The Denver City Council on Monday approved two ballot measures for the Nov. 3 election that are tied to airport development and tax extensions to support the National Western Center project.
The council later approved, 12-0, a controversial rezoning request for 18 acres of east Denver’s former Buckley Annex military site, southwest of Quebec Street and East First Avenue. The Lowry Redevelopment Authority, master developer of the 70-acre Boulevard One community, sought zoning to allow apartments and mixed-use buildings as tall as five stories.
The Denver Post .
The ballot measures, sought by Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration, will ask voters to approve important components of his initiatives this fall.
The first seeks to amend a 1988 intergovernmental agreement with Denver’s Adams County neighbors, including the county government, Aurora and Commerce City, to allow commercial development on Denver International Airport property. It was annexed from Adams County, with restrictions put on non-airport development.
Denver resulting from development on DIA property. The other local governments have agreed to allow DIA to pursue development on up to 1,500 acres. The deal contains several other provisions.
The council signed off on the ballot language 11-1. Councilwoman Susan Shepherd voted no, raising concerns about too little transportation and land-use planning.
Adams County’s voters also will be asked to sign off on the deal.
Denver voters this fall also will decide whether to allow the city to borrow $476 million . Another $105 million would go to expand and upgrade parts of the Colorado Convention Center.
Permanent extensions of 1.75 percent portions of city lodging and car-rental taxes — set to expire in 2023 — would repay bonds.
The council approved that ballot measure in a block vote.
