The City of Centennial recently approved changes to the Land Development Code (LDC) to provide additional engagement opportunities in the land development process when it matters most. These updates allow residents to contribute input, fostering a positive impact on our community. Furthermore, these revisions ensure the land development process remains equitable and transparent for developers, resulting in fairness and predictability throughout.
City Council approved the LDC amendments at the August 20, 2024 meeting and public hearing. View the staff report and ordinance of the amendments on the Meetings and Agendas page.
Have Your Say" virtual community meeting webpage format or design.
" virtual community meeting webpage format or design.
The LDC amendment aims to achieve the following outcomes:
A community meeting is the first time a developer talks to the neighborhood about a development plan. This meeting happens before the developer submits any land use application materials to the City. Community meetings are required for certain types of projects – not all projects currently require a community meeting. At the meeting, people can look at the plans, ask questions, and give their thoughts. The developer can listen to what the people say and might make changes to the project. Community meetings can be in person or online.
Since 2020, Centennial has used a webpage called Have Your Say for community meetings. People who live nearby get a letter or email about the meeting for a new project. They have two weeks to look at the developer’s information online and ask questions or give feedback. City staff and the developer answer questions and comments from residents. After the community meeting, the developer writes a report that summarizes the feedback and questions they received and how those issues have or haven’t been addressed in the land use case application. The previous in-person community meeting would attract 0-10 people on average with little follow-up after the meeting. Now with the Have Your Say webpage, over 100 people might look at the information, much more than previous participation levels.
Yes, if you live within 200 feet of the project or if you are part of a homeowner’s association within ½ mile of the project, you will be notified about the meeting. The City is trying to make the process more consistent so it’s easier to know when there will be a community meeting. The City is also working with neighborhoods to make sure they have enough time to respond to meeting notifications.
A public hearing is held by the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council on the evening they make a decision about the project. These meetings give people a chance to share their thoughts and ask questions about the project. State law requires public hearings for certain kinds of land use decisions. People who live near the proposed project will get a notice about the public hearing.
Yes, the City will still have public hearings for land use cases such as rezonings, variances, conditional uses and some (but not all) site plans. Anyone can speak at a public hearing, not just residents who get a notice from the City.
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