The Zoning and Planning Committee of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation met on August 26, 2017 and briefly discussed the proposed “framework agreement” that will govern the National Western Center for the next 50 years and which is expected to be filed with City Council on September 7, 2017. Please note that we had no access to the document to review, because the very lengthy agreement has not been made available to the public and was negotiated and written behind closed doors.
Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore opened with updates about growth in Dist 11. Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center (Aurora) is building up to be open late 2018. They are also backing a housing development within District 11 to help with affordable, nearby housing for their employees. The District is looking forward to added retail and restaurants.
A Montbello leaders group formed to address gentrification, historic information and other desired area factors. Montbello has 60% home ownership in place and they want to keep that characteristic. To do so, they are exploring options such as a community land bank, neighbors helping neighbors and possibly renting rooms for in home care and a deed structure in a land trust when current owners vacate. The goals: 1) to help seniors age in place so they do not have to give up their current homes and 2) to maintain affordable homes in the area.
Chair Margie Valdez convened the meeting of the INC Zoning and Planning Committee and led discussion of about several important ongoing topics:
The Director of the Department of Excise and Licenses, Ashley Kilroy, Legislative Analyst Nathan Batchelder and Assistant City Attorney Reggie Newbine summarized a proposed major revision to the Department’s Hearing Policies and Procedures for liquor, cabaret and marijuana hearings. There will be a public hearing on the proposal in early May before the Department. They indicated that some proposed changes result from the fact that a number of recent evening hearings (some going past midnight) have caused inconvenience to all parties concerned. The goal of the proposed changes is to make the procedures fair and streamlined and to clarify and standardize the policies and procedures for all types of hearings. The Policies and Procedures were last revised in 2013 and reside in 2 different documents. The Department established a working group last August, including 2 representatives of Registered Neighborhood Organizations. If the proposals are adopted:
at least 25 signatures will be necessary to request an evening hearing (as opposed to the current 10).
The meeting was called to order at 9:00am. The attendance count was 31 Delegates; seven (7) Guests; and no Alternatives. Two (2) additional attendees later joined the meeting, but did not sign in, thereby making an ultimate total attendance of 40. Al Habercorn moved to approve the April meeting minutes, it was seconded and they were unanimously approved by attendees’ acclamation.
The new ordinance will require a 1000-foot buffer between cultivation facilities and schools and residential zone districts. In the future, unlike the past, any new applications will be subject to a full needs-and-desires hearing by the Department of Excise and Licenses. In addition, applicants for new or renewed licenses will be required to have a “community engagement plan,” which must include plans to create positive impacts in the neighborhood where the business will be located and procedures to address neighborhood concerns.
Guest Speaker – Councilwoman Robin Kniech – Discussion of the General Obligation (GO) Bond
Robin is one of two ‘at-large’ councilpersons in the Denver City Council since 2011. She provides an annual newsletter, which was passed out to the meeting attendees.
At the outset of her service in 2011, Denver was in a very challenged posture (like many post-recession cities). For example, library hours were sporadic, construction was just beginning to reawaken and unemployment hovered around 10%. The environment has considerably changed for the positive today. The prior period has surfaced today in current voids in spending gaps and project delays and cancellations.
Robin spends most of efforts with ‘big picture’ issues, although she periodically gets involved in smaller specific projects. A good example of the former is that every square foot of development in Denver pays a fee toward a low-income housing fund; the first time ever. This is particularly pertinent as HUD is cutting back on this kind of disbursements.
