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In This Issue
Triangle Transformations
Design Guidelines
Code Corner
In the News
Upcoming Events
Get Involved!
 
There are several neighborhood and general development plans in progress in Denver. Learn more and get involved by visiting our website.

 

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Triangle Transformations hints at the Golden Triangle's future
triangle transformations
Triangle Transformations event
On September 19, planners hosted an interactive outdoor event called Triangle Transformations, as part of the Golden Triangle neighborhood planning process. The event showcased hands-on demonstrations of how to improve livability and mobility in the Golden Triangle neighborhood, with sample pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, public art, open space and mini-parks! It was the first fully interactive, outdoor planning event hosted by Denver Community Planning and Development.

Nearly 200 people who live, work and/or own a business in the Golden Triangle turned out for the event to provide their perspective on these potential improvements. This input will inform the neighborhood plan as it's developed.

To learn more about the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Plan, check out DenverGov.org/GoldenTriangle. For our other plans in progress, visit DenverGov.org/CPD.
 
Steve Ferris joins CPD as Development Services director
Steve Ferris
Steve Ferris
In August, Steve Ferris joined Denver Community Planning and Development as director of Development Services. In this role, he oversees the city's multi-disciplinary plan review and permitting functions.

Steve brings a unique blend of public and private sector experience in planning and development, having worked as a city planner in the Florida Keys, town manager in Telluride and development director in Snowmass. He's also overseen multi-million dollar development projects on the private side, as a development director with Denver's New Town Builders and later Gencom Group. He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, a master's degree in planning and an MBA. 
 
Join For A TOD Open House
transit oriented development

Denver's transit system is constantly advancing; by 2016, all RTD rail lines in the city will be fully operational. Along with improved infrastructure comes the need to strategically plan transit-oriented development (TOD) at transit hubs citywide.

In 2006, Denver created a TOD strategic plan with input from the community; now it's time to gather your input for an update to that plan.Please join us for an open house focused on TOD in Denver:

  • Learn about what's next for transit-oriented development in Denver
  • Discuss challenges to planning and implementing TOD
  • Provide input on the future of TOD in the city

Planners will report on the city's strategic plan update and facilitate discussion with the community about TOD.

TOD Strategic Plan Update Open House 

Thursday, September 26, 4-6 p.m.
Wellington Webb Municipal Building - 201 W. Colfax, Room 4.F.6
Light snacks and refreshments provided

 

Major update planned for historic district design guidelines
design guidelines
Design guidelines -- 1995
Any exterior alteration to a building in a Denver historic district (or landmarked structure) requires design review by Landmark Preservation planners or the Landmark Preservation Commission. Designs are reviewed against citywide historic district design guidelines that were adopted in 1995. This fall, Denver will begin to revise and update its design guidelines.

The update will include descriptions and images of the city's individual historic districts, to highlight the character-defining features of each. In addition, we plan to address modern design concerns like solar panels, and give more detailed guidelines for commercial structures. With these revisions, we hope to provide more clarity for property owners, as well as city staff and commission members, therefore simplifying the design review process.

As we undertake this task, we hope to hear from the community -- especially historic property owners. Watch for news about the update in this e-newsletter, and check our website at DenverGov.org/Landmark this fall for public meetings dates and drafts for review. 

Short-term rentals illegal in Denver  

The popularity of illegal short-term property rentals appears to be increasing in Denver, based on an uptick in complaints to city inspectors and city council offices. Peer-to-peer websites like VRBO.com allow for standard vacation rentals of unoccupied homes, while others like Airbnb.com allow users to rent an entire property, a room, or even a shared room for a period as brief as one night.


Denver is one of many municipalities in Colorado and nationwide that prohibits short-term rentals in residential zone districts. In Denver, the city's zoning code prohibits the rental of all or part of a residence for less than one month. Of course, short-term rentals are allowed in districts zoned for lodging uses like hotels. The intent behind the zoning provisions is to maintain the character of established neighborhoods and direct temporary, for-profit rental operations to zone districts designed to accommodate more transient commercial activity.

 
To report a violation, call 311 or go to DenverGov.org/311. While an online listing alone does not constitute a zoning violation, city inspectors will look into to reports of actual short-term rentals taking place, and issue citations as appropriate. For more information on zoning, please visit www.DenverGov.org/CPD.  

In the News:
Discover Denver makes headlines
discover denver logo Discover Denver, a survey to identify historic and architecturally significant structures citywide, began this month with a Harvey Park pilot. The survey will gather information about buildings using public records, neighborhood canvassing, academic research, and tips from the public. Findings from the survey will later be accessible online so that everyone can learn about Denver's past - building by building. Historic Denver, Inc. leads this collaborative project in partnership with the City and County of Denver and History Colorado.

Discover Denver was recently featured in a Denver Post story, a 9News morning show segment, and in the Denver Business Journal's blog.

To submit your stories or volunteer for Discover Denver, visit www.DiscoverDenver.CO.

Upcoming events
Cherry Creek Transportation and Land Use Forum
September 25, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
J.W. Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, 150 Clayton Lane

Hosted by Councilwoman Jeanne Robb, Denver Community Planning and Development, Denver Public Works

DenverGov.org/CherryCreek

The Sheridan Station 20-Minute Neighborhood
September 25, 6-8 p.m.
Mountair Christian Church, 1390 Benton St., Lakewood

Hosted by the West Line Corridor Collaborative

westlinecorridor.org

TOD Strategic Plan Update Open House
September 26, 4-6 p.m.
Wellington Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax, Room 4.F.6

Hosted by Denver Community Planning and Development

DenverGov.org/TOD

Elyria-Swansea Neighborhood Plan Meeting
(for Spanish-speaking residents)
October 3, 6-7 p.m.
Swansea Elementary School, 
4650 Columbine St., Denver
Hosted by Denver Community Planning and Development

DenverGov.org/CPD

CDOT I-70 Open House
October 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Focus Points Center,
2501 E. 48th Ave.,Denver
Hosted by CDOT

ColoradoDot.info

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
February 13-15, 2014

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