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​Long Range Planning​​

Thornton is a fast growing city — one that will continue to expand northward in the decades to come. With this growth comes the responsibility for careful planning. Thornton's Policy Planning Division, in concert with the City Council and citizens of Thornton, oversees this long range planning. 

Ongoing 2022 Eastlake Planning Projects

The city is currently working on the Eastlake Streetscape Conceptual Plan. Starting late summer 2021, the city will be drafting a new nonresidential zone district and overlay service district for the nonresidential area of Eastlake. Please click on the project links for more information.

Thornton Historic Preservation Plan - Coming Soon

Please check the Historic Preservation Plan page for updates.

2020 Thornton Comprehensive Plan
 2012 Thornton Comprehensive Plan​​​​Master & Strategic Plans       Thornton Area Plans       
         North Metro Rail Station Area Plans​                ​     Thornton Pattern Book          ​          Natural Hazard Plan     ​         Population & Demographics      ​
        Metropolitan Districts       ​     Community Wellness          ​   Thornton Sustainability            ​ ​Historic Recognition

About the Policy Planning Division 

Thornton's Policy Planning Division works on long range planning issues to ensure that growth meets the needs and vision of the community. Specifically, Policy Planning is involved in the following:

  • Amending, updating and implementing the Thornton Comprehensive Plan and associated plans to ensure the well-planned growth of the city. Policy Planning evaluates development plans for consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and associated Master Plans and Area Plans.

  • Preparing special studies and long range planning documents including Master Plans and Subarea Plans for the City of Thornton, such as Station Area Master Plans, the Eastlake Subarea Plan, and the North Washington Subarea Plan.

  • Providing a resource for historic preservation in Thornton, the Historic Recognition Ordinance, as well as coordinating the development of a Historic Preservation Plan.

  • Providing analysis on regional and intergovernmental issues, and new legislation. Policy Planning represents the City on a variety of committees dealing with these matters.

  • Developing and maintaining an extensive statistical database for the city including analyzing census data, inventorying the existing building stock, tracking new development, developing population estimates and identifying growth trends.

  • Implementing a number of measures to increase the efficiency of its facilities and systems through Thornton Sustainability (www.thorntonsustainability.com).