The Thornton Comprehensive Plan is an overall vision of how development should take place in the City, painting of picture of how the City will grow and where future development or redevelopment will occur. On September 11, 2007, the Thornton City Council adopted a new Comprehensive Plan. The 2007 Comprehensive Plan replaces the 1997 Plan, creates the vision for the future and establishes a strategic plan to implement this vision. Section 3.1 - Future Land Use and the Future Land
Use Map describe and illustrate the locations of the future land use categories.

To be successful, comprehensive planning must be an on-going activity, and to reflect changing conditions in the community, the Comprehensive Plan may be amended from time to time. Plan amendments should be very carefully evaluated in terms of their overall significance to achieving Plan goals. A Comprehensive Plan amendment may be initiated by the City or property owners. Upon submittal of an application to the City and the publication of notice, the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment. The City Council may approve, deny or amend the proposal, based on the following criteria: 

1. There has been a change in the area or in the conditions on which the current designation was based which warrants the amendment;
2. The density and intensity of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment is sensitive to the existing land uses and is compatible with the existing adjacent land use designations;
3. The amendment will provide for orderly physical growth of the City, and foster safe, convenient and walkable neighborhoods and shopping districts;
4. There are or are planned to be adequate transportation, recreation, utility and other facilities to accommodate the uses and densities permitted by the proposed Comprehensive Plan designation;
5. The proposed change is in substantial conformance with the core Plan goals, major strategies or key policies;
6. Consideration of City Subarea Plans and Master Plans; or
7. The proposed amendment is consistent with current zoning of the site unless a zoning change request is under concurrent review.
   
   

Following City Council action on the proposed amendment, a Resolution shall be adopted accepting or denying the proposed amendment as an addition or change to the Comprehensive Plan.