Proposal for apartment complex at former HP site in Greeley returns

Developer ushering similar plans through appeals process

A controversial proposal for a densely packed apartment complex at the former Hewlett-Packard property in west Greeley has seemingly returned from the dead.

In July, longtime Greeley developer Brian Bartel, of LaSalle Properties, watched his firm’s application for a rezone of the property falter before the Greeley City Council amid opposition from nearby homeowners.

LaSalle Properties wanted to rezone the property from its current Industrial Low-Intensity designation to Residential High-Intensity. But while council largely agreed I-L isn’t the proper zoning type for this area, concerns from nearby residents about new, dense development — especially the prospect of a large apartment complex — spurred council to reject the change on a 3-3 vote, with Mayor John Gates abstaining.

But Bartel didn’t give up. About a month later, LaSalle Properties submitted a new rezoning application, this time asking for the property to be changed to Residential Medium-Intensity, which council had encouraged. But that application was withdrawn by the applicant Feb. 6.

That was because, on Jan. 31, LaSalle Properties instead submitted a new pre-application, this time for an apartment complex to be built on the property as a Planned Unit Development. Those plans feature 288 units in 12 buildings, for a use the city maintains would still be within the high-density residential range.