Speaker 0: All right, Madam Secretary, please close the voting and note the results. 11 Nice Lebanese Council Bill 352 has passed. Guzman-Lopez Would you please put Council Bill 380 on the floor? Thank you, Mr. President. I move that council vote three zero. So as of 2019 be placed upon final consideration, do pass. It has been moved and seconded. The public hearing for Council Bill 380 is opened. May we have the staff report? Welcome back.
Speaker 7: You're welcome. This is a second one. But let me get out of this 1/1 and.
Speaker 1: Okay.
Speaker 7: So this one is a legislative rezoning. It is for the University Park neighborhood, and it is to rezone from urban edge single unit D X to urban edge single unit D several properties in the university neighborhood university. I'm sorry, University Park neighborhood. So it's approximately 1051 properties, about 183 acres. The reason, again, the rezoning is from urban edge, single unit D X to urban edge, single unit D and the applicant. Here is Councilman Cashman. So what the effect of this rezoning would be, too, would be to remove the suburban house form from an allowed building use. So a little bit of background. Back in 2003, there was a quick wins to that did address oversize homes or additions to homes. And then in 2010, we modified that. And then we, we developed the urban single unit, d-essex, which does allow both the suburban and urban house form. Effectively turning back the clock to pre nine 2003 standards. And so this is an attempt to take us back to some of the wins in quick wins to where we were paying more attention to the form of the homes being built. So the suburban house formed the issue with suburban house forms that it's two and a half storeys or 30 feet in height or up to 35 feet if you have a wider lot. And it allows you to build up that form from the front of the lot to the rear of the lot. There's a ten foot bulk plain on the side and then a 45 degree angle where the bulk plane curves over the property. And this gives you an idea of the form that could be created under that built building form. So as you can see, it kind of doesn't fit with the area. So the Urban House form is that two and a half stories, but only in the front, 65% of the lot. And then a one story part of the house in the rear. 35% of the lot can only be one story or 17 feet. And this gives you an idea of what that bulk plane, it looks like for that building form and does fit a little bit better with the existing homes in the area. So. The existing zoning in the area is ESU X to the north is more single unit to the south more single unit. There is some multi unit to the east and to the west and then some mixed use and multi unit that's higher near the do campus to the west. So the land use is mostly single unit residential land uses, mostly through the center of the area, but again, multi-unit and retail off to the east and then the campus to the west. So some of these photos give you an idea of the existing homes in the area. Some are single story, some are two story. The zone district does allow that two and a half story. So Pre-Application review of this started back in December of 2017. And then there was an extensive public outreach by the councilman and the neighborhood organization, and there were two meetings, some mailings, a couple of open houses and a survey on the web. And then the proposal was submitted in December of 2018. In April of this year, planning board unanimously recommended approval. And then this was seen at the Land Use Committee on April 23rd and then first reading on May 6th. And then we're here today. There is a letter of support by the University Park Community Council and eight other comments supporting the proposal. You know, their letters, one letter of opposition and one letter simply just asked some questions about the application. So because this is a legislative rezoning, there are three criteria consistency with adopted plans, uniformity of district regulations, and furthering the public health, safety and welfare. So the plans that are apply are Plan 2040, Blueprint Denver 2019 and the University Park Neighborhood Plan of 2008. So 2040. Current plan tells us to enhance our neighborhoods through high quality urban design and use urban design to contribute to economic viability, public health, safety and environmental well-being, neighborhood culture and quality of life. And to preserve the authenticity of our neighborhoods and celebrate the history, architecture and culture of our neighborhoods. The neighborhood context is urban edge, which is predominantly residential. Typically low scale single and two unit residential with some small scale multi-unit embedded in the area. The place type is residential low, which is again predominantly single in two unit uses, small or medium lots with lower median building coverage and buildings generally no higher than two and a half storeys in height. The street types in the area Yale Evans are residential arterials. St Paul McTell. I love for residential collectors. All others are under the ignited locals. As far as the growth area blueprint Denver. This is another of those all other areas of the city seeing 10% of new job growth and 20% of new housing growth. University Park Plan was adopted in 2008 to perpetuate and enhance the integrity of the neighborhood. It has always been, according to the plan, a variety of architectural styles. But there was concern at that time that the new homes were not consistent with the overall fabric in terms of open space, tree canopy lot coverage, building orientation and building mass and building heights. So the plan did talk about single for the single family portions of the neighborhood, preserving the single family nature of the of the area and respecting the urban design and architectural character. And so the proposal to rezone from the assumed text to the study fits that very well. So staff does believe this is consistent with current plan 2040, Blueprint, Denver, 2019 and the University Park Neighborhood Plan by using a standard zoned district where furthering the uniform application of our zoned district citywide and by and we're furthering the public health, safety and welfare by implementing our plans and also furthering the general welfare of the University Park residents by removing a building form that they've identified as problematic and protecting the overall single family residential character of the neighborhood. So with that, staff recommends approval.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. We have eight individuals signed up to speak this evening on this item. So I'm going to call the first five up if you want to come up to this front bench and then you'll be a little bit closer when we call you. So the first five I have are Jessie, Paris, Sherman, Sekou, Carolyn Eder, Candace Christian Christensen and Rosemarie Stoffel. Jesse Paris, you're up first.
