Larimer County staff said on Sept. 8 they have begun a study to evaluate a countywide transfer-of-development-rights (TDR) program that could allow property owners in rural or hazard-prone areas to transfer development rights to urban receiving areas.

Matt Lafferty of the county Community Development Department, stepping in for Rebecca Everett, told commissioners that Logan Simpson, a local planning firm, was selected through a competitive process and will serve as consultant. Lafferty said an earlier TDR program in the Fossil Creek Reservoir area was implemented and then concluded when that project was finished; the new study will explore how a broad county program might help preserve agricultural and natural resources while directing development to municipalities and growth management areas.

On the mechanics, Lafferty said the TDR tool is intended to let property owners in rural areas move development rights to locations “where they’re more appropriately used predominantly in the urban areas of our our municipalities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Berthoud.” He said the program will require coordination with municipalities because receiving areas typically are inside cities or designated growth management areas.

Lafferty said the county will present the project to the Planning Commission on Wednesday and that the team anticipates wrapping up the consultant study in September (timing not otherwise specified in the meeting). Commissioners said they support pursuing the tool and noted the state strategic growth work identifies TDRs as a tool that can be used to focus growth.

Ending: Staff said the study is an exploratory land-use tool that will require municipal cooperation to identify receiver locations; commissioners encouraged further outreach and look forward to the Planning Commission discussion.