Residents of the San Rafael neighborhood applauded Monday when the Denver City Council approved a rezoning that would limit the size of any new development in the neighborhood, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The issue attracted about 80 people to the council chambers, virtually all of whom expressed support for the plan.
Days ago, the issue appeared likely to pit some influential developers in the city against neighborhood activists, but eventually, a compromise soothed much of the differences, said Councilman Charlie Brown.
“A few days ago, I thought we were going to be here until midnight, and that we were going to be tearing each other up,” Brown said. “Compromise is not a weak word.”
Paul Benington, a resident of San Rafael in north Denver, was a leading proponent of the rezoning. He said the residents had been pushing the change for more than a year.
He said residents feared that without the zoning change, developers could build massive condominium buildings that would disrupt the historic nature of architecture in the neighborhood. San Rafael is generally bordered by Washington and Downing streets and East 20th and 26th avenues.
Benington said the zoning change will allow residents to work with property owners, including Paul Burns, who wants to redevelop two parcels in the area. It will also allow development more in keeping with the area’s architecture.
Councilwoman Carla Madison, who represents the neighborhood, said she hoped the way the issue was resolved could be used as a model for other pending zoning proposals.
The council voted 13-0 to grant initial approval to the zoning change.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