Speaker 5: Jesse Paris, represented for Denver Homicide, a low black star action movement for self-defense, and positive action camera for social change. And I was on top of the ballot for at large this past May 2019 election and will be back in 2023. Again, I was against this because a lot of these rezonings involve a lot of displacement and gentrification. But I'm real good friends with this councilman at his district. So I trust his judgment and trust that he will do the right thing in regards to this. So with that being said, we're in favor of this. We need to maintain the character and and architecture of our neighborhoods. So. Yeah, we're in favor of this, I guess.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Chairman Secret.
Speaker 10: That's German so-called black star action movement, self-defense. The city is suffering from an identity crisis. And our communities no longer represent who we are. As Coloradans. And when we take the opportunity to go back in our history to reclaim our identity, it means and blends the old with the new in a way that's harmonious. And so we commend Councilman Cashman for coming with a old school solution to a contemporary issue as we recapture who we are in the city. And contrary to popular belief that we need to be something other than who we are. As a lifetime resident, I'm proud to be a part of the city, its heritage and its culture. And this is where I choose to live, and this is where I choose to die. It don't get no better than this. And so. I hope. That other members of council will. Pick up on this idea, especially in the neighborhood that I was born in the Five Points, and I'm currently living on the East Side in Park Hill as I'm doing right now. Isn't this. I don't know what this is. And I remember back in night and there I would do a little research in 1990. It was a quiet in the city that you had to bill Brick. That's it. Because that's what the city was committed. And that was the best architectural designs and depth and sustainability of housing that we got housing now that was built by brick that's going to be here for the next 200 years. But this stuff that they build it now on flood and when planes. That paint is already fading. In Council District with nine and eight. I'm looking at this. And I'm saying, well. I wish the airport was back. That could stop this. Because now we don't even know who we are. No, we don't. And the people come and have no respect for our culture whatsoever. They think we're a country with this world. Well, if we all of that and you all are distant, why are you here? So why are you here? So there has to be a reestablish of respect for the local history. Just like you respect New York City. You can come here, you can respect a mile high city no matter what the income is, because this is who we are and this is how we like it.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Caroline her.
Speaker 3: I'm Carolyn Etter.
Speaker 7: I live at 2278.
Speaker 3: South Milwaukee Street. Thank you for the opportunity.
Speaker 0: Can you pull the microphone down just a little bit? Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 3: There you go. He's taller than I. Thank you for this opportunity to share with you a little.
Speaker 7: History about.
Speaker 3: Zoning. 17 years ago, and none of you were on council at that time. There was a issue having to do with the zoning ordinance that had just been passed, and it was clear that there needed to be some changes made to what was.
Speaker 7: Called the long house form. It had firstly affected the.
Speaker 4: Single family neighborhoods.
Speaker 3: Throughout the city by.
Speaker 7: Impacting the privacy and openness of backyards. The Quick wins.
