Longmont, Colorado

Clarion Associates led a multidisciplinary team that included Economic and Planning Systems, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, and Urban Interactive Studio in a major effort to update and integrate the City’s land use and transportation plans—Envision Longmont. With the City having been heavily impacted by flooding in 2013, a key focus of the process was to identify strategies to promote a more sustainable and resilient community and organization. The process included robust in person and online engagement opportunities, coordination with internal and external committees, and numerous work sessions with City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Key issues driving the plan included the need to: define where and how future growth should occur, address the needs of a changing population (older, more diverse), promote economic growth and diversification, and protect quality of life in the face of future growth. The plan’s policy framework is organized around six guiding principles:  Livable Centers, Corridors and Neighborhoods;

A Complete, Balanced and Connected Transportation System; Accessible Housing, Services, Amenities, and Opportunities for All; A Safe, Healthy and Adaptable Community; Responsible Stewardship of our Resources; and Job Growth and Economic Vitality through Innovation and Collaboration. A robust growth framework highlights the various factors influencing growth—emphasizing land use and transportation linkages and providing a foundation for the plan’s infill and redevelopment emphasis. The implementation strategy outlines detailed next steps to move the plan forward, which includes targeted code updates, updates to the City’s affordable housing policy, and alignment with the City’s priority-based budgeting program. The plan was recognized at the silver level as part of the APA Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places initiative and was awarded a Merit Award for Community Resiliency by APA Colorado.