Are slot homes finally over?
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City Council to vote May 7
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Denver City Council on May 7 will consider a zoning change to address the proliferation of "slot homes" — sideways-facing rowhomes. The
proposed changes will ensure future multi-family infill projects engage the public realm, consider neighborhood character, address human scale, and minimize negative effects on pedestrians and neighboring properties.
The changes are the result of research and recommendations by city planners and a community task force. Together, the group sought to improve outcomes for neighborhoods while ensuring equity, flexibility and predictability for builders. Learn more at
denvergov.org/slothomes
.
Denver City Council meeting / public hearing
Monday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.
City and County Building, Room 450
1437 Bannock St., Denver CO 80202
Attend or watch live on Channel 8 or at
Denver8.tv
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City to lead master plan for south end of the Broncos' stadium property
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A nonprofit venture between the Metropolitan Football Stadium District (MFSD) and the Denver Broncos is exploring creating a new, mixed‐use neighborhood destination on the south end of the stadium property — now occupied by surface parking lots used only during games and special events.
In response, Denver Community Planning and Development has stepped in to lead a master planning process to gather community input to help guide this potential development in accordance with the 2013 Decatur-Federal Station Area Plan (PDF).
The MFSD and Broncos’ vision is to create a neighborhood hub where people can live, work and play, as well as an enhanced gameday experience for fans. City planners want to involve the community in a master plan for this area so that the people of Denver, and particularly adjacent neighborhoods, may provide input into the future. The first public meeting will take place later this spring. Learn more at
denvergov.org/stadiumdistrict
.
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Meanwhile, on the other side of I-25...
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A stone's throw from Mile High, another sports- and entertainment-focused area is considering its future. Revesco, the owner of Elitch Gardens, has ideas about creating a new, mixed‐use community on the property, starting with its surface parking lots.
Since last summer, city planners have been working with the downtown community to better define the future of this area via an update to the 2007 Downtown Area Plan. A key recommendation of the Downtown Area Plan was to attract more housing, a mix of uses and pedestrian-friendly development to the Elitch Gardens and Pepsi Center area.
You can learn more and view a draft of the Downtown Area Plan update at
our website
. Any site plans by Revesco cannot be approved until, and unless, they align with the Downtown Area Plan update. City Council will consider adoption of the area plan update later this year.
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Denver's newest landmark is this historic University Park home
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On March 19, Denver City Council designated the house at 2145 S. Adams St. — dubbed “Ormleigh” by the original owners — a historic landmark.
The 1899 University Park home, an early and large example of the "Denver Square," once belonged to William Seward Iliff and Alberta Bloom Iliff. William was the son of Denver pioneer John Wesley Iliff and an influential supporter of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology.
Learn more about the historic house in this
9News story.
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Blueprint Denver spring workshops wrap
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Denverites turned out for 11 Blueprint Denver workshops all across the city in February and March. While a few workshops had low turnouts, many were standing room only.
If you missed the workshops, or just want to learn more about the land use, mobility and design ideas presented, visit our
online workshop
, including the video below! Our online survey closed at the end of March, but you can still read about potential policies to manage growth, retain neighborhood character, strengthen housing options and improve quality of life.
Feedback from these workshops and surveys will influence a draft of the new Blueprint Denver citywide land use and transportation plan, slated to be released later this year.
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New toolkits can help neighbors get ready for neighborhood plans
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Document your neighborhood's history. Make a list of its best gathering places. Collect pictures of sites near you where you want to see improvement. These activities and more can help get your area ready for neighborhood planning!
Since new plans kicked off in three areas in 2017, neighborhood groups in other parts of the city have been eager to start creating a community vision for their own neighborhoods. In response to that demand, Denver Community Planning and Development is rolling out "neighborhood toolkits" to help those in future planning areas hit the ground running when planning begins.
Learn more >>
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There’s a new, easier way to log in for building permits
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Sustained high demand for building permits and a seasonal spring uptick in construction means a longer wait for appointments at the permit counter right now.
But for many projects, there's a better way! From residential to commercial, we can accept
by email
any plan that needs to be logged in for review. Instead of taking time out of your schedule to drop off documents in person, simply email PDFs of your plans and forms and we'll respond within one business day. (
Minor permits are already available
online
.
Customers eligible for a same-day,
"walk-through" permit
should continue to come in person.)
The entire review process —
from submitting plans to downloading the issued permit —
can be done remotely. To protect everyone's intellectual property, any plans, drawings, or reports prepared by an architect, engineer, or surveyor must have their professional seal and a valid electronic signature.
