Final Version of Denver Zoning Code Going to City Council in June

The fourth revision of Denver's prehistoric Zoning Code - referred to on the city's website as the Fourth and Final Revision - is being reviewed intently by residents and city staffers alike as a June date with Denver City Council looms large on the horizon.

A thumbs-up by City Council would signal the rezoning of virtually every piece of residential and commercial property in the City and County of Denver.

Initial plans had the new code being brought before Council by the end of the past year. However, intense interest from neighborhood groups, the business community and private citizens pushed the schedule into February, then April. Now, a public hearing before City Council is not expected until June.

The Denver Planning Board began the formal adoption process for the new zoning code at its Feb. 17 meeting. Chairman Brad Buchanan said the board will consider the new code and map over multiple meetings, beginning with information sessions with Community Planning & Development staff and culminating in a formal public hearing before the Planning Board, tentatively scheduled for April 7.

At the Planning Board meetings prior to the public hearing, time will be reserved for public comment, and Community Planning & Development staff will host additional Office Hours (see page 5) for anyone who has questions or needs clarification about the code. Prior registration is requested (at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXCCQLN) so adequate staff can be scheduled.

Following its public hearing, the Planning Board will make a recommendation to City Council's Blueprint Denver committee at the committee's March 10 meeting. The Blueprint Denver committee will then consider the Planning Board recommendation before referring the measure to the full Council.

Tentative Schedule

March 10, 1:30p.m.
Blueprint Denver Committee
information review
Room 391, City & County Building 1437 Bannock St.
(Call 720-865-9534 to verify time & location.)

March 17
Planning Board review
CPD Office Hours
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Ave.
(Call 720-865-2993 for room & time.)

March 23
New Code Draft 4.1 posted
at www.newcodedenver.org
CPD staff report
to Planning Board published

March 24, 1:30p.m.
Blueprint Denver Committee
information meeting
Room 391, City & County Building 1437 Bannock St.
(Call 720-865-9534 to verify time & location.)

March 31
Planning Board review
CPD Office Hours
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Ave.
(Call 720-865-2993 for room location.)

April 7
Planning Board Public Hearing
CPD Office Hours
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Ave.
(Call 720-865-2993 for room location.)

April 14
Blueprint Denver Committee
begins formal consideration before
sending the new code to the full Council
Room 391, City & County Building 1437 Bannock St.
(Call 720-865-9534 to verify time & location.)

April 28
Blueprint Denver Committee
continues new code consideration
Room 391, City & County Building 1437 Bannock St.
(Call 720-865-9534 to verify time & location.)

May 1-19
Final Code review & production

May 20
TENTATIVE
New Code bill filed with City Council

May 24
TENTATIVE
City Council's First Reading
Council Chambers (Room 450), City & County Building
1437 Bannock St.
(Council meetings begin at 5:30p.m.
& may be viewed on Channel 8.)

June 21
TENTATIVE
City Council's Public Hearing, deliberation and final vote
Council Chambers (Room 450), City & County Building
1437 Bannock St.
(Council meetings begin at 5:30p.m.
& may be viewed on Channel 8.)

For more information, visit www.newcodedenver.org, or contact your local City Councilperson or neighborhood group.