Aurora City Council Study Session – November 4, 2025

The Aurora City Council met in a study session on November 4, 2025 (the transcript header mistakenly says November 3, 2025). The agenda included a Housing Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update, a proposed socioeconomic sales and services impact permit, an Aurora Police Department wellness program, and a restaurant water service initiative. The consent calendar was advanced, and the council gave direction on the major items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2A through 2M were moved forward with no objection.

Discussion Items

Housing Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) – Item 3A

• Councilmember Bergen introduced the item on behalf of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Staff project manager Brennan Camarata and consultant Chris Brewster (Multi-Studio) presented findings from listening sessions, developer roundtables, and a code audit.
• The audit found that small-lot housing options are currently limited to Sub-Area C and subject to formulaic caps; the code is complex and lacks flexibility; and design standards regulate the right things but are hard to navigate.
• Proposed changes include expanding small-lot options to Sub-Areas A and B, increasing flexibility for green courts and parking (without reducing overall parking requirements), reviewing masonry requirements while keeping quality/durability goals, and strengthening neighborhood design principles such as connectivity, streetscape, open space, and proximity to activity centers.
• Councilmember Bergen expressed strong support, saying it was counterintuitive that small lots weren't allowed in transit-oriented Sub-Areas A and B. Councilmembers raised concerns about front-loaded parking, materials flexibility, water-efficient landscaping, and parallel routes; Brewster responded that parking access, materials, water-wise design, and collector street continuity would be addressed.
• Council endorsed the direction and directed staff to begin drafting amendments.

Socioeconomic Sales and Services Impact Permit – Item 3B

• Trevor, licensing manager, reviewed the proposal to create a permit tied to the general business license. It would impose a 2,000-foot distance restriction between new like businesses selling alcohol/tobacco (e.g., convenience stores), grandfather existing businesses, and add a permit that can be revoked for repeated nuisances.
• Councilmember Jarinski supported it as a way to combat predatory clustering in underserved areas. Councilmember Coombs supported moving forward but asked for discussion on avoiding discriminatory impacts. One councilmember argued that oversaturation of high-risk retail harms neighborhoods. Councilmember Sunberg and Councilmember Gardner opposed, citing free-market principles, competition, consumer prices, and the risk of black-market activity; Gardner said prohibition doesn't work and the city should enforce existing laws. The Mayor expressed similar concerns and noted alternatives like code enforcement.
• Despite one objection from Councilmember Gardner, the item moved forward to a future meeting.

APD Earned Wellness Program – Item 5A

• Councilmember Hancock introduced the program, presented by Sergeant Thomas Campania and Sergeant Carlos Wilkendorfer for the Aurora Police Department.
• The program sets a 90% proficiency standard on a beep test plus two of four flexible strength/endurance exercises (push-ups, TRX inverted row, pull-ups, prone plank). Successful participants receive a service ribbon.
• The Mayor asked that such awards be considered in Civil Service promotion scoring; staff agreed to examine how the promotion book is scored and to work on a resolution if needed.
• No objection; the item moved forward.

Restaurant Water Service – Item 5B

• Councilmember Hancock presented a constituent-led initiative that would require restaurants to ask customers whether they want water during drought declarations instead of serving it automatically. Marshall Brown explained that it would apply only during drought declarations and would rely on education, not penalties.
• Councilmember Gardner opposed making it an ordinance, noting the general penalty could apply; he preferred a resolution. Councilmember Lawson questioned the need and precedent; Councilmember Jarinski defended the intent and agreed to a resolution. Councilmember Combs suggested it could return through the normal committee process.
• Councilmember Hancock withdrew the item, saying she would re-introduce it as a resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar advanced without objection.
• Council endorsed the UDO direction; staff will draft code amendments for future introduction.
• Item 3B moved forward despite one objection.
• Item 5A moved forward.
• Item 5B was withdrawn to be re-introduced as a resolution.