[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6491420,"mediaKeyId","5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954","parentId",5455062,"title","Council advances stormwater and floodplain update; new permitting and fees proposed","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",10164000,"endMs",10531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954&start=10164&end=10531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954/thumbnail_10164000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491420/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Council-advances-stormwater-and-floodplain-update-new-permitting-and-fees-proposed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491420-1c22e14d066ab36a8ccaf9880dab50eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591688&Signature=d67YtEKTbi50d3W1nsDaWw5uimyyxR7McI-JPQt1q5fgeFE897iD5WLuFRBNYArWiK~Q6NGcOgTI3tWTsVN5x1NwNE9MaI3~QUk7S0nAtfixm2qtAqtz~nZVi4SnJIu9G1Ih5B8ksRoBDb7ewI6DHwHBt6AusRoHM8vhljsquGc5iS9a2irRuD2hvUkH5DOcddGj4rB9bgsrYY7y7lP83DpCLa3qN82CNiCI3fcxcrNhKEfh1sk~MpkZjuFiLmvyFGfNQ~yi0x7w~kHz5bhCWCPwWVPid-~MwBkNMVvhCvDVN8OyXl2xb0WwgidJh0SYKoD3UFF-GUYOy6eue8rMbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Thornton CO","date","2025-07-23T15:40:21.013Z","article","The Thornton City Council on July 22 gave first reading approval to an ordinance that reorganizes stormwater and floodplain rules, adopts the Mile High Flood District urban storm drainage criteria manual by reference and establishes a stormwater quality permitting system for development disturbances.

Keith Bisbee, the city’s stormwater coordinator, told the council the package extracts stormwater provisions from Chapter 18 and places them in a new Chapter 22 to consolidate technical standards, align enforcement under one group and move stormwater‑related fees into the stormwater enterprise fund. The change is intended to simplify administration and to place technical material (design manuals and specifications) in referenced standards rather than in ordinance text.

The ordinance would require a stormwater quality permit for projects that disturb 1 acre or more, or smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development. As part of the permitting approach, staff proposed a bracketed fee schedule tied to disturbed acreage, a $150 administrative fee for annual permit renewals and a structure of escalating reinspection fees ($150, then $300) that can lead to a stop‑work order for repeated noncompliance. Bisbee said the proposal also includes an administrative limit on the acreage of active disturbance (generally 40 acres at a time) to improve compliance and reduce erosion and runoff risks.

Bisbee showed comparative data that put Thornton’s proposed permitting and reinspection fees near the mid‑range of other Colorado municipalities that charge by acreage. He said the fees largely recover costs that were previously embedded in development construction review fees and that the changes reallocate those costs into the stormwater enterprise fund.

Staff recommended adoption of the ordinance on first reading and scheduled a second reading for Aug. 12. Bisbee said the city expects a new MS4 permit from the state in the near term and that updating local stormwater code now will help the city meet forthcoming regulatory expectations.

Council members had no substantive objections during the first reading; the ordinance passed on first reading by unanimous vote. Bisbee said staff will continue stakeholder engagement and noted the Home Builders Association had no substantive objections to the proposed changes.

Ending: The ordinance passed on first reading; second reading is scheduled for Aug. 12. If adopted, the city will begin implementing the permitting process and fee schedule, and staff will publish administrative guidance for permit applicants.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Thornton City Council Meeting - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Thornton moved forward on a rewrite of its stormwater and floodplain rules on July 22, approving first reading of an ordinance that establishes a stormwater quality permit for disturbances of 1 acre or more, adopts the Mile High Flood District manual by reference, and updates fees and enforcement tools.","taxTitle","Thornton City, Adams County, Colorado","taxId",5596,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491425,"Thornton advances major development code rewrite and new zoning map after hours of review and public comment",4119,2369000,6488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954&start=2369&end=6488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954/thumbnail_2369000.jpg","/articles/6491425/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Thornton-advances-major-development-code-rewrite-and-new-zoning-map-after-hours-of-review-and-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491425-50cef0ac58d470872079c8ca9fd7f481/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591688&Signature=VAs1M~8SJBs66kHlz9gEc51yaugpWczohyfaQaLXKNs5FMYkz74w2JLZ98M0qE9jW~wZFamR5Zgxua0yeBiss8H15MXyDWDyrR1Y7Qn1k11eUGS6mi7GR7GjbBjrXeutCMr2~D47lTpWpgzzLMLuBu7~oqGh6i6VbTWFB3UCoyU1QujhYqqvFTGFMGLnmXTKv4uufccfBHYAXFJWr2KdLoIBi5RcUkFZ9IQo-UMIutF45~eGL0o6Vj~liIGaChXRhyOC22YXyHNS6MaGdvDwZyoXebWSLRUA747hXiHpoB8LPkn1-DjXr6CSvBigrp68cXBO1202e6npu34B3CsjWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After nearly two years of study and public engagement, the Thornton City Council on July 22 voted unanimously on first reading to repeal and reenact Chapter 18 of the Thornton City Code and to adopt a new official zoning map.

