Brighton launches comprehensive-plan update, consultants outline 4-window public engagement

Brighton city officials and consultants formally kicked off an update to the city's comprehensive plan at a joint study session, laying out a 14-to-18-month schedule of technical analysis and community engagement aimed at producing a concise, action-oriented guidance document for land use, transportation, housing and other policies.

City Manager Michael Martinez introduced the work, and Design Workshop principals described a four-window engagement approach that will include a statistically valid survey, targeted focus groups, pop-up events, and a community advisory group. "This process will typically take about 15 to 18 months, and there's gonna be a lot of public engagement," Community Development Director Holly Prather told the council and planning commissioners.

Why it matters

The comprehensive plan directs long-range policy and is used as a review criterion for zoning, subdivisions and other land-use decisions. Updating the 2016 plan now will give staff, the planning commission and council new policy guidance as Brighton continues to grow. "It helps support and provide guidance on things like land use, on housing, public review process, services, natural resources," consultant Emily Burrows said, describing the plan as "your blueprint…