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Loveland Withdraws Their Petition to Rezone on the West End

Memo Sent Less Than Five Hours Before the Meeting


By Jessica Schneider

Editor

The Loveland Voice

July 18, 2023


In a second surprise move in 24 hours, Loveland’s Development Department withdrew its petition to rezone about an acre of land in Loveland’s West End. The area in question has been a point of contention for residents and building owners since October 2022.


The first surprise was a memo at 4:59 p.m. yesterday (July 17th) stating that the Department was “pressing pause,” until June 1, 2024 on the continuation of agenda item from June 2023 that would either approve or deny the City’s own proposal to rezone the area to allow for higher density housing.


In response to voiced opposition from residents in the immediate area, the City’s proposal has shrunk from more than seven acres to 1.6, and includes a vacant medical building, two buildings owned by Courtyard Assisted Living, and a four-plex, according to https://westendies.com, a site run by

those in opposition to the rezone.


The “West Endies” the group in opposition to the proposed rezone says that such a small rezone, “spot rezoning,” is illegal in Colorado. In contrast, Marika Kopp from the City Planning Department, says the proposed area to be rezoned was minimized in an effort to be responsive to the neighborhoods stated wishes to not include single family homes in the rezone effort.


Marika also said that Barry Floyd, who owns the vacant medical building, was the last of several others to request a rezone.


“That area has been on the radar for some time. HillCrest and Courtyard had also approached the City, maybe five years ago?,” said Kopp. “When Barry approached the City it became clear that there wasn’t a lot of overlap on use... Therefore it’s on the City to seek corrective action.”


Multiple Memos within 24 Hours

The July 17th memo (Memo # 1), signed by Brett Limbaugh, Director of Development for the City, states, “Following the June 20, 2023, City Council meeting, we confirmed that we need to pause the rezoning effort. The Development Services Department is seeking to continue First Reading of the 6th and Douglas Rezoning effort to a time several months from now, ideally June 1, 2024, instead of the July 17, 2023, meeting.” (Note that the meeting was slated for July 18th, not 17th).


While the memo is worded in a way that suggests the removal from tonight’s agenda was fixed, according to the Loveland City Charter, Council requires a two-thirds vote of Council members to make such a last minute agenda change.


We asked two City Council members who represent the neighborhood in Ward II if they planned to recuse themselves from the vote, whether it is tonight or in June 2024.


Councilor Andrea Samson, Ward 2, replied, “no comment.” Councilor Dana Foley, Ward 2 said, “No, I will not recuse myself. No reason, and I have consulted legal on this as well.”


The “West Endies” are a powerful group of voters who have invested nine months of time and energy vigorously opposing the Rezone effort. As a bloc, these voters were sure to be watching if the vote had occured this evening. Losing 600 voters could be politically risky for those on Council who decide to run for their own seats, or the Mayor’s office.


Note: The Loveland Voice has been researching and interviewing multiple sources for this article, and the subject, as it changes so quickly, deserves more attention and insight. We will continue to report on this issue. We are publishing this now, as the Council meeting in question begins in one hour.

However, we have further interviews and insight to offer as the story

evolves.


Our biggest question: Why the quick changes at the last minute?
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