By David Bromberg ,
Vice President Mayfair Neighbors, Inc.
As the Mayfair Neighbors representative to the Colorado Boulevard Healthcare District, I was glad to attend the November meeting. We have as not met as regularly this year since the project slowed due to the changed economic climate. The Healthcare District serves as the community advisory committee for this project and includes the developer, area hospitals and neighborhood organizations. There has been wonderful cooperation between all parties for many years.
Initially, Shea Properties, the developer for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center campus, was to take ownership of the 1st zone (northwest portion) in February, 2009. Due to the changes in the financial markets, the closing was delayed. It is now hoped that Shea will close on the 1st zone in June 2010. In the meantime, the University of Colorado is working hard to keep up the largely vacant property.
Although no destruction or construction took place in 2009, there were many major accomplishments. Shea and its architect, Davis Partnership, have worked with the city and have achieved approval of the General Development Plan, site re-zoning, and historic designation issues. All entitlements are in place for the redevelopment.
Shea remains committed to the project. For more information on the development, go to the project website www.9th-colorado.com.
Byline
For the past several years, the holiday season ushers in a time of annual giving by the Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. board members to the Denver Children’s Home (DCH). In these tough economic times, the power of a community invested and united for Colorado’s children is even more critical—especially as the demand on DCH’s services, staff, and resources has reached its maximum.
To make the holidays brighter for the children of DCH, the Mayfair board is inviting all Mayfair residents to make a huge difference for these children. The board has arranged for the following Mayfair businesses to serve as drop-off points for goods, gift cards, or monetary donations. For a list of needed items, please visit the web site www.denverchildrenshome.org/pdfs/wishlist.pdf.
From December 12-21, you may drop off your donations at any one of these locations:
Fairfax Hardware
5100 E. Colfax Ave.
303.320.6551
Mayfair Liquors
1385 Krameria St.
303.322.0810
Nicholson Cleaners
916 Jersey St.
303.320.3425
DCH: Past and Present
The Denver Children’s Home was first founded in 1882, and moved to its current location at Colfax and Albion in 1902. As with its original purpose, the DCH is “home” to some of the state’s poorest children. Many come to the home from environments of abuse and severe neglect, and by the time they reach DCH, more than a third of them have been involved with the juvenile justice system, the majority has passed through the social services system, and most have failed in one or more academic and/or mental health settings.
At Denver Children’s Home, these children receive the most effective, but least restrictive type of treatment based on the individual needs of the child, progressing them through the levels of care and eventually return them home or to an alternative community-based setting.
The holiday season can be a very difficult time for children and their families at Denver Children’s Home. That is why Denver Children’s Home continues to turn to our community to help make this holiday season a memorable and happy time.
By David Bromberg
Denver’s New Zoning Code
Most of us are familiar with the current zoning labels such as R-1, R-2 or R-3 for Mayfair’s residences which specify the density allowed on a lot. The city has undertaken the monumental task of re-writing its 53-year-old zoning code which is broken and needs to be fixed. It suffers from more than a half century of incremental changes that have made it complicated, inconsistent and cumbersome. The new zoning code will put adopted citywide plans (the 1989 and 2000 Comprehensive Plans and 2002’s Blueprint Denver) to work for a better city, and will support a growing economy, a sustainable environment, a diverse mix of housing, strong neighborhoods, and a high quality of life.
The new code uses both a context-based and form-based approach to zoning. The context-based approach is organized around six different “contexts” derived from the existing and desirable characteristics of Denver’s diverse neighborhoods. This context-based approach provides a broader range of zoning categories than is currently available and will guide more compatible future development. The new zoning code also uses a form-based approach that clearly explains what can be built such as building height and placement.
The Denver City Council took the first step toward establishing a new zoning code for Denver in September by unanimously passing Resolution #103 laying out a tentative schedule and process for implementing the code.
The proposed schedule includes the following target dates:
•December 22 2009 - Publication of the final draft at www.NewCodeDenver.org.
•January 6, 2009 – Public Hearing held by Denver Planning board.
•January 13, 2009 – City Council Blueprint Denver Committee consideration of final draft.
•January 21, 2009 – Community, Planning and Development (CPD) files bill for an ordinance for the new code to be considered by City Council.
•January 25, 2009 – First reading of the bill by City Council
•February 22, 2009 – Final consideration of zoning code bill by City Council, following a formal public hearing. If the bill passes, it becomes an ordinance, or city law.
The resolution provides a four-month transition period following the new code’s implementation. The resolution states that the new code and map shall be effective upon final publication of the ordinance adopting the new zoning code and map. However, during the four-month transition period, persons may continue to apply for development review or zoning permits under the old code and map or, alternatively, may elect to apply for development review or zoning permits under the new code and map.
The city has developed a great website to communicate the plan to it citizens: www.NewCodeDenver.org.
David Bromberg is a MNI board member and licensed Realtor.
