The effort to revise Denver’s half-century-old zoning code continues, with the public getting another chance to weigh in starting Tuesday.
A round of meetings will be held in which property owners can review detailed maps of their neighborhoods and surrounding areas that will show how the zoning overhaul will affect them.
City Council members and city planners will participate in the meetings.
The current zoning laws were adopted 53 years ago and have become cumbersome and confusing, city planners say.
The new code will strive to support residential areas by zoning those areas for construction that blends in with the predominant housing of that area, planners say.
The code also will guide more density to areas identified as ripe for change, such as those near new light-rail stops, which could support more retail development and high-rise buildings.
Much of the debate over the zoning shift revolves around how the city will handle many residential areas that allow duplex construction and multiplex developments.
The new zoning maps in many of those areas will restrict such development to single- family construction. Opponents contend that will end up lowering property values because the land will become less desirable to developers.
Others contend the current rules allow developers to build huge duplexes and multiplexes in neighborhoods that are more suited for small bungalows. They complain that the type of development occurring is unsightly and is destabilizing many residential areas.
Peter Park, the manager of the city’s community, planning and development department, said less than 10 percent of the city is zoned R-2, the category where that debate has been occurring.
He said the zoning overhaul tries to strike a balance by allowing limited duplex construction in some areas that will become zoned primarily for single-family housing. For instance, streets with more traffic could have more duplexes. Duplexes and row houses also would be allowed at certain intersections where they make more sense, Park added.
He said that the zoning shift also will allow construction of accessory dwelling units, such as a carriage house or a studio apartment, in some areas to help strike a balance.
The City Council pledged to enact a new zoning code and map this year, but a task force that spent more than three years drafting the plan urged the council to wait until next year to give constituents and stakeholders more time to give their opinions.
For a more detailed map of the zoning proposal and a copy of the new code and for more information, go to .
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
