A bill for an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 1369 Quince Street in East Colfax. Approves an official map amendment to rezone property located at 1369 Quince Street from E-SU-Dx to E-SU-D1x (allows for an accessory dwelling unit) in Council District 5. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 11-5-19.
But. All right. Welcome back. Council is reconvened. We have four public hearings this evening. Speaker should begin their remarks by telling the counsel of their names and cities of residence and if they feel comfortable doing so, their home addresses. If you are here to answer questions only when your name is called, please come to the podium. State your name and note that you are available for questions of counsel. Speakers will have 3 minutes. There is no yielding of time on the presentation mind or on the wall. You will see your time counting down. Speakers must stay on the topic of the hearing and must direct their comments to the council members. Please refrain from profane or obscene speech structure your comments to council as a whole and please refrain from individual or personal attacks. All right, Councilwoman Torres, will you please put Council Bill 1158 on the floor. And move that council Bill 19 dash 1158 be placed upon final consideration and do pass. Thank you. It has been moved and seconded. The public hearing for Council Bill 1158 is open. May we have the staff report? Good evening. Teresa Lucero with community planning and Development. This is a rezoning application for 1369. Queen Street is in Council District five in the East Colfax neighborhood. The request is to rezone from urban edge single unit D1 to Urban Edge single unit d1x that would allow that would in effect allow the construction of an accessory dwelling unit . So the property is about 6500 square feet. It is currently a single family residence. As I said, it's zoning is urban edge, single unit. And the request is to go to urban edge, single unit, one that allows accessory dwelling units. So the existing zoning is ESU directs and surrounding zoning on all sides is yes, udc's existing land use is a single family residence, as is the surrounding land use. This is a block off of East Colfax Avenue where there is a mixture of uses commercial, industrial and mixed use. And a block east of Quebec Avenue. Quebec Street. Sorry. So existing building form and scale. Mostly all single family homes. 1 to 2 stories, as you can see in the photos here. Information notice on this of a complete application went out in September of 2019. Planning board hearing was October of this year and there was a unanimous vote to recommend approval. And then we were at Liberty on November 5th of this year. And this council hearing has been properly noticed for the public hearing tonight. So public comment, there is one R.A. letter of support for this application, one email and opposition and one another private individual wrote in a letter of support. So review criteria. The relevant plans are a plan 2040 Blueprint 2019, the East Montclair East Colfax Neighborhood Plan of 1994 and Housing and Inclusive Denver of 2018. All of these strategies from current Plan 2000 apply as detailed in your staff report, but basically discuss increasing housing, increasing affordable housing, encouraging private development where infrastructure's already in place and that's in character with the existing neighborhood, as I said detailed in your staff report, The Blueprint Denver This is in the urban edge context, which is predominantly residential and tends to act as the transition between urban and suburban areas and is generally single and two unit residential with some low scale multi-unit throughout Blueprint Denver The place type is low residential, which is predominantly single unit and two unit with some accessory dwelling units. The street type for Quinn Street is an designated local street and 14th Avenue is a residential collector street. Quebec a block over is a residential arterial growth area. Strategy is all other areas of the city. So this area is projected to absorb 10% of jobs by 2040 and 20% of housing by that time. Easement Montclair Plan of 1994 talks about protecting the residential character of the neighborhood sound management and a mix of income levels in rental and single family homes and apartments, encouraging homeowners to add on additions and modernize their single family homes, housing and inclusive. Denver speaks to in increasing our regulations and expanding the development of accessory dwelling units and promoting the development of these units as a wealth building tool for low and moderate income homeowners. With that staff believes that the adopted plans are met with this proposal. By using a standard zoned district, we're furthering the uniform application of zone districts and by implementing our plans and facilitating an increase in housing density and a mix of uses near transit. We're furthering public health, safety and welfare. Justifying circumstances is changed. Conditions. New development in the area has resulted in additional services and retail nearby. These changes have created an additional need for housing in the area and we've got two new adopted