Centennial staff outline neighborhood services grants, rental rules, animal services and code enforcement

Ryan Thompson, the city’s Neighborhood Services manager, and Stephanie Warren, a planner, presented the Neighborhood Services program and several outreach and grant initiatives at the Feb. 12 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Thompson summarized three grant tiers used to promote neighbor engagement and community improvements: a $500 neighborhood engagement grant, $10,000 community improvement grants and the larger Eligible Partner Grant program funded from Arapahoe County open‑space dollars. "In 2024 we had over a hundred of those $500 grant applications submitted and we distributed $47,000 in grant funds," Thompson said, describing neighborhood events, outdoor movie kits and community improvement projects staff have supported.

Thompson described the $10,000 community improvement grants as intended for placemaking, monument signage, landscaping and similar capital projects. He said staff received 33 large‑grant proposals last year and awarded 10; some awarded projects came in under budget and others leveraged additional community contributions. "We completed 4 of those in 2021. Last year we did 10," he said. For accountability, Thompson said applicants enter into an agreement and are responsible for maintenance for five years; staff pays the applicant upon submission of invoices.

The presentation also covered the movie‑night kits — two portable outdoor screening kits available for neighborhood use — which Thompson said were fully booked on weekends in 2024 except when weather intervened. He said applications for the $500 grants open April 2 and that trainings for large‑grant applicants are being offered to help prospective applicants prepare successful proposals.

On short‑term rentals, Thompson said Centennial maintains a licensing program and that registrations peaked near the mid‑30s previously but that the city currently has about 97 registered short‑term rentals with only one complaint last year (a trash‑can issue). He described requirements that licensees notify nearby neighbors and provide a 24‑hour contact with a two‑hour required response time.

Thompson summarized animal services outcomes and an upcoming pet licensing platform. Centennial contracts animal services to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region; Thompson said officers investigated 113 animal bites, handled more than 60 potentially dangerous or dangerous‑animal cases and received 5,088 calls for service last year. The city will pilot DocuPet, a pet‑licensing service that provides medallions and a lost‑pet service; Thompson said the city plans a soft launch in March and broader outreach in April–May.

On code compliance, Thompson said Centennial operates a complaint‑based enforcement program managed under contract with Jacobs. He said the city closed 916 code cases last year, removed 2,059 signs and focused on education first, abatement where necessary, and voluntary compliance; common violations included right‑of‑way obstructions, visible garbage cans and noxious weeds.

Stephanie Warren summarized the Eligible Partner Grant program — Centennial’s open‑space grant sourced from Arapahoe County’s open‑space allocations. Warren said the program accepts applications from special districts, school districts and nonprofits that provide recreation and open‑space amenities serving Centennial residents. She said funds may be used for planning, design and capital costs; examples included tree plantings along the High Line Canal and playground/park upgrades by South Suburban Parks and Recreation and Smoky Hill Metro District.

Commissioners asked about sources and accountability. Warren said Arapahoe County’s open‑space sales‑tax revenue is distributed to local jurisdictions under an allocation formula and that applicants must match 10% for the first $100,000 and 25% for amounts above that. Commissioner LeMasters asked about the overall local budget for the grants; Thompson said $150,000 was set aside for the small and large programs this year (anticipated 10 large grants at $10,000 each and $50,000 for the $500 grants).

Ending: Commissioners praised the programs and staff outreach; staff noted trainings and application windows for grant applicants and that DocuPet and other program rollouts are planned for spring.