Karen Wodomski, long‑range planning manager, presented the final package, describing a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s development code to align regulations with the comprehensive plan and contemporary development practice. The rewrite covers 13 articles, including procedures, zoning districts, use standards, design standards, landscaping, access/mobility, subdivision standards and nonconformities. Wodomski said the update is intended to make standards more objective, increase walkability, encourage a range of housing types and reduce the city’s reliance on plan‑development (PD) exceptions.

Major changes explained in the staff presentation include renaming and reorganizing zoning districts, creating two new districts (a residential low‑density district and a plan‑development overlay), clarifying the difference between new development and redevelopment, and moving some provisions such as nuisance/blight rules to Chapter 38. Staff also proposed changing the application type called Conceptual Site Plan to a Preliminary Plan and — by Council direction — treating Preliminary Plans as administrative (rather than quasi‑judicial) reviews. Wodomski said administrative review would include added public notification and optional additional neighborhood meetings at Council’s request; she also noted that Planning Commission had recommended retaining quasi‑judicial status for the Preliminary Plan at its July 1 hearing but that Council previously directed the administrative approach.

Wodomski told the council the city conducted extensive outreach: interviews with 20 staff across 13 divisions, direct interviews with 47 nonprofit and faith‑based stakeholders, six topical stakeholder meetings, 29 stakeholder surveys, four public input meetings, 11 community event booths and 89 resident surveys. She said the city sent more than 61,600 postcards to property owners to notify them of hearings and open houses.

Public comment at the council hearing was sharply divided. Several neighborhood residents — including Sarah and Dale Walski of Hunters Glen — urged the council to preserve existing neighborhood character and expressed alarm at draft dimensional changes they said would reduce minimum lot sizes, reduce front setbacks, increase allowed building heights and raise lot coverage limits. The Walskis said those changes would increase density and congestion and asked for more public education and opportunities to comment. Staff responded that many apparent differences reflect revised definitions (for example, changes in how impervious surface or lot coverage is measured) rather than an immediate rezoning of existing neighborhoods; Wodomski emphasized that the new code does not automatically rezone any property and that pending applications would be reviewed under the current code.

Other residents and local developers supported the code’s expanded housing options — duplexes, cottage homes, motor courts and “green courts” — as necessary to provide attainable housing for younger residents and recent graduates. Ben Smith, a resident who identified himself during public comment, said the code would give families more options and that the rewrite balances walkability, transit orientation and preservation of existing neighborhoods.

Council members acknowledged residents’ concerns about specific dimensional changes and a nearby project that had raised anxiety in the neighborhood, but they also expressed support for modernizing the city’s land‑use rules to expand housing options. Council member Martinez thanked staff for two years of stakeholder engagement and said the code is a starting point that council and staff will continue to amend and refine. Several council members noted that the city will pursue a separate, targeted affordable‑housing study funded through Prop 123 (a housing grant) this fall to identify additional incentives and adjustments.

Wodomski said the new code’s effective date would be Sept. 1, 2025, with a pause on new application intake from July 23 while staff updates forms; applicants submitting before July 23 would be processed under the existing code. She also said staff plans to bring cleanup amendments within the first year after adoption.

Councilor Martinez moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on first reading. The ordinance will return for second reading and final adoption on a subsequent council agenda.

Ending: Council approved the development code and new official zoning map on first reading, with staff planning a Sept. 1 effective date and follow‑up cleanup amendments. Rezonings of particular parcels, and any pending development applications, will be processed according to the existing code unless otherwise noted by staff.

