Jan 17, 2023 Minutes
Members in attendance:
Jenny Neuhalfen, Liz Davis, Jody Davison, William Cositins, Paul Leone, Michaela Rowland, Sherry
Guests in attendance:
None
Near Southeast Planning Initiative (NPI)
Huge win for U Hills North! The next draft revision of the NPI will include requests for the property at Iliff and Dahlia, which was recently the topic of possible development into an 7-story apartment complex, as well as other properties in the area to be listed with suggested building heights of 2.5 stories, and 4 stories for other properties, such as Clermont Park and Denver Academy.
Kendra Black is also in conversation with Community Planning and Development (CDP) and is pushing for a rezoning of the area. The NPI does not affect zoning, it is meant to provide suggestions for development in the neighborhood, so she will ask for an official downzone to 3 stories with waiver to 4 stories for properties that should be properly zoned to Campus zoning (I.e.: Clermont Park and Denver Academy), which would be the appropriate zoning for how these buildings are currently used.
Note: without downzoning in the area, Clermont Park could technically go as high as 12 stories, Iliff/Dahlia property could go to 7 stories, Iliff Townhomes and the vacant lot nearby could go as high as 8 stories.
It appears that the property at Iliff/Dahlia, which received great community involvement in December with writing letters of protest, was not ever purchased by the developer Alexan. The developer had submitted a proposal to the city prior to purchasing the property, which is what the RNO and many community members responded to.
Our letter was never replied to from Alexan.
The next NPI draft comes out in a month or so.
Please really do submit your feedback for the NPI. It makes such a difference, and our participation is why developers regularly do consider us prior to building in our neighborhood. Some issues addressed in the NPI of interest:
Talk of a community center near the I25/Yale light rail station
And talk of an access point from Vassar to the light rail station, which would include a cut-through of the current wall at that site and is hung up in jurisdictional red-tape.
District 4 Councilperson Candidates
Meetings have been set for Jan 27th and Feb 3rd for our UNHC co-presidents to meet with candidates and provide them with an idea of what we are all about
Candidates: Diana Romero Campbell and Tony Pigford
Our UNHC co-presidents believe that this is how our RNO got on such a strong footing with Kendra Black when she came into office, and therefore these meetings may have a strong impact.
Request from the co-presidents: If you have any hot topics that you would like to be discussed at these meetings, please send them our way (email to president@UHNC.org)
Paul asked to discuss how and where snow is allowed to be stored for new and existing developments. It appears that agreements are made during the development process, but are very difficult to amend after development has taken place. In the case of University Heights, the development has been advised that they cannot put snow in their spillways, although they were under the impression that’s what the spillways are for, and keep getting conflicting information on where snow can/cannot be placed when asking different factions of the city.
Mural Beautification Project
Currently at a standstill. We know we have support from Cameron Apts. Century Link is willing to have the conversation, but we are stalled with funding and with finding artists.
Jodi will make a list of actionable items to post on the UNHC.org website. Perhaps we as community members can network. If you’re having a conversation with a muralist ask questions. We are trying to figure out how to do this.
Thought from Liz per her experience working at the museum – many development projects in Denver are subject to an allocation of fees to an arts program. Why don’t we have that as a requirement for new developers, in which a cut (i.e.: 1%) goes to neighborhood art? Or, could we tap into the fund that’s already created?
Cameron Apartments
The website is up, and move in dates are published as 2/1, although we have not heard any official communication from the Cameron.
Denver Shared Streets
Denver wants to put the Shared Streets program through as a permanent measure. Please consider sharing your voice, perhaps drop some pins on where good/bad streets might be permanent shared streets.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
Remember to voice your input about Denver’s ADU program
Push for the initiative is to create more housing available in the urban setting. People against it believe that homeowners may have less market share in their neighborhoods in comparison to rentals. People who are for it believe that it can create more housing and possibly increase property values.
Jenny noted that UNHC neighbors have been against density on other initiatives, but don’t seem to push against ADU’s or duplex zoning in our neighborhood.
Note also that the ADU program is not a blanket allowance. You would still need to request ADU zoning from the city, even if the ADU plan passes.
New Park at Iliff & Bellaire
3rd and final meeting is on 2/15. Will be held virtually over Zoom. Register online and mark your calendars!
Parking Permits
The last time Michaela received an update was on 7/12/22. Per this update, the policy was reviewed and now the city is working to finalize a Parking Permit C. Once approved, there will be another meeting, but no word since July.
Miscellaneous
What is happening with the new trash can fee?
The most recent official postcard says there will be a letter. Trash service in Denver is overwhelmed right now. Might be lagging behind. Implementation is slower than anticipated.
Denverite article had a link to change your receptacle size, but members noted that it had you input an invoice/account number. We believe the number will be in the letter, so at this time it’s probably best to wait for the letter.
At Dexter and Warren people are parking in the intersection. What can we do to have lines painted, etc. to promote a safer intersection?
Jenny provided a word of warning: in response to a similar situation at the bend at S Cherry and E Harvard, the city responded by posting No Parking signs. This had unintended consequences, as now cars speed more readily through that bend now.
Gas4Less at Evans/Warren is cleaned up. Several members noted that they have called 311 and written letters to request that this property be considered a blighted property. It appears this property gets cleaned up, then collects trash, then cleaned again. Please keep up the efforts if you see it with piles of trash and consider calling 311 or writing a letter.
Plans for an person Spring meeting?
Yes! Our annual meeting will be held in May, in person. Will ask Denver Academy and Cameron apartments if they would be interested in hosting us.
Reminder to Use 311
UHNC Board President
It’s time to select a new president! Please send your referrals our way (president@UHNC.org)