Thornton City Council Planning Session - July 21, 2026

The Thornton City Council Planning Session held on July 21, 2026, focused extensively on community development and housing funding, particularly the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and private activity bonds (PABs). Council reviewed the 2026 annual action plan for CDBG funds totaling approximately $766,847, discussing funding recommendations for public services, housing rehabilitation, and future affordable housing projects. The council considered options for allocating PABs, including assigning funds to Maker Housing Partners for local affordable housing projects or directly to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (Chaffa) for down payment assistance. Consensus favored allocating 2025 and 2026 PABs to Maker with conditions to keep projects within city limits, with unused funds reverting to Chaffa. Additionally, the council discussed proposed amendments to the development code to clarify housing diversity requirements, public land dedication policies, and minor redevelopment processes. A significant portion of the meeting addressed data center regulations, including a proposal for a 12-month moratorium to allow time for developing appropriate land use and water use regulations, reflecting concerns about water consumption, energy use, and community impact. The council showed consensus to proceed with the moratorium and directed staff to develop regulatory frameworks. Other topics included election-related ballot questions on council member candidacy commitments and updates on the city's strategic plan progress.