","After two years of outreach and drafting, the Thornton City Council voted unanimously on first reading July 22 to repeal and reenact Chapter 18 — the city’s development code — and to adopt a new official zoning map, setting in motion broad changes to zoning districts, review procedures and design standards.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491429,"Thornton council approves submission of 2025–2029 CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 annual action plan",1263,1108000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954&start=1108&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954/thumbnail_1108000.jpg","/articles/6491429/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Thornton-council-approves-submission-of-20252029-CDBG-consolidated-plan-and-2025-annual-action-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491429-ceffae7bb32c49b4f2403abc301f2bd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591688&Signature=nIwo~hFeNiMxcb~K4kg4rW5meqZhO4kYDFiBxppP0nbACCi5CAjKS67c0r6SGUmjwWByvVdMKCYC7VRvqWxB6gsnjeBlQz6JnrqSDlHR4HZRupUIH3ugy3E2NQVjf5n25q0SoBHMUtaH0yz6S7YmORWKXftNchLzfDPYw-FdEkh~M7lQOKdr3KV3MOldtivzEZwdTMUfP7Qm39-WqppPAtmWijlSQ8~CM6cg6ZZVLBtaM7cSGsK~PkRzBj9vzaf~Qjq7ZuXwNGNlv1V5ntkIoYG7INqUo-e0w70Kr0S4g9aWOTPjDW7iAZKtJVkc~h5Kfh1R5V0FXsXjF9lcXYqQ4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thornton City Council on July 22 unanimously approved a resolution to submit the city’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, securing $811,771 in CDBG funds for the 2025 program year.

The plans guide how Thornton will use federal Community Development Block Grant money over the next five years and identify priority needs including affordable housing, public services, public facilities and program administration. Cheryl Steinberg, the city’s grant and housing supervisor, told the council the recommended 2025 allocation is designed to target low- and moderate-income residents, preserve and rehabilitate existing housing and support homelessness prevention and outreach services.

Steinberg said HUD allocated $811,771 for Thornton for program year 2025 (the program year runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30). HUD rules limit CDBG public‑service spending to 15% of the total grant and administration to 20%. Staff received nine funding applications requesting $920,549 and recommended funding three housing activities, one public‑service activity and administration within the available amount.

Staff’s recommended awards in the annual action plan included: $327,651 to the city’s code‑compliance assistance program (hazardous tree removal, fence replacement, junk removal and a staff position to run it); $152,000 to Brothers Redevelopment’s Help for Homes program; $48,000 to Brothers Redevelopment for an exterior painting program for seniors and people with disabilities; and $121,766 to support the city’s homeless outreach team (HOTT). Steinberg said the staff recommendations were shaped by past program performance, applicant capacity and alignment with the consolidated plan goals.

Council members thanked Steinberg for outreach and preparation. Mayor Coleman and councilors noted the longstanding demand for housing and social services that CDBG funds help address. Council member Martinez praised the staff’s engagement with stakeholders and called the funds an important tool for addressing housing needs.

The council voted to adopt the resolution and authorized staff to submit the consolidated plan and 2025 annual action plan to HUD by the required August deadline. Steinberg noted the 30‑day public comment period for the draft had produced no written comments and that the public hearing held before council was part of the formal submission process.

The approved plan is intended to guide funding decisions through 2029. Steinberg said the city will continue to monitor program performance and to coordinate with nonprofit service providers and other funders to extend housing and homeless services beyond the CDBG allocation.

Ending: Council action authorizes staff to submit the consolidated plan and annual action plan to HUD and to implement the recommended 2025 activities; specific awards and program contracts will be administered through the city’s usual grant and contracting processes.

