Longmont

Printable Version

Longmont

COUNCIL FINALIZES ‘07 AGENDA THAT INCLUDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING

At the City Council’s January retreat, a 2007 work plan has been created which emphasizes economic development; in particular urban renewal, Midtown revitalization, the redevelopment of the flour mill and a downtown parking structure are listed as key projects. In the second quarter the council intends to look at the city’s affordable housing program and consider revisions to make it more flexible and adaptive in changing economic and market conditions as well as a strategy to address substandard housing. An implementation strategy for the substandard housing program will be sketched out in the second half of the year.

REVISIONS TO METROPOLITAN DISTRICT POLICY POSSIBLE

The City Council has decided to reconsider its metropolitan/special district (MSD) ordinance after receiving requests from the Puma and Lifebridge Church developers to use this infrastructure financing tool for their mixed-use projects. Currently Longmont only allows MSDs for commercial projects. In addition, the Council will consider some other significant changes to the ordinance. The council is apparently open to the idea of “Gallagherizing” the MSD tax structure so commercial property owners would pay a larger share of the additional MSD property tax, which of course would be in addition to the higher tax rate commercial properties already pay. Community Development Director Phil DelVecchio said that much of the discussion revolved around MSDs related to the issue of what happens when the debt for the district is retired. Apparently the council liked the idea of enabling legislation that would allow the district to continue operating (after a vote of the property owners) as a “quasi HOA.” The council liked this idea because it would provide property owners with an additional tax deduction. In addition, MSDs are managed by a board of directors which, according to state statutes, is more closely regulated than an HOA. The council is scheduled to hold first reading on the MSD revisions on March 27.

78 ACRE ANNEXATION GAINS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL

The Longmont City Council gave initial approval to a plan to annex a 78-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Vermillion Road and 95th Street. The council voted 5-1 to refer the Pasqual property though the city’s annexation review process. It is extremely unlikely, based on history, that the council will reject the annexation application when it is ready for formal review. Councilwoman Karen Benker was the sole vote against the proposal, arguing that more planning is necessary for the area and that existing homes aren’t selling.