Loveland Celebrates Strategic Planning's Role in Community Growth on World Town Planning Day
The City of Loveland joins municipalities in more than 30 countries November 8 in recognizing World Town Planning Day, highlighting how strategic land use decisions shape community development, economic vitality and quality of life.
The 76-year-old observance, which originated in South America, provides an opportunity for cities to acknowledge the value of planned growth that connects residents to infrastructure, services and outdoor amenities while ensuring public safety and environmental sustainability.
Loveland's planning efforts focus on both immediate project review and long-term community vision through a two-segment organizational structure that separates current planning from strategic planning functions.
Two-Segment Structure Addresses Near and Long-Term Needs
Current planning staff review project proposals to ensure compliance with city codes, state regulations and national building standards. This team collaborates with public works, utilities, transportation, economic development, fire and parks departments to evaluate commercial and residential development applications.
Strategic planning staff focus on longer-term challenges including housing availability, corridor development and sustainability policy. This team develops and maintains comprehensive plans, transportation strategies and area-specific standards that guide Loveland's growth trajectory.
The organizational division follows a model increasingly adopted by mid-sized Colorado cities, allowing specialized expertise in both immediate permit review and future policy development.
Loveland's planning work is governed primarily by the Unified Development Code, which took effect January 1, 2019, consolidating zoning, subdivision and annexation rules into a single framework. The city also applies Colorado state regulations and national building standards to development review.
Multiple Plans Guide Development Decisions
The city's comprehensive plan addresses housing needs, sustainability goals and growth management. The Transportation Master Plan, maintained collaboratively with Larimer County and Fort Collins, focuses on congestion reduction and multimodal infrastructure expansion.
Corridor plans apply specific design and locational standards for designated areas. The I-25 Corridor Plan, originally adopted in 1989 and amended in 2007, establishes requirements for activity centers and resource protection. City Council adopted the Three Mile Plan February 18, 2025.
State legislation has introduced new requirements for local planning processes. Senate Bill 24-005, effective January 1, 2026, mandates water-wise landscaping for new and major redevelopment projects on commercial, institutional and common areas.
Recent state housing legislation that took effect June 30, 2025 allows accessory dwelling units for all single-family homes, streamlining land use review for these developments.
Development Activity Map Provides Public Access
Loveland maintains a Current Development Activity Map at lovgov.org/CDA that displays proposed commercial and residential development, along with projects approved within the last year. The map includes information, plans and documents related to each project.
The online tool updates regularly to provide transparency about development across the city.
Strategic planning addresses issues including housing challenges that affect community members. Loveland counted 180 homeless individuals in the January 2025 Point in Time Count, with housing affordability identified as a primary driver of instability.
The city has conducted community conversations on homelessness using facilitated discussion approaches to gather resident perspectives on policy challenges.
Budget Constraints Affect Service Delivery
Loveland faced a $10.5 million General Fund budget shortfall in 2025 after losing major revenue sources. Parks and Recreation saw $2.95 million in cuts as part of anticipated General Fund reductions.
The city has implemented service reductions throughout 2025 to address financial pressures, affecting various departments including parks maintenance and recreational amenities.
Residents seeking information about development in Loveland can visit the Current Development Activity Map or contact Development Services for questions about specific projects or planning processes.