When bulldozers began tearing down old homes more and more often in the Sloan’s Lake and Highland neighborhoods of northwest Denver, residents had different reactions.
Some watched in horror as old homes disappeared and multiplexes began to be built. Others saw progress and growth.
The debate about whether this type of development should continue could hinge on whether the city agrees to waive the fees associated with a request to rezone areas to allow only single-family homes.
The applicants say the change will preserve neighborhood character and maintain the balance of homes, duplexes and apartments in the area. Opponents say the proposal is too restrictive and would keep home owners from developing and maximizing the value of their properties.
“This rezoning is only a Band-Aid, but we have been seeing (construction) happen so quickly, we felt we needed to do something,” said Jude Aiello, a resident and one of the applicants.
Those in favor of the single-family zoning are seeking waivers of zoning fees of $1,000 for the first acre and $500 for each additional acre with a maximum fee of $50,000. Residents estimate the three areas involved cover at least 100 acres.
If the city does not approve the waiver, supporters of the change say they aren’t sure whether they can pursue the change because of the cost.
Opponents of the zoning change say the city should not align with one group by waiving the fees. They argue that the neighborhood has a healthy mix of duplexes and multiunit buildings and that the new construction brings even more families to the area.
“The majority of the neighborhood is not in support of (the zoning change), and the character of the neighborhoods is not predominantly single-family houses,” said Daniel Markofsky, a resident and developer in the neighborhood.
Currently, the application is in the hands of residents who seek the zoning change. They plan to revise it, based on recommendations from the city, and resubmit it within weeks.
City Councilman Rick Garcia has pulled his support of the waiver and said he is going to wait for the issue to go to the council before deciding whom to support.
Initially, he suggested a waiver because the plan to downzone was going to be voluntary for property owners. When that idea was rejected by the city’s planning department for a more blanket type of rezone, Garcia said he thought it would be better to try to moderate a dialogue between both sides.
“How do you preserve the character of neighborhoods and, at the same time, provide opportunities for the evolution of neighborhood?” Garcia said. “That is my challenge.”
Resident Larry Ambrose, whose home is not affected, and others are handing out lawn signs opposing the changes.
“Things are changing rapidly,” said Ambrose, whose home across the street from Sloan’s Lake Park is in a single-family zone. “It scares people.”
Staff writer Elizabeth Aguilera can be reached at 303-820-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com.
