Managing How and Where Longmont Grows

Longmont is quickly becoming the largest city in Boulder County. We need to take control of our future instead of letting development ‘happen’ to us. As a city, we need to proactively manage how and where we grow to transform our old industrial sites into future residential and retail centers and a true eastern gateway to Longmont. This will preserve our city’s character and open spaces, reduce development pressures from existing neighborhoods, increase housing options for all residents, support our growing community of small businesses, and slow traffic growth. We can achieve this.

As your city councilmember, Matthew will:

  1. Prioritize redeveloping Longmont’s old industrial areas; and,

  2. Expand and support transportation options that make sense for Longmont locally and regionally.

Prioritize Redeveloping Old Industrial Areas

  1. Create an “Urban Renewal Innovation Zone”: Make it easier to redevelop former industrial areas to prioritize and attract new mixed-use development where it makes sense - like the Sugar Mill and lower downtown by 1st and Main Street – to attract innovative developers and better-paying jobs. Matthew has already proposed and secured council support for this concept in May 2025 and will continue working towards implementation.

  2. Fully Embrace Longmont’s Urban Renewal Toolbox: Invest in site cleanup and new infrastructure without raising taxes by using urban renewal financing and federal environmental cleanup funds. As the new chair of Longmont’s Urban Renewal Authority, Matthew is actively working with City staff to do this and support negotiations with developers and property owners.

  3. Reduce Development Pressures on Existing Neighborhoods: Shift multi-family and mixed-use developments into our downtown industrial areas and around the planned transit station at 1st and Main. In addition, we can reduce the maximum density allowed in residential mixed neighborhoods from 18 to 16 units per acre.

“When done effectively, rehabilitating these former industrial sites — already in prime locations near infrastructure, businesses, and trails — is exactly how we can attract much-needed housing, welcome new customers to support our existing businesses, create new workforce and economic development opportunities, and ultimately turn Longmont’s industrial past into an innovative future.”

Expand and Support Transportation Options

  1. Protect Cyclists and Non-Cyclists: Because of the rapid increase in e-bikes, we need to invest in more protected bike lanes and re-evaluate our rules for e-bikes and other “toy vehicles” related enforcement approaches to keep everyone safe. Matthew already asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to study this. This should be an explicit part of the broader Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.

  2. Embrace Regional Bikeshare: Support implementation of current plans to bring a regional docked bikeshare system to Longmont (in partnership with other Boulder County communities) and require denser developments to fund new bikeshare stations to provide convenient, non-car options that reduce traffic. 

  3. Get the Train On Track or Get Out: Support current efforts with CDOT, RTD, and Front Range Passenger Rail to finally connect passenger rail to Downtown Longmont by 2029 after decades of Longmont residents paying RTD for promised rail lines and getting nothing for it. This will help concentrate new development in lower downtown where we already have existing infrastructure to support people, bikes, and vehicles. If current efforts do not succeed, Longmont should demand that RTD invest FasTracks funding in Longmont and end the 0.4% sales tax.