In the span of a few hours, Fort Collins Planning & Zoning Commission on Thursday cleared the way for roughly 1,000 new dwelling units to be built across three projects, the bulk of which are slated for northeast Fort Collins.
Here's a look at what was approved:
The Landing at Lemay plans build-to-rent neighborhood
The for-rent project includes 344 single-family and multifamily units in northeast Fort Collins. The Landing at Lemay, first proposed in 2021, has been through several reviews with the city, and features a relatively new concept: the build-to-rent neighborhood.
Fort Collins' land use code requires two types of housing for developments on 16 acres or larger. Under city code, the development's plan for eight carriage houses — single-family detached dwellings on one lot — did not meet the city's list of acceptable housing types because they're not planned for one lot.
The developer, Thompson Thrift, received a modification to allow the carriage houses to qualify as the second housing type.
Where: Northeast corner of North Lemay Avenue and Duff Drive, adjacent to Capstone Cottages, a student-oriented project. The site was annexed into Fort Collins in 1986 as part of the Fort Collins Business Center annexation.
Acres: 17
Dwelling units: 344 in 18 buildings, including the two-story carriage homes and three-story walk-up apartments. The units will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedrooms and be for rent. A row of single-family homes will front North Lemay.
Amenities: 26,000-square-foot clubhouse and pool, dog park and designated food truck parking area.
Price Point: Market rents
Developer: Thompson Thrift Development
Other notes: The project is separated from the Alta Vista neighborhood by the Lemay Avenue realignment. Steve Gilchrist, a city traffic engineer, said a traffic light is planned at Duff and Lemay to improve vehicular and pedestrian access.
What opponents said: "We will be looking at the site. You need to be aware of us and be respectful of us. Pedestrian access is not great with the Lemay bypass." — Sarah King, a resident of the historic Andersonville neighborhood
What planning commissioners said: "This is another good example of how the market has changed and where we see gaps in the land use code: small single-family homes on one lot and how the build-to-rent product has gotten hotter and hotter. It's been a long road to get to this point for you guys." — Planning Commission Chairman David Katz.
Crowne at Suniga to add to Fort Collins apartment mix
Crowne at Suniga is west of North Lemay and north of East Suniga Road on what is currently undeveloped land. It is bordered by the under-construction Northfield neighborhood and Alta Vista, one of Fort Collins's oldest neighborhoods.