Group Living Update: City Council members weighing alternatives; Committee vote tentatively set for December 22

Neighbors,

Please review the update below from the city on the process of updating Denver’s zoning code related to the definition of a household and group living, including information on the upcoming vote tentatively scheduled for December 22, 2020, as well as links where you can learn more and watch earlier presentations.

From Denver Community Planning and Development:

Members of City Council’s Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure (LUTI) Committee are weighing potential changes to the group living proposal that would update and modernize the Denver’s rules on residential uses, following a series of discussions at the committee’s regular Tuesday morning meetings throughout the fall. The committee has scheduled a vote on a revised draft of these code amendments for its meeting Tuesday, December 22. The revised draft will be posted on the project website and emailed to this list in advance of the meeting.

How will the proposal change?

During the committee’s ongoing review of the proposal this fall, CPD staff presented and answered questions on various topic areas related to group living in Denver. Additionally, staff presented various alternatives to the original proposed amendments aimed at addressing concerns raised. Here are key changes under consideration:

• Cap the number of adults in a household regardless of the house’s square footage.
• Prohibit community corrections in single-unit and two-unit zone districts.
• Reduce “type 2” residential care facilities from 11-40 residents to 11-20 residents in existing civic, public and institutional structures (like an old church that is no longer in use).
• Limit the number of smaller facilities serving up to ten people in an area to avoid concentrations in a single neighborhood.

Download December 1 LUTI presentation for complete update on potential changes to the proposal. Use links below to see all staff presentations below or watch the discussions on Denver 8’s online archive.

• October 6: Household regulations: alternatives and revisions
• November 10: Residential care regulations, community corrections and proposed “type 2” size, lot minimums and locations
• November 17: Former chapter 59 (“old zoning code”) and enforcement
• December 1: Wrap up and final discussion

How do I watch December 22 meeting?

• Register to join meeting on Zoom (Password: Denver)
• Watch live on Denver Channel 8 or online at Denver8.tv
• Note: Committee meetings do not involve public testimony, but written comments may be submitted at dencc@denvergov.org.