Brighton council overturns preservation commission, clears way for demolition of historic Town Hall

Brighton City Council voted 7–2 on April 21 to overturn a Historic Preservation Commission decision and approve a certificate of exemption that would permit demolition of the locally designated Brighton Town Hall at 575 Bush Street.

Senior Planner and Historic Preservationist Emma Lane and Historic Preservation Commission Chair Valerie Cooper-Whitney presented competing views during a public hearing that lasted more than 90 minutes. Lane summarized staff findings, including that two Historic Structure Assessments (HSAs) indicate the building is not structurally unsound but has accumulated deferred maintenance. Cooper-Whitney urged the council to uphold the HPC denial, arguing the city had not exhausted alternatives and that demolition would compromise the intent of the Land Use & Development Code. Cooper-Whitney said, “This application arrived before the community had a genuine chance to find one.”

Management Analyst Pearce Miller, who presented the appeal on behalf of the city, told council staff had pursued reuse and sale options over 14 years without success and that rehabilitation estimates approach $2 million. Miller argued the record supports both the economic hardship and health-and-safety exemptions in the Land Use & Development Code and asked council to approve demolition. “The application clearly meets both the economic hardship exemption and the health and safety hardship,” Miller said.

City staff provided additional details to the council: demolition and asbestos abatement were estimated at $259,551 and site infill at $90,000; a relocation of the structure was preliminarily estimated to cost at least $500,000 in addition to land acquisition; and Police Department data showed 1,055 calls within a surrounding radius over three years, 75 of which staff attributed to 575 Bush Street. Facilities Director Patrick Rome confirmed mold testing showed mold in the building and noted repeated break‑ins and interior damage.

Public comment was sharply divided. Gail McGaugh, Robin Kring, Michael Mille and Laurie Maier urged rehabilitation and additional feasibility work; Sue Corbett urged demolition. Councilmembers debated stewardship and fiscal responsibility: Councilmember Green said rehabilitation lacked a reasonable return and cited higher cost estimates as a reason to prioritize other city needs, while Councilmember Carbajal emphasized the city’s historic preservation obligations and asked whether grant or Brownfields funding had been fully exhausted.

After discussion, Councilmember Green moved—and Mayor Pro Tem Padilla seconded—to grant the exemption and overturn the HPC denial. The motion passed 7–2; Councilmembers Carbajal and Taddeo voted no. City Attorney Alicia Calderon advised that if council overturns the HPC decision, the certificate of exemption would allow demolition procedures to move forward, though staff said demolition is not required immediately and the city could still pause if a buyer or new information arises.

The council’s action directs staff to proceed with the exemption that permits demolition; staff also proposed mitigation steps if demolition moves forward, including comprehensive photographic documentation, salvaging significant architectural elements, creating a written historical narrative for the city archives and installing interpretive signage. The council did not set a demolition date; next steps will include permitting and any required abatement work.