Uniform Land Use Code for ADUs prior to January 1, 2025.
To further ensure administrative consistency, staff seeks Council direction to develop an ordinance to amend the public noticing requirements adopted by ordinance in 2025 to align with the requirements of Section 65.5. The change would specify that notice will be made by first-class U.S. mail, as opposed to other less expensive mail options. Staff estimates that the change would cost approximately $22,000 more than the requirements of the existing ordinance.
Another potential operational impact resulting from the passage of Section 65.5 is that Littleton may not be as competitive as other cities for state grants, given state regulations in recent years requiring compliance with state housing mandates for full qualification for state grants. This conflict would affect our ability to advance certain capital and affordable housing projects.
Finally, Section 65.5 may make it more challenging to address future state and federal mandates.
BACKGROUND:
In June of 2025, the City adopted Ordinance 09-2025 in compliance with state law (HB24-1152), which required cities to allow homeowners the ability to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties.
Littleton voters subsequently approved Ballot Question #3A at the November 4, 2025 election, which amended the City Charter to add Section 65.5. The text of the ballot question follows:
Shall Section 65.5. Preservation of Neighborhood Land Use Restrictions, be added to clarify the intent of the citizens to preserve single-family residential land use and ensure that current and future owners of property in certain residential zoning districts may rely on restrictions on land uses that protect their properties.
Accordingly, land uses of properties presently permitted under the Littleton Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) within zoning districts Small Lot Residential (SLR), Medium Lot Residential (MLR), Large Lot Residential (LLR), and Acreage Residential (ACR) are limited to uses specified therein as of January 1, 2025.
Furthermore, any action by Council to initiate any comprehensive rezoning and official zoning map amendments, including text changes, shall first require notification to all affected property owners by First Class mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
Nothing herein shall prohibit or prevent a property owner from seeking rezoning of the owner's property.
Prior Actions or Discussions
N/A
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The operational cost impacts are negligible. The value of forgone state grants is undetermined and will be difficult to measure. Based on state housing and transportation grants received in recent years, the value could exceed $1,000,000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to develop an ordinance to amend the public noticing requirements for comprehensive rezonings adopted by ordinance in 2025 to align with the requirements of Section 65.5.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A