As you read this you might think, who cares, I just want to live in my house, but you need to know, it affects the value of your house and it will create change in your neighborhood.  The change might be good for you, it might also surprise you. The biggest problem

with the rezoning of Denver is that right now it isn’t easy for Real Estate Professionals or the general public to understand what can be built or what the new zoning allows the land to be used for, one house or more? Granny flats might be able on one side of the street and not the other?

As a member of the Denver Board of Realtors Government Affairs Committee I have been following this process closely for a couple years, there are a few other concerns, such as the inability to build another “Lowry” or “Stapleton” in the city limits.  As the code is written today this will not be allowable again in the city.  These two neighborhoods filled a large void in our city, they brought families to the city that may not have lived here before or they may have moved to the suburbs.  The neighborhoods values have held steady and increased steadily.  The land they sit on is “recycled” land (an old Air Force Base and the old Airport) that would have just been a big void.  We have other big parcels of land in our city that can be developed for similar good use.

City Council voted to move forward with rezoning Denver to be completed and implemented February 22, 2010.  I hope we all understand it enough to be able to answer our client’s questions and as our clients continue to do their own homework on line, hopefully they will be able to understand the code as published.  There will be a 4 month period when zoning permits can be applied for under the new or old code.  Go to NewZoneCode.com for more details on your property.

When looking at a Realtor friend’s property she discovered that she could subdivide her lot and they could build 5 single family houses on the one piece of land (the neighbors would be so upset!!!).  The setbacks, or the building envelope and size is not defined, I’m not sure it really could be done.  Frustration lies, when I think about a potential buyer for a piece of land like this and not being able to give specifics to that they could make an educated decision.  Eventually it will all come together, right now it will just delay some sales. That sounds just what our city needs (not!).

Important Dates as follows:

Late October: Publication of third/semi-final draft of Zoning Code and maps.

Mid November: At least two public listening sessions/prehearings held jointly by City Council and Planning Board

Mid-Late December: Publication of the final draft zoning code and map

January 6: Planning Board Public Hearing

January 13: Blueprint Denver City Council Committee

January 25: First Reading at City Council

February 22: Final Consideration and Public Hearing