Council briefed on full Title 17 code rewrite; administration requests $425,000 contract and budget allocation

Planning staff told council the city is moving forward with a comprehensive rewrite of Title 17 (land use and development code). After an RFP process staff selected Clarion and Associates (Denver) with local partner Kinley Horn to perform a full code modernization project expected to last 12–14 months.

Staff asked the council to approve two items: a professional services contract with Clarion and a special budget ordinance to encumber $425,000 from the Development Services enterprise reserve to fund the project. Staff provided a budget breakdown: roughly $368,000 for the code rewrite scope and about $56,000 held as contingency or for task 5, which would cover any additional studies or extra work that may be necessary during the process.

Councilmembers questioned the cost compared with prior smaller code cleanups. Staff and the city administrator said this is a full overhaul intended to replace much of Title 17 rather than a narrow cleanup. Staff described the project as rewriting use tables, zoning classifications, process and procedures, and design and development standards; some existing overlays (for example, the airport overlay) may remain. The goal, staff said, is clarity, reduced procedural burden, and updated development standards.

Councilmember Kat Card asked that fencing code updates be a priority within the rewrite; staff said they would note that and incorporate stakeholder outreach (staff, community, developers, council, plan commissioners) into the engagement plan. Councilmember support for the effort was expressed alongside concern about the price tag; the administration argued the potential reductions in procedural friction and clearer rules justify the investment.

Staff said both the contract and the budget ordinance will appear on upcoming agendas for formal council consideration.