Brighton council approves annexation for 5.83-acre James Property

Brighton City Council voted unanimously Dec. 16 to annex about 5.83 acres known as the James Property and to approve an accompanying annexation agreement that will govern infrastructure, water dedication and future land use.

Emily Lane, the city’s senior planner and historic preservationist, described the site as “approximately 5.83 acres in size” and said the annexation agreement requires the annexer to dedicate right-of-way for North 40th Avenue and East Bridge Street, extend water and wastewater infrastructure, upsize infrastructure as needed at development, and complete subdivision and development applications before a final plat. The council approved final reading of the annexation ordinance (item 7a) and then approved the annexation agreement (item 7b) by roll call votes of 8–0.

Why this matters: annexation brings the parcel inside Brighton’s municipal boundary and makes it subject to Brighton codes, city addressing and the city’s development review process. The agreement notes the city may require additional right-of-way dedication or traffic-signal improvements at the time of development and that the city will construct a continuous driveway with two accesses that will serve the property.

City staff said the city will consider a future rezoning application from the owner for C-2 restricted retail services, which would be a separate council decision at a later hearing. Emily Lane also told council the annexer will dedicate water in accordance with the Brighton municipal code at time of development and that a development agreement will be required at final plat.

Council and staff framed the approvals as routine steps to bring an unplatted County parcel into Brighton’s growth boundary while preserving the city’s ability to require improvements and conditions when the land moves forward into subdivision and development.