Littleton indefinitely postpones measure to extend housing density

A proposal to pave the way in which for denser housing varieties throughout what have lengthy been Littleton’s conventional single-family suburban neighborhoods has hit a troublesome hurdle, with the Metropolis Council voting to postpone consideration of the measure indefinitely.

Tuesday night time’s vote to put aside the proposed modification to the town’s land use ordinance was 6-1, with Mayor Professional Tem Stephen Barr casting the lone no vote.

Councilwoman Pam Grove mentioned that in her 5 years on the council, “by no means earlier than has a problem acquired such heated consideration.”

The ordinance goals to make it simpler to deliver “lacking center” housing varieties to Littleton — buildings reminiscent of duplexes, triplexes and accent dwelling items — in all the metropolis’s residential zoning districts. Littleton expects a further 6,500 housing items will probably be wanted within the metropolis over the following 20 years to accommodate the anticipated development.

This proposal sparked sturdy countervailing reactions from the inhabitants. Through the first listening to on the legislation in December, dozens of individuals packed into council chambers to speak in regards to the plan for 3 hours.

Some have insisted that one thing have to be executed in a rustic the place housing costs have risen dramatically in recent times. However others expressed concern in regards to the affect denser housing may have on their metropolis’s quiet suburban character — and questioned whether or not new connected items would truly cushion costs for brand new homebuyers.

Grove acknowledged these issues, saying higher consideration must be paid to the potential impacts of multiplexes on conventional suburban neighborhoods, “which is why we purchased right here, which is why we stay right here, and what makes Littleton actually distinctive.”

Her feedback acquired a wave of heat applause from the viewers.

“I believe we have to take a look at this small, first with (accent dwelling items) after which take a look at different kinds of housing,” Grove mentioned.

Barr, the one council member who helps the measure as presently written, mentioned Littleton must take an extended view when contemplating its housing coverage.

“Each citizen, particularly our elected officers, owes it to future generations to make cheap sacrifices and progressive adjustments to permit future generations to thrive,” he mentioned.

It is unclear when Littleton’s elected leaders would possibly handle the subject once more.

The town of 45,000, following a housing examine it commissioned seven years in the past, has begun speaking prior to now few years about decreasing limitations to a extra numerous vary of housing within the suburb. The town, whose housing inventory consists principally of indifferent single-family neighborhoods and bigger house complexes, has targeted on attempting to amend its land use code to permit extra housing with as much as 4 linked items to be constructed throughout the district. metropolis.

The zoning battle in Littleton got here lower than a 12 months after state lawmakers handed a package deal of payments designed to extend Colorado’s housing provide and increase affordability, particularly for service staff, firefighters and academics who discover it troublesome to stay in the neighborhood during which they work.