plans in Blueprint Denver and Housing and Inclusive Denver. All of these are changed conditions that justify this rezoning. As far as consistency with the urban edge neighborhood context, this zone district is for single unit, which the context is single unit and two unit mainly. And the E-1 de zone district is single family with on the appropriate size lot with set back standards and everything consistent with the ESU directs and staff believes this is consistent with the intent statement for ESU. D1 X with that staff recommends approval. Thank you very much. We have six individuals signed up to speak this evening, so if you signed up to speak on this item, I would ask that you come up to this front bench that's now empty so that you can be ready to step up to the microphone when I call your name. First up, chairman and COO. Okay. Thank you. My name is Chairman Sekou. Represent the Black Star Action Movement for Self-defense. President of. Denver for. 37 years. We? Support this. For all the above stated reasons and. We've had this conversation before. Where. When new folks look at this and you talk in code like. E as you dare to do do do do do do do do understand non. You talking about nothing. Not a thing. And we had this conversation before you used to even on the. Agendas. Explain in writing what that means so people aren't lost with this esoteric language and code that you use that doesn't allow them to make a conscious decision or even understand anything you're talking about. No. No. All your intelligent people. And you've got degrees up the gang. Well, there was a man named Malcolm X who said, tell the truth, make it plain. It looked like you had things down here. That the people are paying for. They don't get an opportunity. To understand what you are really doing, what you're really saying. So. Not to be redundant. There was a city council person here. Her name was Lehman schoolteacher. And she changed all of this while she was here. And as soon as she leave here, y'all come back with this mess. Why? What? What? See. So. Because I've been down here for a decade plus. Kind of slow to understand what you're talking about. But other folks looking at TV, we want to enroll people in the democratic process to participate. The least you can do is make the language plain. So people can understand what you are doing. In their name with their tax money. Even if I can't get a pillow. You can do this. Thank you. Next up, Leslie Talkhouse. Hi. Thank you. My name is. Leslie to where gal schema resident at 1754 Olive Street in Denver. I'm a neighbor. Of Jerry Saltsman, and I'm here to speak on behalf of his. Rezoning. Our greatest hope is that we can get accessory dwelling. Units as a use by right in the East Area plan. And I will keep my comments. Just that brief. Thank you. And I hope you vote. To support Jerry's rezoning. Thank you. Next up, Caroline Clarke. Hi. My name is Caroline Clarke, and I fully support Gerri's plan to build an Adu. Since Denver is struggling to provide affordable housing, building an ADA, you would add one additional dwelling and unit to Denver's rapidly declining housing stock. Here's an anecdotal example from another city having similar housing struggles. Los Angeles a quote from the mayor. Go ahead and build one in your backyard. About 2500 new Adu homes were created in two years within the city limits, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti. Accessory dwelling units are a relatively low cost way for homeowners to play a big part in expanding our city's housing stock and make extra money while they're at it. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to build in their backyards, which is why we're cutting red tape adus create opportunities for flexible, long term multi-generational housing arrangements. And Adu is a great place to offer up to a family member, friend, live in housekeeper or pair, open to a few if any to use fulfill the same function forever as their owners needs change most. Change their uses accordingly at various times. One's Adu could be an art studio office or spare living space for family or friends. Adu use can simultaneously reduce local development pressure and preserve neighborhood character. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Thank you. Next up, Jerry Saltzman. Hi. My name is Jerry Saltzman. I have owned and lived at 1369 Quint Street for 21 years, since all the city's growth plans now permit some homeowners to build a small second unit in their backyard, I would like to do so. My main house will remain exactly the same. The only change will be a small, detached second unit in my large backyard. For my mom, who will be turning 83 on Friday, I will also reduce the size of my backyard to make room for three additional off street parking spots. I'm glad to report that my R.A., the East Colfax Neighborhood Association, voted unanimously in favor of my rezoning. Both the planning board, as well as the Land Use Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, also voted unanimously in my rezoning. I have also contacted all 29 of my immediate neighbors and they are either very positive or neutral about my rezoning . I spoke to City Council in July to support my neighbors plan to build an ADU at 1245, Quincy Street City Council also voted unanimously to support that project. 