Speaker 4: To committee was appointed.
Speaker 7: So that.
Speaker 4: Members representing the broad community.
Speaker 3: Could take a look at this issue and make a recommendation to.
Speaker 7: Council as to what.
Speaker 4: Should be done.
Speaker 3: The committee was made up of realtors, developers.
Speaker 4: Historic preservationists and neighborhood activists.
Speaker 3: I was asked to chair their meeting and at the first meeting.
Speaker 4: We agreed to something that almost no one had ever agreed to before.
Speaker 3: And that was that we would not.
Speaker 7: Disband.
Speaker 3: Until we had reached consensus.
Speaker 7: Now think again about the group.
Speaker 3: Of people that were.
Speaker 7: Gathered. And arriving at consensus was.
Speaker 3: Clearly a challenge. The goal was to assure that larger homes could still be constructed.
Speaker 7: But the light and openness of.
Speaker 4: Backyards would.
Speaker 3: Be protected. After lengthy consideration and committee members arrived at.
Speaker 7: Consensus and quick wins to was moved to council and was passed. I urge you to support the proposal that is front in front of you tonight.
Speaker 3: Thank you for the opportunity.
Speaker 7: To talk with you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Candace Christianson.
Speaker 3: Hi, I'm Candice Christianson of 2320 South Madison Street. I am the current UPC president right now and I was attracted to this community organization because of its outreach organization and very active members like Carolyn, who's just speaking. There's an old and strong and extremely active R.A. and it has been an advocate for and with the city and its work. We have many members who've worked citywide with you all. It traditionally works in partnership with the city, in advocating for our neighborhood as the issues arise. And when this issue was brought up to the community council, we very quickly reached out to Councilman Cashman about looking at this rezoning issue as it became as we became aware of it. As has been noted already in the presentation earlier. The PCC was active in the 2010 zoning code update and highly involved with that. We worked to get a small area plan in 2008 and were involved in the initial rezoning of this area with the long form house. And as discussed earlier, this was a part of our general meetings at three different general meetings of the neighborhood organization. We had a survey on the website, a couple of open houses. One of the reasons that I'm speaking here tonight is I live in the areas that were being considered for this rezoning. And one of the things that I want to kind of bring and draw your attention to is the idea of living within these icy canyons without access to sun exposure. One of the things that is the criteria in looking at this tonight is the public health and safety that was discussed. And as we look at work as a city to reduce our carbon, our drain on resources and reduce our carbon footprint, I think one of the things that we must consider is solar access for solar panels, heating homes, maybe even heating water and the ability to grow fruits. Vegetables have permeable surfaces, and then also just have our privacy in our backyards and have space to gather and enjoy our neighbors. Thank you so much for listening to us all tonight.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Rosemary Stauffer. And then our last three can come up to the front bench Patrick Cashion, Megan Bettinger and Jeannie Tubb. Go ahead.
Speaker 3: My name is Rosemary Stoffel and I live at 2275 South Monroe Street in University Park. We assumed that we wouldn't see more long houses in our neighborhood. After quick wins, tours passed. So we were very surprised. I only found out that two had recently been built. As far as we know, these are the only ones constructed since 2010. We initiated this rezoning effort to make sure that more are not built. Although we actively participated in the 2010 zoning code update process. We and CPD overlook the fact that the little X in the EFC would x zoned districts could be a problem. We see the removal of the X as a tweak or as one planning board member said at our public hearing the correction of a mistake. Our goal is to take away the suburban house form option and return the protections granted by quick wins to the rights given to neighbors for privacy and a sense of openness in their backyards. It is not taking away square foot square footage potential, although square footage would not be impacted in this rezoning proposal. I'd like to repeat a comment made by another planning board member that zoning is not a property right and that maximizing square footage on a parcel has never been a property right. He added that it is not a diminishment of property rights if you even get ten or 20% less floor area. He termed our proposed rezoning a thoughtful, judicious way of matching the forms with the character of the neighborhood as we Gaza City. I hope that the notion that maximum square footage equals maximum value becomes more nuanced. Our outreach, our I.R.A. outreach included a mailing to every property owner in our ESU, Dickson districts. It explained the rezoning effort and included a link to a survey on our website. We received 67 responses with 65 in favor. Councilman Cashman held two open houses with city staff, and presentations were given at three neighborhood general meetings. We appreciate CPD recognizing that this was an issue that needed tending, and thank Councilman Cashman for taking this on as a legislative rezoning. Please vote yes. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Patrick Cashin.
