Smart
Growth Hall Of Fame 2001
Ten Examples Of Good Planning Decisions In Colorado
H.
Town of Windsor
and Town of Severance Intergovernmental Agreement & Tax-Revenue Sharing
Weld County
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History: Highway 392 forms a natural boundary between the Town of Windsor and the Town of Severance. However, the urban growth boundaries of the towns conflicted along the section of Highway 392 between Windsor and Severance, leading to potential conflict and incompatible development in both communities. Highway corridors often draw the attention of commercial development and municipalities are often eager to annex and service these commercial developments, in part due to the sales tax revenue generated by such developments. When several municipalities are located near the same corridor, there is often a competition to annex first and, therefore, obtain the revenues from these developments. Often this competition results in a rapid and poorly planned development of highway corridors. Concerned that a similar situation might happen along 392, the Towns entered negotiations to develop an intergovernmental agreement concerning future development. The cooperative effort began in early August 2000 and shortly thereafter on December 11, 2000 both governing bodies officially adopted the agreement.
Elements of Good Planning: The intergovernmental agreement between Windsor and Severance shows foresight and cooperative planning to create a better region and community. Specifically, this intergovernmental agreement implements several good planning elements, including:
- Solidifies the growth
boundaries for both Windsor and Severance, agreeing upon areas where
the boundaries of the two towns meet and directing development to areas
within the towns' boundaries. This prevents an overlap of boundaries and
allows for well-planned development.
- Creates a Cooperative
Planning Area (CPA) for joint planning. This is an area with great potential
for commercial and industrial development along Highway 392. The area stretches
¼ mile north and south of Hwy 392 and is bound on the west by Highway
257 and on the east by County road 23. Instead of competing for development
in this area, the Towns share both the responsibility for and the benefits
of development in this area. Within the CPA, the intergovernmental agreement
designates which areas will be annexed by Windsor and which will be annexed
by Severance.
- Requires both Towns
to develop and implement a Corridor Development Plan for the Cooperative
Planning Area within 12 months of signing the intergovernmental agreement.
The agreement specifies several elements that must be included in the comprehensive
plan.
- As development occurs
in the Cooperative Planning Area (CPA), the intergovernmental agreement
implements Revenue Sharing in which the Towns divide the tax-revenue
from development in the Cooperative Planning Area. All sales, use, and property
tax revenues collected by each of the towns within the CPA will be divided
and distributed-two thirds (2/3) to the collecting town and one third (1/3)
to the other town. At the time of the agreement, Windsor's and Severance's
sales and use taxes were unequal. Severance electors passed a tax increase
such that Severance's taxes are equal to that of Windsor's to ensure a successful
Revenue Sharing program.
- Coordinates the development
of an efficient and well-planned water and sewer service for the
CPA. Due to the location of facilities, Windsor will provide water and sewer
services to the CPA, regardless of whether the land was annexed by Severance
or Windsor. This allows a more efficient and less-costly development of
infrastructure, saving taxpayers money.
- Adopts a consistent and mandatory design standard for the CPA. Windsor had already adopted design guidelines for their East Main Street Corridor that connects to the CPA. Both Towns agreed to extend these design standards to the CPA.
Overall, the intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Windsor and the Town of Severance demonstrates a strong collaboration to plan for a better future for both Towns. The mutual cooperation and interest in smart growth resulted in a quick completion of the agreement.
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Main
Street in Windsor. Design standards for the Cooperative Planning Area
extend the community design of this main street. (photo courtesy of
Macon Cowles, professional planner and attorney)
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Involved Parties: Town of Windsor, represented by Mayor W. Wayne Miller and Town Administrator Rod Wensing, and the Town of Severance, represented by Mayor Cheriee Blehm.
Location: Weld County-Along Colorado State Highway 392, bound by Colorado State Highway257/Weld County Road 19 on the west and by Weld County Road 23 on the east.
Status: The Mayors
of both Windsor and Severance signed the intergovernmental agreement on December
11, 2000. The Corridor Development Plan will be completed in the first quarter
of next year. A proposal for mixed-use development within the cooperative
planning area has already been proposed and is currently in the planning review
process.
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