Speaker 0: Hi, Madam Secretary. Please close voting. Announce the results. 1212 I Council will 19 US 0055 has passed. Desmond Brooks, will you please put Council Bill 79 on the floor?
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that council bill 79 be placed upon the upon final consideration to pass.
Speaker 0: It has been moved and seconded. The public hearing for council will 19 0079 is open. May we have the staff report?
Speaker 9: Thank you. Good evening. I'm Courtney Livingston with Community Planning and Development. This application is a request to rezone property at 901 Irving Street in Council District three in the Villa Park statistical neighborhood at the northwest corner of Irving and Ninth Avenue. The proposal to rezone two Eastside one is to allow for an accessory dwelling unit. The current district, the IS ESD and the ESU d one district allows for ADAS use sites with a 6000 square foot minimum existing zoning. The current subject property is zoned Eastside and the surrounding properties are also zoned Eastside. We do have a bit of Eastside one to the west starting at the alley in between King Street and Linden Court and the existing land use. Currently the subject property is use single use residential and there is a good abundance of single unit residential surrounding. There is some two unit and multi-unit residential interspersed to the west and north. There's also Eagleton Elementary School, just to the southwest. So here are some photos of the site North taken from Irving Street in the south is the view from West Ninth Avenue. These are additional photos of the surrounding contract context. The yellow arrows indicate the subject property. In terms of process, the sub, the application was noticed according to code requirements. The Villa Park R.A. voted to approve the rezoning and provided the form in that is attached to your staff report. Review Criteria. There are five review criteria that we review applications against for consistency. The first one is consistency with adopted plans. There are four adopted plans that we have that apply to this property. The Comprehensive Plan 2000 Blueprint. Denver. The Villa Park Plan and Housing Inclusive Denver. First, the Comprehensive Plan 2000 there are. That's a citywide vision and there are a number of strategies from the comprehensive plan that we found the application is consistent with. Secondly, we're looking at Blueprint Denver that was adopted in 2002 and sets a city wide integrated land use and transportation vision. The area is shown as having a concept. Land use of single family residential single family homes are the predominant residential types and densities are fewer than ten to use per acre. ADAS are recommended in Blueprint 22 in residential areas. The subject property is also in an area stability. The goal of area stability is to maintain the character while accommodating some new development in the three classifications. Both Irving and West Ninth are both on designated locals. Those are tailored to provide local access rather than through movements. We reviewed the rezoning application and found that was consistent with with Blueprint Denver recommendations as the addition of an 80 U provides for small scale compatible infill improvements in density and maintains the overall character of the neighborhood. Next, we'll move to the Villa Park plan that was adopted by council in 1991. There are various strategies to discourage development that is incompatible with the scale and quality of the neighborhood and has a housing vision of sound management and a mix of income levels in. Excuse me. Sorry. In rental single family homes and apartments, the proposed district helps protect residential character in the compatible low skill residential district and allows for reasonable small scale increase in density while creating additional quality housing stock, supporting affordability and contributing to a of income levels, which is consistent with the Ville Park Plan recommendations and in housing the inclusive Denver that was adopted in 2018. The plan recommends expanding the development of Adus as they incentivize affordable and mixed income housing and also promotes the development to use as a wealth building tool for low and moderate income homeowners. The proposed MAP amendment is consistent with these recommendations, as will expand the availability and allow for the development of an accessory dwelling unit. The next two criteria Uniformity of district regulations. We've reviewed the criteria, and the proposed rezoning will result in uniform application of the ESU, D1 zoned district, and it will further public health, safety and welfare , primarily through the adoption of implementing plans. And it also recommends preserving the character of Denver's existing neighborhoods while allowing for some small scale reinvestment for justifying circumstances. There has been change in the area and the city adopted the Housing Inclusive Denver plan. And that plan notes the the cost of living has outpaced incomes creating affordable housing shortage. It specifically calls out the Villa Park neighborhood and notes that there's been a 30% increase in assessed property values over the last two assessment cycles, some of the highest in Denver. While housing affordability is a citywide challenge impacting Villa Park and other neighborhoods, there's documented increases in this neighborhood specifically, and this changing condition helps justify the rezoning to allow an ADU, which is an affordability strategy. But on top of that, there has been a lot of physical changes which also justify the rezoning for the criteria. Two new light rail stations on the alliance. We have the NOx indicator stations which are less than a half a mile from the subject property of the Federal Boulevard Improvement Projects. So those are the safe, the pedestrian safety improvements. And then in 2018 we saw the opening of Denver Parks and Recreation's Reimagined playground at Paco Sanchez Park. That's a regional scale playground, and that's less than a half a mile from the subject property. So there's been a lot of physical changes that justify this rezoning in terms of the last review criteria, consistency with neighborhood context. So in district perfect purpose and in statements, the subject property is in the urban edge neighborhood context. That is a mix of the urban and suburban neighborhoods. The urban edge neighborhood context consists of single and two unit residential units. Buildings are generally low in scale and the intent of the Eastside one district is a single unit district allowing only urban houses and detached accessory dwelling units with a minimum zone lot area of 6000 square feet. This meets that requirement. In conclusion, CPD recommends approval of this rezoning, finding that all review criteria have been met. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. We have three people signed up to speak this evening. First up is Ryan Parish.
