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Denver Zoning Overhaul - Denver Colorado

By Tricia Houston

Mortgage and Lending with Lending Maven Mortgage - Denver, Colorado NMLS 283900 CMLO 20102

June 22, 2010 04:56 PM

Denver Zoning Overhaul - Denver Colorado

The Denver City Council on Monday unanimously approved an overhaul of the city's zoning laws, making the first comprehensive change to the city's land-use rules since 1956. Denver City Council completed 5 year study and gave numerous opportunities for the citizens and builders to weigh in on the proposed changes by holding town hall meetings.

The new proposal also organizes districts by their contexts: suburban, urban edge, urban, urban center and general urban. Other contexts considered are downtown Denver neighborhoods and special contexts that need to be treated differently due to the unique nature of the zone districts.

The proposal is also form-based by translating zoning information into simple diagrams and graphics. And planners have proposed allowing for building on smaller lots, which they say will encourage smaller houses that will increase affordable housing options throughout the city.

The new code also aims at updating language surrounding urban agriculture, such as keeping chickens within Denver

The new code would replace one that city planners characterize as inefficient and inflexible. They said the new rules would steer growth and density to areas near transit corridors and support existing development patterns in long-established neighborhoods. The previous code was established and encouraged the development to be focused around automobile driving during the post World War II era. In such a dense area of Denver, this eventually caused more problems and did not enhance the value of the neighborhoods. City planners have emphasiszed the use of pedestrian friendly zoning to accomodate the influx of people to the urban areas over the next 20 years.

The most heavily debated issue was to rescind rules allowing multiplexes and duplexes in some areas as well as the use of "carriage houses".

Overall, the entire process was well organized by the City Council. They took time and effort to really look at each neighborhood and make sure the needs were being met. I believe it is a huge step going forward and will only help this wonderful neighborhoods grow and develop.

Real Estate professionals have been following this story closely and will have more information for residential buyers. Contact me to be assisted in locating a good realtor.