80 views are great for our neighborhood because they allow homeowners to care for older family members like my mom while creating independent housing so they can age in place. Adus also provide affordable housing, flexible housing options for families and improve neighborhood security by having more eyes on the street. Our neighborhood already has several adus in it. Both the carriage house, as well as a duplex across the street from my house have been there for over 100 years without any negative effects. Since City Council has already passed several policies that specifically identify 80 youths as being the solution to our affordable housing crisis. Let's move forward and enact those policies. Our neighborhood, as well as our city, is struggling to provide affordable housing. What more can we as a community do to help solve the affordable housing crisis? Then build an ADU? I thank you very much for letting me speak here tonight. Thank you. Next up, Danielle Anderson. Hi, I'm Danielle Anderson and I am a Colorado native and a proponent of the 80 youth. I believe in affordable housing. And as a Colorado native, I can see the changes that have come over not only our city but our state in the last few years. And so to keep affordable housing an ADU is a great way to do that. So that is my stand. I'd like to read just a little excerpt from a neighbor of Jerry's that wrote a letter. Good afternoon. I would like to comment on Mr. Altman's application. I submit my comments as a citizen of Denver and a property owner in the to 1200 block of Quincy Street, the block immediately south of Mr. Sultan's property. My comments do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of my employer, and I'm just speaking in my official capacity. I hold. I would like to offer my strong support for this application. I believe the application meets the review criteria and specifically meets the blueprint. Denver 2019 Goals of breaking down barriers to increase accessibility to 80 youth in a city wide basis. But in making the rezoning process more accessible to the average citizen in Denver, I've been active in my neighborhood as well as pursued a similar rezoning for my own property, which was approved by City Council in early July. The East Colfax neighborhood faces tremendous pressure from gentrification and displacement to grow and change, and that has been well documented in the city studies and my own observations. I witnessed the strong support and the concept for its use in the East Colfax neighborhood. In the East Colfax R.A. Support. This application validates. My own observations. Of support for its use in the neighborhood. It is my sincere hope that the city follows the recommendations of Blueprint, Denver and housing and inclusive Denver as soon as possible to make it easier to build and available to all neighborhoods. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, Jesse Pierce. Good evening. Members of council, members of the audience, those watching at home. My name is Jesse. Listen, Paris, I ran for city council by large, had almost 15,000 votes. And I'll be running again to be your next mayor, 2023. And I'm representing Denver Homicide Low Black Star Action Movie for Self-defense. Positive action come in for social change as well as the universal African People's Organization Unity Party of Colorado and Mile High knows we are in favor of this rezoning. As has already been previously stated, we have a housing crisis in the city and I would love to see 80 youths all over this city, just like I would love to see tiny home villages all over this city. My question is which one of the council members is going to actually have one in their own backyard so that we can do better and we keep hearing that we can do better, but I don't see any action. So this is one step in the right direction, allowing these ideas to be put in various places throughout the city because, you know, we can't have any concentrated areas of poverty. So and when you stop trying to change the terminology from affordable to actual attainable because the affordable standard is not affordable, you have to make $65,000 a year to afford a one or two bedroom in Denver, Colorado, based off the current market. Am I? So I would like to see in the near future the city pass more rezonings like this is going to pass. It meets all the criteria so there's nothing that is going to keep this from passing. My only question was what was the letter, opposition or email and what was it about? I would like to know that. Thank you. Thank you. That concludes our speakers on this item. Are there any questions from members of Council? Councilman Heights. Thank you, Mr. President. One question for staff. The question is as you make your way up. The only change for this rezoning is that it allows in to you. There's no other change. That's correct. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilman. All right. Seeing no other questions. The public hearing for Council 1158 is closed. Comments by members of Council. Councilman Sawyer. Thank you, Mr. President. Well, this is in my district, so I'm just want to speak briefly to thank Mr. Saltzman for doing a fantastic job of community outreach. We spoke briefly before he ever filed his application and talked about kind of what went into this whole process and what it looked like. And, you know, I really appreciate you putting all of the time and energy and hard work into doing this the right way, into doing the right outreach to your neighborhood organization and to your neighbors. I think that the fact that everyone here spoke in favor of it, that there is only one letter of opposition and that, you know, everyone is really positive about what this looks like is a reflection of the work that you have done in the community to do good outreach. So thank you very much for doing that. I'm very appreciative and I personally am very excited to be supporting this tonight. I think it's a fantastic plan. You know, I talk a lot about and we live a low in the east area plan right now and talk a lot about the value of our neighborhoods and the big lots that we have and how incredible they are. And they're they're very special and very unique to the city of Denver. There's something that not very many other cities on this planet and certainly not in the U.S. have. And they if we let them go, then we'll never get them back again. But they also have a dark side. That means that they are not as attainable as they should be. They're not affordable to everyone. And 80 EUs are the reasonable compromise here. They are the way that we can keep the character of the community, but also allow for a way to bring affordability attainability to these communities and to bring options for other people to be able to come into these communities and live there and enjoy all of these amazing amenities. So I'm very grateful that you are leading the charge in this. I think this is only the second one in the entire year is in the second one in District five. So this is absolutely fantastic. And my only sort of other comment that I really want to make as we discuss this is that, you know, the cost of 80 years, it's they're expensive to build. And so this is a real investment. And I know that you want this for your mom. And I think that that is amazing. And we do know that their use changes over time and that's okay. Right. But my concern is that this will not 80 years will not be the answer to our affordability and attainability crisis if they are only used as short term rentals and. So that is something that our city needs to consider as we continue to look at 80 years moving forward. Because if people are building them and only using them solely as short term rentals and not as something that can be a place for a home, a long term home for people, they are actually going to create a larger, attainable affordability crisis than we have right now. And so that is just you know, I think it's it's absolutely fantastic that people are able to use their properties in ways to help them earn extra money in in an economy that we have in a city where we have clearly shown that our wages have not kept up with the cost of living, where it is incredibly expensive to live here. And so that is another important part of the conversation that we have to have as well. So this is this is not an easy discussion by any means, but it is something that we need to discuss because ideas are a real solution to adding gentle density and keeping the character of our community and helping to solve our affordability and attainability crisis. But they it could also go very, very wrong if people are only using them as short term rentals. So thank you. I am really looking forward to approving this tonight. Thank you for all of your hard work. And thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Hines. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank you also for all your hard work. I'm not in District five, but but I'm very supportive of ideas. As Mr. Gorski said, I. I look forward to the day when an applicant doesn't have to do a lot of hard work to put in an idea. And frankly, I think they should be legalized citywide. I've said that before and I'm saying it again. I think that it is a way for us to solve the missing middle. You know, the conversation between single family homes and large scale apartment high rises we should, in our affordable housing crisis, consider. Part of the missing middle in an area is one of those one of those tools in a toolbox if they are used responsibly. So thank you for all your all your work. Hopefully you are blazing a trail. So that will make it easier for people behind you to put in auxiliary dwelling units. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilman. All right. Seeing no other comments, I'll just add thank you to staff for putting together our awesome staff report and walking us through it. I think this clearly meets the criteria and I'll be supporting it this evening. Madam Secretary, roll call. Sawyer. I'm black. I see tobacco. I. Flynn. I. Gillmor, i. Herndon. Hines. Hi. Cashman. Hi. Kenny Ortega. Torres. Hi, Mr. President. All right, Madam Secretary, please close voting and announce results. 12 provides counsel about 1158 has passed. Councilwoman Torres, will you please put Council Bill 1259 on the floor?