Planning commission reviews draft comprehensive-plan strategies; city-center redevelopment, transit and housing prioritized

The Englewood City Planning and Zoning Commission on March 18 reviewed a staff draft of the city's comprehensive-plan update, focusing on concrete, project-based strategies for small-area plans, transportation and infrastructure, housing and the city-center redevelopment.

John (planning staff) opened the study session saying, "This evening, we're hoping that this is our final, comprehensive plan update study session with you," and described a shift from vaguely worded strategies toward a prioritized, project-oriented set of actions staff will present to City Council.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the update is meant to give Council and departments clearer guidance about which projects to pursue or to require from developers, and to shape upcoming capital-budget decisions. The draft ties individual policies to supporting strategies and ranks strategies as priority 1, 2 or 3 to help focus limited staff and capital resources.

Top priorities and near-term work - Small-area plans: Staff identified three small-area plans as top priorities: the Inglewood Station south area (roughly South of Hampton, north of Canyon, Broadway to Santa Fe), the Inglewood Transit Station overlay (including Inglewood Parkway streetscape and Little Dry Creek flood/greenway issues) and South Broadway/Bridal corridor improvements tied to future bus rapid transit studies. John said the station-area and corridor planning are…