Current Planning Division
303-538-7295

Growth

Coordinating growth over time is important to achieving a community’s desired character. The citizens of Thornton envision a community that includes well planned, safe and secure neighborhoods that have access to services and amenities, a stable and diverse economic base, and an integrated system of open space as well as recreational and cultural opportunities. In order to accomplish this vision, attention must be given to how individual properties develop, i.e., the placement, type and intensity of land uses, the design of the site in terms of functionality, aesthetics and safety, and the design of the buildings themselves.

Character

The character of a community is the result of many individual decisions made daily by homeowners, developers, businesses, institutions and public agencies. Sometimes these decisions reinforce each other. Often they are uncoordinated. The challenge of improving a city’s character is one of coordinating the decisions related to land development. Each individual decision can reinforce previous and simultaneous decisions made by others. The sum total of those decisions can enhance the character of the community, improve the quality of life and even the climate for future investment.

Regulations

Regulations have been established in accord with the visions and desires of the community for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the City in order to:

• Implement the City’s goals, policies, plans and programs to guide its future;
• Encourage and facilitate the most appropriate use of land throughout the City;
• Promote the character of areas of the City;
• Conserve and stabilize the value of property;
• Provide adequate open space for light and air;
• Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers;
• Lessen congestion on streets, roads and highways;
• Facilitate adequate provision of utilities and facilities such as transportation, water, sewers, schools, parks and other public facilities;
• Protect environmental assets of the City;
• Ensure quality development that will promote economic development and preserve and enhance the quality of life in the City.

The Current Planning Division of the City Development Department is the division that oversees and controls the current development going on in the City of Thornton through the use of the regulations in the City of Thornton Development Code. The Current Planning Division reviews and provides recommendations on applications for annexation, rezoning and subdivision of land, conceptual site plans, development permits, variances, and code amendments. The Division also reviews temporary use permits, proposed architecture for new buildings and additions, building permits, and minor amendments to approved projects.

To access the City of Thornton Development Code, follow this link City of Thornton Code and refer to Chapter 18, Development Code.