Revitalization Commission Agenda and Packet 2025 04 09

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Revitalization Commission Minutes March 5, 2025 Page 4 of 7 Erik Hartronft in Louisville, owner/architect/developer/planner of the grain elevator restoration and redevelopment, provided more details on the project and requested that the LRC approve third -party review. Comprehensive Plan Update The Planning Manager presented an update to the city's Comprehensive Plan and requested feedback from the Commission on the Plan's goals and strategies. The presentation was included in the meeting packet. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Lipton asked what Council's specific comments and changes were for downtown. The Planning Manager responded that one of the biggest changes Council commented on relates to land use downtown, such as looking at residential above ground floor commercial by right. Another comment was regarding allowing freestanding multi -family out of the commercial core. There was a discussion among Council around the number of stories and density direction within the commercial core, noting that three-story may be appropriate with care being taken with the design. It was recommended to approach it selectively and look at up to four stories in the DeLo area. Commissioner Lipton commented that when he looks at successful downtowns around the state, one of the key strategies seems to be allowing for more residential housing. He is hopeful we will be able to densify downtown in a way that provides Louisville with a great reputation of supporting development by reducing the risks of projects and making investment in downtown a positive experience. Councilmember Dickinson asked what the LRC wants to contribute to the plan and conversation. He noted that one of the opportunity zones is within the URA. He asked if the LRC needs to make a statement of what they support. The Planning Manager responded that the City is looking to gauge the commission's support of the goals and strategies of the Comprehensive Plan. There was an extensive discussion around the Comprehensive Plan and each Commissioner commented on areas they support, also noting areas of concern. Several Commissioners commented on the importance of transportation issues, notably transportation connectivity between the McCaslin corridor and downtown Louisville. There were also comments about the desire to revitalize the McCaslin corridor and the possibility of the grain elevator project adding parking close to downtown. The Director of Community Development commented that there are new funding sources for the rail station with a potential joint service plan that may include a station in Louisville. He added that CDOT Front Range Passenger Rail and RTD submitted a report to the governor for joint service with passenger rail and RTD with a 2029 implementation framework and an RTD funding plan. A big focus of the Highway 42 plan has been around the transit station, which should be brought into this Comprehensive Plan. He noted that there is a lot of momentum with this project right now and two new significant funding sources. Public Comment: