GREELEY, Colo. — The Greeley City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance to change zoning for roughly 49.06 acres at the northwest corner of 70 First Avenue and 20 Fifth Street to a Planned Unit Development, clearing the way for a build-to-rent community the applicant said will include single-family-style rental homes and duplexes.

The vote followed a continued public hearing and staff presentation, and passed on second reading 6-0. Councilor Debuti moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilor Hall seconded.

The developer’s plan, as summarized by city planner Don Threewood, calls for about 175 single-family units and 40 duplex units overall, with the project split into two planning areas bisected by an extension of 70 Fourth Avenue. Threewood said the development’s overall density would be about 10.2 units per acre and that the intent is to operate the project as a single, professionally managed rental community rather than sell individual lots.

Why it matters: City staff told council the PUD approach is commonly used nationally for this product type and provides more control than base zoning by requiring performance that meets or exceeds district standards. Supporters and staff argued the product can add entry-level rental options and help the city meet housing demand; some council members and speakers asked for stronger standards and clearer long-term protections.

Council debate and conditions: Councilors asked about street widths, fire access, and utility metering. Threewood said internal drive aisles would be private but must meet fire access and egress standards (26 feet clear is the city standard cited in the hearing) and that water/sewer had reviewed a manifold design and submetering approach rather than multiple individual master meters. The applicant said each unit would be submetered for water and would have individual electric meters.

Public input: The hearing included comments from local residents and the property owner. One speaker who identified himself as a property owner urged council to support the project and said the site’s proximity to nearby amenities made it well suited for the proposed development. Other speakers raised long-term concerns about the build-to-rent model and the potential for conversion or long-term declines in maintenance if ownership changed.

Action and next steps: Council approved the ordinance on second reading and directed staff to proceed with the development review and subsequent subdivision/site-plan steps. Staff said more detailed engineering and site-plan reviews — where public improvements, street dedication and private drive aisle standards are finalized — will follow before construction permits are issued.

The vote: 6-0 in favor; motion by Councilor Debuti, second by Councilor Hall.

The council’s approval authorizes the rezoning only; it does not itself grant building permits or final plats, which will require subsequent staff review and approvals before construction begins.