By Shari Phiel
Berthoud Recorder

In a move that stunned Loveland City Council members at their Tuesday, April 21 meeting, the McWhinney development company withdrew a proposal that would have allowed the Centerra developer to use $12 million set aside for improvements and Interstate 25 and U.S. 34 for other projects.

McWhinney co-founder and CEO Chad McWhinney told city council members the company was withdrawing its proposal because of its potential to “divide Northern Colorado” rather the creating cooperative environment.

The city council was prepared to vote on the proposal at the Tuesday night meeting and Mayor Gene Pielin indicated they would have likely passed the request. Earlier in the day, the Larimer County Commissioners declined to take a stand on the McWhinney proposal, although Commissioner Tom Donnelly stated he did not support the request.

McWhinney had hoped to use the funds for projects that would attract primary employers to the area. The company pursued the proposed amendment stating they had already met some of the transportation project requirements when the $11.8 million Centerra development was built.