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Council adopts updates to public land dedication rules to support affordable housing and clarify open‑space definitions
Summary
On second reading council approved ordinance changes to public land dedication and open‑space definitions that change on‑site dedication percentages for income‑restricted projects, allow privately maintained small dedications with public access easements, and provide a formula to update cash‑in‑lieu rates.
Broomfield City and County Council approved on second reading an ordinance amending municipal code provisions related to public land dedication (PLD), open space and recreation facility definitions.
Staff presented the ordinance as implementing recommendations from the city’s Open Space, Parks, Recreation and Trails (OSPRT) master plan update. Major changes include a tiered on‑site public land dedication requirement tied to project type and affordability: market‑rate residential projects would continue to follow a 25% on‑site dedication policy; 100% income‑aligned rental projects at 60% area median income (AMI) would be asked to provide 15% (if the site is 10 acres or less) or 20% (for sites larger than 10 acres) in on‑site dedication; mixed‑income projects would receive proportional reductions in cash‑in‑lieu obligations depending on unit counts and affordability levels. The ordinance also reduces the required private open area for residential PUDs from 40% to 30% to allow more developable area while retaining significant open space overall.
The ordinance creates a process for small dedications (three acres or less) to be privately owned and maintained while preserving permanent public access via a template public access easement prepared by staff. Staff said this approach reflects maintenance realities for numerous small parcels across the community. The ordinance also establishes a methodology to update the city’s cash‑in‑lieu rate (previously stated at $86,000 per acre). Staff said an update to that rate is anticipated shortly if the ordinance is adopted.
Council held no public testimony at the hearing and moved the ordinance on second reading. Councilmember Lehi moved the motion; Councilmember Marsh Holshun seconded. The ordinance passed on the council vote recorded at the meeting.
Why it matters
The changes are intended to incentivize and accommodate income‑restricted housing while ensuring that parks, trails and public open space remain proportional to new development. By allowing privately maintained small dedications with permanent public access, staff said the city can accept smaller, dispersed pieces of public space while managing maintenance costs. The cash‑in‑lieu update process aims to keep funding aligned with market land values.
Who spoke
Planning Manager Brandon Roe and Parks, Open Space and Trails Director Kristen Prince presented staff findings during the first reading; no public speakers addressed the ordinance during the second‑reading hearing.
Next steps
Staff said they will publish the updated cash‑in‑lieu methodology and begin applying the ordinance to new residential subdivisions and site proposals. The overall OSPRT publicly‑stated objective to preserve 40% of Broomfield as open land remains unchanged.
