Agenda Date: 04/07/2026
Subject:
Title
Charter Sec. 65.5, Regarding Comprehensive Rezoning in Residential Districts, Implementation Update
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
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 impac...
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