The Future of Commercial Corridors and Centers: Land Use Code Updates

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The City of Fort Collins is taking steps to comply with a new state law, House Bill 24-1313: Housing in Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), which encourages more housing near high-frequency transit routes.

As part of this process, the City will designate Transit Centers in areas served by frequent transit. If you received a mailer directing you to this page, your property is located within a future Transit Center area.

Under this state law, zoning in Transit Centers must allow at least 15 dwelling units per acre, which typically supports multifamily housing such as apartments or condominiums. In Fort Collins, properties in the state-designated Transit Centers are already zoned to meet or exceed this requirement.

The Transit Center designation does not change existing zoning, but it does align the City with state requirements and may make these areas eligible for future state funding opportunities, including infrastructure funding and affordable housing programs.

What's Happening Next

The first phase of Transit Center designations will apply to properties within the City’s existing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone, including areas along:

  • The MAX Bus Rapid Transit corridor

  • College Avenue

  • Areas around the CSU campus (Lake Street and West Elizabeth)

Additional Transit Center areas will be designated by the end of 2026.

Proposed Land Use Code changes for properties within the TOD area are currently moving through the City’s public review process.

Upcoming public meetings:

  • Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing: March 25

  • City Council First Reading: April 7

Explore Transit Centers

View the Transit Centers Map in the Documents and Maps section of this webpage and project information below to see where Transit Centers are proposed and learn more about the process.

This map shows both the initial Transit Center areas proposed for adoption in April and additional areas that will be considered later in 2026.

Para una versión en español de esta página, toque o haga clic en el botón en la parte superior derecha para seleccionar un idioma.

The City of Fort Collins is taking steps to comply with a new state law, House Bill 24-1313: Housing in Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), which encourages more housing near high-frequency transit routes.

As part of this process, the City will designate Transit Centers in areas served by frequent transit. If you received a mailer directing you to this page, your property is located within a future Transit Center area.

Under this state law, zoning in Transit Centers must allow at least 15 dwelling units per acre, which typically supports multifamily housing such as apartments or condominiums. In Fort Collins, properties in the state-designated Transit Centers are already zoned to meet or exceed this requirement.

The Transit Center designation does not change existing zoning, but it does align the City with state requirements and may make these areas eligible for future state funding opportunities, including infrastructure funding and affordable housing programs.

What's Happening Next

The first phase of Transit Center designations will apply to properties within the City’s existing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone, including areas along:

  • The MAX Bus Rapid Transit corridor

  • College Avenue

  • Areas around the CSU campus (Lake Street and West Elizabeth)

Additional Transit Center areas will be designated by the end of 2026.

Proposed Land Use Code changes for properties within the TOD area are currently moving through the City’s public review process.

Upcoming public meetings:

  • Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing: March 25

  • City Council First Reading: April 7

Explore Transit Centers

View the Transit Centers Map in the Documents and Maps section of this webpage and project information below to see where Transit Centers are proposed and learn more about the process.

This map shows both the initial Transit Center areas proposed for adoption in April and additional areas that will be considered later in 2026.

  • Community Forum Recap: Nov. 22, 2024

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    Thanks to all of you who joined us at the recent Community Forum on our commercial zoning and corridors! Your participation and valuable insights are vital to ensuring our Land Use Code update process reflects the needs and priorities of our community.

    We've uploaded the PowerPoint presentation from the Community Forum to our project webpage, in the Documents section.

    If you haven’t already, we encourage you to subscribe to our project webpage (you'll see an option for this on the page) to receive updates throughout the duration of The Future of Commercial Corridors and Centers: Land Use Code Updates, focused on improving commercial zones and corridors. This is a great way to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

  • Project update: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

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    We’ve had the privilege of hearing from many of you on this interactive webpage, at six in-person Neighborhood Visits, and at one in-person event for business owners this month. We can’t thank you enough for your feedback and collaboration as we continue public engagement for The Future of Commercial Corridors and Centers: Land Use Code Updates.

    We’ll host a large Community Forum from on Monday, Nov. 18 (details and registration info here) to formally present key insights gathered from the community so far and how those insights will shape the future of Fort Collins’ commercial zones and development standards.

    For now, here’s a quick summary of the feedback we’ve received so far from the online map:

    Things our community doesn’t like about commercial zones and corridors 

    • Car-Centric Development: Many comments signal a frustration with a persistent focus on car accessibility in commercial developments, citing large parking lots, poorly designed access routes and a general lack of consideration for pedestrians and cyclists.

