After a three-week break from the dais, Loveland City Council will return on Tuesday with a hefty agenda that includes the controversial Centerra South urban renewal plan, the city’s three-year-old unauthorized encampment ban and additional residency restrictions on registered sex offenders. The council will also recess into executive session to discuss an incentive strategy for a “confidential” business prospect.
Topping the regular agenda is a proposal to create a new chapter in the municipal code prohibiting certain registered sex offenders and sexually violent predators from living within 1,000 feet of “youth-populated areas” such as schools, parks and playgrounds. The proposal is modeled after similar ordinances in Aurora, Longmont, Greeley, Evans and Englewood
Council will also take up a first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s unauthorized encampment ban in light of last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. That ruling overturned earlier precedent from Martin v. Boise and held that jurisdictions are not constitutionally required to provide or confirm shelter space before enforcing camping prohibitions.
Loveland’s current ordinance, adopted in 2022, requires officers to verify shelter availability before clearing a camp and to store seized property for 60 days. The proposed changes would remove both requirements, though the city could still choose to store property for up to 60 days.
Last month, the city announced plans to close the overnight shelter facility on South Railroad Avenue, which provides beds for up to 50 people.
Before all of that in new business, Mayor Jacki Marsh will introduce a potential ballot measure concerning a recent change in the Millennium General Development Plan (GDP), a separate planning document that sets building and land use standards for the 3,000 acres of McWhinney development in Loveland, including the Centerra South urban renewal area.
In February, increasing the number of residential units planned for Centerra South from around 1,200 to 2,227, including 125 deed-restricted affordable units. A cost-of-services analysis provided by the developer estimates the change will reduce the city’s expected tax revenues from the development from $18 million over 25 years to just $5 million.
Marsh and several residents contend the Millennium plan changes should be subject to a public vote under Ballot Question 301, a 2023 measure requiring voter approval for significant changes to urban renewal plans, which passed by a wide margin.
However, the City Attorney’s office contends that the amendment is not automatically subject to public approval under 301, because the Millennium planning document is separate from the Centerra South urban renewal plan itself. Despite that interpretation, Marsh is introducing a proposed ballot measure to put the amendment before voters.
How to participate
The Loveland City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers at the Municipal Building, 500 E. Third St.
Comments from members of the public will be accepted in person as well as over Zoom at both meetings.
Those wishing to join by Zoom can use the ID 975 3779 6504 with a passcode of 829866, according to the meeting agenda.
The meeting will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 16/880, Pulse TV channel 16 and streamed through the city’s website at .
Tuesday’s agenda packet can be found through the Loveland City Council’s website at or at .
