A long-standing feud between Fort Collins and tiny but ambitious Timnath over the development of a 268-acre parcel near Harmony Road and Interstate 25 in Larimer County is on hold.
Both communities decided last week to ask the state Department of Local Affairs to mediate the dispute over the Riverwalk area. Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson said he hopes the mediation sessions will lead to other agreements over development issues that have caused friction.
The fight over Riverwalk reached a zenith this month when the Fort Collins City Council met in a special session and approved a series of emergency ordinances to block Timnath’s annexation of the Riverwalk property.
The ordinances included annexing the Harmony Road bridge across Interstate 25, which Timnath was eyeing as a “flagpole” annexation to bring Riverwalk into its boundaries.
Timnath now agrees not to take any final action on its annexation plans until the mediator determines an agreement has been reached or until Jan. 6, whichever comes first.
“Maybe we can sit down across from each other and start to develop some trust,” Hutchinson said. “Hopefully, we can come up with solutions that are win-win.”
Timnath officials are hopeful the talks will enhance regional cohesiveness.
“Collaboration for development of the Riverwalk project will benefit the entire Northern Colorado region,” said Kyle Boyd, spokesman for the town of Timnath.
Fort Collins has wanted the Riverwalk area to help create a “gateway” to the city. The area has been part of the city’s growth-management plan since 1980.
But Timnath, about a half-mile east of the Harmony Road/I-25 interchange, wants the area to expand its tax base and secure its boundaries.
Timnath, with about 300 people, began annexing 2,675 acres in 2004 to increase the town’s size almost 13-fold. Officials say the town is slated to grow to 27 square miles and 30,000 residents.
Developer Jay Stoner said he hopes to turn the Riverwalk land into a mix of commercial and retail development. But when it appeared Fort Collins wouldn’t approve his plan, he went to Timnath with his proposal.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
