Department of Community Development
Reference: Article 9 (Sign Code) Code Amendments
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Emma Lane, AICP, Senior Planner - Historic Preservation
Date Prepared: June 13, 2025
PURPOSE
The City Council and City staff worked with Dig Studio and Michael Baker International on the Brighton Community Identity Design Plan. Within this plan, a new sign concept was created. However, the sign code, contained in Article 9 of the Land Use and Development Code (the “Code”), does not address this type of sign, and prohibits any signage except traffic control from the public right-of-way. Because many of these new sign types would be located within the right-of-way, the Code must be updated to accommodate for the new signs.
PROCESS
The Code outlines the amendment process, which allows for initiation of amendments by the City Council, Planning Commission, and staff on behalf of these entities.
The City Council must use the review criteria outlined in Section 2.10(B) of the Code in its review of the proposed amendments.
CRITERIA BY WHICH THE CITY COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
Amendments to the Code must meet the following criteria when considered for adoption:
1. The amendment furthers the purposes of these regulations in Section 1.01(C).
2. The amendment is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and has been considered for both its long-range effects as well as immediate impacts.
3. The amendment promotes the public safety, health, and general welfare of the community in the City of Brighton.
4. The amendment improves the effectiveness and efficiency of administering the Land Development Code.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS
This agenda item includes amendments to the Code for your consideration. Other than addressing the gateway signage, City staff has made no other changes to the sign code. As design of the first gateway sign is in progress, it is important for the amendments proposed here to continue forward in the review and approval process.
LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 9.06:
Changes to the Code include the following:
• Adding primary, secondary, and tertiary signs as described in the Brighton Community Identity Design Plan, including location, size, and lighting regulations; and
• Adding trail gateway signs, wayfinding signs, and artistic elements as described in the Brighton Community Identity Design Plan, including location, size and lighting requirements.
LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 9.03:
• Adding additional wording to allow for these signs to be permitted within public rights-of-way.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The City Council in making its decision shall use the review criteria outlined in Section 2.10 B. of the Land Use & Development Code:
1. The amendment furthers the purposes of these regulations in Section 1.01(C).
The proposed code amendment furthers the purpose of this section of the Code. Specifically, promoting planning and urban design that emphasizes distinct places and unique elements of community character throughout Brighton by updating the Code in order to allow for gateway signage.
2. The amendment is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and has been considered for both its long-range effects as well as immediate impacts.
Within Chapter 4: Citywide Principles, Policies, and Strategies, the proposed code amendments are in accordance with a few policies including Policies 5.1, 6.4, 7.1, and 7.3. These policies discuss protecting and enhancing economic health of downtown and other gateway areas, as well as contributing to Brighton’s distinct visual quality and uniqueness. Implementing gateway sign design and regulations will further these policies.
3. The amendment promotes the public safety, health, and general welfare of the community in the City of Brighton.
By adding the proposed gateway signage into the sign code, including wayfinding signage, driving into and through Brighton will be easier and generally safer, allowing people to easily navigate areas where this signage will be installed.
4. The amendment improves the effectiveness and efficiency of administering the Land Development Code.
Signage in right-of-way is specifically restricted in the Code because signage is regulated by time, place, and manner rather than message. This method of regulation prevents extensive temporary signage in the right-of-way, ensuring traffic safety. The proposed signs are very specific, with the design of the signs included within the code to allow for these signs, but no others, to be placed in the right-of-way. By adding the signage as well as associated design requirements and standards, the signs will be able to be implemented and installed.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT
Notice of the public hearing was published on the City of Brighton website on June 13, 2025, at least 15 days prior to the public hearing, as required by Section 2.01(F) of the Code. City staff has also posted notice on social media outlets in the days leading up to the meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff finds that the proposed code amendments generally meet the review criteria outlined in Section 2.10(B) of the Code and therefore recommends approval of the code amendments.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On June 12, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider this item. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the item. Please see attached Planning Commission Resolution No. 25-07.
OPTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1. Approve the ordinance approving the code amendments;
2. Deny the ordinance approving the code amendments;
3. Approve the code amendments with changes to the ordinance; or
4. Continue the item to be heard at a later specified date if the City Council feels it needs additional information to ensure compliance with the approval criteria as set forth in the Code.
ATTACHMENT
● Draft City Council Ordinance
● Planning Commission Resolution (PC Reso No. 25-07)
● Website Notice
● Website Publication Confirmation
● Proposed LUDC Redlines
● Draft Staff Presentation