Department of Community Development
Reference: Brighton Crossing Annexation Agreement
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Stephanie Iiams, AICP Candidate, Associate Planner
Date Prepared: September 25, 2025
INTRODUCTION / PURPOSE
To consider a resolution approving an annexation agreement for the Brighton Crossing property (the "Annexation Agreement”). An annexation agreement identifies general terms, applicable codes, ordinances, and master plans that will apply to the future development of the Property.
The 7.712-acre property (the “Property”) is generally located to the north of East Bridge Street, south of the future Royal Pine Street, east of the future Golden Eagle Parkway alignment, and west of I-76. Sue Sibel is the applicant working on behalf of the Property owner and annexor, Brookfield Residential LLC (the “Annexor”). The Property is 46.80% contiguous with existing Brighton city limits. The City of Brighton’s Comprehensive Plan, Be Brighton, designates the majority of the Property as Mixed Use Commercial, with a small portion as Open Space.
A Petition for Annexation (the “Petition”) was accepted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on September 2, 2025, at which time the City Council found that the Petition was in substantial compliance with the applicable annexation laws of the State of Colorado. See attached City Council Resolution No. 2025-56 for further information. On October 7, 2025, City Council held a public hearing and approved at first reading both the Annexation Ordinance and Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance.
OVERVIEW OF ANNEXOR’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT
The purpose of an annexation agreement is to generally identify the terms, conditions, and adopted City codes, ordinances, and master plans that will apply to the development of the Property. It is necessary to review the agreement through the lens of any possible future user because this Annexation Agreement will be tied to the land in perpetuity. Generally, annexation agreements contain development obligations that are broad. As the Property continues through the development process, the development obligations will become more specific and will be set out in development agreements which accompany the final plat. The purpose of development obligations becoming more specific throughout the development process is that at the time of final plat, more detailed information is known about the lot sizes, end users, etc.
Terms specific to the Brighton Crossing Annexation Agreement are as follows:
Transportation. All necessary right-of-way has already been dedicated for the extension of North Golden Eagle Parkway and East Bridge Street, in accordance with their respective street classification sections. Therefore, no additional right-of-way dedication is required. In relation to North Golden Eagle Parkway, the Annexation Agreement reinforces language from the development agreement associated with the Brighton Crossing Filing No. 2 8th Amendment subdivision. The Annexation Agreement requires any un-annexed areas of North Golden Eagle Parkway to be annexed and zoned prior to final acceptance for the Brighton Crossing Filing No. 2 8th Amendment subdivision, which allows for the completion of the community’s missing connection to East Bridge Street. The Annexation Agreement further requires the design and construction of the median on East Bridge Street, specifically its eastward extension toward the I-76 Frontage Road, currently designated as a Minor Arterial Street section. The City is obligated to provide reimbursement, which will be funded by an adjacent development. Additionally, the Annexation Agreement outlines intersection improvements and traffic signal contributions that may be required, dependent on a traffic impact study completed for the development. At the time of development, the Annexor shall construct the necessary access point(s) to the Property, underground adjacent overhead utility lines, and install adjacent street lighting.
Parks and Open Space. Per the exhibits provided in the Annexation Agreement, the master developer of the development commonly known as “Brighton Crossing” has already dedicated sufficient parks and open space to satisfy the requirements for the development of the Property. Accordingly, no additional land dedication or fee-in-lieu payment will be required for parks and open space associated with the development of the Property. In lieu thereof, the Annexor agrees to design and construct an approximately 100-foot-long trail connection located north of Longs Peak Street and east of the Speer Canal.
Utility Service and Stormwater. In conformance with the Municipal Code and the Land Use & Development Code regarding Water, Stormwater and Sewer Connections, the City agrees to provide water and sewer service to the Property if the Annexor constructs all infrastructure needed to bring those services to the Property. Additionally, the developer may be responsible for upsizing any utility infrastructure if there is not sufficient capacity for the development. Water dedication shall be satisfied at the time of final plat, or at such other time as may be required by the Municipal Code, as amended.
Zoning. In conformance with the Municipal Code, the Land Use & Development Code, and the Comprehensive Plan, the City agrees to consider the proposal for “Single Family Detached” under the Bromley Park Land Use Regulations zoning of the Property.
Inclusion into the Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District No. 7 and the South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District. The Annexor agrees that before development can occur on the Property, the Property shall be formally annexed and accepted into the Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District No. 7 and the South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District.
Withdrawal of Annexation. The Annexor reserves the right to withdraw the annexation petition in the event that (a) the City Council does not approve the zoning application, or (b) the City Council does not consent to the Property inclusion into the Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District No. 7.
General Obligations. The Annexation Agreement also includes several other provisions, including, but not limited to, the requirement to complete subsequent land development applications, the requirement to enter into a development agreement with the City at the time of final plat, community benefit incentives, and addressing of roads. The specifics of these provisions can be found in the attached Draft Annexation Agreement.
CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff finds that the Annexation Agreement is in line with City codes, plans, and policies and therefore recommends approval.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City Council has four options when reviewing this Annexation Agreement application. City Council may:
1. Adopt the Resolution approving the Annexation Agreement;
2. Adopt a modified resolution approving the Annexation Agreement;
3. Deny the Resolution with specific findings to justify the denial; 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.
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Resolution Approving the Annexation Agreement
• Draft Annexation Agreement (Exhibit C of the Resolution)
• Aerial Map by City Staff
• Annexation Map (Exhibit B of the Resolution)
• Resolution 2025-56 (Substantial Compliance)
• Resolution 2025-68 (Findings of Fact / Annexation Eligibility)
• Draft City Staff Presentation