Thornton advances major development code rewrite and new zoning map after hours of review and public comment

After nearly two years of study and public engagement, the Thornton City Council on July 22 voted unanimously on first reading to repeal and reenact Chapter 18 of the Thornton City Code and to adopt a new official zoning map.

Karen Wodomski, long‑range planning manager, presented the final package, describing a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s development code to align regulations with the comprehensive plan and contemporary development practice. The rewrite covers 13 articles, including procedures, zoning districts, use standards, design standards, landscaping, access/mobility, subdivision standards and nonconformities. Wodomski said the update is intended to make standards more objective, increase walkability, encourage a range of housing types and reduce the city’s reliance on plan‑development (PD) exceptions.

Major changes explained in the staff presentation include renaming and reorganizing zoning districts, creating two new districts (a residential low‑density district and a plan‑development overlay), clarifying the difference between new development and redevelopment, and moving some provisions such as nuisance/blight rules to Chapter 38. Staff also proposed changing the application type called Conceptual Site Plan to a…