Broomfield Development: Alliance Sues to Halt Reversal of Town Square Plan

Broomfield Town Square Alliance filed a lawsuit against the City and County of Broomfield on Oct. 23 to stop officials from revoking an approved development plan. The legal action seeks to preserve a 39-acre mixed-use project near West 120th Avenue and Main Street.

The proposal includes shops, restaurants, lakeside features, and hundreds of housing units. City Council approved the site development plan in September 2023. Under local code, that approval started a three-year clock for developers to secure building permits. The deadline expired this year after the city denied an 18-month extension request.

In September, city officials initiated the process to revoke the plan. The developers argue the city breached its contract by demanding additional permits. The suit states the alliance applied in March for permits covering $30 million in improvements to the swim beach, plaza, streets, sidewalks, and trails. It also included permits for a boathouse and restrooms.

According to the filing, city officials told developers those permits did not satisfy the deadline. Officials required proof of progress on the project's main buildings. The developers claim this uncertainty stalled their financing efforts.

City leaders maintain they followed the development agreement and city code. They cited outstanding engineering questions regarding changes to the lake's depth as a reason for concern. At a Land Use Review Commission meeting on Monday, staff explained the three-year deadline ensures plans remain relevant to community needs. The commission voted to recommend revocation.

Neil Allaire, a resident near the site, said he has waited years for the project to materialize. "It's walking distance from our house, our neighborhood, and it would just be a nice thing to have, go get coffee, ice cream, a beer after work," Allaire said. He added that residents are wondering what the city is doing and hope officials will show grace if the developer remains interested.

The City Council will make the final decision on revoking the plan at a meeting on Dec. 8. Both the city and the developers' attorneys declined interview requests from Denver7.