Denver Posts Fourth and Final Public Review Draft of New Zoning Code and Map!

We are pleased to let you know that the fourth and final public review draft of the New Denver Zoning Code and map has been posted on the New Code website: http://www.newcodedenver.org. This draft reflects the substantial input we’ve received from the Denver community since the release of Draft #3 last fall. We have listened to the thousands of you who have attended our listening sessions and office hours, e-mailed us, called us and met with us since Draft #3 was posted – and we have heard you.

The fourth and final draft of the new code represents our best efforts to integrate this input with the community values and priorities identified in Blueprint Denver. The result is a new Denver Zoning Code that creates value and economic opportunity for all Denver property owners by preserving the character of our established neighborhoods and allowing flexibility and innovation in our new and changing areas.

Updates and improvements incorporated in Draft #4 include:

· Clearer and more flexible approach to nonconforming uses and structures

· New alternatives that provide more flexibility in meeting build-to and ground story activation requirements

· Clearer standards for large-scale and convenience retail development

· Reinstatement and improvement of the residential bulk plane (which was removed in Draft #3), resulting in support of solar objectives and the ability to shape buildings that fit their contexts.

· Reformatting of the use tables in each context to provide more information and make it easier and faster to find.

We Are Still Listening

Staff from Denver Community Planning and Development will hold a fourth round of “New Code Office Hours” in early February, offering residents and property owners the opportunity for one-on-one meetings tailored to their specific questions. Later in February, the Denver Planning Board will hold a formal public hearing on the fourth and final draft of the new zoning code. This schedule provides a full month for public review of Draft #4 prior to the public hearing. For more information on the next steps in the new code adoption schedule, click on this link: http://www.newcodedenver.org/postfiles/draftcode4/New%20Code%20Draft%204%20Posting.pdf .

Thank you for your ongoing interest and involvement in the New Code Denver effort.