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Record of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting: April 21, 2026 - Grein Property Annexation and 575 Bush Street Demolition Appeal

City Council — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyBrighton, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:41:55

Original source
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0:18

Good evening.

0:19

I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

0:26

I'm going to ask Councilmember Fiddler to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:54

Thank you.

0:55

Madam City Clerk, please call roll.

0:58

Mayor Mouse.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Mayor Pro Tempadilla.

1:01

Present.

1:01

Councilmember Carbajal.

1:03

Present.

1:03

Council Member Collins.

1:04

Here.

1:05

Councilmember Fiddler.

1:06

Here.

1:07

Councilmember Green.

1:09

Councilmember Snyder.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Councilmember Tadeo.

1:12

Present.

1:13

Councilmember Wirth.

1:14

Here.

1:15

You have a quorum, Your Honor.

1:16

Thank you.

1:17

And then next, Madam City Clerk, please read the consent agenda into the record.

1:22

Item 2A, approval of the March 17th, 2026 City Council minutes.

1:27

Item 2B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, approving an amendment to the contract with Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation for the Brighton Recreation Center Gym Design Project for the total contract amount of 821,622, and authorizing the city manager to execute the amendment on behalf of the city.

1:49

Thank you.

1:49

It's a pleasure, Council.

1:51

Councilmember Snyder.

1:52

I move to approve the consent agenda is red.

1:56

And then Councilmember Wirth.

1:58

I'll second that.

1:59

We have a first and second to approve the consent agenda as presented.

2:03

Roll call vote.

2:20

Oh there we go.

2:22

Motion passes nine to zero.

2:25

Next, everybody pay attention.

2:27

Next is the approval of the regular agenda.

2:30

Who'd like to make a motion on that?

2:34

Mayor Pro Tem.

2:35

I move tonight's agenda as presented.

2:42

Thank you, Mayor.

2:42

I'll second.

2:45

All right, we have a first and second to approve the agenda.

2:47

Roll call vote.

2:54

Motion passes nine to zero.

2:57

Moving on to ceremonies.

2:58

Item 4A.

3:01

National Arbor Day Celebration Proclamation.

3:05

Councilmember Collins will read that into the record.

3:13

National Arbor Day Celebration, April 24th, 2026.

3:17

Whereas in 1887, Jay Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees.

3:25

And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife.

3:46

And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products.

3:54

And whereas trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.

4:03

And whereas trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal, and whereas Brighton has recognized, has been recognized as a tree city USA for each of the past 40 years by the National Arbor Day Foundation and desires to continue its tree planting ways.

4:20

Now therefore, on behalf of Gregory Mills, mayor of the City of Brighton, Colorado, on behalf of City Council, do hereby proclaim April 22 April 24th, 2026 as National Arbor Day, dated this 21st day of April 2026.

4:38

Thank you, Councilmember.

4:40

City Manager Martinez, who is here to receive this tonight.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████49%
Procedural███████8%
Community Engagement███████8%
Zoning and Land Use██████7%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting: April 21, 2026 - Grein Property Annexation and 575 Bush Street Demolition Appeal

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers for a regular meeting lasting approximately 2.5 hours. The council considered consent agenda items, celebrated Arbor Day and Earth Day, approved the annexation and planned development of the 88.303-acre Grein Property, and conducted a public hearing on the appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of a demolition request for the designated historic structure at 575 Bush Street (the former Brighton Town Hall/Senior Center).

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the March 17, 2026 City Council minutes by a 9-0 vote.
  • Approved resolution ID-126-26, authorizing an amendment to the contract with Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation for the Brighton Recreation Center Gym Design Project, totaling $821,622, by a 9-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tracy Morris read an original poem about domestic violence and homelessness, expressing her personal experience and thank the councilmember for encouragement.
  • Tom Lampo led a prayer, asking for continued moisture and blessings on the city and nation, citing biblical verses.

