Larimer County planning staff presented redesigned public notice materials and a new website intended to make development review information easier for residents to find and use. The updates respond to a change in the county’s land use code, passed in June, which replaced a mailing requirement with a sign-posting requirement for neighbor notices.

The new sign and postcard include a QR code that links to a landing page created by the planning division. The landing page breaks the development review process into steps: identifying a project (by plan number, project name, address, or parcel), understanding the current noticing stage (neighborhood meeting, public hearing, etc.), and options to provide public comment. Planner Laura Culliton said the site also links to a public input portal where residents can submit comments and view case materials.

Staff said the website went live July 14 and that they are already receiving comments through the public input portal; they did not provide detailed analytics in the meeting. Business operations supervisor Shalena Lysat and Community Resource Information Technician Ryan O’Swandl said the QR codes on signs and postcards are intended to improve accessibility and direct residents to clear instructions about neighborhood meetings, public hearings and how to submit comments. The team described the web resource as a work in progress and said they will add clarifications, FAQs and tweaks as users raise questions.

Commissioners and staff said the changes should reduce confusion about how and when to participate in land use reviews. Planning Manager Jenny Axmaker told the board that public comment reports tied to the portal will begin appearing in hearing packets going forward. Staff asked commissioners to let them know if the county should change how it links or highlights the materials once Larimer County’s review of accuracy is complete.