Design Guideline Update for Olde Town Arvada

Project Overview:

The City of Arvada is in the process of updating the Design Guidelines for Olde Town Arvada. In 1998 the Arvada Downtown Historic District was established and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Subsequently, in 2004, the Design Guidelines for Olde Town were adopted and a process overseeing development in the district and surrounding conservation area were developed.

Anticipation of the arrival of commuter rail and the location of a transit station in the heart of Olde Town resulted in the adoption of the Arvada Transit Framework Plan in 2007.

Plan implementation strategies included the exploration of amendments to the Design Guidelines for Olde Town Arvada which would be supportive of development that is both sensitive to maintaining the character of the Downtown Arvada Historic District and the character of a transit oriented development.  In addition, several years of work with the Design Guidelines have identified the need to update and reorganize the adopted document.

Scope of Study Area:

The project area includes all of the lands within the Arvada Downtown Historic District, the Olde Town Conservation Area, and the portion of the Olde Town Station Area Plan designated as “Mixed-Use Olde Town.”

The Planning Approach:

An essential component of the study is for the community to help frame a future vision for the Olde Town area.

The project team invites active participation with the public in the development of appropriate design standards. Citizens will have the opportunity to work with the project team to explore various development prototypes and appropriate locations for development that are sensitive to the character of Olde Town and allow it to retain its historic designation.

In February, the City conducted the first of three community workshops to solicit input from the business community, residents and neighbors.  The workshop focused on analyzing the physical opportunities and constraints that will shape development and beginning to identify appropriate building heights.

To view the workshop presentation, click on "Workshop #1 Presentation" under Related Links.

Upcoming Events:

The second community workshop will be held on Thursday, April 8th, from 6-9 p.m. at the Arvada Public Library Community Meeting Room, 7525 W. 57th Avenue.  The focus of the workshop will be to refine the building height policies for each of the sub-areas within the study area boundary.

Project Contact:

The Olde Town Design Guidelines Project is being administered by the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. For more information about the project, please contact:

Cheryl Drake
Senior Planner
cheryl@arvada.org
720-898-7435