Denver INC Delegate Meeting Minutes

Aug 13, 2016

Denver Museum of Nature & Science – West Atrium

2001 Colorado Blvd

Denver, CO 80205

Meeting called to order at 9:08 a.m. 29 members signed in.

Bonita Lahey of South City Park Neighborhood Association, introduced the neighborhood and provided some history of the park and neighborhood. Oldest apple tree in Colorado is at 16^th & Colfax. Neighborhood has been here since 1886. Very diverse neighborhood in regards to income. East High School is the oldest high school in Denver and moved to this neighborhood in 1925.

Councilman Albus Brooks from City Council District 9 and Denver City Council President discussed plans to make sure City Council is inclusive, and attacks are on the issues, not the people. Three big issues coming to City Council this month:

1. Garden Court moratorium presentation – Style that doesn’t front the street (front each other) – hopes to create more main street frontage with the moratorium.
2. 6,250 small parking lot moratorium – No parking required for lots smaller than 6,250 sf lots.
3. Affordable housing bill – $1.50 sf for every property built and half mill to every property owner every year to create a $150 million affordable housing fund. Hopes to create 6,000 affordable housing units in the next 5 years.

Events today: East High School, 10am-2pm and South High School 10am-2pm – BBQ with a Cop at both locations.

Charitable Focus: Boys & Girls Club – donations of school supplies. All donations will be sorted and distributed by Boys & Girls Club of Denver.

Denver Digs Trees: Looking for right-of-way locations (street trees) for free trees to replace any ash or other trees that we lose this year.

Denveright: Several INC members/leaders are participating. A second survey has been posted at www.denvergov.org/denveright

City Council Open Mic: 1^st Monday of every month from 5:00-5:30 pm – comments should not be about anything that is coming before City Council, but it is an opportunity to bring up issues that are important to our communities.

Minutes: Meeting minutes from June 2016 and July 2016 approved with 1 abstention.

INC Committee Reports

ZAP: Margie Valdez:

Motion: RE: CB16-0541: Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation supports and urges City Council to support and adopt 16-0541, a bill sponsored By Councilmen New and Espinoza providing for a moratorium prohibiting the approval of site development plans and the amendment of approved site development plans for construction of buildings using the Garden Court building form in the Denver Zoning Code for a period of approximately twelve months or August 26, 2017, unless the moratorium is otherwise extended.

Discussion:

1. Is there an estimate on the number of buildings that would not be built as a result of this moratorium? Answer: No, but it does tie into the affordable housing amendment CM Brooks discussed earlier.
2. Doors to the units do not face the streets – they face each other instead. There is no place to plant anything because almost all surfaces are not permeable. There are safety concerns. There is no space for open space.

Vote:                           Aye     22                    Nay     3                      Abstain           4

Citizens Planning Academy is coming! Dates are published on the INC and CPD websites. 15 INC members and 15 others will be selected for the academy.

Denver INC Survey: Please make sure you answer the survey. It was sent in your email, and it will be posted on the INC website after this meeting.

INC Committee Chairs Needed:

One at-large delegate position is open on the INC Board of Directors. Two committee chair positions open: Membership and Budget committees. All will be posted on the INC website.

Presentation: Denver NORML – Responsible Use Denver: Jordan Person

Private Marijuana Clubs:

1. 21 and up only
2. Membership model to be decided by business owner
3. Bring your own marijuana
4. No on-site sale or distribution
5. Prepared food or beverage only
6. Same zoning for MJ businesses

“It shall not be located in any residential zone district, in any MS-2, MS-2x, MX-2, MX-2A, or MX-2x zone district as defined by the zoning code of the city, or in any location where retail sales are prohibited by the zoning code or by any ordinance governing a planned unit development.”

Must be at least, 1000 ft. from schools, childcare facilities, or alcohol or drug treatment facilities.

Examples of business models:

• Bookstore
• Coffee shop
• Moving theater
• Art gallery
• Concert venue
• Yoga studios

Special event permits:

• 21 and up
• Invitation only
• No onsite sale or distribution’
• BYOC
• 24 events per calendar year
• No liquor or food licensees may apply

Questions:

1. Will these clubs be allowed to have outdoor patios? Answer: Any business that is not a bar/restaurant can apply; however, all consumption must be enclosed and fully ventilated outside of public view.
2. How do you address festivals? Answer: We will require that all locations be enclosed and outside of public view. Outdoor areas that are fully enclosed could be included.
3. How will you control smoke/odor for outdoor festivals? Answer: Excise and licensing will be involved. Neighbors can reject the festival because of smoke/odor.
4. If someone uses MJ at a local club then gets in their car and drives, how are you going to deal with the possibility of setting up a situation where people are high and driving through neighborhoods? Answer: It is happening now without oversight. This would create a more regulated market. DWI laws already exist.
5. Would businesses be required to create a separate smoking area within the business? Signage, notices, and clear designation will be required at all businesses.
6. There are hotels for MJ smokers – how many of these social clubs are allowed: Answer: Unlimited.
7. Community engagement plans related to retail MJ, and we want to make sure the same community engagement process/plans are included for this measure.
8. Recommended: Odor mitigation plans should be included with business models.
9. Recommended: Limit on the number of facilities allowed with special care taken in neighborhoods that have been declared “saturated”.
10. “Needs and Desires” hearings will not occur. This is something that needs to be taken up with Excise & Licensing.
11. Residency requirements and background checks are required.
12. Special Events: No more than 24 events per location, entity or person. These are private parties which are already happening under the radar. With this ordinance, there would be greater control.
13. This does not legalize the 420 events because they are open and public, which would not be allowed. Public parks would not be permitted.
14. How is this different from the public consumption of alcohol? Answer: One of the major distinctions is that MJ is smoked. Bars and restaurants no longer allow any smoking.
15. What if I get hungry while at a permitted location: No kitchens are allowed, but pre-prepared food, catered food, food trucks, coffee shops, etc. would be allowed.

Meeting Adjourned: 11:06 am