Mar 21, 2023 Minutes

Members in Attendance:

Jenny Neuhalfen, Michaela Rowland, Paul Leone, Falene Young, Steve Arnold, Jeff Hasper, Lorie S. Bissell, Lisa Grassfield, Liz Davis, Kent Oakes, Susan Oakes, Melissa Oakes, Brenda Vaughn

Guests in Attendance:

Will Prince, Community planning and development, Councilwoman Kendra Black, Jeff Walker, city council candidate, Dirk Costin, Vilma

Kendra’s Presentation:

• Overview of the good neighbor agreement that was worked previously by UHNC

• How rezoning works:

  • Zoning code is a law within the city’s code. Rezoning can only happen if proposed rezoning aligns with a plan

  • We have Blueprint Denver – must align with this. Near SE Area Plan will amend Blueprint Denver once passed.

    • Has everything south of Iliff as residential low (3 stories)

    • Denver Academy is campus

    • Clermont Park is residential low medium (up to 3 stories)

  • Denver zoning code, adopted in 2010, replaced the “old code”. Today’s rezoning is less detailed than the old code, which was very particular. 

    • In old code Clermont Park is campus zoning , “residential high-medium (up to 5 stories)

    • Denver Academy is hospital

  • Kendra’s last day is July 17th. Normally we would adopt plan then rezone, but will do this together since there is a tight timeline.

    • Rezoning comes to council on June 20th 

  • Regarding the area around Colorado RTD Station, rezoning has already restricted ¼ of a mile around the RTD station to no new public storages or drive throughs. The idea is for that area to be available to be used by people living, dining, working and walking to the transit and self-storage and drive through restaurants do not fit that model.  The rezoning plan will make the territory ½ mile around the RTD station, and will rezone out of old code. This includes the parking lot at RTD Colorado Station.

  • How do specific neighboring institutions feel about this proposition?

    • Clermont Park is angry because they would be down-zoned to 3 stories. With this plan, they can keep their current 5 story building. Also, if a natural disaster knocked it over they could rebuild their 5 story building. However, they could only build new buildings at 3 stories. They could alternatively try to do their own rezoning with a waiver that allows new builds up to 4 story zoning, but there would be no guarantee this would pass.

    • Denver Academy has agreed to submit their own rezoning application for campus application, but with a 3 story waiver. This means they are intentionally downzoning their property. Kendra feels like they are demonstrating that they are a friend and ally with our neighborhood vision. They are willing to do this on their own behest with their own money.

    • Animal eye specialist will be rezoned to 3 stories. Even though they are north of Iliff, they would only be 3 stories due to being further away from I-25, unlike the 5+ stories allowed for other properties north of Iliff and closer to the freeway. They are not thrilled with the downzoning, but Kendra’s office does not anticipate a fight.

• Community then had the opportunity to ask questions with Kendra Black and Will Prince questions.

Wellshire Golf – Turning 100 in 2026

• Notable information

  • Course designed by Donald Ross

  • Clubhouse designed by local famous architect

  • First Black man to ever win a national title (Wright), happened at Wellshire in 1959

• 100-year celebration will include tournament, dinner, etc. 

• Kendra is requesting that we write a letter in support of historic preservation of the Wellshire

  • Need to care about the building more (note for future mayor / council). The city should do more. 

Voting Items:

• Questions about voting that were discussed 

  • Does the vote need to be limited to board members? 

    • Must be representation of board members, and yes had enough at meeting to continue with vote.

  • Noted that other neighborhood members had the ability to send in an email to vote by proxy.

1. Neighborhood Planning Initiative (NPI)

• Near Southeast NPI: YES, vote in support: unanimous voting members  + 3 by proxy

2. Support of Kendra’s application to rezone – need letter by 4/19 

• For rezoning: YES, vote in support: Unanimous voting members + 3 by proxy

Annual Meeting is Coming Up

Annual meeting is in person on May 11th, hoping to be held at Denver Academy we have not received confirmation yet

• Suggestions for the lineup were sent out in an email on March 4th titled “annual meeting”to the board members.

  • Requests to add

    • Developers from Ash/Bellaire project

    • District 3 police

    • C Dot