Use this tutorial
to learn how to sign a PDF in just a few easy steps.
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Single-occupant, public bathrooms to be "gender-neutral" by April 30
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By April 30, businesses must update their signs on single-occupant, family, and assisted-use restrooms to
remove references to a specific gender
. If your business has yet to change its signs, please note:
- In December 2016, City Council amended the building code to require that single-occupant, family, and accessible toilet facilities have gender-neutral signs by April 30, 2018.
- These bathrooms must be lockable from the inside. Add a lock to the exterior restroom door if the sole toilet is inside a second compartment (e.g., behind a stall door).
- This does not apply to restrooms with multiple stalls.
- After April 30, report sign concerns to 311.
There are hundreds of sign designs available from vendors like MyDoorSign, Staples, ADA Sign Factory, and Etsy, among others. View FAQs and sign examples
here
.
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Larimer Square says big changes are ahead
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The owner of Larimer Square has announced plans to build two large-scale additions to buildings on the block. To do so, the owner must apply to change the height limits in the ordinance that designated Larimer Square as the city’s first historic district. Any change to the 64-foot height limit for the historic district must be approved first by the Landmark Preservation Commission, then by the Denver Planning Board and finally by Denver City Council. Each step would involve a public hearing.
If the height limits in the ordinance are changed, the mass, scale and design of any proposed buildings in the district — as well as any resulting demolition — must be approved by the Landmark Preservation Commission, also as part of a public hearing.
The Landmark Preservation Commission has not yet received an application for this project. Read more in the
Denver Post
.
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City planners, advisory committee begin reviewing "group living" rules
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In light of increasing demand for non-traditional housing in Denver, the evolving needs of residents and recent changes to state and federal housing regulations, city planners have begun work with an advisory committee to evaluate the Denver Zoning Code’s rules for “group living.” This includes a review of land uses and definitions for: households, community corrections facilities, shelters for the homeless, residential care homes, new uses like tiny home villages, and more. Based on this evaluation, planners will recommend updates to the zoning code for some or all of these housing types.
The committee represents a broad cross-section of community members, registered neighborhood organization (RNO) representatives, group-living service providers and clients, elected officials, design professionals and other stakeholders. It will meet regularly as a whole and in subgroups that will delve into specific uses.
Learn more >>
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Home & Garden Show: Thanks for joining us!
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Thanks to everyone who attended our session on residential permits at the 2018 Home and Garden Show!
We had a great turnout of 50 people who sought advice on their home improvement projects. Our team was able to clarify nuanced building and zoning codes and offer permitting guidance to many. If you missed it, download the
slide deck
(PDF).
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Fun, free and educational:
Bring the kids to Box City on May 19
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Box City is a FREE event for children — grades K-5 — where participants learn about the process of urban development and the principles that make for sound architecture, design, and planning. Students start with a building permit for their desired building type, make a draft sketch of their building in the design studio, stop at the hardware store to get their cardboard and paper supplies, then head to the construction zone to make their Box City structure.
After completing the building inspection process, students head to the Box City street grid where an urban planner helps them select an appropriate building site. Finally, children finish the process by picking up their certificate of occupancy that includes a photo of them with their building.
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Box City
Saturday, May 19, 2018
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
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Planning and zoning at your fingertips
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Visit
denvergov.org/cpd
to find up-to-date planning and zoning information about any property in Denver.
Do I live in an "Area of Change?"
Visit our
Blueprint Denver page
and go to the map to view current land use classifications across the whole city.
What's my zoning?
Our online
zoning map
can quickly tell you the zone district for any Denver address.
What city plans apply to my neighborhood?
Visit our
completed plans page
and go to the map that allows you to search using your address. All plans, assessments and studies are available online.
How can I learn about proposed rezonings?
What are the site plans for a specific project?
The
site development plans map
at
denvergov.org/maps
displays information about projects involving new construction that have received site development plan approval from the city. It does not include single-family and duplex projects.
What construction procedures are allowed?
Every project must follow Denver's safety codes to minimize ill effects on the community. For basic rules, visit
denvergov.org/constructionprocedures
. Call 311 to report construction-related code violations.
How can I watch Planning Board meetings?
Visit our
Planning Board page
to watch live or archived board meetings or submit comments to the board.
How can I provide feedback to Denver CPD?
Please
take our survey
and let us know about your experience with planning and development in Denver!
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BUILDING COMMUNITY:
About Community Planning and Development
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