How to Use the Plan: Locational Criteria

Printable PDF version

General Intent
The intent of the Future Land Use plan is not to predetermine specific land uses for individual parcels or specific locations for uses or facilities, but to provide a general framework for neighborhoods and activity centers organized around a roadway network and major parks and open space. Therefore, if a developer proposes a project that is generally consistent with the categories shown and with locations for activity centers identified, or that meets locational criteria described in this section, then the proposed project shall be considered to be in conformance with this Plan. For example, the plan shows Urban Residential land uses, but does not designate Neighborhood Business Centers. A developer is able to propose a Neighborhood Business Center in a location not shown if it meets locational criteria as set forth in this chapter. The proposal for the activity center should also follow design principles in the plan to achieve a long lasting and beneficial community project. It is also anticipated that large tracts of property could develop their own master development plan based on the principles and process described in PlanCheyenne, provided that the master development plan is generally consistent with the land use patterns and principles contained in this Plan. The determination of consistency shall be made by the Planning Commission, based on a review and recommendations from planning staff. The master development plan shall be processed as an amendment to PlanCheyenne, in accordance with the process and procedures established in Chapter 3 of BuildCheyenne.

Activity Centers and Locational Criteria
A key direction of this Plan is to develop mixed‐use activity centers as a focus for economic and social activity in the community. The intent is that a variety of different kinds of centers will serve different needs in the community. Centers will range from smallscale neighborhood or community‐oriented centers (i.e, a Neighborhood Business Center or a Mixed‐Use Commercial Activity Center) to regional centers (i.e., a Community/Regional Activity Center).

These will all be places with high quality site design, containing a mix of complementary land uses, such as retail and higher density housing (e.g., loft style apartments). Site design also should include some public or quasi‐public spaces such as plazas, natural open space, or outdoor seating associated with restaurants. Site and building design should be cohesive and designed with people in mind, and should include some open space or park facility. Finally, the location activity centers must be coordinated with the street system and transportation, as defined in the criteria that follow.

The criteria in the following sections address the location and some size and design issues for:

Neighborhood Business Centers (not shown on the Future Land Use Plan);
  • Mixed‐Use Commercial Activity Centers;

  • and Community/Regional Commercial Centers.


(See the Mixed‐Use Development Principles on page 3‐15 for more information about activity center design.)

Neighborhood Business Centers
Neighborhood Business Centers are NOT specifically designated on the Future land Use Plan as activity centers. The intent for Neighborhood Business Centers is to locate them to serve the convenience shopping needs of a neighborhood. The community will use the following criteria in determining the location of this type of center. It should:

  • Occur in an area designated for Urban Residential or Mixed‐Use Residential.

  • Have frontage on an arterial and a collector or two collector roads.

  • Range in size up to five acres.

  • Serve a trade area up to 3/4 of a mile.

  • Be accessible by walking from neighborhoods.

  • Contain amenities such as a pedestrian plaza, sidewalks, and landscaping and signs and access control to create a cohesive development.

  • Ensure that commercial development is integrated with and enhances enhances the surrounding neighborhoods.





Mixed-Use Commercial Activity Centers
Mixed‐Use Commercial Activity Centers are located throughout the community to serve the day‐to‐day commercial needs of surrounding neighborhoods. Use the following criteria in determining the location and design of Mixed‐ Use Commercial Activity Centers (as designated on the Future land Use Plan OR to designate new centers). This type of center should:
  • Be located on one quadrant of the intersection of two arterials in places designated for "Mixed‐Use" on the future land use plan.

  • Vary in size depending on the mix of uses.

  • Serve a trade area up to 2 miles.

  • Have a gross floor area up to 200,000 square feet of non‐residential uses.

  • Typical format consists of one anchor store, such as a supermarket or drug store, and smaller retail and services. The project should also contain some residential development (either vertically or horizontally mixed). (See Design Principles for Mixed‐Use Development.)

  • The main part of the development should contain amenities such as a pedestrian plaza and landscaping as well as sign and access control to create a cohesive development.

  • Additional Mixed‐Use Activity Centers can be located in the community provided that traffic impacts are mitigated and transitions are provided for residential areas.





Community/Regional Activity Centers
Community/Regional Activity Centers are located throughout the community to serve the day‐to‐day commercial needs of the community. Use the following criteria in determining the location and design of Community/Regional Activity Centers (as designated on the Future land Use Plan OR to designate new centers). This type of center should:
  • Be located on one to two quadrants of an Interstate interchange or on one quadrant of the intersection of two arterials.

  • Range in size up to 100 acres.

  • Serve a trade area up to 5 miles.

  • Have a gross floor area of over 200,000 square feet for non‐residential uses.

  • Typical format consists of one to two anchor stores, such as a supermarket or drug store, or can consist of regional shopping, "lifestyle" centers, outlet mall, and "big box" configurations.

  • Contain amenities such as a pedestrian plaza and landscaping as well as sign and access control to create a cohesive development.

  • Additional Community/Regional Activity Centers can be located in the community provided that traffic impacts are mitigated and transitions are provided for residential areas.

Example of a park and plaza focal area in an activity center.



Neighborhood Business Centers will contain a mix of retail and services and will be pedestrian-oriented and to relate to surrounding neighborhoods.



Mixed-Use Commercial Activity Centers may contain retail, offices, and some residential development, including lofts or townhomes.




Example of a Neighborhood Business Center Design.




Mixed‐Use Commercial Activity Center Example.





A Community/Regional Activity Center should be located on one or two quadrants of an Interstate interchange (as shown in this example), or on one quadrant of the intersection of two arterials.