Speaker 1: Hello. My name is Ryan British. Myself and my wife are the owners of the property and the applicants for the zoning change. Thank you very much for considering it. Didn't really have too much to say. It was more so if you guys have any specific questions. One thing that I will add is the ADU that if our zoning change is approved, we would be building it as a passive ADU, so it would be as environmentally friendly as possible, hopefully producing more energy than than we'd be using.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Jesse Paris.
Speaker 8: Jesse Pierce represented for Denver Home a sellout Black Star action moment for self defense and Positive Action Commitment for Social Change now reside at Albert Brooks District of District nine, and I am at top of the ballot for at large for the May 2019 election. I was against this. But after further deliberation, I'm actually in favor of this rezoning for a sensible dwelling unit. We have a housing crisis, so the more homeowners can offer their spaces up for accessible dwelling units, that might actually put a dent in this crisis, since the current council does not care one bit about it. So we're in favor of this. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And next up, Nicole Bush.
Speaker 4: I'm Nicole Barrish. I'm also the owner of the home with Ryan and Joanie back there. And I also don't have much to say. Just wanted to ask if you have any questions we're here to answer. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. That concludes our speakers. Are there any questions from members of Council on this one?
Speaker 1: Guzman-Lopez Yeah, really quick, Nicole, if you can, you can come to the microphone real quick. Are you where is the front door facing on the 80? Towards the alley or towards the, the, the street side basically.
Speaker 4: For the our current house. Yeah. Street side.
Speaker 1: Okay. So in the 80 you if you were to build the idea is that a garage conversion or are you building straight up from the ground up?
Speaker 4: Straight from the ground up?
Speaker 1: Are you is it facing the alley?
Speaker 4: No. So the front door would face 10/69 Street.
Speaker 1: Okay. And that's all I wanted to say.
Speaker 0: Thank you. All right. Thank you. Councilman Lopez, seeing no other questions. The public hearing for Council Bill 79 is closed. Other comments by members of Council Councilor Lopez.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. President. You know, this is a this is an area where, to be quite honest, a lot of abuse exists without proper zoning or designation. And there some of them are some of are there because they are converted garages. This area in 2010 when we did the citywide rezoning was an area that I think in some places was are two, in some places are one. And in when we had the conversations in a community. Sorry. What do you know about Notorious B.I.G. Just kidding. I don't like it. I've seen it in the. In this area. It's an area that I think a lot of folks have really been looking at. Designating free to use, as a matter of fact. The old ah. The old ah. One area is adu accessible. There's a lot of places where it kind of cuts in. And now in the more and more we have conversations with folks in the neighborhood, these are lots that are pretty big. These are homes that are relatively small for the main the main home. And then and they do make sense. So it's unfortunate that you had to come to council to actually reason for the to you and hopefully with with a new update. And this is something that we've been considering in the new update and folks have been chiming in and I hope you all do the same thing, is that throughout these areas that are just within a stone throws distance to each light rail station on Federal Boulevard in Knox cor even on a Perry in some of these areas and be a park they should all be if there's enough space on the property they should all be of use or at least eligible for a to use. So and that's another way to create affordable housing, right? So with that, I mean, I, I don't see why we would oppose this. It, it meets all the criteria. It's so close to the, to the area. And also it's my neighborhood, too. So it I drive it every single day. I'm very familiar.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Lopez. Councilman Brooks.
