Longmont amends comprehensive plan to accommodate apartment project

LONGMONT — The Longmont City Council on Tuesday amended the Longmont Area Comprehensive Plan that would allow apartments to be built on 12 acres of land north of Walmart at the northeast intersection of Main Street and Colorado Highway 66.

The council voted 5 to 2 in favor of the amendment, a step needed for Illinois-based developer Inland Group to move forward with its plan to build the 240-unit Copper Peak Apartments at the site. Councilors Sarah Levison and Polly Christensen cast votes against the amendment, expressing concerns over the lack of affordably priced rental units.

A year ago, Inland abandoned plans to build the Copper Mill Apartments in southeast Longmont after hearing opposition from nearby residents.

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The city council also passed a resolution 6 to 1 that would allow the city to enter into a public-private partnership providing $1.75 million to developer 150 Main LLC for the $67 million first phase of South Main Station, a mixed-use project with apartments and retail businesses at the site of the former Butterball plant at the corner of 1st Avenue and Main Street.

The amount includes up to $1.25 million to be used toward demolition and cleanup costs for the former Butterball plant and other property within the redevelopment area. Other costs include up to $500,000 for design and installation of any required public improvements associated with the extension of pedestrian and vehicular access along Emery Street to 1st Avenue within the railroad right-of-way.

Phase 1 of South Main Station calls for approximately 300 apartment units and 10,500 square feet of commercial space along Main Street.

Levison cast the lone no vote against the cash incentive, citing concerns again over the lack of affordable pricing of units.