Thornton City Council reviews final changes to development code update

In the heart of Thornton City Hall, city officials gathered for a pivotal planning session on May 20, 2025, to discuss the ongoing development code update. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as council members prepared to review significant changes to the city’s planning regulations, a project that has been in the works for over a year.

Karen Wodomski, the long-range planning manager, led the presentation alongside a team of senior planners and a consultant. They aimed to consolidate feedback from previous public hearings and stakeholder input into a comprehensive draft of the development code. This session marked a crucial step toward finalizing the code, with only one more briefing scheduled before the final public hearing.

Wodomski emphasized the importance of council feedback on the latest draft, which includes 13 articles covering various aspects of zoning, use standards, building design, and mobility access. The team highlighted notable articles that required council guidance, particularly those addressing zoning districts and building standards.

Throughout the meeting, the planners detailed minor changes aimed at improving clarity and readability, such as grammatical corrections and reorganization of content. They also noted the necessity of aligning the document with municipal code formatting, which included renumbering sections and ensuring compliance with ADA standards.

As the session progressed, the planners expressed their commitment to incorporating community and developer feedback, ensuring that the new code reflects the needs and desires of Thornton’s residents. The collaborative effort aims to create a more streamlined and effective development process, ultimately enhancing the city’s growth and livability.

With the project nearing completion, the council's direction will be pivotal in shaping the final version of the development code, setting the stage for Thornton's future development landscape. As the meeting concluded, the sense of urgency and collaboration among city officials underscored the importance of this initiative for the community's growth and sustainability.