Speaker 2: Yeah. I think this meets all the criteria and I'll be supporting it. I just want to make a couple statements real quick. Number one, it's amazing to have your young child in here. So even though they're crying, I just think it's awesome to have young constituents to a to use are incredibly important cities are doing innovative initiatives like waiving tap fees CPD you know to make it easier for residents to build a to use for an incentive to offer a matter of affordable price. And so I think we need to do much more as a city. It's really interesting reading other what other cities are doing all over the country to make it incentive based to do this. But I think we also need to be careful because we don't want all of our aid used to be short term rentals, right? We do want them to be used at an affordable level. And so really glad that you guys are doing this. And I guess this is more of a signal to CBD that, you know, I want to work with you all on. I want to see some innovative steps for us to allow this to be done. There are many people in my district and throughout the city who pay a lot of money to get an ADU, and most people don't do it because there's so many hoops to jump through. So I'll be supporting this. Thank you, Mr. President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Brooks. Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 5: Mr. President, I think we have a new community activist in the room, and I didn't hear her crying. I heard her wanting to make sure her voice was being heard. Right. So that's what I heard her chiming in saying, yes, we need this for my neighbor. Anyway, I just want to say that we are hearing this conversation all across the city, not just in one community, about the the desire to have the opportunity where a lot has the space and can accommodate an additional attached dwelling unit to be able to do that. We have lots of families in our city where, you know, people are doubling and tripling up in terms of family size. You got three generations living in one household, number one, because of the cost. And number two, just a lot of it's very cultural and it's a way for people to be able to afford to live close together. You know, it's a great way to make sure you've got your support system close by, especially when you have small children. I know my mom lived close to me when I was raising my daughter as a single mom, and I couldn't have done it without her. So I think that the more we can look at this word, they're not having to be brought forward as a one off in every, you know, location. It gets very costly. But where we can look at doing this across the board and and look at where that need exists, I think we should be doing that. And. Working with our planning department to make that happen. So I'll be supporting this tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilman Ortega. Councilman Cashman.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. President, on this. I had to smile this morning when I was going over these hearings for tonight's theme to accessory dwelling units. On the same night in two different neighborhoods and just had to take the opportunity to bring up the name of your constituent, your late constituent, my friend Bob Sperling, who was a community activist who for years was screaming into the darkness about the importance of aid use in Denver and couldn't get an ear. And I firmly believe he was played an important role in the fact that your family will have the opportunity to to build that atyou you as with Mr. Falco who before. So I just wanted to say how happy I am I think to use one sided properly are as such a critical part of us answering the housing crisis in Denver. So I'll be looking forward to voting I on this one.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Cashman. And you're right, a great night to remember Bob Sperling, who is well ahead of the curve on this and many things. So with that, Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 19 0079.
Speaker 1: Lopez Hi.
Speaker 4: Black Eye.
Speaker 1: Brooks Hi. Flynn Hi.
Speaker 4: Gilmore I heard it.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 4: Cashman. Hi. Can each. I knew Ortega by assessment. All right. Mr. President.
Speaker 0: I am secretary. Please close the voting. Announce the results.
Speaker 4: 12 hours, 12 hours.
Speaker 0: Council Bill 19 0079 has passed. On Monday, April 15th, 2019, Council will hold a required public hearing on Council Bill 19 0183 Changing the zoning classification for 2280 South Bannock Street in Overland and a required public hearing on Council Bill 19 0187 Changing the zoning classification for 3220 Shoshone Street in Highland.
A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 901 Irving Street in Villa Park.
Approves an official map amendment to rezone property from E-SU-D to E-SU-D1 (allows accessory dwelling unit), located at 901 Irving Street in Council District 3. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 2-5-19.