At a September 15, 2009 public meeting new Denver zoning code recommendations were finalized. This was the second public meeting sponsored by the Federal Boulevard Partnership. Approximately 150 people participated in the process representing business, property and residential interests. The recommendations were provided to Peter Parks, Manager of Denver Planning and Development and city council representatives Rick Garcia, Judy Montero and Paul Lopez. The final recommendations include:

W. Colfax to 20^th Avenues Group

Issues

The group agreed that this stretch of Federal Boulevard is uniquely positioned to become a vibrant mixed-use Urban Center that serves not only the property and business owners on Federal Boulevard but more importantly, the surrounding community. The factors that established this consensus include:

• Proximity of Invesco Stadium
• Proximity of the Federal Boulevard Light Rail Station
• Current high-density mixed-use zoning code (B4, RMU-30, & PRV)
• Commercial use of existing properties with minimal historical or architectural significance
• Corridor’s connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods (Sloan’s Lake, Jefferson Park, & Highlands)

Recommendations

• For the west side of Federal, change the C-MX-5 to C-MX-8 with the understanding that building height is restricted by the Sloan Lake View Plane to 70’. Building out to eight stories is not the intention of the recommendation. C-MX-8 is preferred since the zone district would facilitate development of six stories within the 70’ view plane limit, which the C-MX-5 would restrict to five stories.

• The proposed G-MX-3 on the east side of Federal north of Dick Conner Ave. is not an appropriate neighborhood type or story designation for an area with a major arterial on one side and a professional football stadium on the other. All of the east side of Federal should be changed to C-MX-8.

W. 20^th to 29^th Avenues Group

Issues

• North of 20^th; there is a main street versus the parkway setback conflict—the Federal Blvd. Parkway requires a 20’ setback
• Future development is hampered when small lot sizes are coupled with the 20’ Federal Blvd. setback
• The Witter Cofield Historic District on the west side between 20^th & 26^th with its existing building scale and context sets up a conflict with the proposed new zone district allowing five stories
• Proposed districts should be uniform within blocks and between blocks

Recommendations

• If existing structure is single-family and it’s sited within an “area of stability” then the proposed new zone district should be single unit (27^th to 29^th in particular). (2 checks)

• Respect the Witter Cofield Historic District’s existing design and context with zoning of three stories to match existing scale

• Create more green (open space) and connectivity within the corridor than zone districts propose

• Change proposed zoning on the east side of the Boulevard from 23^rd to 26^th to U- MX-3

• Honor parkway setback requirements instead of main street zone district setback

• On west side at 24^th, allow no commercial (where school condo exists)

W. 29^th to I-70 Group

Issues

• SE corner of Federal and 32^nd Avenue—proposed U-TU-B, G-MU-3 or U-RH-2.5 does not correspond to current uses, which include a Blockbuster Video store, 2 boarding homes, two single family homes, two 3-story apartment buildings, a parking lot, and a mortuary. Zoning for this area should recognize current uses and allow a mix of uses in the future at a reasonable scale, perhaps an MX-3 or MS-3 district.
• The U-MX-3 district proposed for the NE corner of Federal and 32^nd Avenue does not appear to allow the current use of the Delmonico Hall. This needs to be remedied either in the use table or by selecting a different zone district.
• The currently heterogeneous nature of areas such as Potter Highlands is not represented in the proposed residential zone districts. There is concern that the new code may eventually homogenize the neighborhoods by not allowing for widely varying lot widths and areas. In districts such as the U-TU-B1, there is a need for allowing Single Family uses on existing “orphaned” 25’ lots and perhaps limiting new duplex units to a minimum 50’ lot width.

Recommendations

• Do not desire Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) in the Potter Highlands Historic District (all for Federal east side from 33^rd to 37^th). Blueprint Denver calls for this area to be single family residential and this is also the existing predominant use. Also, City should find a different character than the number “1” to designate that ADU’s are allowed.

• West side from 33^rd to 37^th, 38^th to 39^th and 40^th to 41^st, also do not desire ADU’s

• Do not desire G-MU-3 south of 32^nd on the east side—should be U-TU-A or B

• Future Zoning Maps should reflect uses that concur with Blueprint Denver’s designations, especially in areas of stability

• Need to allow for continuation of the historic development patterns of heterogeneous neighborhoods

• Attention to the public realm (streets, tree lawns, street trees, sidewalk placement, street lights and furniture, setbacks along parkways, etc.) is crucial to the ultimate success of Federal Boulevard (and all other streets in Denver)

• Community Planning and Development Department needs to work closely with other City agencies such as Transportation and Public Works to ensure coordination of the public realm with zoning