Continued…
Councilman Rick Garcia – District #1 (NW Denver) – Rick has had quite a year with downzoning. He is hoping for the new Zoning Code to be in affect by the end of the year. District 1 (NW Denver) has vast and varied views on the zoning, as two neighborhoods were downzoned from R-2 to R-1 this past year, and as the new code rolls out, he wants REALTORS ® and residents to please attend the neighborhood meetings this summer (they have already had one). A few of the most popular neighborhoods in District #1 include West Highlands, Sloan Lake and Berkeley.
Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz – District #2 (SW Denver) – Jeanne is a strong supporter of property rights and is thankful for all that the REALTORS ® do in our city. She feels that she is among friends when she is with the REALTORS ®. District #2 is not expected to experience that much change with the new Zoning Code. The neighborhood context is “suburban” and a few of the most popular neighborhood in District #2 include Harvey Park and Bear Valley.
Councilman Paul Lopez – District #3 (West Denver) – Paul was very eloquent and proud when he spoke about how hard his community has worked to keep it up even thought it has been hit by foreclosures and how they have a grassroots campaign to clean up the neighborhoods and the graffiti. They are excited about the Morrison Road Corridor development for retail/commercial opportunity they are seeing. They are preparing to raise money to refurbish one of their oldest playgrounds at S. Knox Ct. and Kentucky – across the street from DHA complex. They need to raise $4,000.00 and plan on making this one of their summer events. If you can help, please contact his office. A few of the most popular neighborhoods in District #3 include Ruby Hill, Barnum and Athmar Park.
Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann – District #4 (SE Denver) – Peggy talked about the new zoning in her district being mostly or all “suburban”. She encourages everyone to get involved in the public process and attend upcoming meetings about the new Zoning Code. District #4 is mostly comprised of suburban neighborhoods, but there have been some heated discussions surrounding density and transit-oriented development near some of the light rail stations at Hampden and Yale. A few of the most popular neighborhood in District #4 include Southmoor Park, Hampden and University Hills.
Councilwoman Marcia Johnson – District #5 (East Denver) – Marcia asked the group to start thinking of the implications of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), “granny flats” and basement apartments. She urged REALTORS ® to think about the definitions of these in the new code and about the benefits of these units as an expansion of homeowner options or income producing properties. A few of the most popular neighborhoods in District #5 include Hilltop, Crestmoor, Montclair, Mayfair and Lowry.
Councilman Charlie Brown – District #6 (South Central Denver) – Charlie is a former REALTOR ® and very pro property rights who has voiced his opinion, many times, disagreeing with his fellow council members regarding the downzoning changes. Charlie urged his colleagues on Council and REALTORS ® in the room to give strong consideration of private property rights when the new code comes out and neighborhoods are being rezoned. The most popular neighborhoods in District #6 include Washington Park East, Polo Club North, Bonnie Brae, Cory Merrill, Virginia Village and Cook Park.
The second half of Council’s thoughts will be posted tomorrow.
This article is written as my interpretation and not a reflection or voice of Denver Board of Realtors.