Johnstown Council Approves 96-Home Riverbend Estates Development
The Johnstown Town Council approved four measures Monday that advance plans for Riverbend Estates P.U.D. Filing No. 1, a proposed 96-home neighborhood on approximately 76.25 acres near the Little Thompson River.
The property is generally located south of Weld County Road 46 and west of Parish Avenue, with the Little Thompson River running along the southern portion of the site. Plans call for detached single-family homes, public streets, trails, parks and open space. Residential lots would begin at approximately 6,000 square feet, with some exceeding 10,000 square feet.
Council approved Resolution 2026-36 for the final plat and Ordinance 2026-296 on first reading for the final development plan. It also approved a subdivision development and improvement agreement and a water and sewer service agreement.
All four measures passed by a 5-0 vote. Mayor Michael Duncan, Mayor Pro Tem Chad Young and Councilmembers Jesse Molinar Jr., Dianne Morris and Nick Bashford voted in favor. Councilmembers Damien Berg and Dee Anne Menzies were absent.
The approvals move Riverbend Estates closer to construction, but they do not authorize homebuilding to begin immediately. The developer must still satisfy engineering, infrastructure, water-dedication, floodplain and recording requirements before the project can proceed to later construction and building-permit stages.
Plans include homes, trails and open space
The final development plan establishes standards for a detached single-family neighborhood with homes limited to 35 feet in height. Each residence would be required to provide at least two off-street parking spaces.
The subdivision would also include public streets, trails, parks and common open-space areas. Town planning documents state that the proposal includes more parkland and open space than the minimum required under Johnstown’s development regulations.
Public trails are planned throughout the site, including connections intended to improve access to the Little Thompson River corridor and surrounding properties. The subdivision agreement assigns the developer responsibility for constructing and maintaining the required streets, utilities, drainage systems, landscaping, irrigation, fencing, parks, open space and trails until those improvements are accepted or transferred as required.
Floodplain approval remains a major condition
A substantial portion of the property is currently mapped within a Federal Emergency Management Agency special flood-hazard area. The developer has pursued a Conditional Letter of Map Revision, commonly known as a CLOMR, for proposed improvements intended to alter the mapped floodplain.
After those improvements are completed, FEMA must review the finished work through the Letter of Map Revision process. Homes cannot be built within areas currently affected by the mapped floodplain or floodway until the required revisions and approvals are completed.
The development will also require a Town floodplain-development permit before construction begins in regulated areas. Project documents warn that revising the mapped boundary does not guarantee that nearby properties will be free from flood risk.
Additional safeguards would apply to certain homes near the revised boundary. Houses with basements or crawlspaces would require sump pumps with backup power before receiving certificates of occupancy, while larger below-grade areas may require certification from a licensed geotechnical engineer.
Engineering, water and infrastructure work still required
Before the final plat can be recorded, Riverbend Estates Partners LLC must provide updated civil-engineering plans and supporting reports acceptable to Town staff. The developer must also dedicate enough raw water to meet the projected demand created by the neighborhood.
The subdivision and utility agreements establish responsibility for streets, water and sewer service, drainage facilities and other public improvements. The project must also receive any required approvals from outside agencies with authority over portions of the site or planned infrastructure.
The development agreement includes requirements involving Weld County Road 46 and an emergency access connection to Riverfront Court. Those improvements must be completed at the appropriate project stages before the Town accepts certain subdivision improvements.
Producing oil and gas facilities are located along the western side of the property. The development plan includes restrictions and protective measures for areas near active equipment, and lots that cannot yet be developed must remain graded and planted with native grasses until development is permitted.
Planning Commission previously recommended approval
The Johnstown Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the final plat and final development plan in June 2024 and voted 4-0 to recommend approval.
Town planning staff also recommended approval, finding that the proposal was substantially consistent with the previously approved preliminary plan and met the applicable subdivision and planned-development review criteria.
The Council’s actions did not establish a construction or home-sales timeline. Riverbend Estates must still complete the required engineering, infrastructure, water, floodplain and recording steps before construction can move forward.r construction and building-permit stages.
