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Littleton council refers Rooted in Littleton charter amendment to November ballot after lengthy hearing
Summary
After two hours of public comment and legal review, the Littleton City Council voted unanimously to place a citizen-initiated charter amendment about land-use limits on the Nov. 4 ballot. Speakers on both sides urged voters to decide; city staff and the attorney warned of legal and funding risks if the measure passes.
The Littleton City Council voted unanimously Sept. 2 to refer a citizen-initiated charter amendment to the Nov. 4 coordinated election that would lock residential land-use rules to the city’s Unified Land Use Code as of Jan. 1, 2025.
The proposal, circulated by Rooted in Littleton, would require voter approval to change many residential land uses and expand mailed notice for future zoning changes. City Attorney and staff briefed council that state law and recent legislation raise legal questions about the amendment and that the council’s role under state law is to place the valid petition on the ballot.
Why it matters: supporters say the measure protects single-family neighborhoods; opponents say it freezes city policy, risks state grant funding and invites lawsuits. The city attorney told council the city had to refer the petition because petition signatures were found sufficient: 2,173 valid signatures were verified against the 1,827 required. The attorney said staff planned to file a court petition seeking judicial clarity about state anti-growth legislation and whether the ballot language complies with state law.
During the public hearing, more than a dozen residents addressed council. Opponents argued the charter is the wrong place for zoning rules. "This measure would freeze our housing policies in place as of January 2025, locking Littleton into the past and not planning for the future," resident Julia Shannon said. Supporters argued citizens should vote directly to protect neighborhoods. "Four simple sentences, it preserves single family residential neighborhoods throughout Littleton," said Mark Harris, a Rooted in Littleton board member.
Council members repeatedly said they opposed embedding technical land-use details in the charter but were bound by state law to send the valid petition to the voters. Mayor Pro Tem Barr summarized the council’s view: the language is poorly constructed and likely to prompt litigation, but the clerk determined the petition sufficient and state law requires referral.
The council recorded a unanimous vote to place the question on the ballot. The city attorney advised that if a court later finds the language unlawful the legal consequences would need further review; a court ruling could affect how the question takes effect if voters approve it.
The referral does not change current code. If voters approve the charter change, many residential uses could thereafter only be changed by a future charter vote unless the charter itself is amended.
Next steps: the amendment will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot unless a court orders otherwise. The city attorney said staff would file for judicial interpretation of the new state statute alleged to limit local ballot measures and invited the petitioners to intervene in that review.
