Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Site Plan Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westminster council adopts new site-plan rules to speed downtown projects
Summary
The Mayor and Common Council adopted ordinance 2026-01, revising Chapter 164 to clarify site-plan and simplified-site-plan review, add intake procedures, and create a downtown exemption aimed at reducing time and cost barriers for small downtown property owners. Councilmembers and staff said the changes will help local businesses and prepare the city for incoming water capacity from the Pure Water Westminster project.
The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster voted to adopt ordinance 2026-01, a text amendment to Chapter 164 of the city code that reorganizes and clarifies site-plan and simplified-site-plan procedures for downtown and other developed properties.
Council members and planning staff framed the change as a practical step to reduce time and expense for property owners seeking to change uses or redevelop storefronts. "I'm just incredibly grateful that we're here at adoption at this point," the mayor said, praising staff and council for work on the measure and calling it an "important piece of legislation" for downtown businesses.
City staff explained the amendment distinguishes between full site plans and simplified site plans, defines required contents for simplified submittals, establishes intake procedures, and creates a site-plan exemption for properties located in the downtown parking area. The ordinance also updates related sections of the code, amends off-street parking and loading rules, and aligns fee schedules to reflect the new review structure.
Director of Planning Mr. Depot told the council the planning commission reviewed the draft and forwarded a favorable recommendation after work sessions and refinements. "We started this in response to feedback from downtown business owners and property owners who found the simplified site plan process burdensome," Depot said in his staff report.
Adoption followed the council's review and public hearing earlier in the meeting. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Several council members cited the ordinance as a step toward certainty for property owners as the city prepares for increased water capacity from the Pure Water Westminster facility, which staff told the council will enable new construction and growth downtown.
The council voted by voice to adopt ordinance 2026-01. Council members said the change recognizes that much of Main Street was developed before contemporary planning requirements and that the new rules will allow downtown property owners to comply without reconstructing historic, preexisting conditions into modern site plans.
The mayor and staff said the ordinance is intended to be adaptive: council and staff will monitor how the new procedures perform and consider further adjustments if needed. The ordinance took effect on adoption; staff will publish final code text and updated fee schedules online.
Council materials and the staff report cited the planning commission recommendation and the recent public outreach and work sessions that shaped the amendment. The council scheduled the next regular meeting for June 22, 2026.
