After a Denver Planning Board meeting that ran in excess of six hours, many Lowry-area residents went home unhappy: The board recommended City Council approve an application to rezone a property to allow for a three-story apartment complex.
“So disappointing,” one woman said to members of the planning board as she walked out of the room just after 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The meeting had begun at 3 p.m. and the discussion regarding the property at 195 S. Monaco Parkway — on the border of the Hilltop and Lowry neighborhoods — began just after 4:30 p.m. and included a seemingly endless parade of residents providing public comment both in favor and opposed to the rezoning.
The board recommended approval 7-1 with Chris Smith voting against the recommendation.
The developer, Metropolitan Homes, hopes to rezone the property to allow a three-story apartment building that could have more than 100 units on just over 2 acres. The site currently holds the Mt. Gilead Church, an older building that has fallen into disrepair, and is zoned for single-family units.
The issue will now go to Denver City Council to approve or deny the rezoning.
Residents who spoke against the proposed rezoning cited traffic and parking concerns, and the size of the building not being in harmony with the surrounding area. Others pointed out a potential conflict of interest as Planning Board member Jim Bershof is serving as the applicant for the property. Bershof did not attend the meeting and did not vote, but others argued that he still had influence over board members.
“I’m so opposed to this,” Katie McCrimmon told the board. ” The applicant is saying this is consistent with the adopted plans for the area — it’s not. There is no plan for the area, it’s an area of stability.”
Some people spoke in favor, including 17-year resident Bob Moody, who said he was hoping someone would come along to redevelop the church.
“I think it’s appropriate and a good idea,” he said.
That sentiment was echoed by Mayfair Park president Troy Moore, who said the church had been neglected for many years by the current owner and the development would positively enhance the area.
The Planning Board members said they appreciated the outpouring of opinions, but most decided that the Community Planning and Development staff — which recommended approval of the rezoning — had done due diligence and approved recommendation.
Board member Joel Noble said the board is not tasked with studying the potential traffic problems in this case and thought that staff was correct in identifying this site as a reinvestment area.
Smith’s voted against a recommendation, stating that the proposed project is out of character.
Diane Gilboa, president of the newly-formed Friends of Lowry group who opposed the rezoning, said it felt like a waste of time after the board voted.
She said, “It feels like it’s really stacked against the citizens in that sense.”
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or
