Growth and Development

Metro Vision 2035 Plan Growth and Development

Metro Vision’s Growth and Development policies aim to infl uence the type and location of new development required to accommodate future population growth and changing demographics. The maps here highlight areas particularly suitable to accommodate growth, including areas within the Urban Growth Boundary/Area in general and within Urban Centers and Rural Town Centers in particular.

By focusing development in these areas, the region can make the most effi cient use of existing infrastructure, better plan future infrastructure, and attain regional goals such as reductions in per capita water use, single- Urban Centers

¬! Metro Vision sets a goal of accommodating 50% occupant vehicle mode share, per capita ¬! ¬! vehicle miles traveled, and per capita trans- ¬! ¬! of new housing and 75% of new employment in Urban Centers between 2005 and 2035. portation greenhouse gas emissions. The ¬!

¬! ¬! Community Design element within this ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! section further promotes these goals, while ¬! ¬! ! ¬! ¬! ¬!¬! ¬ ensuring the built environment accommo- ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! dates the needs of residents of all ages, ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬!¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! incomes and abilities. ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬!! ¬! ¬! ! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬¬! ¬! ¬ ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬ ! ¬¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬!¬! ¬! More detailed maps and background infor- ¬!¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! ¬! mation related to the Metro Vision Growth ¬! ¬! ¬! and Development policies are available on ¬! ¬! Legend the DRCOG website at www.drcog.org. ! Urban Centers FasTracks Urban Growth Boundary 2035

12 February 16, 2011

## Freestanding Communities and Rural Town Centers

## Freestanding Communities are distinct and self-sufficient communities, separate from the larger urban area. #### ## ## ## ## ## ## Rural Town Centers ## represent small, established towns and villages in ## rural places beyond the region’s urban areas.

Legend ## Rural Town Centers Freestanding Communities UGB 2035 Urban Growth Boundary 2035

## Current and Future Development

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KÁ I§ !"`$ Legend Highways UGA Urban Growth Area Urban Area as of 2006 (UGA) communities Urban Growth Boundary 2035 map only a portion of their growth allocation. These communities plan an additional 65 square miles of urban development not shown on this map. 13 Metro Vision 2035 Plan February 16, 2011

Extent of Urban Development 2. Growth Allocation. The DRCOG Board 5. Infi ll and Redevelopment. Metro of Directors allocates growth areas to Vision encourages local governments Vision: A defi ned urban growth boundary/ each community, based on historical to use overlooked vacant parcels and area (UGB/A) will promote an orderly, com- development trends and future projec- under-developed parcels for infi ll and pact and effi cient pattern of future develop- tions. Working with DRCOG, each redevelopment. Infi ll and redevelopment within the region. Focusing develop- community determines the specifi c ment can absorb signifi cant population ment within the growth boundary/area will geographic location of this growth growth and use existing infrastructure prevent unnecessary and ineffi cient exten- allocation. (See Appendix A for a listing more effi ciently. sion of roads, transit services, water and of each community’s allocation.) wastewater treatment plants. It will reduce 6. Outlying Areas. Growth will be 3. Flexibility. Communities have the regional vehicle travel, help achieve greater strategically designated to conserve fl exibility to postpone committing density, conserve open land outside the appropriate areas for urban develop- their allocated urban growth area until boundary/area and separate communities. ment beyond 2035 to maintain separa- specifi c development plans are in tion between the larger urban area and place. These communities will be Goal: Ensure that urban development occurs smaller outlying communities and referred to as urban growth area (UGA) within a defi ned urban growth boundary/area avoid open spaces and environmen- communities. to promote an orderly, compact and effi cient tally sensitive areas. pattern of future development. 4. Compact Development. Metro Vision 7. Infrastructure. Metro Vision seeks to promotes smaller lot sizes and multi- direct future urban growth within the Policies family housing to achieve a more urban growth boundary area into areas 1. Growth Boundary/Area. The urban compact development pattern. At the where infrastructure already exists. In growth boundary/area defi nes where same time, it is recognized that density newly urbanized areas, development urban development will take place in doesn’t need to increase everywhere will be planned to provide infrastruc- the region over the next 25 years. The within the urban area and there is a ture and services effi ciently and boundary/area encompasses 980 need to accommodate varied housing cost-eff ectively. Regional transporta- square miles of urban development, opportunities, such as multifamily and tion systems should be provided in a which is intended to achieve at least a single-family detached residential. way that will most eff ectively encour- 10 percent increase in the region’s age the desired future development. overall density between 2000 and 2035.

