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Loveland council tables ordinance after residents and staff call for rewrite
Summary
Mayor and council voted unanimously to table an ordinance that would have expanded exemptions for city-owned property from local rules, after staff recommended a narrower rewrite and multiple residents said the draft reduced public oversight.
The Loveland City Council voted unanimously to table agenda item 13a — a proposed ordinance concerning the application of local regulations to city-owned property — after staff and public speakers urged revisions.
City Director Joe Braun told council he "missed the mark on my assignment" and recommended a more "surgical" approach rather than the broad language in the draft, saying staff would reexamine the issue and return with revised legislation. "I would recommend that council consider tabling the legislation that's on the agenda and allow me along with other city staff to go back and reexamine the issue," Braun said.
The recommendation preceded a motion by Councilmember Goodyear to table the item; the motion passed on a roll-call vote, 7–0.
Public comments that followed and later in open forum emphasized concerns that the draft would reduce transparency and citizen input. Paul Elliott, a longtime resident and business owner, told council the proposal "would essentially eliminate some public oversight" and urged members to "reject this unnecessary and ill advised ordinance." Sharon Scovanner said exempting leaders from rules "is a form of hypocrisy that undermines credibility, erodes trust, creates perception of corruption, and destabilizes institutions." Former Mayor Rob Weisgerber described the draft as an "overreaction" and suggested council slow down and clarify where any exceptions would apply.
Several speakers from the city's Historic Preservation and Planning Commission urged consultation rather than exclusion. Maryann Lynn, who identified herself as chair of that commission, said the commission was never seeking final authority but could provide valuable feedback on design and compatibility, for example on an amphitheater exterior or restroom design.
Mayor Kathy Bailey said the council appreciated the comments and would take the concerns into account while staff rewrites the draft. "We will certainly take them into account and do what we can to make sure that we reach the right solution for this city," Bailey said.
What happens next: City staff will rework the ordinance language and return to council with a revised proposal; the council did not act on the substantive merits of the ordinance tonight.
