Agenda Date: 05/05/2020
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 19-2020: An ordinance on second reading extending the temporary moratorium on any new development containing more than one residential unit within the downtown area as set forth in the Downtown Littleton Design Standards, and upon the submission, acceptance, processing, or approval of any site development plans, demolition permit, applications or plan approvals, or other types of approval by the City of Littleton related to such activities
Body
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Prepared by: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
PURPOSE:
To approve an ordinance extending the temporary moratorium by an additional 150 days on new development containing more than one residential unit within the downtown area as set forth in the Downtown Littleton Design Standards.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Reid Betzing, City Attorney and Jennifer Henninger, Community Development Director
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
Since the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan in October of 2019, staff has identified the policies and goals that specifically apply to downtown development. Currently, there are inconsistencies between the Comprehensive Plan and the city’s code which will lead to conflicts and interpretation challenges when it comes to downtown development.
The city is addressing some of the conflicts with modifications to public engagement requirements, inconsistent allowed uses, lot-development regulations, height and parking regulations. These conflicts should be addressed as an initial approach (Phase 1) this year, prior to the formal adoption of a new Unified Land Use Code (ULUC), which is not anticipated to occur until late-2021.
Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC) has been retained by the city to draft the ULUC. In addition, the City has shifted KKC scope of work to have them address the Downtown area first and apply those changes to our existing Code so those changes can be implemented as soon as possible. However, formal adoption is not anticipated until October of 2020.
As a result, it is necessary to extend the temporary moratorium by an additional 150 days to ensure these changes can be implemented and to protect the health, safety, welfare, and overall character of the Downtown Littleton area.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
Ordinance 05-2020 was passed on second reading on February 4, 2020, which imposed a temporary moratorium on any development containing more than one residential unit within the area of the Downtown Littleton Design Standards.
Ordinance 19-2020 was passed on first reading on April 21, 2020, which extends the temporary moratorium for an additional 150 days.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
One of council’s 2019 goals was to update the code extending into 2020 and align the code with the Comprehensive Plan.
Fiscal Impacts
None.
Alternatives
1) Do not extend the temporary moratorium
• Risk: Potential downtown development applications being submitted between now and the expected October 2020 adoption date may be inconsistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on new development containing more than one residential unit within the downtown area as set forth in the Downtown Littleton Design Standards.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the ordinance on second reading extending the temporary moratorium on any new development containing more than one residential unit within the downtown area as set forth in the Downtown Littleton Design Standards.