INC ZONING & PLANNING COMMITTEE

NOV. 28, 2020 Monthly Meeting – Minutes

ZAP Co-Chairs: Ean Thomas Tafoya & Christine O’Connor

Guest Speakers: Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, Naomi Grundwitz (District 1 Planner), Abe Barge (CPD Principal City Planner), Kristofer Johnson (CPD Principal City Planner – Design)

ZAP held its Nov. 2020 monthly meeting virtually on Nov 28m 2020 via Zoom. There were approximately 45 in attendance.

Two primary topics were discussed:

1. Bungalow Overlay District (work began as Harkness Heights Conservation Overlay District)

District 1 Planner Naomi Grundwitz described the design tool called a Conservation Overlay, explained how it is distinct from a Landmark Historic Districts, specifically identified concerns of neighborhood that led to work on an overlay district, what the objectives of the Overlay District are, the process the neighborhood and District 1 Council office underwent to accomplish this Overlay District, as well as what the Overlay can accomplish for a neighborhood. Currently there are five Conservation Overlay Districts, and the Bungalow Overlay District (if approved) will be the sixth. Importantly, the name was changed from Harkness Heights Conservation Overlay to Bungalow Overlay District so that it is a generic overlay. Numerous questions and discussion with Councilwoman Sandoval, resident Tom Mobley and Abe Barge that will be of interest to RNOs and neighbors such as whether ADUs are included in the overlay.

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2. Active Centers and Corridors Design Overlay

The presentation covered the process undertaken with Berkeley Regis United Neighbors (BRUN) and others including the District 1 Council office to try to reinstate the importance of ground level small business uses that have been historic in the Tennyson corridor but suffered due to pressures of re-development which often replaces buildings with commercial uses on the ground floor with residential units missing this ground floor element. The overlay would apply extra design standards that require the majority of ground floor areas in this Tennyson corridor; it would generally require commercial on the ground floor and requires 14-foot street level height. In places that residential on the ground floor is permitted, there must be some sort of setback to create transition. (This design overlay will apply to new construction)

Final five minutes of this video is an introduction by City Planner Abe Barge to a CPD initiative being planned for some time in 2021 called the Residential Infill Project. This project has been put on hold temporarily, and CPD will return to ZAP to provide more detail during 2021.

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3. Around the City

A long standing tradition of INC has been for neighborhood representatives to share what is going on in their RNOs, or their areas, including current things they are working on and/or concerns shared by neighbors. We heard from the following neighborhoods:

Cindy Sestrich, Cheesman – Bicycle Plan, trying to work with Denver Office of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) –

Gertie Grant from West Washington Park – 4 existing alley structures and code issues – mixed reaction to ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) – new zoning chair Mark Harris

Carol Hunter – Central Park United Neighbors – Renaming from Stapleton – new full board

Bill Tanner – Cherry Creek Easy – Design Overlay commercial and residential – progress with CM Hinds 

Rudy – CARO – Golden Triangle – Sunken Gardens Park – District 6 – Neighborhood Safety – Good Neighborhood Agreement – HARM Reduction center

Robert Schmid — Berkley Regis United Neighbors – Group Living Survey 

Mike Henry – Neighbors for Greater Capitol Hill – safe outdoor camping zoning – two churches up to 60 people – INC work on RNO updated ordinance 

Adrian Brown, Baker Neighborhood – Developmental War zone – working with University of Colorado – how to reclaim pocket parks 

David Pailet, College View – Collaboration of College View with Athmar, Ruby Hil,l Valverde – seeking input from other RNOS on growing membership

Carla McConnell, Lowry United Neighborhoods – survey – bike safety, crime, frame program activities for 2021, new board, diversity equity engagement 

David Pardo, LoHi, talked about different configurations for ADUs,

Ean Tafoya, Bear Valley and INC Co-Chair- East Area Plan was approved, ,West area plan will continue through 2021, La Alma Historic District expected early 2021,Loretto Heights rezoning is coming, Vision Zero Analysis Sheridan, Morrison road to Hampden, Park Hill Golf course small area visioning