Brighton council approves rezoning of 10.6‑acre Singh property to C‑2 over neighborhood objections

Brighton City Council approved a zoning map amendment on April 15 to rezone an approximately 10.59‑acre property at the intersection of East 120th Avenue and Potomac Street from its expired PUD/underlying residential designation to a C‑2 (restricted retail and services) district, by a roll call vote of 6–2.

City planning staff presented the request as a cleanup and alignment with surrounding commercial zoning and infrastructure. "The property's rezoning will help to support policies of the comprehensive plan," Summer McCann, senior planner, told the council, citing the site's location at a regional arterial and adjacency to existing commercial parcels. McCann said the property's earlier PUD vested rights expired in 2011 and that subdivision, site plan and infrastructure improvements will be required before development.

The rezoning drew extensive public comment from nearby residents who opposed commercial development next to a rural‑estate neighborhood. Speakers raised traffic safety, stormwater and groundwater contamination risks, repeated assurances from the owners that a gas station would not be built, and potential impacts to property values and public safety. "This rezoning benefits one person or one applicant, but harms the entire surrounding community," resident Caroline Pira told the council during public comment.

Representatives for the applicants — attorneys and family members who identified themselves as long‑time Brighton business owners — said the owners aim to provide neighborhood‑serving businesses and argued commercial zoning is consistent with the city's broader plans for the corridor. "We are committed to working with the city and the engineers to implement smart traffic solutions," Harmon Core Bajwa said, describing a goal of small shops and services rather than large industrial uses.

Staff and the applicant both emphasized that rezoning does not itself approve specific development. McCann noted that a drainage report, subdivision plan and site plan reviews will follow and that the developer must construct or fund road, sewer and water improvements required for any new uses. Planning staff said standard buffering would apply (a 15‑foot buffer adjacent to residential parcels, with the director able to require a larger Type 3 buffer) and that staff would seek more substantial mitigation at the plat stage.

Council discussion split over competing priorities: several members said the corridor requires commercial services as residential growth increases, while others said remaining protections for wells, septic systems and neighborhood character were insufficient. Council member Green argued the rezoning would provide convenient services close to new residential developments. Council member Snyder said concerns about groundwater and long‑term control of permitted C‑2 uses made him reluctant to support the change. Mayor Pro Tem moved approval; Council member Green seconded. The motion carried 6–2.

Next steps: the approved rezoning allows the property to seek subdivision approval and site plan review. Those future steps will require specific engineering, traffic mitigation, drainage and buffering commitments that staff said will be part of the formal plat and permitting process.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the zoning map amendment to C‑2 for the property described as being north of E. 120th Avenue, south of E. 121st Place, east of Wheeling Street and west of Potomac Street — Mover: Mayor Pro Tem; Second: Council member Green; Vote: 6 yes, 2 no; Outcome: approved.