Speaker 0: Hi, Madam Secretary. Please close the voting. Announce the results. 1313 I as council bill 19 0183 has passed. Councilwoman Blackwell, you please put Council Bill 187 on the floor.
Speaker 8: Yes, I move that council bill 19 0187 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.
Speaker 0: It has been moved and seconded. The public hearing for council will 19 0187 is open. May we have the staff report? Did you inherit this one, too, or. This one was yours. This was.
Speaker 7: Mine.
Speaker 4: Okay.
Speaker 10: Sorry. The mouse is not showing up.
Speaker 7: Okay. We're going to do.
Speaker 10: Okay. I'm still Alice. Stevie back for the map amendment. The proposed map amendment for three, two, two oh Shushan street from you RH 2.5 2d0do42urx3. So this is in Council District one in the Highland neighborhood. The applicant for this rezoning is the Denver Housing Authority or DA. The site is just under 30,000 square feet and that includes the right of way on the bottom left corner, which is working with public works to acquire to reconfigure this intersection as part of the redevelopment. So that's why you see it included in the rezoning area. So there are currently two structures containing a total of ten affordable housing units. DHS applied to rezone this property to facilitate a redevelopment to replace the current units with 53 affordable units. The applicant proposes to rezone the site to ux3, which is residential mixed use district. In the urban neighborhood context, the district promotes a mix of active pedestrian scaled uses up to three stories. It's intended to be primarily residential. Retail and commercial uses are permitted on the ground floor, while upper stories are reserved for residential or lodging uses. So the subject site is currently zoned. You are aged 2.5 with D0 for the same zoning to the north with two unit zoning directly east. The south and west have higher intensity mixed use zoning with CMCs three to the south and C-Max five to the west. So the drive for design overlay allows for reduced side setbacks on certain building forms. The proposed urx3 zone district allows different building forms, the townhouse and shop front. So the deal four will no longer apply if the proposed rezoning is approved. The current site is multi-unit residential land use, and that's the predominant land use in the surrounding area. Then it transitions to a power to more to unit and single unit to the north and east. Here are some examples of the surrounding residential buildings and the subject properties on the bottom left, including the five storey building to the west. The building due south is currently under construction, but it's going to be a three storey multi-unit building. Planning Board recommended approval unanimously on February 20th. One neighbor read his letter of opposition, which is also included in the staff report packet. Then the committee moved it forward on March 5th. So the applicant team has attended 13 meetings with neighbors and or Councilman Espinosa over the past two years. KPD received a letter of support from the Highlands United Neighborhood Neighbors Inc, R.A. and from the public, where we received eight letters or emails in support and seven in opposition. A summary of the letters is included in the staff report, and the letters themselves are attached. So now for the rezoning criteria in this area, there are three plans that are adopted and apply. So CPD found that the proposed MAP amendment is consistent with comprehensive plan 2000, as it would facilitate redevelopment at a higher density, including a mix of housing types and mixed use areas that have access to transit parks and other amenities and is close to the downtown core. In Blueprint Denver. This area is mapped as mixed use, which Blueprint defines as having sizable employment base as well as housing. Intensity is higher in mixed use areas than in other residential areas. The mix of users should include light industry office, retail and entertainment uses mixed with residential. Your x three is consistent with the land use concept plan direction. The arts district allows a mix of uses while emphasizing residential uses and which is consistent with the plan direction, while also responding to the property's location in a transition between mixed use and residential plan direction than the three stories provides a transition between the mixed use plan direction and the 3 to 5 stories on the ground to the west and south. Transitioning them to the single family duplex plan direction and the 1 to 2 stories on the ground to the north and east. The sites also transition from an area of change to an area of stability. Blueprint guidance for areas of change in this neighborhood include urban apartments mixed with pockets of retail, with housing above, along collectors and arterials. The subject property is located on 32nd Avenue, which is a resident residential collector. The Highlands Neighborhood Plan from 1986 recommends a stable residential neighborhood with a variety of housing options. It also mentions an increase in neighborhood employment opportunities and a variety of residential mixed use projects. The site is within what's called sub area 13 where R two intensities are recommended. However, the plan does call this area in particular out as a location where the recommended intensities do not necessarily apply when projects meet neighborhood goals. So while the density allowed by urx3 is slightly higher than what would be allowed by our to the allowed mix of uses with an emphasis on residential uses and protecting the residential character meets the goals on the previous slide. And therefore we found that this request is consistent with the Highland Neighborhoods Plan. The proposed zoning will result in uniform application of zone, district, building, form, use and design regulations, and it also furthers public health, safety and welfare by implementing adopted plans and facilitating housing density and a mix of uses, additional housing opportunities and the development of building forms that will improve the pedestrian environment and enhance walkability. There has been significant redevelopment in the Highlands neighborhood in the last several years, which has led to an increase in density prices, vehicle traffic and amenities. These changes, which are all detailed in the staff report, have created additional need for housing opportunities that would be allowed by the U. R three district. Therefore, the proposed MAP amendment is justified to recognize the change character of the area. Overall, the proposed rezoning is consistent with the urban center sorry, the urban neighborhood context which exists in the surrounding areas and consists primarily of single and two unit residential uses with small scale multi-unit and commercial areas embedded in residential areas. It is consistent with the purpose of the residential mixed use zone districts, which are intended to primarily accommodate residential uses and to improve the transition between commercial and residential. And finally, the proposed rezoning is consistent with the specific intent of York's three, which is intended to apply to residentially dominated areas served primarily by local and collector streets. So based on finding a review criteria have been met. CPD recommends approval.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. We have four individuals signed up to speak this evening, so if you're signed up to speak on this item, if you could come up to the front bench and then I'll call you up. First up is Ryan Tobin.
