Big uproar over small Denver project set for rezoning hearing Monday [Denver Post]

By Jon Murray
The Denver Post POSTED:   06/07/2015

An experienced developer took what he called a calculated risk last year when he bought a decaying church property next to Crestmoor Park. Peter Kudla plunked down $1.6 million for the east Denver site, financed mostly through a short-term loan, even though it lacked the right zoning for the four-story apartment building he wanted to construct. Still, Kudla figured he’d made a safe bet.

But in the 10 months leading up to a rezoning hearing set for Monday night before the Denver City Council, his plans have hit a swell of opposition, accusations and distrust from well-organized neighborhood activists. It has left a frustrated Kudla hopeful — but not certain — his risk will pay off.

A rendering shows two townhome buildings that would be part of Metropolitan Homes’ project at 195 S. Monaco Parkway. A rezoning request is under consideration by the Denver City Coun-cil on Monday. (Provided by Jim Bershof, OZ Architecture)

 

 

On the other side, opponents numbering in the hundreds are hoping for a rare defeat of a rezoning request in the council. Several say they’re defending their neighborhood of single-family homes from the encroaching density that’s transforming so many other parts of Denver. Those include Lowry and Buckley Annex, located east across Monaco Parkway from the 2.3-acre site.

As Denver fights go, this one is over a relatively small project. But it has inspired big passion.

READ MORE in the Denver Post

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 Guest Commentary: The human cost of high density[Denver Post]

By Aaron Schwartz

POSTED:   06/04/2015

Developers and city officials seem to think that our city must sandwich in high-density buildings everywhere it can, writes Aaron Schwartz. They know traffic will increase. They say the growth has to come first, then solutions to terrible traffic someday will follow. (Denver Post file)

On a spring day last year, my pregnant wife and our 3-year-old son walked me to work at a nursing center at East Alameda Avenue and South Monaco Parkway, a couple of blocks from our home.

It was about 2 p.m. when I kissed them goodbye.

Soon after walking inside, I heard the wail of sirens. There’s a fire station nearby, so the sound didn’t raise any alarms for me. It should have. READ MORE

Friends of Crestmoor Park