Brighton City Council moves forward with annexation for planned development near sugar factory

BRIGHTON — City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an annexation ordinance for a planned industrial and commercial business park east of Highway 85 during their March 19 meeting.

Council also approved the first reading of a planned unit of development and a five-year vested property right for the 23.5-acre parcel between US-85 and North Main Street.

Senior Planner Jason Bradford said the annexation includes a 19.3-acre lot and 4.2 acres of right of way. He said the property is vacant and the PUD would allow for a wide range of commercial and light industrial uses and stipulate design standards for future developments on the property.

“The PUD takes advantage of some of the significant market demand that we’re seeing along the US-85 corridor for light industrial, but it also provides an opportunity to take advantage of the likely market demand for commercial uses that there might be along US-85,” he said.

Additionally, the PUD stipulates the extension of the Madison Street alignment serving as an entrance to the property, the addition of right-of-way for sidewalks along Denver Street and trail extensions along North Main Street and the northern boundary of the property.

Bradford said the five-year vesting period provides assurance for the developer and owner that the PUD will remain in effect long enough to develop the site as a whole. The PUD would also be divided into three lots.

“We are working on a final plat which would subdivide Lot 1 … and they do have a potential user on that lot that would be, I think the best way to describe it would be rural residential/agricultural supply retailer, but the rest of the property, I don’t know that there’s any specific plans at this point as to what would be developed on there other than what the PUD allows,” he said.

Councilwoman Cynthia Martinez wanted to know whether there was anything on the property of historic value and was curious about future road development in the area.

Bradford said the property was associated with the sugar factory, which has a long and significant history in the city, but that there are no structures left on it that have any significance.

Speaking about the future development of the roads, Streets and Fleets Director Joe Smith said the east end of Denver Avenue will have a three-lane section off of US-85 and that North Main Street will eventually have four lanes.

“That’s my ward, and I have to tell you I am very excited to see something happening over there because we also have, across 85, some things going on on that side,” Martinez said. “So I think driving down 85 both ways there’s going to be some movement, and I’m very excited about it. I’m looking forward to it.”

Speaking on behalf of property owner Mark Campbell of South Western Investment Advisors, Galloway and Company Site Development Director Peggy Friesen thanked council and city staff for their assistance.

“We think that it will be a great benefit, this property, both financially, for your budget, as well as for the development of the property and we’re very happy to be in Brighton,” she said.

City Council will hear the second reading of the ordinances at a future meeting.

In other business, Parks and Recreation Director Gary Wardle will be submitting another grant to continue the restoration of the Bromley-Hishinuma farm. City Council unanimously approved a $200,000 grant application to be submitted to the Colorado State Historical Fund for the first phase of the interior restoration of the house.