A proposed rezoning of Denver’s Golden Triangle to permit so-called “point towers” of up to 300 feet in height threatens to block views of the Front Range from Cheesman Park. Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill opposes allowing these structures, and is calling for expansion of the existing view plane ordinance to protect these iconic mountain views.

Why Do We Have View Plane Ordinances?
It has long been recognized that mountain views are a source of great civic pride among Denverites. Given where our city sits, at the foot of the mountains, these vistas are among the attributes that make Denver unique and special. They are something that residents and visitors alike greatly appreciate. Many years ago, the City adopted ordinances designating a series of view planes that would protect views of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

The Cheesman Park-Denver Botanic Gardens View Plane
One of the view plane ordinances starts just east of the Botanic Gardens and extends west over the Cheesman Park Pavilion.

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It has been enshrined in the law for decades. Using an equation that allows building heights to rise slowly as the distance increases from the point of origin, this ordinance protects a stunning view of Mount Evans that many visitors to Cheesman Park cherish.

Now that view is threatened. Currently, the land area covered by the Cheesman Park – Botanic Gardens mountain view ordinance stops at Broadway. This iconic mountain view is now threatened because the view plane does not extend far enough to block an upcoming proposal to rezone the Golden Triangle area to allow some extremely tall buildings.

The Golden Triangle Zoning Proposal
Currently, buildings in the Golden Triangle are limited in height to a little under 200 feet – or approximately 20 stories. This is well below the limit that would exist if the Cheesman Park – Botanic Gardens mountain view ordinance extended past Broadway to Speer Blvd.

The proposal being considered is to allow certain buildings (so-called “point towers”) to rise up to a height of 300 feet. This would permit buildings of up to 30 – 35 stories. Such a “point tower would extend 90 feet into the mountain view protected zone. Please press image for enlargement.

This poses a clear risk to the treasured mountain views from Cheesman Park.

The Time to Act Is NOW!
Fortunately, this proposed rezoning is still in development. The Denver Planning Board will hear information about the rezoning proposal – including the impact of 300-foot “point towers” – at its online meeting on Wednesday, April 15^th. Public comment will not be allowed during the meeting, but can be submitted in advance. Here is a link to the Planning Board’s comment page.

Expand the Cheesman Park View Plane
It would be tragic to lose one of Denver’s great amenities – its prized mountain views – in service to unnecessarily tall development projects. Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill, a Denver Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) in whose boundaries Cheesman Park sits, believes reasonable and profitable development projects can continue to be constructed in the Golden Triangle without unalterably destroying our beloved views of the Rocky Mountains.

Adopted by the Board of Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill on April 11, 2020