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Development Code Update
Overview of the Development Code Update
Fort Lupton has a long-range vision for the future, developed through our recent Comprehensive Plan (Adopted May 2018), Picture Fort Lupton. This plan anticipates change through growth and continued investment in the community, and coordinates those changes through the vision, goals and objectives that promote what people value most in Fort Lupton. A key recommendation of the plan was to update the zoning and subdivision regulations to reflect better the places, patterns and principles in the plan. Development regulations are one aspect of how a key aspect of how communities implement plans, as they react to proposals for development and investment. Coordinating public and private investment, as well as how the City invests its own capital budgets are also key (but proactive) ways to implement the Picture Fort Lupton.
What is the Project About?
This project considers changes and updates to the zoning and subdivision regulations (Chapters 16 and 17 of the municipal code respectively), as well as a review of Chapter 9 - Oil and Gas Exploration and Development. Potential changes will be considered based on the policy direction already adopted in the Comprehensive Plan. In general, changes adopted in this process will typically only apply proactively – as new investments and applications are initiated after adoption of any changes.
What is the Process?
The scope of this project progresses through three key steps:
Initiation and Analysis begins with a review of the existing code structure, identifying the existing elements that align with Picture Fort Lupton.
Discussion and Initial Draft gives us the opportunity to look at different regulatory options that could help streamline the process while building a community that achieves the vision of Picture Fort Lupton.
Final Draft and Adoption ensures that the final product is ready for use, including careful review and testing of regulatory components.
What is the Timeline?
The process kicked off in January of 2020. Guided by a steering committee and community workshops to be scheduled during the process, we anticipate the code changes will be considered for adoption in 2021. A detailed public engagement strategy outlining the schedule and scope of these meetings will be prepared as part of the Initiation phase of the project.
Why Now?
The original code is outdated and predates the City’s current plans and policies. It has been amended many times over the last few decades to address issues of the day. As a result and over time the code has become cumbersome and difficult to use, is not closely aligned with current plans and polices, and has not kept up with many planning and urban design “best practices” that can help Fort Lupton achieve its long-range vision. This project will create one coordinated code, wrapping in updates that have occurred over time, as well as addressing any concerns with the current regulations – essentially preserving what works, improving what is relevant but confusing, and fixing or adding things that are needed. The final product will be a clear, functional document that is easier to implement and interpret while providing more clarity and guidance for the public, developers, city staff and elected officials.
Latest News
April 20, 2022. The City Council approved the Development Code Update at a public hearing on April 19, 2022. The newly adopted code will become effective in July 2022.
March 30, 2022. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Development Code Update at a public hearing on March 24, 2022.
The City Council public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 6PM. The hearing will be held at Fort Lupton City Hall - 130 S. McKinley Ave., Fort Lupton, CO 80621.
March 11, 2022. The final draft articles to the Development Code Update have been added to the website. Please select the tab titled 'Draft Articles' on this webpage (https://bit.ly/flcodeupdate) to view them.
The public hearings will be on March 24, 2022 at 6PM before Planning Commission and on April 19, 2022 at 6PM before City Council. Both hearings will be held at City Hall - 130 S. McKinley Ave., Fort Lupton, CO 80621.
If you have comments to these articles, please submit them to planningdept@fortluptonco.gov or call the Planning Department at 303-857-6694.
March 7, 2022. The public hearings for the Development Code Update have been scheduled! Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on March 24, 2022 at 6PM, and City Council will hold a public hearing on April 19, 2022 at 6PM. Both hearings will be held at City Hall - 130 S. McKinley Ave., Fort Lupton, CO 80621.
December 1, 2021. Updated draft Articles have been added for review. Please select the tab titled 'Draft Articles' on this webpage to view them. The City has rescheduled the planned adoption for the Development Code Update and now anticipates adoption in early 2022. Please check back here or contact the Planning Department at 303.857.6694 for more information on the Development Code Update.
October 13, 2021. We are pleased to announce that the draft Articles for the Development Code Update are now available for review. Please select the tab titled 'Draft Articles' on this webpage to view them. The tab 'Section Summaries' details how the current versus proposed code differ.
The City anticipates adopting the Development Code Update by the end of 2021.
For more information, please contact the Planning Department at planningdept@fortluptonco.gov or call 303-857-6694.
October 5, 2021. The City of Fort Lupton is updating its Development Code, including the zoning regulations of the City. As part of this update, the City is creating a new zone district known as the DT Downtown Zone District. The draft DT Downtown Zone District is an implementation step consistent with the Downtown Sub-area Plan of the Adopted Comprehensive Plan.
Please join us for an informational meeting on the proposed new DT Downtown Zone District on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 6 PM. You may join us in person at Fort Lupton City Hall – Council Chambers (130 S. McKinley Ave.) or join us virtually by following the below login instructions:
Virtual (Optional) Login Instructions
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/174843653
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (786) 535-3119
Access Code: 174-843-653
The proposed DT Downtown Zone District is delineated in the red dashed outline below:
August 6, 2021. Articles 1 - 3 of the Development Code Update were presented to the Steering Committee and City Council at separate meetings in July 2021. Articles 4, 5, 7, and 8 were also presented in July to the Steering Committee and August to City Council. The chart below details the status of the project as it moves closer to adoption.
Draft Articles
The draft articles for the Development Code Update are now available for review! Please contact the Planning Department with any questions.
Article 1 Draft - General Provisions
Article 3 Draft - Subdivision Standards
Article 4 Draft - Zoning Districts & Uses
Updated Zoning Map for Adoption
Article 5 Draft - Residential Development Standards
Article 6 Draft - Non-Residential Development Standards
Article 7 Draft - Access & Parking
Article 8 Draft - Landscape & Site Design
Article 10 Draft - Supplemental Standards
Section Summaries
Section Summaries describe how the new Development Code differs from the existing Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. These can be viewed as the "redlines" of the draft Development Code Update.
Article 1 Summary - General Provisions
Article 2 Summary - Procedures
Article 3 Summary - Subdivision Standards
Article 4 Summary - Zoning Districts & Uses
Article 5 Summary - Residential Development Standards
Article 6 Summary - Non-Residential Development Standards
Article 7 Summary - Access & Parking
Presentations
Kick-Off Meeting Presentation - Introductory presentation
Diagnosis Meeting Presentation - Approach to plan implementation
Presentation of Articles 1-3 of the Development Code Update - General Provisions, Procedures, and Subdivision Standards
Presentation of Articles 4-5 & 7-8 of the Development Code Update - Zoning Districts, Residential Development Standards, Access & Parking and Landscape & Site Design
Downtown Zone District Presentation
Commercial Development Standards Presentation
Residential Development Standards Presentation
Proposed Zoning Map
For more information on the proposed changes to the zoning map please see Draft Article 4 - Zoning Districts & Uses and the Downtown Zone District Presentation.
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Todd Hodges
Planning Director
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Maria Lancto
Planner I