Other things Greeley City Council did Tuesday night
By Trenton Sperry
Voted 4-2 on final reading to rezone more than 800 acres on the city’s western edge and south of U.S. 34 from Holding Agriculture to Planned Unit Development. Cheyenne-based Edwards Development seeks to create a development named Delantero that would consist of a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses. Parks, open spaces and trails are incorporated into the design, as well. The developer’s plans include thousands of potential housing units, though the number ranges from about 2,400 to about 5,800. Ward I Councilman Tommy Butler and Ward II Councilwoman Deb DeBoutez, who both represent Greeley’s downtown area, expressed concern that the development is far from Greeley’s historic core and that the developer would be under no obligation to build commercial spaces in Greeley city limits. The council members said they worry homeowners in that area would spend tax dollars away from Greeley – the development is 17 minutes from downtown Greeley but only five minutes from Centerra – and yet still require Greeley’s services, leaving other Greeley residents to pay more. A representative of the developer tried to allay those concerns and said they are already under contract to build commercial space, and that they are in talks with a number of grocery stores about locating inside the development. The representative said apartment complexes on the eastern edge of the property, which abuts Colo. 257, would likely be the first structures built under a metropolitan district scheme. He said the developer hopes to break ground next year, with the entire 820 acres fully developed, east to west, within 10-15 years. Butler and DeBoutez ultimately voted against the rezone.
Voted unanimously, although in the absence of Mayor John Gates, on final reading to sell the 139-acre Balmer Farm north of Greeley to LTS Performance Horses LLC. The city purchased the farm in 2016, along with two other farms and three shares of stock of the Water Supply and Storage Company. The Balmer farm cost Greeley $4,890 per acre. The city has now sold the land – but not the water rights – to LTS for $6,100 per acre, or $850,000.
Voted unanimously, although in the absence of Mayor Gates, on final reading to rezone about 23 acres of land just east of Centerplace from Planned Unit Development - Centerplace to Mixed-Use High Intensity. Gilbert Commercial Land LLP of Castle Rock aims to build an apartment complex and a commercial area on the property, according to city documents. About 4 acres are considered ecologically significant, according to city docs, and would be preserved as open space. About 2 acres would become a private park for the apartment complex. Watermark Apartments of Indianapolis, Ind., is listed as the owner. A representative of the developer said at Tuesday’s council meeting they plan to build “luxury apartments” on the site.
Approved on first reading an ordinance to give the city of Loveland an easement along the southern portion of Boyd Lake. Greeley owns some land adjacent to its water treatment plant there, but Loveland is seeking to build a recreational trail through the parcels, which it’s calling Centerra Trail. Greeley is taking steps to convey the land to Loveland for that purpose. The council voted unanimously to approve the conveyance on first reading, although Mayor Gates was absent. The measure will come up for public comment and a final reading at a later date.
Councilman Butler asked for city staff to determine how much it would cost for more city proceedings – such as meetings of the Water and Sewer Board and the Planning Commission – to be filmed, streamed and put on YouTube, similar to how the council’s meetings are documented for the public. Council agreed to instruct staff to estimate the cost and bring that figure to a future council work session.
Mayor Pro Tem Brett Payton, in the absence of Mayor Gates, proclaimed June 2022 as Pride Month in Greeley. The proclamation reads, in part, that “the city of Greeley is committed to supporting visibility, dignity and equality for LGBTQ people in our diverse community.”
Payton also proclaimed June 2022 as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in Greeley. The proclamation mentions that there are more than 6.5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 76,000 in Colorado.
Payton also proclaimed June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Greeley. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free. The proclamation reads, in part, that “the city of Greeley encourages all residents to commit themselves to the work of equity, equality and justice.”
And finally, Payton proclaimed June 23, 2022, as Greeley Stampede Day in Greeley. The Stampede, which takes place at Island Grove Park, is celebrating its centennial this year, and Justin Watada of the Stampede said there already have been massive ticket sales. He said organizers are anticipating record-breaking attendance for the 12 days of the event.