Longmont approves Copper Peak plan with more housing, less retail
The revised concept sets aside 15.1 acres for housing that city staff estimate could accommodate 272 to 529 homes, and moves a proposed park-and-ride to the site's north side.
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Longmont City Council voted 4–2 Nov. 3 to amend the Copper Peak concept plan at 2704 Main St., reducing planned retail from 13.3 acres to 3.3 acres and making room for more housing, as the council approved the amendment.
The revised plan sets aside 15.1 acres for higher-density housing. City staff estimated that area could accommodate 272 to 529 homes, depending on final density; the concept plan does not set a final unit count. The plan also includes a four-acre transit area, which the applicant said could hold about 250 parking spaces.
Council debate focused on the trade-off between housing and commercial space. Opponents raised concerns about adding multifamily housing while reducing planned retail. Supporters cited housing needs, transit access and the prospect of putting a long-vacant part of the site to use. The applicant said restrictions on possible uses and unsuccessful efforts by retail brokers to find a tenant had stalled the earlier retail-focused plan.
The proposed park-and-ride is connected to the Colorado 119 bus rapid transit corridor. RTD expects corridor service to begin in 2027, according to its project page.
Traffic and neighborhood access also drew concern. A resident raised pedestrian and bicycle safety and cut-through traffic near Park Ridge Avenue. The concept plan identifies signalized access from U.S. 287, possible right-in/right-out access, turn-lane and operational changes, and connections involving Park Ridge Avenue. These are concept-level plans; staff said detailed access configurations and transportation improvements will be reviewed in later development applications and engineering review.