14 8. Intergovernmental Coordination. 11. Water Supply. Metro Vision calls for Metro Vision encourages local govern- urban development only in areas ments to establish intergovernmental where long-term water service can be agreements to address planning and established or where adequate service service delivery issues in areas of is available from an existing water mutual interest. supply system. Conservation of water resources through innovative design, 9. Annexation. Metro Vision encourages reuse, landscaping and education will the annexation of unincorporated be encouraged and considered in areas within the urban growth bound- making service provision decisions. ary/area, consistent with local compre- Water conservation measures will be hensive plans and annexation proce- incorporated in specifi c service plans. dures. Annexation should be a logical Overall, the regional increase in water extension of a municipality’s boundar- consumption should be proportionally ies so the local government can less than the population increase. provide urban services to the annexed area at a level equal to what is provid- 12. Mining Activity. Development is ed to the existing municipality. In that discouraged in areas with commer- way, annexation will not signifi cantly cially viable deposits of sand, gravel aff ect the ability of surrounding and quarry aggregate until these jurisdictions to continue providing deposits are extracted or the mining necessary services. causes serious, adverse impacts on the environment or existing development. 10. Regional Facilities. Facilities such as The extraction of coal deposits will be airports, solid waste disposal sites and allowed where mining will not have major cultural facilities will be located signifi cant environmental impacts and to maximize their regional benefi t and where it will not be incompatible with minimize their impact on existing and surrounding land uses. future development. Once these facilities are planned and constructed, however, future development should not occur if it confl icts with or could aff ect their sustainability. 15 Metro Vision 2035 Plan February 16, 2011

DRCOG’s Urban Growth Boundary/Area – An International Model for Regional Collaboration

The Denver metro region has adopted a bottom-up approach to growth management that starts at the local government level and relies on voluntary collaboration among communities. While setting the UGB/A can be diffi cult and sometimes contentious, the DRCOG Board of Directors works together to defi ne where growth will occur. The purpose of the UGB/A is to:  anticipate and direct growth;  effi ciently phase development to maximize infrastructure investment (especially transportation), saving money and resources for taxpayers;  stimulate infi ll and redevelopment activity; and  increase overall regional density by at least 10 percent.

More than 10 years after the adoption of the original Metro Vision plan, the Board remains committed to the UGB/A as a tool for promoting sustainable growth. The success of this voluntary approach has garnered both national and international praise for the Denver metro region.

Transit-Oriented Development

Many characteristics and benefi ts of urban centers are found and encouraged in smaller-scale development. Transit-oriented development is a general term describing concentrated, mixed-use, pedestrian- oriented development that supports and is supported by transit facilities and service. Certain designated urban centers, such as CityCenter Englewood, have a signifi cant transit-oriented development component. However, some transit station areas will not be developed as regional-scale urban centers. They may be developed as smaller-scale centers that stimulate signifi cant transit ridership and economic activity.

Mixed-use transit-oriented development off ers many benefi ts. It can reduce land consumption and vehicle miles traveled within the region. Transit-oriented development better balances jobs and housing, both locally and within the region. It increases access to shopping and services, promotes pedestrian and bicycle activity, and creates a sense of place and community identity. Transit-oriented development also provides housing and transportation options for older adults.