Speaker 12: Mr. President, members of council. My name is Ryan Tobin. I reside at 2515 Lawrence Street. I am here on behalf of the Applicant Denver Housing Authority and the Chief Real Estate Investment Officer. Denver Housing Authority is a property manager developer, but more importantly, a community builder and partner in affordable housing for the city and county of Denver . Our current site has shown we're very excited to be here. This has been a long process for us, but certainly rewarding in terms of what we've learned about our time to serve. Currently, we have ten three bedroom units on the housing site that were proposed for this rezoning, and in September of last year, this council approved an idea between the city of Denver and VHA to accelerate development of affordable housing in the neighborhood. And this site particularly was called out as a 72 unit opportunity where we were seeking up to a five story building in that particular effort. As it sits today and through the You Are X three zoning, we would be able to accomplish 53 units. We will be serving larger family units if this gets approved with a mix of ones, twos and threes for a total of 109 bedrooms on the site. And so we're pursuing this opportunity in general, but also on an expedited timeline in conjunction with the idea in order to accomplish housing at an accelerated pace, but also to benefit the community as it sits today. And so one of the key points that I'd also like to stress with this particular project, not only will it come with a land use restriction, if we are successful in achieving tax credits, which we're going to be pursuing this June, assuming this rezoning is successful, but under this idea, this will be affordable housing in perpetuity. So we will be committing this site to affordability for the duration of its existence. It also is a HUD parcel of land, so it is encumbered through a declaration of trust. And so that also ensures our affordability long term. And so with that, I'll be available for any additional questions as needed.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next up, Stella Madrid.
Speaker 2: That evening. Counsel Stella Madrid with the Denver Housing Authority.
Speaker 6: 5350 South.
Speaker 7: Jay Circle. I'm here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next up, Chris, Jed. Good evening, counsel. Chris Jed, representative with the Denver Housing Authority. 1362 Claremont Street. And I'm available for questions as well if needs to. Thank you very much. And next up, Jesse Pierce.
Speaker 11: Jesse pairs. Jesse LaShawn pairs represented for Deborah Homicide. Lao Black starts a movement for self-defense and positive action in for social change. And I'm on top of the ballot for at large for the May 2019 election and I reside in I was Brooks District of District nine. This sounds really good on the surface that you are going to make this affordable. But this is affordable for who? This neighborhood's been rapidly gentrified. All of us natives notice areas, the north side, not the Highlands, not high, low. Not any of these other gentrified names for this area. I want to know specifically what am I level? It's going to be mandated for 60 years because you said there is going to be a guarantee of affordable housing on this property. So I know exactly what the RMR level is going to be for the next, whatever, 20, 40, 60 years, however long this property is here. And also, I want to know exactly who is going to occupy this space. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes our speakers. Are there any questions for members of Council Councilman Espinosa?
Speaker 4: Just anyone from the DHEA team? Would you like to answer that question? Be clear about what the duration is and the levels of affordability you guys are targeting.
Speaker 12: Sure. Ryan Tobin, again, with DOJ under the low income housing tax credit rules, they allow us to do a blended average up to 80% EMI and our commitment is to blend that average, but we'll be serving from 0 to 80%. EMI currently as planned, we have two units at 20% EMI and below nine units at 30% EMI three units at 40%. EMI 12 units at 50%. EMI 12 units at 60%. EMI 12 units at 70%. EMI in three at 80%. EMI. That's what we've prepared for our upcoming tax credit application.
Speaker 4: So it's not a question, but a comment that that just sent chills up my spine. Thank you very much for that mix.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilman as well as Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 6: Ryan, if you could stay there for a second, I just wanted to ask a question about what kind of parking requirements the the development will have and is there any open space requirement for the size, the number of people that will be on the site?
