Brighton council approves rezoning for 6.05‑acre James Property; vote 8–1

Brighton City Council voted 8–1 on Jan. 20 to approve a first‑reading ordinance rezoning roughly 6.05 acres known as the James Property from Adams County A‑1 to C‑2, a restricted retail and services zone.

Senior planner Emily Lane told council the parcel, recently annexed, is positioned between industrial zoning to the east and medium‑density residential designations to the north; staff recommended C‑2 because it provides a transitional buffer and aligns with the Brighton comprehensive plan. Lane said the property is unplatted and additional processes (subdivision and final plat) would be required before site development.

Applicant representative Jeff Lilschgren of HR Green offered no additional testimony beyond staff’s presentation. No members of the public signed up to speak and the city clerk confirmed there were no digital comments.

Mayor Pro Tem Padilla and the director of public works described final design work on 40th Avenue — including a planned widening, a traffic signal and a stormwater pond — and said the street will provide the frontage and access that make C‑2 feasible for the site. Councilmember Green asked about neighborhood outreach; Lane said a virtual neighborhood meeting in August 2024 drew only a few attendees and staff had not received formal letters of interest from prospective developers.

City Attorney noted the annexation required assigning a municipal zoning category and said the owner currently intends to live on the property; Lane explained that the owner’s residence would become a legal nonconforming use and would convert to the new C‑2 uses if vacated for longer than 60 days.

Councilmember Fiddler moved approval and Mayor Pro Tem Padilla seconded. On roll call the motion passed 8–1. The ordinance will return for further readings and any subsequent permit or platting review will address site design, buffering and infrastructure connections.