Speaker 7: Patrick Carson, 2160s South Milwaukee Street. I'm the chairman of the University Park.
Speaker 3: Or.
Speaker 7: Zoning Committee of the. And all I want to highlight tonight a couple of some of the zoning parameters that are evident in both the urban and suburban forums. Denver Zoning controls a lot of things, but in both of these urban districts, the footprint setbacks, which is the distance from the property line to the structure, the allowable height and the number of stories are the same. There are two important differences between the these two districts. The location of the two storey part of the structure, as you've been explained to.
Speaker 1: And this is a.
Speaker 7: Result.
Speaker 1: Of the other.
Speaker 7: Parameter which is different, which is a bulk plane. The bulk plane basically defines the building envelope for the property in the suburban district. The second floor part of the structure is actually narrower in a in a zone lot in a urban form, you can basically have a two storey structure from setback to setback in a standard 50 foot lot in the suburban form. That second floor has to be narrower. So the parameters are similar. If you have different size, lots of the lot is narrower or wider or longer.
Speaker 1: So basically all we're asking.
Speaker 7: For is a two storey part of the structure to be real allocated to the front to 65% of the lot. And I urge you to support this.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Megan Bettinger.
Speaker 3: Good evening. My name is Megan Bettinger. I live in the University Park neighborhood at 1820 South Columbine Street and have lived there for 15 years. I'm here today to speak in favor of changing the zoning code, eliminate the building of the suburban house, also known as the Longhouse. I would like to see the zoning code change from city to city. I would prefer to not have the longhouse form allowed in my neighborhood. It has the potential of impacting my privacy and my backyard enjoyment. In addition, the longhouse impacts the look and feel of my neighborhood, which I feel is already under stress due to new building and the destruction of many historical and significant homes. Is my understanding that the Urban House form restricts the two storey development to the front? 65% of the lot and requires at the rear 35% be limited to one storey, thus allowing for backyard enjoyment, sunlight and privacy. It is also my understanding that the total square footage of both home styles is similar. So given that I personally cannot see an advantage to building a longhouse as they are, it's unsightly and uninteresting in my opinion. I am in agreement with my R.A., the University Park Community Council, that the longhouse should not be allowed in the University Park neighborhood. In our fast changing city, I feel that we as its residents have a choice and how we want the city and our neighborhoods to look and feel. Allowing the building of long houses absolutely changes the charm of my neighborhood and therefore I speak in favor of eliminating the longhouse form in University Park. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up, Jeannie Tubb.
Speaker 3: Good evening, Jeanne Tubb.
Speaker 7: Let's give you my address to 601 South Saint Paul Street on my street. I have two houses between me and a long house. I see a two story wall over my fence.
Speaker 3: Scoring the entire length.
Speaker 7: And its two properties are between mine and the other. The neighbor next to it has an ice field in their backyard with the kids play equipment all winter long. The person on the other side with the bank of Windows have had to put in new blinds, put up a screen for their barbecue area. You can see every square inch of their house in their backyard from the longhouse with the bank of windows.
Speaker 3: She has and she's written a letter.
Speaker 7: Jody Thompkins, about the effects on them. The other side of her is another long house, and she sees the back of the longhouse. So she feels she's in a canyon between two long houses, one that takes all her privacy to windows. The other is.
Speaker 3: A two story wall with very few features.
Speaker 7: That would be more appropriate for an apartment block. The neighborliness side of it.
Speaker 3: Has really been reinforced by the fact.
Speaker 7: That I can pop my head over the fence and say, Hey, Kerri, do you want to trim this branch together? We've got this tree overhanging each other's property or he was just in hospital. How are you doing with a two storey rather long house? You have to walk around to the other side and make an effort to figure out what's going on with your neighbor, who they are. So not only does it stop the filtering of light.