16 Urban Centers Policies 5. Housing Options. Urban centers will 1. Regional Advocacy and Investment. support housing suitable for a wide Vision: The Denver metro region will be- DRCOG will take a proactive role in range of incomes and the full spectrum come an international model for healthy, identifying opportunities, providing of life stages and physical abilities, livable communities by developing vibrant resources and directing investment providing good links to jobs, services urban centers connected by a robust multi- toward programs and infrastructure and other opportunities and reducing modal network throughout the metro area. improvements that help local govern- the combined cost of housing and While each urban center will be unique, all ments and the private sector develop transportation. urban centers will: successful urban centers. 6. Transportation Options. Modes such  be active, pedestrian-, bicycle-, and 2. Minimization of Harmful Competi- as walking, bicycling and transit will be transit-friendly places that are more tion. The region will advocate for equally competitive with driving within dense and mixed in use than sur- changes to tax structure to minimize urban centers. rounding areas; detrimental competition among local  allow people of all ages, incomes and governments for revenues and support 7. Design: Innovative planning, zoning abilities to access a range of housing, collaborative progress toward the and urban design strategies will employment, and service opportuni- urban center vision. promote higher-density, mixed-use ties without sole reliance on having development, pedestrian activity and to drive; 3. Location. Metro Vision encourages accessible public space within urban  promote regional sustainability by the development of urban centers at centers. Parking management strate- reducing per capita vehicle miles infi ll and redevelopment sites within gies, such as parking maximums and traveled, air pollution, greenhouse the UGB/A throughout the metro area, pricing strategies where appropriate, gas emissions and water consump- while recognizing the unique signifi - will minimize the potential negative tion; and cance of the Denver central business eff ects of parking on urban center  respect and support existing district. Metro Vision prioritizes development and multimodal access. neighborhoods. urban centers around existing or proposed transit stations or with Goal: Urban centers will accommodate 50 high-frequency bus service. percent of new housing and 75 percent of new employment between 2005 and 2035. (See 4. Multimodal Connectivity. Urban Appendix B for a list of recognized urban centers will have high levels of centers) internal connectivity and will be well-connected to the region at large. 17 Metro Vision 2035 Plan February 16, 2011

Freestanding Communities nity. It is a Metro Vision goal that a Infill and Redevelopment – diversity of housing types be provided Solving the Problem of Vacant for a variety of income levels. and Underutilized Properties Vision: The outlying communities of Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock and Longmont will continue to be distinguished by their historic 3. Physical Separation. Freestanding Many communities in the Denver region town centers, their separation from the larger communities will establish a perma- struggle with vacant and underutilized urban area, and their capacity to absorb nent open space or rural buff er to properties. These properties range from future population and employment growth. maintain physical separation from the poorly maintained housing to obsolete malls These communities will continue to develop larger urban area and retain a sense and commercial strips. Vacant properties are in a way that enhances their self-suffi ciency. of community identity. Highway a signifi cant fi scal drain on already strapped Each will remain separate from the larger interchanges or transit stations will be local governments. They strain the resources urban area -- surrounded by an open space located away from buff er areas to avoid of local police, fi re, building and health or rural buff er -- and have an adequate mix of development pressure. departments, depreciate property values, jobs and housing, an internal transportation reduce property tax revenue, attract crime, system with regional transportation connec- 4. Town Centers. Each freestanding and degrade the quality of life for remaining tions, and a town center at its core. community will maintain a viable residents. mixed-use town center to preserve Goal: Maintain Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock community identity. Encouraging and incentivizing infi ll and and Longmont as distinct and self-suffi cient redevelopment activity can help reverse the communities, separate from the larger urban 5. Transportation. Multimodal transpor- damage and promote the economic vitality of area. tation systems will be developed in older neighborhoods and communities. each freestanding community. These Development in these areas makes effi cient Policies systems include pedestrian and bicycle use of existing urban infrastructure, reducing 1. Regional Growth. Metro Vision facilities, and internal and external the need for spending on new infrastructure. encourages a signifi cant portion of transit services. Communities will be Infi ll and redevelopment also help promote future regional population growth linked to the larger metropolitan area regional goals, such as increasing overall within recognized freestanding with rapid transit and highway regional density and reducing vehicle miles communities. facilities. traveled (VMT). 2. Self-Suffi ciency. Freestanding communities encourage a balance between employment and population so people can live and work in the same commu- 18 Rural Town Centers developed and undeveloped areas, provides for pedestrian accessibility Vision: Small, established towns and villages and maintains community identity. found in rural places beyond the region’s Rural town centers are encouraged to urban area will provide services, employ- promote infi ll and redevelopment ment and entertainment for residents of the activity within their existing boundar- surrounding trade area, and tourists and ies for compact development and the travelers. Although they will serve the rural use of existing infrastructure. area, the communities themselves will be relatively compact, each with a town center, 3. Self-suffi ciency. Where appropriate, small lots and a street grid. They also will rural town centers will encourage have the infrastructure to accommodate economic development to improve the population growth. balance between employment and population. An appropriate mix of Goal: Recognize the small communities zoning designations will ensure that located in the rural and semi-urban areas of necessary services and employment our region and more clearly defi ne and support generators are provided for so the their regional role. community can become more self- suffi cient. Other communities have an Policies abundance of employment (Black 1. Regional Growth. New development Hawk, Central City), but limited work in the rural portion of the region is force housing. These rural town centers encouraged to occur within rural town will encourage the development of centers where necessary infrastructure, aff ordable housing options and acces- including central water and sewer, can sibility to jobs. be provided more effi ciently.

