Old San Rafael Neighborhood Organization

San Rafael Needs Your Letters of Support Now!

Feb 08, 2008

San Rafael Needs Your Letters of Support Now!
On February 25th, the Denver City Council will vote on San Rafael?’s application for an OD-9 overlay zoning district to protect the historic character of the neighborhood. We can win approval with your help! Our primary opponent and his attorney have been lobbying council members to defeat the neighborhood. City Council needs to hear from you as soon as possible. Also, please plan to attend the City Council public hearing on Monday, February 25th, 6 p.m., City Council Chambers, 4th Floor, City and County Building.
We have attached two sets of mailing labels for each City Council member and the City Council office. We encourage spouses, roommates or significant others to send their own letters perhaps touching on different issues. If you need assistance with envelopes or postage, please call Paul Benington at 303-863-7061.
Most Effective: Mail a signed letter of support individually addressed to each council member with your address and telephone number and send a signed letter to the City Council?’s office at the following address: Denver City Council, c/o Gretchen Williams, City & County Bldg., 1437 Bannock St., Rm. 451, Denver, CO 80202 (a mailing label for this address is attached).
Second Most Effective: Mail a signed letter with your address and telephone number to the City Council?’s office at the address above and send copies to each individual council member.
Third Most Effective: Mail a signed letter with your address and telephone number to the City Council?’s office at the address above.
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Please refer to ?“San Rafael?’s application for the OD-9 overlay zoning district, Application # 20071-00055.?” Consider sending pictures of your house or block along with your letters. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please call Paul Benington at 303-863-7061.
Please share your own San Rafael experience or perspective in your own words. The Old San Rafael Neighborhood Organization believes the following facts about the proposed OD-9 overlay district are also important:

?• R-3 and R-4 zoning lack appropriate height and bulk limits for a stable residential neighborhood like San Rafael.

?• For 21 years, our official neighborhood plan has called for San Rafael?’s historic scale and character to be preserved.

?• All properties adjacent to homes should be covered by the overlay district, as proposed, or some homes will be left exposed to any inappropriate height and bulk of new development.

?• Our application is consistent with our neighborhood plan, Blueprint Denver, and the Uptown Healthcare District Plan, which specifically calls for San Rafael to be protected with an OD-9 overlay district.

?• The City should give effect to the community?’s vision for San Rafael as reflected in the City?’s plans.

?• Over 75% of San Rafael?’s owner-occupied homes support the application.

?• 367 owners signed San Rafael?’s petition to waive our application fee, representing 293 properties and over 55% of the land in the proposed district.

?• The application is supported by the development community, including Hope Communities, the most active affordable housing developer in our area.

?• San Rafael has reached agreements with several developers contingent upon City Council?’s approval of the OD-9.

?• The Planning Board voted unanimously to support the application, which is also supported by City planners.

?• San Rafael, platted in 1874 before Colorado statehood, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to numerous Denver Landmarks.

?• San Rafael has repeatedly and significantly revised the boundaries of the proposed district to address concerns.

?• San Rafael should receive the same OD-9 protection the City approved for City Park West in 2002.

?• The OD-9 allows existing structures to increase their gross floor area by 20% before being affected.

?• The OD-9 overlay district is less restrictive than down-zoning or establishing a Historic Landmark District

Note: If you need the file for the labels, please send me an email.