Brighton adopts code changes and fee-reduction table to support affordable housing

The Brighton City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to amend the municipal code definition of affordable housing and adopted a companion resolution that establishes a revised table for fee reductions aimed at affordable housing projects.

Staff said the revisions are intended to better meet the city’s commitments under Proposition 123 and to implement recommendations from the housing needs assessment by using the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Adams County income limits and setting a minimum 30-year affordability duration.

City staff told council members they had shaped the draft fee-reduction table to replace an older matrix and to make qualifications clearer, add an average-area median-income component and specifically address senior affordable housing. Staff also said they are coordinating with the Brighton Housing Authority to inventory existing affordable units and agreements.

The ordinance (item 7A) and the fee-reduction resolution (item 7B) were presented together. Council Member Taddeo moved approval of 7A and Council Member Pawlowski seconded; the roll-call vote on the ordinance was 6-0 with two members absent. Council Member Snyder moved approval of the resolution for the fee and dedication reduction table; Pawlowski seconded and the resolution passed 6-0 with two absent.

Staff said the changes will require a subsequent agreement between qualifying owners and the city after an application is approved; staff did not propose changes to that agreement section in the ordinance packet. Council members asked clarifying questions but did not ask staff to return with substantive changes before adoption.

Staff recommended approval to provide clearer criteria for incentives and to support the city’s housing goals.