Discussion Items

  • Grein Property Annexation (Item 6A): Final reading to annex 88.303 acres (Grein Property No. 2). Approved 9-0.
  • Grein Property Planned Development (Item 6B): Final reading for PD zoning. Staff presented an amended PD that removed the requirement to preserve two historic homes along East Baseline Road, while still requiring tree preservation. The council voted 9-0 to approve the amended PD.
  • Grein Property Annexation Agreement (Item 6C): Resolution approving the annexation agreement. Debate focused on a caveat that road construction between North 19th Avenue and the Fulton Ditch was required only "if there is sufficient right-of-way." Councilmember Snyder expressed concern about safety on that stretch. The applicant clarified they could widen the road but might not have room for a sidewalk. The resolution passed 8-1.
  • Appeal of HPC Denial for 575 Bush Street Demolition (Item 7A): This quasi-judicial public hearing considered an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission's (HPC) February 19, 2026 denial of a certificate of appropriateness for total demolition. The HPC chair (Valerie Cooper Whitney) argued the building is structurally sound, the city failed to maintain it for 14 years, and viable alternatives (grants, community reuse) were not explored. The applicant (Pierce Miller on behalf of the city) argued economic hardship and health/safety hazards: the building has been vacant since 2012, attracted crime (75 police calls to the address in three years, 1,055 in the surrounding area), contains asbestos and mold, and rehabilitation costs nearly $2 million compared to $209,551 for demolition. Public comments were largely in favor of preservation (Gail McGaugh, Robin Kring, Michael Millet, Lori Lozano Meyer, Chelsea Sertain), with many criticizing the city's lack of maintenance; former senior center director Sue Corbett supported demolition. Council debate included concerns over cost, lack of a viable reuse plan, and the building's current condition and zoning (PUD limited to senior housing). Councilmember Taddeo suggested allowing more time for community fundraising, but others emphasized the city's fiduciary duty. The council voted 7-2 to approve the appeal, thereby granting the certificate of exemption and allowing demolition.

Key Outcomes

  • Grein Property: All three items (annexation, amended PD, and annexation agreement) were approved, with Item 6C passing 8-1.
  • 575 Bush Street Demolition: The council voted 7-2 to overturn the HPC's denial, approving the appeal and allowing demolition. The city may still entertain viable purchase/development proposals before demolition begins, but is not required to demolish immediately.
  • Upcoming Events: Tree planting events, Trash Bash (April 25), Earth Day celebration (April 22), Help for Homes (May 2), Speak Week (May 2-8), volunteer recognition ceremony (April 29), and a study session meeting next week.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. I'm going to ask Councilmember Fiddler to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Madam City Clerk, please call roll. Mayor Mouse. Here. Mayor Pro Tempadilla. Present. Councilmember Carbajal. Present. Council Member Collins. Here. Councilmember Fiddler. Here. Councilmember Green. Councilmember Snyder. Here. Councilmember Tadeo. Present. Councilmember Wirth. Here. You have a quorum, Your Honor. Thank you. And then next, Madam City Clerk, please read the consent agenda into the record. Item 2A, approval of the March 17th, 2026 City Council minutes. Item 2B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, approving an amendment to the contract with Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation for the Brighton Recreation Center Gym Design Project for the total contract amount of 821,622, and authorizing the city manager to execute the amendment on behalf of the city. Thank you. It's a pleasure, Council. Councilmember Snyder. I move to approve the consent agenda is red. And then Councilmember Wirth. I'll second that. We have a first and second to approve the consent agenda as presented. Roll call vote. Oh there we go. Motion passes nine to zero. Next, everybody pay attention. Next is the approval of the regular agenda. Who'd like to make a motion on that? Mayor Pro Tem. I move tonight's agenda as presented. Thank you, Mayor. I'll second. All right, we have a first and second to approve the agenda. Roll call vote. Motion passes nine to zero. Moving on to ceremonies. Item 4A. National Arbor Day Celebration Proclamation.

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