At the Chatfield City Council’s September 8 meeting the updating of the city’s sidewalk ordinance and the requirement for sidewalks in the Hilltop III and IV Development Agreement led to a contentious discussion.
In July 2024, the Hilltop III and IV developer formally requested an amendment to the existing agreements to remove the standard sidewalk requirement, to install multi-use trails throughout the development. The amendment would simply remove the sidewalk requirement.
In August 2024, a possible amendment to the development agreement for Hilltop III and IV was first discussed to remove the requirement for the installation of sidewalk along the north side of Wisdom Dr. The request was to remove the sidewalk requirement to install a trail instead. Staff was directed by a three to two city council vote to work with G-Cubed to develop a proposal to amend the development agreement to have walking paths instead of sidewalks. The amendment was again discussed on September 9, 2024, after which a motion was made to amend the agreement. No vote was made on that day; the possible amendment was tabled.
The Planning and Zoning Commission maintained a recommendation for sidewalk installation in the development. At an August 2025 meeting P& Z recommended sidewalks be placed between Hillside Dr. and Whitetail Ln. along the north side of Wisdom Ct. SE.
Councilor Mike Urban expressed his opposition to the proposed amendment to the Hilltop Development Agreement, removing the sidewalk requirement. He said he was not in favor of the planned trail which he felt would not be safe for pedestrian traffic. Urban made a motion to leave the sidewalk requirement in the development agreement.
Councilor Paul Novotny said there was no clarity as to what was decided last year. He suggested the intention was to decide on an alignment of the proposed trail. An easement should be secured for the trail from the water tower to the bottom of the hill; a trail is important. Councilor Josh Broadwater agreed with Novotny, “If we need a sidewalk for safety the city will need to install one.”
Councilor Dave Frank maintained he was not in favor of removing sidewalks from the development agreement.
Novotny insisted we need a trail plan; the trail can be used for kids to get to school and allow community walkability. Broadwater noted other cities have a trail system.
Frank seconded Urban’s motion to keep sidewalks in the agreement as they were originally written. The motion was approved with Novotny and Broadwater voting no. Novotny said there will be consequences for going back to the original agreement after the August 24 vote to have walking paths instead of sidewalks. We are undoing what we did last year. Councilor Pam Bluhm said leaving the agreement as it was originally written will just keep sidewalks in the agreement; it doesn’t remove the possibility of trails. Mayor John McBroom agreed with Novotny that today’s vote goes against what was voted on last year. Novotny questioned whether or not they should be working on a trail. He said the developer won’t pay for both sidewalks and trails.
Sidewalk Ordinance Update
The city’s ordinance currently says simply that sidewalks are required in areas of potential high pedestrian traffic. The proposed ordinance, including suggested amendments from the Planning & Zoning Commission, is detailed and includes engineering standards for construction. City Attorney Fred Suhler suggested specific requirements for sidewalks or building standards could be problematic; there needs to be some flexibility. The ordinance should describe the process for requiring sidewalks. A motion was approved directing the attorney to bring a draft ordinance to the next meeting.
Other Business in Brief
- Police Chief Shane Fox had submitted his retirement letter; the tentative date of his retirement is April 3, 2026. Approval of his retirement was granted as recommended by the Personnel/Budget Committee.
- There was no comment from the public during a public hearing on the Delinquent Utilities Assessment. A resolution was approved to authorize the collection of delinquent utility accounts with property taxes. A motion was also approved to waive payment for the new owner of a property on the list.
- A resolution was adopted to increase the Retirement Benefit Level for Firefighters. The benefit level will be increased to $4,000 per year of service for firefighters who have completed at least five years of service.
- An assessment in the amount of $150 was adopted for a nuisance abatement for a property for removal of long grass and weeds.
- Mayor McBroom asked residents to not blow cut grass into the streets.
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