The Longmont City Council, Tuesday night, approved starting the annexation process for two areas of land in unincorporated Boulder County with parcels zoned for agriculture and one locked in a conservation easement.
The council’s approval of both proposals allows the property owners to begin a formal application process that requires a neighborhood meeting, Development Review Committee review, a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and a final decision by the city council. Public hearings would also be required by the planning and zoning commission and the city council, according to a city staff report.
The council unanimously gave the go-ahead for an annexation application for the 60-acre CDF Property, at 10161 Ute Highway, north of Colo. 66 and west of Life Bridge Christian Church, located in the Terry Lake area. The property is currently located in unincorporated Boulder County and is zoned for agriculture, according to a city staff report.
Applicant Maple Leaf Investors wants to develop a mix of housing, office, retail and entertainment venues. At least 20 acres of the property is designated for a water detention area.
“Significant drainage issues have been identified in the Terry Lake neighborhood,” the city staff report states.
Bestall Collaborative Limited’s application proposal was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Polly Christensen casting the dissenting vote. Christensen told the council that one of the three lots in the proposed 40.5 acre annexation is covered by a conservation easement, which protects the land from most developments.
“I’m tired of seeing us annex good agricultural land,” Christensen said.
Councilmember Tim Waters said the Bestall plan includes a child care center and other amenities that will benefit Longmont.
Bestall wants to develop Somerset Village, located north of Colo. 119 and east of Airport Road. The three properties are in unincorporated Boulder County and zoned agricultural, according to the staff report.
There are currently two residences on the properties while Boulder County Open Space holds conservation easement on one of the lots, according to the staff report.
Bestall’s concept plan calls for several residential neighborhoods, with a variety of housing types, community and support space, as well as child development center and open space, the staff report states. The property is bordered to the west by Airport Road, which is designated a principal arterial.
The concept plan also includes open space and buffers between the development and existing developments in the city, the staff report said.
If the property goes through the annexation process, the developer would need to work with Boulder County to release the conservation easement on the property, the staff report states.
