Ruby Hill Neighborhood Association

98/09 More Correspondence

Sep 17, 1998

1. Proposed Zoning Language Amendment
2. Denver Mediation
3. INC

Proposed Zoning Language Amendment
From the City & County of Denver:

The City Council Land use Committee will discuss the following proposed zoning language amendment at its meeting on Tuesday, August 25. This proposal was discussed by the Committee on July 22 but will be discussed again because of its complexity and importance. The meeting will be at 11:00 am in Room 451 on the 4th floor of the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street.

Amendment Number: L-1048
Description: If approved, this amendment would create five new, mixed-use zone districts and establish regulations for development within those districts. Areas of the city were these districts might be applicable include the Gateway area near DIA, Stapleton, Lowry, the Platte Valley, and parts of Cherry Creek. This amendment only creates the language for the districts. It is not a map amendment. Any actual map amendments will have to be approved separately in the usual manner. Descriptions of the proposed districts are attached.

1. Why we are proposing new mixed use zone districts

A. Denver needs new zone districts to address new patterns of development.
Stapleton, Gateway, Lowry, the Platte Valley, and Cherry Creek are all experiencing major new development activity of a sort that provides a variety of uses and densities. While Denver?¹s current zone districts can be tailored to accommodate the types of new developments that are proposed in these areas, the process can be cumbersome and is limited in its flexibility. Abetter solution is to create new zone districts that better reflect the current market and concepts.

B. Stapleton, Gateway, Lowry, the Platte Valley, and Cherry Creek are of several areas were the new zone districts will be used. They also reflect the plans for other areas in the City, and are intended to be used in those areas as well.

2. Description of the New Zone Districts

A. R-MU-20:Residential Mixed-Used District:

Primarily residential uses and character
However, along heavily traveled streets development may be either a residential or mixed-use project combining residential uses with small offices or neighborhood-support retail uses
Development that is not adjacent to a heavily traveled street must be residential
Residential uses may be either single or multiple-unit dwellings
No maximum residential density is prescribed
Instead, the scale of projects is determined by a maximum and minimum building setbacks, open space requirements, and parking ratios
Rules and Regulations may be used to provide design standards and guidelines that reflect and enhance the desired character and scale of the neighborhood

B. C-MU-10: Commercial Mixed-Use District Fewest Uses; Highest Density

Used at key locations, including the intersection of arterial streets and employment centers
Concentrates higher intensity commercial uses, reinforces the character of the streets, creates a higher design standard, and encourages pedestrian activity
Generally, auto-related commercial uses, industrial uses, and single-unit dwelling are not included as allowed uses
Residential uses include multiple-unit dwelling
Denver Mediation
Temp Labor Business - Have you seen any problems with the Temp Labor Business in Denver. If you have any objections, concerns, complaints or comments regarding this subject, please contact Peggy Lehmann of Councilman Himmelman?¹s office.

INC
We have not had any one representing RHNA, since our delegate left last year. INC meets the 2nd Saturday of each month. This group gets reports from neighborhoods around the Denver Metro area and works on public policies. The meetings are at 9:00am, if you would like to attend please contact RHNA.