At WPENA’s January 2020 association meeting, Councilwoman Kneich mentioned possible updates to the city’s definition of a household. This is part of a two year-long initiative during which Denver city planners have worked with community members to update our Zoning Code’s regulations on residential uses. These regulations govern everything from conventional households to group homes, shelters and assisted living facilities.
In several upcoming open houses, Denver city planners will share their work, giving you an opportunity to learn more and provide feedback. To assist our Wash Park East neighbors in being aware of changes to our Zoning Code, we’ve pulled together the following information for you from CPD. Please read and follow the links below to learn more.
In direct response to questions WPENA has had regarding the “definition of a household,” CPD Senior City Planner Andrew Webb explains that the current definition of a “household” allows for the following number of people in these different types of dwelling units: 1. Single-Unit use (typical detached house): 2 partners or unrelated adults, unlimited family members of any age 2. Two-or multi-unit use (duplex, apartment, etc.): 4 unrelated adults, unlimited family members of any age.
He further explains that the proposed updates to the definition of “household” would allow for the following: 1. Treat single-unit dwellings (houses) and multi-unit dwellings (duplexes, apartments, etc.) the same 2. Allow any dwelling unit to be occupied by up to 8 unrelated adults living as a housekeeping unit 3. Allow any number of minor relatives (including adoption, marriage, guardianship, etc.) 4. Where a structure exceeds 1600 square feet in gross finished floor area, an additional unrelated adult would be permitted for every 200 additional square feet.
From the City of Denver Community Planning and Development: “After two years of work with community members, city planners are nearing completion of a broad overhaul of the Denver Zoning Code’s residential use regulations that will increase housing opportunities and flexibility for all residents.”
Learn more and follow the zoning amendment process here: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/zoning/text-amendments/Group_Living.html
About the Project: “Denver is seeing increasing demand for non-traditional housing. With the evolving needs of our residents in mind, along with recent changes to other housing regulations, city planners will work with an advisory committee to evaluate the Denver Zoning Code’s rules for “group living.” This evaluation will include a review of land uses and definitions for: households, community corrections facilities, shelters for the homeless, residential care homes, new uses like tiny home villages, and more. Based on this evaluation, planners will recommend updates to the zoning code for some or all of these housing types.”
CPD Shares the Following Proposed Changes: 1. Allow more unrelated people to live together, as is already possible in most other cities, and provide flexibility and affordability. 2. Allow residential care and group homes in more places and reduce inequity by no longer categorizing them by types of people or needs they serve. This will eliminate many barriers that facilities addressing community needs like shelters and halfway houses currently face, and it will allow residents to live closer to transit and services. 3. Improve predictability for providers and neighbors by standardizing permitting processes and regulations, such as spacing between facilities. 4. Require Community Information Meetings for larger residential care uses to notify and educate neighbors and foster positive relationships.
How Can You Weigh In? To learn more and provide comment, please plan to attend one of the following open house events:
Public Open House #1 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 11 Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele St., Denver > Download calendar item
Public Open House #2 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, February 22 Goldrick Elementary School, 1050 S. Zuni Street, Denver > Download calendar item
Inter Neighborhood Council (INC) Andrew Webb, Project Manager and Senior City Planner 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 Willis Case Golf Course, 4999 Vrain St., Denver, 80212 Note: Additional open houses are being scheduled. Information will be posted once it is finalized.
Accessibility: If you need a sign language interpreter or CART Services, contact SignLanguageServices@denvergov.org at least three business days ahead of the meeting you’d like to attend. For other public accommodation requests/concerns related to a disability, please contact DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org.
