A 10-acre parcel of largely undeveloped land surrounded by some of Longmont’s most notable natural areas may soon be home to low-key manufacturing and offices if development plans are approved by city officials.
The move by members of the Boettcher family to have the land annexed into the city of Longmont for mixed-use development, took a key first step Wednesday after a unanimous vote by the Longmont Planning and Zoning Commission.
The planning board recommended the annexation after city planners and a representative of the Boettchers said the property at 201-203 Hover Road fits in well with Longmont’s future plans for the area. The annexation is not official until a vote by city council.
“It’s a great location for mixed-use development,” said Barbara Brunk, landscape architect with Resource Conservation Partners, who spoke for the project on behalf of the Boettchers. “It’s close to parks and a greenway and entertainment. The developers will need to be creative but I think there is an opportunity here to make a really cool project.”
The land is currently zoned for agriculture use in unincorporated Boulder County. Mixed-use zoning — if approved by the city council — would allow small-scale manufacturing, storage, office, flex space and commercial services.
The parcel, which includes a scaled-back agricultural operation with one existing residence, is bordered on one side by Rogers Grove Natural Area and is close to Golden Ponds Nature Area.
Brunk said the annexation will bring more of the St. Vrain Creek corridor under the jurisdiction of the city and allow the landowners to plan for future development within the city.
Mixed-use development is consistent with Longmont’s Comprehensive Plan, said Ava Pecherzewski, principal planner for the city.
The property, however, rests entirely in the city’s 100-year floodplain and any development would have to consider a 150-foot building setback from St. Vrain Creek, Pecherzewski said.
The owners say they will do mitigation work to remove the property from the flood plain, Brunk said, and will consider environmental constraints on the parcel.
“The owners are not in a big hurry to develop this property,” Brunk said. “It’s most likely they will leave it to their children to develop.”
The planning commission also tabled discussion of a proposal by Left Hand Brewing Co. to expand an outdoor beer garden and event venue. The delay came at the request of Left Hand to consider new data on the expansion’s noise impacts.
The Left Hand plan will be considered at the commission’s July meeting.
