CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
ORDINANCE NO. 4503
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE GRAND JUNCTION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Recitals:
On February 17, 2010 the Grand Junction City Council adopted the Grand Junction Comprehensive Plan which includes the Future Land Use Map, also known as Title 31 of the Grand Junction Municipal Code of Ordinances.
The Comprehensive Plan established or assigned new land use designations to implement the vision of the Plan and guide how development should occur. In many cases the new land use designation encouraged higher density or more intense development in some urban areas of the City.
When the City adopted the Comprehensive Plan, it did not rezone property to be consistent with the new land use designations. As a result, certain urban areas now carry a land use designation that calls for a different type of development than the current zoning of the property. Staff analyzed these areas to consider whether the land use designation was appropriate, or if the zoning was more appropriate, to implement the vision, goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
In many instances it was determined that the current zoning is appropriate and consistent with the vision of the Comprehensive Plan. In several areas, it was determined the current land use designation called for a change in residential density or commercial or industrial intensity that did not fit the neighborhood.
In order to create consistency between the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map and the zoning of these properties, Staff recommends amending the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to be consistent with the existing zoning.
The proposed Future Land Use Map amendments were distributed to the Mesa County Planning Division and various external review agencies for their review and comment. The City did not receive any comments from Mesa County or external review agencies regarding the proposed Future Land Use Map amendments.
An Open House was held on January 18, 2012 to allow property owners and interested citizens an opportunity to review the proposed map amendments, to make comments and to meet with staff to discuss any concerns that they might have. A display ad noticing the Open House was run in the Daily Sentinel newspaper to encourage public review and comment. The proposed amendments were also posted on the City and Mesa County websites with information about how to submit comments or concerns. Several citizen comments were received during the review process.
After public notice and a public hearing as required by the Charter and Ordinances of the City, the Grand Junction Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendments for the following reasons:
1. The proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map are consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
2. The proposed amendments will help implement the vision, goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
After public notice and a public hearing before the Grand Junction City Council, the City Council hereby finds and determines that the proposed amendments will implement the vision, goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and should be adopted.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION THAT:
The Grand Junction Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and Blended Residential Land Use Categories Map are hereby amended as shown on the attached area maps.
INTRODUCED on first reading the 13th day of February, 2012 and ordered published in pamphlet form.
PASSED and ADOPTED on second reading the 7th day of March, 2012 and ordered published in pamphlet form.
ATTEST:
/s/ Tom Kenyon
President of the Council
/s/ Stephanie Tuin
City Clerk