Commerce City council asks staff to explore a renewed blight study and PUD amendment for the Derby district

Commerce City council members directed staff to develop options for a renewed blight study of the Derby area and to begin work on a possible Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment, councilors said at a hybrid study session. Staff framed the move as a first step toward more coordinated investment in Derby.

Garrett Anderson, identified in the meeting as Commerce City's chief economic growth officer, told the council the city would use the study to test whether adjacent properties beyond the URA's current triangle (north of 72nd Avenue, west of Magnolia, bounded by Highway 2) meet statutorily defined blight criteria. "If we were to reevaluate that boundary, the process that it would take is a new blight study," Anderson said, outlining the state criteria and the steps staff would follow.

City manager Rogers explained the legal framework for urban renewal, noting state law provides 11 blight criteria and that meeting four of them can qualify an area for a TIF‑style urban renewal tool, while meeting five could allow eminent domain authority to be included in a plan. "Eminent domain is just a tool," Rogers said. "It doesn't say that you're gonna use it. It just doesn't forbid you or doesn't limit your ability to use it in the future in the appropriate circumstances."

Council members raised several concerns and preferences during the discussion. Several asked that non‑taxing parcels such as churches be excluded or 'drawn around' so they do not contribute increment revenue; staff said drawing boundaries to omit tax‑exempt properties is an option but that including both sides of a street can be important when considering infrastructure investments. Mayor Douglas asked staff to evaluate corridor options along 72nd Avenue and the potential to connect businesses along the corridor by transit as part of a broader redevelopment approach.

Anderson described a five‑step process for a blight review — public outreach, the blight study itself, a redevelopment plan, negotiations with taxing entities and a series of public hearings — and estimated a realistic timetable of roughly six months to a year depending on scope. He emphasized the staff request was for direction to explore options and return with defined study boundaries, cost estimates and outreach plans, not a final decision to adopt new boundaries.

Council members indicated a general consensus to have staff pursue a blight study framework and to explore PUD amendments to update the Derby design guidelines, which staff said currently emphasize a retro 'fifties' architectural vision that has not attracted façade investments. The meeting record shows consensus but not a formal ordinance vote; staff will return with a recommended scope, budget, and schedule and public‑engagement plan before any ordinance or boundary change would be adopted.

Next steps: staff will develop options for the blight study area and for PUD amendments, estimate costs, outline outreach steps and return to council and the Urban Renewal Authority with recommendations and ordinance language if appropriation is required.