Review by the Current Planning Department is only one aspect of the Development Review process in Fort Collins. Proposals are also reviewed by a number of other city departments. The Development Review Center was created to be a "One Stop Shop" in an effort to bring representatives of these various city departments into one location. We are located at 281 N. College where our Building and Development Review Technicians can assist customers for any of the departments listed below the "News" section.

NEWS Updated August 20, 2008

Charrette for the Harmony-Shields Shopping Center:
On July 14 -15, 2008, the City hosted a design charrette to examine the development site at the northwest corner of Harmony and Shields, which was recently rezoned from Medium Density Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MMN) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning.   A developer contacted the City recently with interest in developing a shopping center anchored by a Safeway on this site.  More infomation can be found on the Charrette page. .

The Development Review Guide
The new Development Review Guide is on-line and available! This exciting new feature shows all the steps in our Development Review process with color-coded chapters and explanations for each step of the process. We are very excited about this new website and hope that it will help the community to better understand the development review process. But no worries! We are still here in person to answer your questions, too.

Chickens as Pets: The City Council is considering a citizen initiated change to the Land Use Code to allow up to six female chickens on any property within the city limits. Currently chickens are considered farm animals and are only allowed in three zoning districts. This proposal would not include allowing male chickens. The City Council approved this item on the First Reading on June 3, 2008. The final reading for this change will be held at the September 2, 2008. City Council meeting. The agenda for the June 3 meeting is available on-line and contains a great deal of information about this topic. June 3 Agenda (pdf)

Walmart Photos: While no longer 'news', folks have asked that the photos of the Fort Collins Walmart Super Center while under construction and nearing completion be made available on our website again. So back by popular demand, we have two Powerpoint slide shows of Walmart here: #1-under construction and #2: nearly complete

The Current Planning Department coordinates the Development Review process. We review and evaluate all Project Development Plans (PDPs) and Overall Development Plans (ODPs), as well as Annexations, Re-zonings, Subdivisions, Site plans, Landscape plans, and Lighting plans. We provide information and advice on land use, urban design, and choosing the most appropriate review process for each project. We use the review processes and standards for development that are found in the Land Use Code. More information about what we do can be found in the online Development Review Guide. We are also the primary staff support for the Planning and Zoning Board

The Zoning Department reviews Sign Permits, Basic Development Reviews, Minor Amendments, Home Occupations, setbacks, parking requirements, and permitted uses. We respond to concerns regarding possible zoning violations and work with property owners to remedy any problems. We use the Land Use Code when completing reviews and making decisions. Zoning is also located in the Development Review Center at 281 N. College. You can reach us at 416-2745. We are also the primary staff support for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Building Services Department is responsible for a wide variety of services associated with construction. We review building plans, issue building permits, perform building inspections, license contractors, issue demolition permits, enforce health and safety issues as related to structures (including wiring, plumbing, etc.), and enforce the Rental Housing Standards, including the "three unrelated" law. We use the Building, Land Use, and Municipal Codes during the course of our work. More information can be found in the NBS Guide (pdf) and on our websites.

(The City's Neighborhood Services Department deals with many nuisance problems that generally occur in neighborhoods such as weeds, junk, snow shoveling, etc. These are code compliance problems related to ordinances that are a part of the City's Municipal Code rather than the Land Use Code. Neighborhood Services is located upstairs at 281 N. College; they are not in the Development Review Center, although they work closely with Building Services and Zoning to insure compliance.)