Downtown density issues remains as new comp plan adopted

The Westminster City Council took action on what is one of the most important decisions they will make at their March 13 meeting.

Cross Currents

ey adopted the long-awaited, sta -recommended 2040 Comprehensive Land Use

On a 5-2 vote (Ezeadi and Nurmela opposed), the new plan will soon be in e ect after a second reading of the enabling ordinance.

According to sta , the new plan reduces the overall density of dwelling units citywide compared to the 2013 prior plan with more than 830 acres a ected. A total of 420.3 acres of potential multi-family development, including mixed-use sites has been eliminated.

Also, the new plan removed 103.7 acres from Mixed Use Activity Center and puts a cap of 36 units per acre which previously was open- ended on the number of dwellings allowed in this category.

Mixed Used Neighborhood (formerly TMUND), which allowed up to 18 units/acre was reduced by 27.8 acres.

Finally, Commercial Mixed Use which allowed up to 36 units/acre was reduced by 281.4 acres. While the two no votes took exception to lowering the density, I applaud the council majority for embracing the lower number of units for the build-out of the city. ese individual reductions are in keeping with what council members heard from constituents going back to the 2021 election campaign. Plus, it will save water resources.

However, what is somewhat puzzling is the lack of any attention or action to the existing Speci c Plan for the New Downtown site.

Double the number of apartments?

Since it did not get changed, the existing plan carries over as a part of the new 2040 plan. is is disturbing since the densities throughout the plan would allow up to another approximately 1,500 dwelling units.

To put the gure in perspective, the 1,500 units are slightly more than the combined current total number of dwelling units built on the property.

Does the community want approximately 2,800 apartments and some townhomes when the New Downtown property is built out?

I have been told that the New Downtown land use/density issue is coming separately to the council for a focused review and discussion in the near future. Such news is reassuring as we wait to see the outcome of this important decision.

Take the initiative!

City sta did a thoughtful review with a speci c set of recommended density reductions on the citywide Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Job well done.

Hopefully, they will present density reductions when the Downtown Plan comes back to study session probably in May. Previously, sta has shown a bias for retaining the original plan with its higher densities - which of course are complimentary to the concept of building