NFCBA Meeting Notes - July 23rd, 2025

Candidates for Office

• Chris Conway - District 1 candidate
• Shirley Peel - Mayoral candidate
• Susan Gutowsky - District 1 Council Member for re-election

Larimer County Treasurer - Irene Josey:
New third party company that holds escrow for those who do not currently have escrow accounts. Auto Agent Escrow Taxes, available for commercial and residential properties. Community requested program, State driven program. Using a private service avoided the revamping of Title 39. 

Larimer County Sheriff - John Feyen:
Citizens academy starting up, check out the facebook page. 12 week program. National night out is coming up - Fire, EMS, Sheriff’s office - August 5th. Get to know your neighbors for a safer community. New scam: unpaid tickets on your account will result in a revoked driver’s license - it’s a fraud. Don’t click links, reach out directly to your service providers. 100 hour fuels hitting 12% moisture - dryer than a 2x4 at a lumber yard. Close watch on fire restrictions coming up later in the year. Following the national weather service model and localized vs. county wide restrictions

Larimer County Commissioner - John Kefalas:
2025 Larimer County Fair & Rodeo is August 1st through 5th. County is half way through the budget process for 2026. Looking at reduction and revenue strategies, taking a program service inventory. Working closely with the Chamber, Poudre School District, CSU, and more on current changes and impact to Larimer County employment. Construction for new landfill is under way, South Landfill is under construction for a new transfer station. North Landfill and South Landfill transfer expected to open July 1, 2026. New emergency services building being built on 54G, North East of Laporte. Highway 287 realignment will begin 2026. Glade Reservoir will begin construction in 2026/2027. Sales tax initiative for transportation funding - August 4th consultants will present findings in a work session. August 12th administrative matters meeting will reflect a decision to refer it to the ballot. August 19th Early Childhood council of Larimer County to propose a potential sales tax initiative for early child care. 

City of Fort Collins Utilities - Max Duggan:
​Reach out if you need assistance with local projects to the city. Irrigation resources are available. Reach out to NoCo BizConnect for additional resources. 

City of Fort Collins Planning & Zoning - Clark Mapes:
Bristlecone property had a conceptual review for affordable housing. Willox Court lots were reevaluated for drainage across Willox. Apartment development East of Redwood is under construction. Rescue Mission recorded final plans. 

City Council - Susan Gutowsky:
Albertson’s building recently closed, lots of work ahead to determine it’s future but we’ve got it secured! Budget host hotel was also purchased to mitigate blight, working on the El Palomino with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA). Encouraged Commissioner Kefalas to put the transportation bill on the ballot. Cited the example of the behavioral health facility going to ballot twice before passing. 

Fort Collins Police Kirsty Voleski:
Noise ordinance impact in June - 12 tickets for fireworks vs. 1 last year. Education campaign on the detriment of fireworks. Vehicle noise ordinance was amended by Council to better fit. Enforcement is on the rise for noise, expired registration and more. 

Denver Rescue Mission - Seth Forwood:
Breaking ground at 1311 N College next week. First week of August they plan on moving dirt. Clearing retention pond to lift site first, then redoing Mason st with a focus on Hibdon intersection headed South. Reached out to neighbors concerning the start of construction - Big Deal Tire & Wheel, Auto Trends lots being affected to connect sewer line. Contractor is JHL, please reach out to Seth if you are concerned on the impact. 

Upcoming Presentations:
Stormwater project
NISP - glade reservoir
Dr. Wilson at CSU Engines Lab
Noco BizConnect


PRESENTATION: Land Use Code Updates from Megan Keith and Noah Beals

• Focusing on commercial zone districts to advance 15 minute city goals, policy plans, and adding clarity to development review process
• Focusing on Harmony and College corridors
• Many comments were expressed concerning the difficulty of change of use process. Trying to reduce the burden of development review process, which often lead to site upgrades to come into compliance with land use code requirements. 
• 2023 saw 152 minor amendments
• Based on previous records, the proposed changes would have adjusted 35% of 2023 Minor or Micro Amendments down a level of review. 
• Lighting, landscape, bicycle parking, trash enclosures, ingress and egress are still requirements. 
• Talk to the city before you sign a lease to fully understand the requirements of the location. 
• City Council finished a work session concerning this matter in early July
• Working on a draft proposal to submit for public review in the beginning of September for a month of feedback
• First reading of land use code proposed for October, second reading in December. 
• Current proposed changes seem to be less controversial due to focus on commercial districts. Lots of effort to be communication oriented, including site visits, focus groups and digital communication. 
• The goal is to make the codes simpler and reduce burden. Focusing on the outcomes of the codes vs interpretation of text bodies. 
• Continuous improvement on the process outside of the code update. Wanting to eliminate the need for multiple rounds of review, but they are largely focused on the shortcomings of applicants. 
• There will be more projects that are approved administratively vs. planning & zoning
• Next Steps:
  • September - Land Use Code draft published for public comment
  • October - First Reading
  • December - Second Reading