    • Inefficient Land Use: Comments have signaled concern about the amount of parking, particularly near transit lines, which is seen as an inefficient use of valuable space. Suggestions have included converting these areas into mixed-use developments, housing or community spaces that would better serve the population.

    • Lack of Connectivity and Accessibility: Comments have called for continued improvement to connectivity between commercial areas and transit stops. Many feel that pedestrian walkways, bike routes and logical entrances/exits are essential for encouraging non-car travel and making the community more accessible.

    • Mixed-Use Zoning Advocacy: Some commentors expressed a desire for additional mixed-use development, with many comments advocating for zoning changes that would allow residential and commercial spaces to coexist.

    • Community Safety and Aesthetics: Concerns about safety and the aesthetic value of neighborhoods are prevalent in the feedback we’ve received. Comments highlight the negative impact of poorly lit parking lots, blighted properties and the visual dominance of car-centric infrastructure.

     Things our community likes about commercial zones and corridors 

    1. Pedestrian-Centric Design: Many comments advocate for designs that prioritize pedestrian access over vehicle traffic, similar to successful examples in Old Town. The idea is to create inviting spaces where people can socialize, shop and enjoy outdoor amenities without the disruption of cars.

    1. Mixed-Use Development: Respondents expressed a desire for more mixed-use developments that combine residential and commercial spaces, allowing for easier access to local shops and services. This includes hidden parking solutions that support residents and businesses while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Suggestions include integrating small coffee shops, repair shops, and community markets within neighborhoods.

    1. Connectivity and Accessibility: Comments highlight the importance of connecting commercial areas to existing bike and pedestrian infrastructure, such as the Poudre bike path and Spring Creek Trail. Many noted that improved access for cyclists and pedestrians would encourage greater usage of these areas and foster a sense of community.

    1. Affordable Housing and Local Business Support: Many of those who commented suggested prioritizing affordable housing in accessible locations and ensuring that commercial spaces remain affordable for local business owners. Comments stressed the importance of avoiding a landscape dominated by national chains, advocating instead for local businesses that reflect the unique character of Fort Collins.

    1. Sustainable Urban Planning: Many comments pointed to the need for thoughtful urban planning that reduces unnecessary parking and encourages denser, more sustainable developments. This includes creating more green spaces and outdoor amenities, as well as promoting the idea of pop-up markets and flexible use of public spaces. Suggestions for enhancing public transit options and reducing the reliance on cars were also emphasized.

    You can continue adding your feedback on this interactive webpage by asking a question, submitting a comment or dropping a pin on our interactive map.

    We hope to see you all at our Community Forum on Nov. 18!

  • Project update: Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

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    Thanks again to all of you who've visited this webpage to learn about The Future of Commercial Corridors and Centers: Land Use Code Updates, and even share your feedback!

    We've begun to answer your questions in the Questions section of the webpage, and have been passing your feedback on our interactive map along to representatives from different City departments involved in City planning and development. If you haven’t explored and added your feedback to the interactive map, you can do that here: fcgov.com/lucphase2map.

    Our Neighborhood Visits for Phase 2 kick off soon - these visits (one in each of the City's six council districts) are excellent opportunities to learn more about The Future of Commercial Corridors and Centers: Land Use Code Updates' focus and share your feedback with City staff. You'll find the visit schedule, along with links to RSVP, in the sidebar on the right side of this webpage. For easy glancing, here's the Neighborhood Visit schedule:

    • Neighborhood Visit 1 When: Friday, Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: 3601 S. Shields St. (The Crossing Church parking lot; attendees will walk to Poudre Valley Shopping Center during the event)
    • Neighborhood Visit 2 When: Monday, Oct. 7 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: 1950 Jessup Dr. (Jessup Farm Artisan Village parking lot)
    • Neighborhood Visit 3 When: Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Where: 4633 S. Timberline Rd. (Harmony Crossing shopping center, in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot)
    • Neighborhood Visit 4 When: Thursday, Oct. 10 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: 2201 S. College Ave. (Whole Foods Market parking lot)
    • Neighborhood Visit 5 When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Where: 2601 S. Lemay Ave. (Scotch Pines Shopping Center parking lot)
    • Neighborhood Visit 6 When: Monday, Oct. 14 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Where: 1033 S. Taft Hill Rd. (Cups Community Coffee parking lot)

    We hope you can join us for one of these! 

    In the meantime, keep sharing feedback and asking questions here. We'll continue updating this webpage with what we're hearing and learning from the community as we go along.

Page last updated: 17 Mar 2026, 01:20 PM