Neighbors living near the former Hughes stadium in West Fort Collins won a partial victory Thursday in their fight to redevelop a 165-acre site owned by the University of Colorado. 

But this victory may be short-lived.

The Fort Collins planning

Instead, the Council recommended by a 4-2 vote, a lower density zone-residential foothills, or RF – for the entire site, with cluster homes to keep open space. Council members expressed the hope that they would encourage developers to “negotiate” if they wanted to increase density on some parts of the property.

Chairman Jeff Hansen and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Schneider voted against. 

The city Council is expected to discuss Hughes zoning at its November 5 meeting and may choose to ignore It

Lower density RF zoning ” begins negotiations with the developer on how to cluster (home) and use the site in relation to issues such as … less density closer to the foothills, ” Board member Michael Hobbs said, proposing a zoning plan. 

“It gives (the city) leverage to have a creative conversation” about the development, he said, after listening to nearly a dozen people concerned about the loss of rural character at the site just below Horsetooth reservoir. 

Board member William Wheatley said RF zoning “is the best compromise given the options we have and it addresses the concerns of the public to the best of our ability.”

Hansen and Schneider argued that zoning residential foothills is too restrictive and limits the city’s ability to provide affordable and affordable housing, a key ongoing effort. 

“We hear repeatedly about the need for affordable housing, for those who make between 80% and 100% of the area’s median income … what a typical family of four with one income can afford, ” Hansen said. “The houses we will see in Russia will not be for this demographic.”

Hobbs said in the negotiation process, the city could create a situation that would allow the developer to create multi-family or affordable homes as part of the plan. 

As the Board eventually zones the site can determine whether the project is moving forward at all.

If less than 625 lots are approved, Lennar can reduce the price by $ 16,000 per lot, to $ 400,000, according to the contract.

The city Council in July took responsibility for zoning the site – a move usually left to the developer – directing city employees to come up with a zoning recommendation. On Thursday, staff officially recommended the Western half of the Hughes stadium site be a zoned area, and the Eastern area a low-density mixed-use neighborhood, or LMN.

Kent Pedersen, Vice President of acquisitions for Lennar, spoke briefly to the Board, saying only the company is ” excited to expand our brand. We have spent a lot of time working with CSU “on a plan they hope will lead to more affordable housing in the city. 

He declined to comment to Colorado About the state of the project or if it would go ahead with reduced density. 

A large number of residents commenting on the zoning recommendation Thursday continued to insist on most of the site to remain an open space or natural area. 

Mark Sears, the city’s natural areas Manager, told Council members buying a property for open space is not in the city’s interest as it has an abundance of existing trails and open space in the immediate vicinity.

“We knew it would be expensive to acquire and our funds better spent in other parts of the community,” Sears said. The city has two natural areas, pine ridge and Maxwell and spring Canyon Community Park, right next to the site.

“We didn’t think there was a need (for more open space) in the area, and our funds are better used elsewhere,” Sears said. 

Ted Walkup, part of the planning action to transform Hughes sustainably, or PATHS, the group against Hughes redevelopment, said: “We don’t need another housing development in this space.” Located 3 miles from the city center, “this sprawl and sprawl creates unsuitable, unstable spaces,” Walkup added. “This is a unique space that should be treated as such.”

Other residents have suggested alternative uses, including a development for people experiencing dementia or a gathering place for those who love nature.

“Stuffing 700 homes plus (on the site) is not a good idea,” added Renee Walkup, a member of PATHS. “My main concern is the safety of the people who live here, who work for our city, because access in and out is almost impossible.”

Planner Cameron Gloss told the fire Department believes access is adequate in the event of an emergency such as a fire or flood. 

Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health and growth issues in Northern Colorado.