The Denver City Council approved a new zoning plan Monday night aimed at giving main streets a jolt of life without creating large pockets of asphalt for parking.
But detractors fear the decision to loosen parking restrictions will force patrons of new bars, restaurants and shops to find parking in residential neighborhoods.
A spirited debate over how main streets should look consumed much of the Denver City Council meeting Monday night. In the end, the council approved the zoning plan 11-0. Council members Kathleen MacKenzie and Rick Garcia were absent.
City planners and neighborhood leaders have been hashing out the new main street zoning classification for the past three years. Colfax Avenue is the first area the new zoning plan is expected to address.
“If we build a place for cars, we’ll get more cars, and if we build a place for people, we’ll get more people,” said Councilwoman Jeanne Robb, who moved for approval.
Previously, new restaurants, bars and retail shops had to have at least one parking space for every 200 square feet of building space. Now they will need just one parking space for every 500 square feet of space in most instances. The new main street zoning also allows new shops and restaurants to use nearby office parking to reach their parking requirements. Previously, they had to use strictly on-site parking.
About 30 residents spoke on the issue. aps were split. Some residents of South City Park feared the new zoning would destroy revitalization efforts.
“My husband and I have come at a crossroads about whether we should remodel our home and build an addition,” said Alaurice Tafoya-Moti, who lives on Adams Street. “But we’re also worried about whether people will be partying on our lawn at 3 a.m.”
Other, such as Jennifer Garner, who lives on St. Paul Street, supported the plan.
“We don’t want to see drive-throughs surrounded by a sea of parking,” she said.
