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Development Review Guide
Annexation and Zoning

Land within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA) includes land within current city limits and land in unincorporated Larimer County. Over time, land in unincorporated Larimer County within the GMA will be annexed into the City, according to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. This agreement is in place is so the County is not burdened with providing urban services to growing areas or areas that are physically difficult to serve. Land outside the GMA will not be annexed into the City of Fort Collins.

Land is eligible for annexation upon development or redevelopment of parcel(s) contiguous with the City or by enclave, when the parcel(s) are surrounded by land within the City. Contiguity is defined as when at least 1/6th of the total property perimeter touches land that is within city limits. Proposals for voluntary land annexation can be made at any time during the year, and must be made in accordance with state statutes.

Annexations are reviewed by staff and the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) and then brought before City Council for a decision with recommendations from both staff and P&Z.

Zoning is typically assigned according to the Structure Plan. In some cases, the Structure Plan may be amended to account for an updated master plan or unanticipated circumstance. See (link>>) for more information on Structure Plan Amendments.

An Overall Development Plan (ODP) and/or Project Development Plan (PDP) can be formally submitted after Council's first reading of the annexation proposal. Informal meetings on the development plans (including Conceptual Review or Preliminary Design Review (PDR) can occur at any time prior to the formal submittal.

What, When and Other Info
Process/Action When Needed Other Info
Conceptual Review (optional, good if there are service provision issues, etc.) Anytime, so long as property is within the Fort Collins GMA and at least 1/6th of property boundary is contiguous with property within city limits Step 2 on Development Review Flowchart (link) http://www.fcgov.com/file-gateway/?id=32&ts=2007-11-06%2010:30:36
Submittal Anytime, so long as property is within the Fort Collins GMA and at least 1/6th of property boundary is contiguous with property within city limits Step 3 on Development Review Flowchart (link)
Checklist: http://www.fcgov.com/file-gateway/?id=25&ts=2007-01-24%2010:46:32
Requirements:
http://www.fcgov.com/file-gateway/?id=26&ts=2007-01-24%2010:55:44
Petition:
http://www.fcgov.com/file-gateway/?id=27&ts=2007-01-24%2010:58:04
Neighborhood Meeting Required by Code unless waived by Director. Useful if a City-initiated, very large, or potentially controversial annexation: host open house prior to formal submittal Step 2 on the Development Review Flowchart (link)
Initiating Resolution Anytime after submittal; Follows normal Council agenda dates and deadlines  
Staff Review For 3 weeks after submittal, then staff review meeting, comment letter Step 4 on Development Review Flowchart (link)
P&Z Hearing Between Initiating Resolution and Council 1st Reading. Follows normal P&Z agenda dates and deadlines incl. APO letters out Step 5
on Development Review Flowchart (link)
Annexation Maps: 3 signed mylars to City Clerk's office Between 1st and 2nd reading See submittal checklist and requirements at (link)
Council 1st reading More than 30 days, less than 60 days from Initiating resolution: otherwise follows normal Council agenda dates and deadlines, incl. APO letters  
Council 2nd reading Follows normal Council agenda dates and deadlines
Effective Date of Annexation 10 days after 2nd reading 		 
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