2. Development Pattern. New develop - ment within rural town centers is encouraged to be compact, so the infrastructure necessary to serve the new development can be provided cost-eff ectively. Compact development also helps diff erentiate between 19 Metro Vision 2035 Plan February 16, 2011

Large-Lot Development 3. Urban Reserves. Cities and counties 8. Water and Wastewater Provisions. It are encouraged to work cooperatively is preferred that development occur in Vision: A limited amount of low-density in establishing intergovernmental areas where central water and waste- large-lot development will continue to occur agreements that identify joint planning water treatment can be provided. beyond the urban growth boundary/area, areas where future contiguous urban However, it is recognized that large-lot contributing to the region’s diversity of land development beyond 2035 will occur. development is often served by either uses. Careful planning will minimize its decentralized or on-site systems. fi nancial, environmental and visual impacts. 4. Open Space. Large-lot development Regardless of the technology, in areas Special care will avoid developing in poten- will avoid potential future open space where large-lot development is tial future open space areas. Semi-urban areas as identifi ed in the Regional Open planned, it must be ensured that development, in particular, will be planned Space Plan and other sensitive environ- adequate water supply and wastewa- to avoid interfering with the urban area’s mental areas, unless mitigated through ter treatment can be provided. logical future expansion beyond 2035. creative subdivision and site design. 9. Mining Claims. Limited development Goal: Manage the extent of low-density, 5. Planning Tools. Local governments currently occurs on historic mining large-lot development occurring on the are encouraged to adopt and use parcels, but these parcels represent a periphery of the urban area consistent with innovative planning tools to manage signifi cant inventory of the region’s Metro Vision’s stated policies. large-lot development. undeveloped land. Local jurisdictions should discourage development on Policies 6. Infrastructure Investment. The mining claims that do not meet the 1. Regional Growth Target. Limit the priority for investing regional funds in development standards of the jurisdic- total amount of semi-urban develop- transportation infrastructure and other tion, especially access and setback ment in 2035 to a proportion that does services is the urbanized area within requirements. not exceed the current (2006) propor- the urban growth boundary/area. tion of semi-urban households, esti- Regional funds should, in general, mated to be approximately 3 percent. not be expended to serve large-lot development. 2. Discouraged in Urbanized Areas. New large-lot development is specifi - 7. Financial Accountability. To the cally discouraged within the urban extent practical, local jurisdictions growth boundary/area or other areas should ensure that large-lot develop- defi ning where future urban development, like all development, pays its ment will occur. own way.