","City council voted unanimously to submit the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan to HUD, directing $811,771 in 2025 Community Development Block Grant funding toward housing rehabilitation, homelessness outreach and program administration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491415,"Votes at a glance: Key council actions, July 22, 2025",268,6064000,6332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954&start=6064&end=6332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5455062-9ca9884415b5f439fb4535f00d96e954/thumbnail_6064000.jpg","/articles/6491415/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-council-actions-July-22-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491415-6d2cc5dd757a3826e292911f1f466683/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591688&Signature=J~m3M4nRcB~DKQKchJEWta4SnILZXS4GdoIRbz6TDEIP~3RIASYdHO3bkH4PlXpiUlHSz0bz1IVcbcR3TjQzyHi5gsxD1NpCSf1AGDB8lZFRc9HddeL1DGBnvROkPCpTnDSnf4YmWN8btS4imS1MLkAXj~~pOihAXoW4t3WibmMzWcv8XQVr9KTbf~VzHnI2avp5rYNJbWk0rIbJAmxix68yRe9iwVtKDLuU8gPXYRqqpmUYyR4vPQC24XlMkz6U7Pyr2eyeXAAKfVasrNKQ0ikl~XPI4S5sDxYt~990OyZNXe4BFZV917BxOvxYcsdxQwNgT2eh7ajUM3Tz8E5xaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thornton City Council took votes on multiple formal items during its July 22 meeting. Below is a concise summary of each action, the motion, mover (when stated), and the recorded vote. For fuller context, see the separate longer articles on the CDBG consolidated plan, the development‑code rewrite and the stormwater code update.

Votes at a glance

1) Ordinance to amend City Council rules of order and procedure (move audience participation to before public hearings) — Item 13A
- Motion: Amend council rules to move audience participation before public hearings; request immediate approval.
- Mover: Council member Salazar
- Outcome: Passed 6–1 (Mayor Coleman voted No; six council members voted Yes)
- Notes: Second reading completed; change to be reflected at the next meeting.

2) Intergovernmental Agreement — Adams County Community Transit Program — Item 13B
- Motion: Approve updated IGA with Adams County and neighboring cities to continue the Adams County Community Transit Program (via as broker; voucher Lyft pilot noted).
- Mover: Council member Ayala (introduced)
- Outcome: Approved unanimously
- Notes: Thornton contribution in recent years $52,229 per year; program serves residents 60+ and people with disabilities; weekend trial service running June–Aug.

3) Resolution/consent item: Vacation of portion of East Lake Avenue and Cloud Court right‑of‑way — Consent calendar
- Motion: Approve ordinance vacating specified rights‑of‑way east of Lafayette Street and west of Cloud Court.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (consent calendar)
- Notes: Routine consent item; title read and roll call taken.

4) Ordinances submitting charter amendments to voters — Items 13D through 13G (four separate ballot questions)
- Motion(s): Place the following charter amendments on the November coordinated election ballot (first readings conducted July 22):
a) Define a partial term for purposes of term limits: a partial term of less than two years does not count toward the two‑consecutive‑term limit (13D).
b) Fill mayoral vacancies by special election when more than one year of the term remains (13E).
c) Increase time frames to gather petition signatures for initiative (from 21 to 120 days) and referendum (from 21 to 30 days) (13F).
d) A broad cleanup of charter language to remove obsolete/ambiguous text, clarify nepotism applicability, intergovernmental authority, budget terms and other non‑substantive edits (13G).
- Movers/Introductions: Council member Acunto introduced 13D and 13E; Council member Ayala introduced 13F; Council member Russell introduced 13G.
- Outcomes: All four ordinances passed first reading unanimously. If adopted on second reading, each will be certified for placement on the Nov. 4 coordinated election.
- Notes: If placed on the ballot, legal and publication steps occur between August and November; county IGA for coordinated election anticipated on Aug. 26.

5) Consent calendar and other routine items
- Motion: Approve consent calendar (vacation of rights‑of‑way, various routine agreements and minutes)
- Outcome: Approved unanimously

How to follow up
- Items passing first reading (ordinances) will return for second reading on scheduled dates; items referred to the ballot require additional publication and coordination with Adams County election officials.

Ending: The council approved the procedural rule change, continued participation in the county transit program, numerous charter referral ordinances for voter consideration, and routine consent actions. The development code, stormwater and CDBG actions were also approved (see separate articles).","Thornton City Council approved a range of items including procedural rule changes, an IGA for county transit services, consent ROW vacation, charter ballot referrals, and other ordinances; most measures passed unanimously or by clear majorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances stormwater and floodplain update; new permitting and fees proposed

Thornton advances major development code rewrite and new zoning map after hours of review and public comment

Thornton council approves submission of 2025–2029 CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 annual action plan

Votes at a glance: Key council actions, July 22, 2025