Page 45 - Littleton, CO Comprehensive Plan

35

to walking and biking may emerge through ongoing redevelopment and transition in uses, Mix of
placing the corridor in a character range from Auto-Oriented (its existing status along Character Elements
most blocks) to Urban in some segments. However, the potential scale of new or
reconfigured uses would be tempered by the relatively smaller, shallower properties
along this corridor. Additionally, Littleton Boulevard is framed by residential
neighborhoods and also requires sensitivity to its unique collection of post-World War II
buildings designed in a Mid Century Commercial Modernism style. Along Santa Fe
Drive, Broadway and Belleview Avenue, various sites are of adequate size to be
conducive for master-planned, mixed-use development that also strives for a relatively
Urban character by de-emphasizing large-scale surface parking and designing more for
walkability. The core area of Littleton Village is a contemporary example of this
approach.

However, in any of these corridor settings where most business patrons, employees,
and visitors will still reach their destinations by private vehicle, it will be difficult to avoid
an Auto Urban character outcome where significant surface parking must be provided.
The potential for future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service on Broadway, linking south into Highlands Ranch and north into
Denver, could change the equation and lead to less auto-oriented development at least in some locations along and near
this corridor. Yet some stretches of Broadway today have existing low-intensity commercial activity fronting on this busy
roadway. These small and shallow properties will continue to be a challenge to redevelopment and may result in the
current uses continuing indefinitely.
Where a site’s immediate vicinity has a greener Suburban character – for example, near Suburban Residential
neighborhoods or abutting Mary Carter Greenway and the river corridor – site design and development criteria can
minimize auto-oriented development outcomes (e.g., site coverage limits, more intensive landscaping and buffering, etc.).
Littleton especially has opportunities for more river- and trail-oriented development, where new or redeveloped sites are
carefully designed to embrace rather than turn their back on the South Platte and greenway corridors, particularly if the
future of Santa Fe Drive is even greater restriction of direct vehicular access to properties from that busy roadway.
The zoning parameters set for each distinct area in the Corridor Mixed Use designation can address differing character,
use, and design considerations. With regard to uses, this may include giving greater preference to residential in certain
areas while locations considered best suited for revenue-generating nonresidential uses may have limits on the amount of
stand-alone residential use.

Finally, consensus on potential land uses and intensities in the vicinity of the Santa Fe/Mineral Avenue intersection has
been so elusive precisely because so many character considerations come into play at this premier location. Extensive
undeveloped land and surface parking near a busy light rail station offers obvious opportunity for transit-oriented
development with a more Urban character. Yet proximity to the river/greenway corridor typically points to site designs
with Suburban character in mind. At the same time, Santa Fe’s vehicular volumes and the high-profile nature of this
busiest of Littleton intersections introduces auto-oriented development pressures. The Corridor Mixed Use designation
provides the flexibility to weigh all of these character factors when designing and vetting specific development concepts
in such a unique location.
Where on Map

• Corridor Mixed Use is shown along portions of multiple key roadway corridors in Littleton including along Belleview
Avenue west of the railroad, along Littleton Boulevard, along Broadway as far south as Littleton Village, and along
Santa Fe Drive from Hudson Gardens south, and an area between Santa Fe and the railroad north of Downtown.

Adopted October 15, 2019