20 21 Metro Vision 2035 Plan February 16, 2011

Community Design  Reduce regional per capita municipal Locate housing to maximize access and industrial water use to employment, services, shopping, Vision: Communities will accommodate the volunteer and educational opportu- transportation, housing, social, economic, Policies nities, entertainment and cultural environmental, health, recreational and 1. Education and Support. DRCOG venues. Increase access to, and service needs of a growing and aging popu- will provide educational information availability of, aff ordable rental and lation through sustainable development and support for local eff orts to imple- for-sale units that meet the region’s patterns and community design. The suc- ment community design policies to present and future housing cessful integration of multimodal transporta- help integrate land use and transpor- demands. tion and land use will create healthy commu- tation and meet the needs of people nities that provide for people of all ages, of all ages, incomes and abilities. 4. Density. Promote development incomes and abilities. Communities will pay densities that make walking, bicy- particular attention to the needs of older 2. Universal Design. Create built cling or taking transit viable options adults, which represent the fastest-growing environments that enable the widest to reduce reliance on the automobile segment of the population. spectrum of people, regardless of and enhance the independence of age, income or ability, to more easily people who prefer not to drive or are Goal: Promote development patterns and participate in community life. Design unable to because of age, income or community design features to meet the needs civic buildings and spaces that are ability. of people of all ages, incomes, and abilities accessible to all people, ensure safety while supporting a variety of Metro Vision and comfort, support wayfi nding, 5. Distance-to-Transit. Allow for goals including: facilitate social interaction and can transit use and increase the mobility be easily adapted to meet changing of transit-dependent populations by  Locate 50 percent of new housing and needs. Increase the supply of promoting higher-density develop- 75 percent of new employment within housing that allows older adults and ment, including housing that is urban centers persons with disabilities to easily live suitable for people of all ages,  Reduce the percent of trips to work by in and visit homes. incomes and abilities, within a single-occupant vehicle to 65 percent half-mile walking distance of transit. by 2035 3. Housing Options, Location and  Reduce regional per capita vehicle Aff ordability. Allow and encourage 6. Diversity. Promote mixed-use miles traveled (VMT) 10 percent a diversity of housing types and a development that locates compat- by 2035 mix of housing densities to accom- ible uses close together, such as  Reduce per capita greenhouse gas modate residents throughout the housing for older adults near social emissions from the transportation various stages of their lives, including service providers, medical offi ces and sector 60 percent by 2035 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). shopping opportunities. 22 7. Development Patterns. Promote human-scaled (as opposed to Accommodating All Ages, Incomes auto-oriented) development pat- and Abilities terns that are easy to navigate, enhance multimodal connectivity DRCOG fi rst introduced community design and maximize the ability of all concepts into Metro Vision in 2005, with the people to access opportunities. addition of the Senior-Friendly Development Create pedestrian- and bicycle- element. This addition recognized that our friendly environments by providing region’s rapidly increasing population of older sidewalks, narrowed street crossings adults will require development patterns that (distance across street), curb ramps, support the needs of residents as they age. adequate crosswalk signal timing, medians as midway stopping points, Since 2005, DRCOG has placed an increasing traffi c calming measures, bicycle and emphasis on integrating the needs of older pedestrian access to transit facilities, adults throughout the planning process. and improved bike paths and trail Simultaneously, our region has grown increas- systems. Establish “level-of-service” ingly aware of the fact that planning, service standards for pedestrian and bicycle and infrastructure decisions that enable facilities. independence for older adults tend to also meet the needs of other users. For example, well-designed pedestrian environments increase the mobility of everyone including older adults, parents with strollers, people with disabilities, and anyone who chooses to walk to their destination.

In this plan update, the DRCOG Board expand- ed the Senior-Friendly Development element to highlight the importance of community design as a tool for better meeting the needs of residents of all ages, incomes and abilities and for more successfully integrating land use and transportation. 23