Speaker 3: But that sense of community that I feel is very important to.
Speaker 7: University Park. There's a lot of.
Speaker 3: Opportunity with building and prices and scrapes that can be done to.
Speaker 7: Continue to build long houses in our neighborhood, which I feel seriously affect the character of our neighborhood.
Speaker 3: In the neighborliness, the light.
Speaker 7: Filtering through back the various backyards and the feel of the neighborhood, as well as the type of trees that can be planted with about a five foot setback. You can plant some aspen or birch, but it also affects your design of greenery.
Speaker 3: So those are some key factors that I would appreciate it if you would consider. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes our speakers. Are there any questions from members of council? All right. Seeing no questions. A public hearing for Council Bill 380 is closed. Comments by members of Council Council in question.
Speaker 6: Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm appreciate the neighbors who brought this issue forward to me. And I've sponsored the legislative rezoning in hopes of preserving and reinforcing historic patterns in the university community that make backyards urban sanctuaries, where homeowners and their families can relax in the sun and tend to the gardens that put fresh food and fresh flowers on their tables. When this was first presented to me as as Mr. Phil said, we were reminded at Planning Board that maximizing your square footage is not a zoning right. However, it was something that I wanted to understand and wanted to judge the impact. And as Pat Cashen indicated on the suburban form, while you can build two stories front to back, that second story is narrower than the first because of the bulk playing on the urban form. You get to build the full width of your second story. And so the modeling that was done shows that the square footage is is right on similar if not actually a little bit greater with with the Urban House form. I believe the proposed rezoning is in the best interests, the best long term interests of this community. It preserves the ability for families to grow and provide the space in which they can enjoy the various generations living together. And it still preserves that neighborhood character. And especially, I appreciated Janey's comments about the ability to really grow community by connection with your neighbors. So with that, I'm in full support of this rezoning and hope my colleagues will join me.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Cashman. Councilman Flynn.
Speaker 8: Thanks, Mr. President. I hit the button right after you had asked me if there are any questions. I actually had a question. I don't know if you would allow that.
Speaker 0: Go ahead.
Speaker 8: Okay. And maybe Councilman Cashman could be the person to answer this. As I looked at the two building forms and read through the staff report and the presentation and the letters that accompanied it, I was wondering. It seems to me that a long house can still be built in the Urban Forum. But what you're saying is that the rear, the rear portion of the rear, 35% has to be restricted to one story. So the effect of it isn't to increase the backyard space or the lot or decrease the lot, decrease the light coverage, but to decrease the height in the rear. Am I right about that?
Speaker 6: Yeah, I don't. The term long house specifically has come to refer to those two storey homes. Build two stories front to back. The reason two to limit the growth to the construction to one story isn't so much to deal with light coverage because that's covered in other parts.
Speaker 0: Sure.
Speaker 6: But to increase privacy, since you don't have those long walls overlooking a backyard from the second story and it allows for more sunlight to filter through to the neighboring properties.
Speaker 8: Okay. So a house could still be as.
Speaker 10: Long.
Speaker 8: As an urban house could still be as long as a suburban house, but not as tall in the rear.
Speaker 6: Correct. That's my understanding. I see. Teresa.
Speaker 8: Okay. Thank you. That's the clarification I was looking for.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you, Councilman Cashman. Seeing no other comments. Madam Secretary. Raquel.
Speaker 4: Cashman.
Speaker 6: Oh, yeah.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 4: Black Brooks.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 4: Espinosa. Swain. All right. Gilmore. Herndon. Can it. Lopez.
Speaker 1: All right.
Speaker 4: New. Mr. President.
Speaker 0: Madam Secretary, please. Because voting announced the results.
A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for multiple properties located in the University Park Neighborhood between I-25 and Harvard Gulch in University Park.
Approves an official map amendment to rezone properties from E-SU-Dx to E-SU-D (removes suburban home building form as an allowable use), for multiple properties in the University Park neighborhood in Council District 6. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 4-23-19.