Department of Community Development
Reference: Grein Property Annexation No. 2 Annexation Agreement
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: February 17, 2026
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
To consider a resolution approving an annexation agreement for the Grein Property (the "Annexation Agreement” or the “Agreement”). An annexation agreement identifies general terms, applicable codes, ordinances, and master plans that will apply to the future development of the property.
The 88.303-acre property known as Grein No. 2 Annexation is generally located to the north of the Longs Peak Street alignment, south of East Baseline Road, east of the Fulton Ditch and west of the North 27th Avenue alignment and the Brighton Lateral Ditch (the “Property”). Travis Frazier of Redland is the applicant working on behalf of the Property owners and annexors, Ivan E. Grein Living Trust and CC Realty, LLC (collectively, the “Annexor”). The Property is 27.49% contiguous with the existing Brighton city limits. The City of Brighton’s Comprehensive Plan, Be Brighton, designates the Property as Mixed Use Residential.
A Petition for Annexation (the “Petition”) was accepted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on January 20, 2026, at which time the City Council found that the Petition was in substantial compliance with the applicable laws of the State of Colorado. See attached City Council Resolution No. 2024-93 for further information. On March 3, 2026, City Council held a public hearing and approved at first reading both the Annexation Ordinance and Planned Development Ordinance.
OVERVIEW OF ANNEXOR’S OBLITGATIONS 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 when it develops. 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. Development obligations become more specific throughout the development process as more detailed information is known about the lot sizes, end users, etc. It is important to note that unless otherwise noted, the provisions in the Annexation Agreement will only be required at time of development.
Terms specific to the Grein Property Annexation No. 2 Annexation Agreement are as follows:
Transportation. In conformance with the Land Use & Development Code, as well as the City’s Transportation Master Plan, the Annexor will dedicate right-of-way and construct the southern half of Baseline Road along the full frontage of the Property. Additionally, if there is sufficient right-of-way between North 19th Avenue and the Fulton Ditch, to the east of the Property, the Annexor will be required to build that portion of the road as well. Both will be designed and constructed to the full design of a Minor Arterial street cross section.
The Annexor will also be required to dedicate right-of-way on the western side of North 27th Avenue, acknowledging that the eastern portion of the alignment has already been dedicated. The Annexor will construct the full width of the roadway, from Baseline Road to Longs Peak Street, to a Minor Arterial street cross section.
Right-of-way for Longs Peak Street, between the Brighton Lateral Ditch and the Fulton Ditch, will be dedicated to the City. The Annexor agrees to construct the full width of Longs Peak Street between the Brighton Lateral Ditch and the Fulton Ditch, which will include the Brighton Lateral Ditch crossing.
The Agreement outlines construction and financial obligations of traffic signals and roundabouts in the vicinity of the Property, including the design and construction of the traffic signal located at the intersection of North 27th Avenue and Baseline Road, as well as the construction or pro-rata share of the intersection located at North 19th Avenue and Baseline Road. The timing of construction or contribution will be determined at time of subdivision plan. A roundabout will be located at the intersection of North 27th Avenue and Longs Peak Street. The Annexor agrees to design and construct this improvement.
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.
Utility Service and Stormwater. The City agrees to provide water and sewer service to the Property, as long as the Annexor constructs all infrastructure needed to bring those services to the Property.
With regard to water dedication, the Annexor will satisfy the water dedication requirement for the Property by dedicating raw water shares to the City. Until any development of the Property occurs, the Annexor has the right to use existing water wells currently serving the Property.
With regard to water, wastewater, and stormwater, at the sole cost of the Annexor, the Annexor agrees to design, coordinate, construct, and connect a low-zone water line from the connection in the Mountain View Subdivision to the east of the Property to the existing low-zone water line located in Longs Peak Street. The Annexor will reimburse the City its pro-rata share of both the water line located in Baseline Road and the storm drainage outfall that has been constructed to serve the Property.
Parks and Open Space. The Annexor will be required to provide necessary rights-of-way for any trails along or within the Property. The Annexor will design and construct those trails as set forth in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Multimodal Plan.
The Annexor agrees to dedicate adequate land and/or pay fee-in-lieu for land that fulfills the parks and open space land dedication requirements per the Land Use & Development Code. The determination between dedication of land and fee-in-lieu of land dedication is at the sole discretion of the City.
Preservation of Existing Site Character. The Annexor agrees to preserve and maintain the integrity of two farmsteads associated with the Property. The third farmstead does not have to be preserved. The Annexor also agrees to preserve as many trees as possible in the existing tree canopy along Baseline Road. The details of preservation of the site character is memorialized in the planned development document, and will be explored in more detail when a subdivision plan is submitted.
Zoning. In conformance with the Municipal Code, the Land Use & Development Code, and the Comprehensive Plan generally, the City agrees to consider the proposal for a Planned Development (PD) zoning of the Property. At the previous meeting on March 3rd, 2026, the first reading for the zoning was heard.
Community Benefit Incentives. The Annexor agrees to make any successors and/or assigns aware of the Community Benefit Incentives as expressed in the Land Use & Development Code Section 5.08, as may be amended.
General Obligations. The Annexation Agreement also includes several other provisions, including, but not limited to, the requirement to complete subsequent land development applications and the requirement to enter into a development agreement with the City at the time of final plat. At the time of development, the Annexor will be required to work with School District 27J to pay their Capital Facility Fee. The specifics of these provisions can be found in the attached Annexation Agreement.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff finds that the Annexation Agreement is generally aligned with City codes, plans, and policies and therefore recommends approval.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City Council has three 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; or
3.) Deny the Resolution.
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)
● Draft City Staff Presentation