Speaker 12: I don't believe the open space requirement for this building is mandated through the zoning. Overall, from a massing standpoint. However, there is a courtyard plan for access officer shown in the building itself. With that being said, one of the larger challenges in any affordable housing project is parking, knowing that this neighborhood is extremely congested. The housing authority has proposed to over park it. So we're about 1.2 per unit I think, but more than one per unit parking. And so it also accommodate the staff. 65 total spaces of parking for 53 units. Okay.
Speaker 7: Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilman Ortega. Councilman Flynn.
Speaker 12: Thank you, Mr. President. Ryan, could you. You talked about the total number of bedrooms, and I missed the number. It was 100 and something. Yeah, 109 bedrooms. And, like, how is that spread over one, two and three bedrooms? So we. You have it? Sure. 17 three bedrooms, 27 two bedrooms and 14 one bedroom units. Thank you. That's good to hear. Often we are up here approving projects that are studio and one bedroom. And I often wonder where a family's going to stay. And it's really good to hear. And you don't have the specificity, do you, of how those are allocated among the different am I levels. I could read them off. I do. You do have them. Yeah. Okay. So in the three bedroom specifically we have three 30% army units, one 40% am I five 50% am I five 60% am I too? 70% am I. And one 80% in my unit in the three bedrooms. Wow. Okay. That that's that's why I don't think you need to read the rest. That's very impressive. I like that. Thank you. That's almost.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Flynn. Seeing no other question. The public hearing for counts bill 19 0187 is closed. Are there comments by members of Council Councilman Espinosa?
Speaker 4: I'm sort of speechless, actually. My every while staff and DHB was represented that this was a two year long process. It had every bit of the it was going every bit in the direction of sort of those historic District one battles. And it was unfortunate because that was not ever where the neighborhood wanted to be. And it it was some heavy lifting on both sides, the community. And. But ultimately, we we got together in a in a place where to the staffs report the neighborhood plan states when you know you exceed what is stated in the plan objectives when projects meet neighborhood goals. The fact that there are ten established three bedroom units in the neighborhood now no one wanted to see those people displaced. And the fact that there are 17 three bedrooms coming back in their place and this mix of affordability is just incredible. When I said I got chills, it's because I just this is the kind of housing that this this neighborhood wanted to see there. And and I just can't. Thank you, Chris. You, Ryan, stellar, the people that you provided us, the resources you provided us to help you guys get to. Yes. And get to this point where there is not a single voice of opposition, because some of those some of those meetings were not trending in the right direction for anybody, and particularly the people in the neighborhood that wanted to see this happen, me being one of them. And so thank you for the project. Thank you to the city, the my colleagues that put to put forward that bond, I mean, pass the bond measure that will fund this. But you've got the right zoning. You nailed it. You knocked it out of the park. Your designs are trending in an incredible way as well. And so it is it is going to be my pleasure to support this tonight. Thanks.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Espinosa. Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Mr. President. This particular property is in my neighborhood, and I know how active the Honey Neighborhood Group is, especially their CPD committee. And Ryan, I know you had many conversations back and forth with Timbers and and that committee. And I also want to thank you for the the work that you all did in coming to something that was acceptable to the neighborhood, but also really kind of provides the need for the housing for these amber levels. I mean, if any organization in this city is committed to lower and my levels, it is the Denver Housing Authority and the fact that you already own the land and you're able to fold that into the cost of the project is is really important to meeting those lower AMI levels. I know your Logitech funds are going to be critical to being able to meet those those lower ranges. But this is exciting. This is along the the pathway that I drive to come in to work every day. And that area is getting more and more congested with the higher density developments that are happening in the neighborhood. But this is one that's actually going to serve people who have been displaced from the neighborhood that can afford to stay in the community. So great job and I'm happy to support this tonight as well.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Ortega. Councilman Espinosa, did you.
Speaker 4: Yeah, there's just a second part to that question you didn't answer. So I just want to stress that these were the stated was that these will be there will be affordability on this property in perpetuity. Yes. So that's not 40 years. That's not 60 years. That is forever. So that is so I just love the fact that once this thing is open, we will invite as many families as we had there and a whole heck of a lot more. So thanks again to.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you, Councilman Espinosa. Seeing no other comments. Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 19 0187.
Speaker 4: Espinoza i.
Speaker 8: Black Eye.
Speaker 3: Brooks, I.
Speaker 2: Flynn.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 2: Gilmore, i. Herndon.
Speaker 7: Cashman.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 2: Kinney. Lopez.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 2: New Ortega I assessment. Hi, Mr. President.
Speaker 0: I. Madam Secretary, please. Because the voting announced results.
Speaker 2: 13.
Speaker 0: 813 ies Huntsville 19 0187 has passed. Councilwoman Black, will you please vote council bill 349 on the floor.
A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 3220 Shoshone Street in Highland.
Approves an official map amendment to rezone property from U-RH-2.5 DO-4 to U-RX-3 (urban row-house to urban mixed use residential), located at 3220 Shoshone Street in Council District 1. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 3-5-19.