Zoning & Planning in Denver

Liquor licenses, marijuana dispensaries, historic preservation, recreation centers, public libraries, and parking regulations. These are just a few of the issues discussed at Denver’s Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation Zoning and Planning (INC-ZAP) meetings. INC-ZAP meets monthly and is attended by representatives of active Denver Registered Neighborhood Organizations. I attend as the representative for and Property Use Co-Chair of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
Welcome to the inaugural launch of the Zoning and Planning column, which will be a regular monthly feature in the Greater Park Hill News. This column will provide a source of information on property use, development and zoning issues in the City of Denver and things specific to Park Hill as they arise.

Proposed New Parking Garage for Rockies Stadium

The Baseball Stadium District is proposing to build a parking garage at 27th and Blake Streets on Coors Field Parking Lot B, staffed and operated by Central Parking Systems. RTD has acquired property from the Stadium District for the East Corridor rail line from Denver Union Station to DIA, resulting in a loss of 629 parking spaces. The Stadium District also states that development of nearby surface parking lots will result in a total loss of 4,000 parking spaces within the next two years.

The new parking garage will park 589 vehicles at an estimated cost of $14M. RTD will pay for the new garage in reimbursement for property acquired via eminent domain.

The lease between the Stadium District and the Colorado Rockies requires that the parking be replaced.

The River North Neighborhood Organization (RINO) does not support the proposed parking garage and feels that more inclusive and comprehensive planning should be done to serve the taxpayers in a more fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable way.
Direct your questions and concerns to Sean Maley with CRL Associates, a public affairs firm representing the Stadium District, at 303-592-5450.

Legalized Marijuana

The INC-ZAP committee passed a motion to communicate to City and State government that any statutes, regulations and ordinances relative to Constitutional Amendment 64 should treat marijuana in the same manner in which alcohol is regulated. This includes retail marijuana locations and neighborhood notification as well as the consumption of marijuana in public places.

Discover Denver

An update on the citywide survey of Denver’s historic structures, landmarks and districts included the presentation of information on the Architects Small House Service Bureau Mountain Division (ASHSB) formed in 1921.

Led by William E. Fisher, twelve Denver architects produced a book entitled How to Plan, Finance and Build Your Home, which included 62 plans for small homes with information on building materials and systems, finance options and other helpful information. Many of these homes were built along trolley lines and can be found throughout Denver neighborhoods. The ASHSB will be Discover Denver’s first pilot study area. For more information, visit discoverdenver.co.

Bernadette Kelly is a Denver native, a 12-year Park Hill resident and has served on the board of the Greater Park Hill Community for five years. For more information about the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, visit denverinc.org.