Planned Development Overlay District

We’re Taking a New Approach

We want to announce the City of Fort Collins is taking a new approach in terms of implementing the Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD). Until recently, the plan was to adopt the PDOD as a permanent, new zone district. However, greater consideration was given to the fact the PDOD takes a significantly different approach to infill/redevelopment in our community, and we want to be sure we get it right. If you haven’t already heard about PDOD, see details on how it works below. Staff received initial support to pursue a pilot program for the PDOD allowing implementation on a temporary basis. We propose developers with a project located within the PDOD boundary (see boundary map to the right) have the opportunity to use PDOD if they choose for a six-month period. These projects will be monitored and evaluated closely throughout the process to ensure we get a thorough understanding of whether PDOD is working as it was intended. At the end of the six-month pilot, staff will recommend to improve PDOD, if needed, and bring it forward for consideration of permanent adoption by City Council.

Join us at an Open House on may 7

Please join City staff to hear a presentation about PDOD and the proposed pilot program on Monday, May 7 in the Community Room at 215 North Mason Street. Presentations begin at 4 PM and again at 6 PM, with time after each to ask questions.

Next Steps

After the open house on May 7, the following public meeting dates are scheduled related to the PDOD pilot program. If you or your organization are interested in hearing a presentation on the PDOD pilot program, please contact Megan Bolin at 970-221-6342 or

- Planning and Zoning Board, June 14
- City Council, First Reading, July 17
- City Council, Second Reading, July 31

What is the PDOD?

The PDOD is a potential new overlay zone district within the Land Use Code providing an alternative to standard land development and permiting a creative, wholistic approach taking the context of surrounding development into consideration. The PDOD blends the planning concept of planned unit developments (also known as “PUDs”) with performance-based zoning, and emphasizes collaboration between applicants, affected property owners, neighbors and City staff during development review. The PDOD would be optional for sites located within a defined boundary. This tool will be most effective in infill/redevelopment areas challenged by existing site constraints such as irregular lot shape or size, topography, and/or context. The PDOD boundary includes areas previously identified as targeted infill and redevelopment areas in City Plan, as well as the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) overlay because of its emphasis on creating a more urban and less auto-oriented environment along the spine of Fort Collins.

Check out what Council and P&Z had to say about the PDOD from previous staff presentations:
- April 19, 2012 Planning & Zoning Board hearing
- January 31, 2012 City Council work session
- June 14, 2011 City Council work session
- November 17, 2011 Planning & Zoning Board hearing

What to learn more? Download the FAQs

To learn more about this new zone district, download the above frequently asked questions.

Contact info

For more information about the PDOD, contact Megan Bolin, City Planner, at 970-221-6342 or