Officials to discuss 310 new townhomes
Proposed land annexation in southwest Longmont will be mulled over during Tuesday’s meeting
The Longmont City Council plans to discuss a proposed land annexation in southwest Longmont where 310 townhomes may be built at its meeting Tuesday.
The proposed land annexation at 8902 Quail Road is an 18.6-acre property that currently has three family homes, two barns and two sheds. The land currently is zoned for agricultural use in unincorporated Boulder County, and is contiguous with current city limits on a little more than two sides. The property is on the south side of Quail Road, north of Clover Basin Drive, west of South Fordham Street and east of Airport Road. It is within Longmont’s planning area in the southwest area of the city.
If the land were to be annexed into Longmont, a concept plans shows that a developer wants to build 310 attached residential townhomes, which translates to 16.6 units per acre, according to a staff memo. Additional information about development plans was not immediately available on Friday.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is a discussion about this year’s Fourth of July celebration.
After originally considering holding Fourth of July activities at the Dickens Farm Nature Area, on Boston Avenue west of South Martin Street, the council now plans to discuss setting up the celebration on South Martin Street slightly southeast of the original planned spot. Music, food trucks, games and a beer garden all would be set up on the road, according to a proposed map of the event. A drone show also is planned.
Under the latest proposal, fireworks would still be launched from the Fire Training Center, 111 First Ave., just north of the proposed festivities on South Martin Street.
“They’re going to shoot off the fireworks in the area where they do firefighter training, which is the safest place in the city to do it,” Councilmember Marcia Martin said Friday, concerning the new proposal.
The council also could vote to do a more scaledback event.
The council also is scheduled to hold an initial vote on an ordinance that would give a $500-per-month raise to members. A second and final vote for the raise is slated for April 9. If it passes, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. At that point, members would make $1,500 a month, and the mayor would make $2,000 a month. Council members also would get a cost of living adjustment every two years that would correlate with federal social security increases.
Currently, council members make $1,000 a month and the mayor makes $1,500 a month for service to the city. The council’s pay has not been adjusted since 1999.
The pay increase seems all but certain given that the council voted 6-1 in favor of the measure on Feb. 27. At the time, Councilwoman Diane Crist cast the lone “no” vote. The plan is to use a pay increase to attract more people from all walks of life to run for local office.
In accordance with Longmont’s charter, the raise would not take effect until after the city’s next regular election in 2025.
Tuesday’s council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 350 Kimbark St.