Thornton City Council Planning Session - October 20, 2026

Thornton City Council planning session, October 20, 2026: Council discussed proposed small-lot housing standards intended to expand attainable housing options, including smaller lots, reduced parking requirements, alley access, and integrating smaller homes with conventional single-family homes. No ordinance or final standards were adopted; staff had not yet drafted code language. The discussion could shape future residential development opportunities, and staff reported that builders viewed unchanged impact fees as a disincentive to smaller homes. Council also discussed a cold-weather sheltering plan. The city’s previously approved one-year agreement with Aurora Navigation Campus is for up to $100,000 in case management, supportive services, and transportation, funded through opioid settlement funds; staff said the agreement was still being finalized. Staff recommended daytime services at the McAllister building and overnight transportation to Aurora, with a program budget of about $70,000 across departments. Last season’s reported McAllister costs were about $37,000 for 11 activation days. Council discussed cost and access concerns, and the mayor indicated consensus for the staff recommendation; no spending vote was identified in this session.

In a board update, a council member reported that the DRCOG budget and finance committee had approved a resolution authorizing negotiations with Stantec for transportation and urban-planning consulting services related to N Line station upgrades. The update also noted the use of competitive federal transportation funding for local projects. In a separate executive-session matter, council approved motions to meet privately, including a session concerning selection of a vendor for city attorney recruitment; no vendor award was reported.