Greeley City Council denies rezoning request that would have allowed apartment complex on old Hewlett-Packard property

Following a tied vote Greeley City Council denied a rezoning request that would have allowed apartment complexes on part of the former Hewlett-Packard property. Photo courtesy of the City of Greeley.

By Kelly Ragan

Following a tied vote Greeley City Council denied a rezoning request that would have allowed apartment complexes on part of the former Hewlett-Packard property. 

Long-time Greeley developer Brian Bartel, with LaSalle Properties LLC, had requested to rezone the plot from industrial low-intensity, which allows a wide range of businesses such as drive-through coffee places, gas stations or auto shops. Thanks to a 3-3 vote, the property will remain zoned that way. 

Council members Brett Payton, Tommy Butler and Deb DeBoutez and voted in favor of the rezoning. Council members Ed Clark, Dale Hall and Johnny Olson voted against the move. 

Mayor John Gates recused himself from the vote, citing his absence during the June 7 city council meeting.  

The property in question formerly contained the Hewlett Packard printing division building, which was emptied in 2003 after HP moved about 1,600 jobs into Fort Collins and Loveland. The building remained vacant for more than 15 years as the landowner awaited a new tenant, but it was torn down when no serious interest materialized and the building became a repeat target of vandalism.

LaSalle Investors LLC of Greeley has indicated an apartment complex would work well on the now-empty spot between West Ridge Academy, 6905 8th St. and North Ridge Trails, a new residential neighborhood on 66th Avenue, given Greeley’s need for affordable housing. 

At the city council meeting, Bartel said industrial low-density developments could be anything from a hotel to an auto-body shop. 

“I know after doing this for 28 years, (industrial low-density developments) are not good neighbors,” he said. 

DeBoutez pointed out that nearby residents would not have a say in what industries took that space if the rezoning was not approved because businesses such as animal care facilities, drive thru restaurants, pawn shops, bars, RV storage places,  and waste management facilities are all allowed under low-density industrial development. 

“I feel those are totally incompatible with the neighborhood,” she said. 

But many residents disagreed – as around 50 people petitioned the city council to keep the property zoned for industrial low-intensity. 

Some folks cited concerns about increased traffic if the area was rezoned for high-density housing. 

At the meeting, James Powers said traffic in the neighborhood was already unsafe. His 12-year-old daughter, he said, was hit by a car in April and required surgery. 

“We cannot allow increased traffic in our neighborhood,” he said. 

The rezone application did require a traffic analysis. Bartel said the study showed rezoning the property would decrease traffic. 

“You have a report in your packet from a licensed traffic engineer that R-H,” Bartel said. ”I’m not making up numbers.” 

But residents and city council members alike pushed back on the results of the study. 

“I do not believe that this will not increase traffic in the area,” Olson said. 

One resident suggested Bartel apply to rezone for residential-medium or residential-low density instead to address the traffic concerns. 

But Bartel said he’d either do residential high-density or leave it as industrial low-density.