Community Development Boards

General Information

Since approval of the city charter in July 1959, Littleton has been classified as a home rule city. Under the charter, the city is organized with a council-manager form of government. Littleton citizens voted this into effect under the authority of the Colorado state constitution. Home rule means that the city, acting through its city council, has all the powers and rights to govern the municipality except, according to its charter, "...those... expressly forbidden...by the Constitution of the State of Colorado."

Included within the powers of the city council is the authority to enact laws. Together, the laws adopted by the council are referred to as the city municipal code. Among the provisions of the municipal code is Title 2 which addresses the creation of various boards and commissions. These are volunteer bodies of citizens, appointed by the council, to perform specific tasks. The following boards and commissions, including city council are charged with some responsibility to review development proposals. Several other volunteer boards exist to serve the citizens of Littleton which are not discussed here.

Another body created by city council to review new development is the Development Review Committee. This committee is authorized by the city's zoning ordinance and its members are comprised entirely of the city's professional staff.

Review Boards: Functions and Services

Following is a general description of duties of city boards which consider development applications and the regular meeting schedule for each. Please note: Each of these boards may occasionally find it necessary to change the location of a meeting or to reschedule to adjust for holidays or to coordinate with each other (e.g. Planning Commission meetings are shifted if their regular meeting falls in the same week as city council). All persons wishing to attend a meeting of any board is urged to call the city to confirm the date, time and location of that meeting.

City Council

Regular meeting schedule:

• Meets first and third Tuesday of each month
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Council chamber, Littleton Center, 2255 West Berry Avenue
• Confirmation: City Clerk's office: 303-795-3753

City council is comprised of seven elected members. Four are elected to represent geographical districts, which are approximately equal in population. Three members are elected at-large. Each of the district members are elected to serve four-year terms, two being elected biennially. Two at-large seats are filled at each biennial election, with a four-year term for the highest number of votes, and two-year term for the second highest number of votes.

The city council is Littleton's legislative body. Council establishes the policies of the city, adopts its laws, approves the annual budget, and sets the property and sales tax rates. Council adopts all development regulations including building codes, the sign code, subdivision regulations, and the zoning ordinance. Council also has final authority over annexations, group homes, initial zoning, rezoning, and final subdivision plats. All elements of the city's comprehensive plan are subject to the council's approval.

Planning Commission

Regular meeting schedule:

• Meets the second and fourth Monday of each month
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Council Chamber, Littleton Center, 2255 West Berry Avenue
• Confirmation: Planning Division, 303-795-3748

The Planning Commission is comprised of seven regular, and two alternate members. Members serve three-year staggered terms. Alternates may participate in all discussions, but they can vote only in the absence of a regular member. The Planning Director serves as the non-voting secretary of the Commission. Most of the Commission's responsibilities are to advise the city council. Such matters include initial zoning for newly-annexed territory, rezoning, planned development general plans, major subdivision plats, and text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. The Commission has final authority over conditional use applications, floodplain development and planned development overlays. The Commission also has the responsibility to create and adopt comprehensive plans, subject to final approval by the city council.

Board of Adjustment

Meeting schedule (as needed):

• Meets third Thursday of each month as needed
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Council Chamber, Littleton Center, 2255 West Berry Avenue
• Confirmation: Building and Zoning Division, 303-795-3751

The Board of Adjustment is a body required by State law. The Board is composed of five regular members and two alternates, who serve three-year staggered terms. This board hears appeals to administrative decisions made under many sections of the municipal code. Further, requests for variances to certain requirements of the municipal code are heard by the Board. Specifically, the Board's authority covers the following:

• Zoning ordinance appeals and variances (Title 10).
• Housing code appeals (Section 4-2-7).
• News rack appeals (Section 3-15-8).
• Sign code appeals and variances (Title 4, Chapter 3).
• Mobile home and mobile home parks and appeals (Title 4, Chapter 4).
• Air pollution code variances (Title 5, Chapter 3).
• Sewer tap penalty appeals (Section 7-5-2(B)7).
• Enlargement of nonconformances (Title 10, Chapter 9).
• City arborist appeals (Section 8-4-8).
• Noise ordinance appeals (Title 7, Chapter 3)

Building Board of Appeals

Meeting schedule (as needed):

• Meets third Wednesday of each month as needed;
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Council Chamber, Littleton Center, 2255 West Berry Avenue
• Confirmation: Building and Zoning Division, 303-795-3751

The Building Board of Appeals has essentially four functions:

1. Hear appeals to decisions made by the building division;
2. Interpret the Building Code concerning the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction;
3. Hear appeals from the Development Review Committee in regard to the Uniform Fire Code; and
4. Hear complaints for the suspension or revocation of building contractor licenses issued by the city.

This board has five regular members and two alternates. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Candidates for membership must have experience in some phase of the building construction industry in order to qualify to serve.

Development Review Committee

Regular meeting schedule:

• Meets every Thursday;
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: Community Development Department, Littleton Center
• Confirmation: Planning Division, 303-795-3748

The Development Review committee (DRC) consists of four voting members, all from the city staff. Members are the city manager, the director of community development, the director of public services, and the director of economic development. Members may designate others to serve in their behalf. Many other city agencies provide technical assistance to the DRC, including building, engineering, fire, planning, police and zoning departments. DRC reviews all development proposals within the community. Recommendations are made by DRC to the planning commission or the city council on rezoning, subdivision or conditional use applications. DRC has final approval authority on all site plans required for the issuance of a building permit.