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Department of Community Development
Reference: Local District Plan
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Manuel Esquibel, City Manager
Prepared By: Holly Prather, AICP, Community Development Director
Date Prepared: July 15, 2015
PURPOSE
To consider a resolution to adopt the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Brighton and Adams County regarding the creation of a Local District Plan. This request requires approval from City Council by resolution.
BACKGROUND
The City of Brighton and Adams County have been working together on an IGA regarding the creation of a Local District Plan. The driving forces behind this have been the County’s Open Space, Parks, and Trails Master Plan and the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Both parties wish to proceed with a study to determine whether a Local District is feasible, and if so, how to move forward. The proposed study is based on the areas strategic location, agricultural heritage and existing and future economic development potential. The County and the City wish to conduct a district planning effort and engage other stakeholders to explore the full range of opportunities that exist within the study area by:
1. Evaluating the proposed boundary of the district planning area.
2. Engaging area property owners, residents, business owners, and other stakeholders in the planning process.
3. Establishing a clear vision, supporting policies, and implementation strategy for the District Plan.
The Plan will serve as a comprehensive planning document for both the City and the County and will also guide future and balanced economic development and possible agricultural preservation efforts in this area.
The Plan may also address: land use, transportation, natural resource conservation, sustainability (including, but not limited to, economic, environment, and social elements), open space, parks, land preservation (agricultural and natural), corridor or area specific planning, natural and man-made hazards, public health, economic development, future growth and development, recreation, and historic and cultural preservation, and capital improvements.
HISTORY
The IGA was originally presented to the City Council for review and approval at a meeting held on December 16, 2014. At that meeting, a petition was submitted by twelve property owners within the proposed study area requesting that the council not proceed with the IGA. As a result, Council continued the request to an uncertain date so that staff might meet with the land owners and further discuss their concerns.
Since that time, City and County staff have held three separate meetings. The first meeting was held on June 8, 2015 and County staff sent notice to over 1,700 property owners and actual attendance was over 100 persons. Many of the comments from the meeting were transportation and open space related (please see the attached meeting comment summary sheet for additional comments).
The second meeting was held on July 8th with those that petitioned against the IGA and proposed study. City staff began the discussion by reiterating some points from the first meeting, which included: if the owners wanted to continue farming they may do so; if they wanted to develop they may do so; or if they wanted to preserve their land they may do that as well. City and County staff then discussed how the establishment of a plan may benefit the owners. Potential benefits include: a cohesive plan that all can use for marketing, branding, increased potential for a mix of land uses, coordination of utilities and roadways, etc. Generally, the concerns expressed by the petitioners during the meeting included the following: wished to be left alone, didn’t want to be forced into retaining their existing land use, the plan shouldn’t be solely focused on agri-tourism or food production, farming the land is no longer a viable option and that they wish to sell their land for the highest income generating use. Near the end of the meeting, one of the petitioners noted that she felt that she had actually been “heard on this matter for the first time in years” (referencing initial Comprehensive Plan meetings on the preservation of agricultural lands from 1999).
The third meeting was held on July 13th and again, notice was sent out to over 1,700 property owners resulting in 67 attendees. The meeting included: a brief overview of the first meeting, a presentation by Laura Witt on a website for the Regional Economic Advancement Partnership, a questionnaire, along with small group discussions with City and County staff moving to tables to facilitate discussions. Discussion topics included: what people liked about the area, what areas work well and why, what should be kept and preserved, and generally, what the vision might include for the area. At the time of this staff report, the comments and map marked comments had not been finalized. City staff will present an overview of the July 13th meeting during the presentation of this agenda item on July 21st.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Staff finds that the IGA conforms to the Comprehensive Plan, the South Sub-Area Plan, and State Statutes regarding IGAs, and will help the City and County staff and residents further their understanding of how a local district plan might provide a potential tool to further the goals and policies of their respective comprehensive plans and benefit all residents.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
• City of Brighton Comprehensive Plan, City of Brighton South Sub-Area Plan, and State Statues empowering local jurisdictions to enter into an IGA
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION
1. Approve the IGA.
2. Not approve the IGA.
3. Approve the IGA with revisions.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution adopting an IGA with Adams County
Draft IGA with Adams County
Summary of Adams County Public Meeting notes (held on June 8th, 2015)