Department of Community Development
Reference: Land Use Scenarios for City-Owned Property on Bridge Street
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Chair Mark Rawlings and Members of the Planning Commission
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared by: Summer McCann, AICP, Senior Planner
Date Prepared: July 30, 2026
PURPOSE
As part of the Comprehensive Plan update, existing future land use designations are evaluated to determine whether they align with the City's long-term vision and community goals. The City-owned property along Bridge Street has been identified due to its location, size, and potential for future transit connections. Staff is seeking direction on whether alternative land use scenarios should be considered for the property.
BACKGROUND
The subject property is approximately 90 acres and is generally located north of E. Bridge Street, east of N. 19th Street, west of Telluride Street, and is intersected by the future Longs Peak Street alignment. It was annexed in two parts, with a portion annexed in 1989 and the remainder in 2002. The property is zoned Public Land (PL), Single-Family Residential (R-1), City Neighborhood Residential (R-1-B), Mixed-Density Residential (R-2), and Local Retail (C-1).
The property was never developed due to a high groundwater table, which limited the ability to construct residential homes with basements. As a result, the property was sold to the City with the intent of preserving it as farmland or open space, or to develop a golf course. Since the City's acquisition, the land has been leased for hay production and cattle grazing. The current Future Land Use designation for the property is Parks and Open Space and Public Land.
SUMMARY
At the previous joint study session, staff presented the draft Future Land Use Map and associated Opportunity Areas as part of the Comprehensive Plan update. During that discussion, the Bridge Street property was identified as a potential opportunity area due to the potential for a transit stop supporting the Brighton-to-Boulder Bus Rapid Transit, which is expected to begin service this fall.
This study session is intended to provide additional background on the property. Staff will present two potential land use scenarios and discuss the planning considerations associated with each.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council and Planning Commission regarding the preferred future land use. Feedback received during the study session will help finalize the Future Land Use Map and Opportunity Areas.
ATTACHMENTS
● Staff PowerPoint Presentation