Blueprint Denver Implementation Update

Blueprint Denver; An Integrated Land Use and Transportation Plan was adopted in 2002 after considerable public involvement. Among numerous important concepts, the plan addressed the following:

• Directing growth to Areas of Change where growth can best be accommodated and preserve the character of Areas of Stability

• Improve the function of streets by focusing on moving people and not just cars by enhancing streets so that they accommodate multiple modes of travel

• Expand opportunities for accommodating mixed-use development especially at urban centers where retail, commercial and residential uses are mixed including around transit stations

While much work lies ahead of us, considerable progress has been made. Some of the highlights are listed below:

• Strategic TOD Plan - The Strategic TOD Plan has been prepared. For further details, please visit www.DenverGov.Org/TOD

• EIS participation - Participation in planning for rapid transit corridors including the West Corridor where the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been completed. For further details, please visit www.denvergov.org/dephome.asp?depid=1408

• Adopting a plan for East Colfax from downtown to Colorado Boulevard and implementing the top recommendation - This is one of several key corridors identified in Blueprint Denver that can incorporate the concepts identified above. The East Colfax Plan was adopted in September, 2004. Main Street zoning language was adopted in September of 2005, and the new Main Street language was mapped for 300 parcels along Colfax in April, 2006. Main Street can now be applied to other appropriate corridors. For further details, please visit East Colfax Plan

• River North Plan - The River North Plan covers the area north and east of downtown along Brighton Boulevard. It was identified as a key corridor because of its potential as a front door to downtown and the potential for development along its corridors including Brighton and the S. Platte River as well as in districts including around the proposed station at 40th Avenue and 40th Street as well as the Denargo Market area. Some new development has occurred and other major developments are in the planning stages. For further details, please visit www.denvergov.org/RiverNorth/default.asp

• Zoning Code re-write - The last two Comprehensive Plans have identified the need to re-write Denver’s Zoning Code and map. The code has not been comprehensively up-dated since the 1950’s. It is antiquated and difficult to use. At the same time, the Blueprint Denver Plan Map identified Denver’s vision for how land should be used in the future. The current zoning map is inconsistent in many instances with the Blueprint Denver Plan Map. A citizen committee has been formed and a consultant hired to initiate a re-write of the zoning code. For further details, please visit www.DenverGov.Org/ZoningCodeUpdate

• Strategic Transportation Plan - This plan, which is headed up by Public Works, is taking a comprehensive look at Denver’s transportation system including all modes and determining the priorities for improving Denver’s transportation system. For further details, please visit www.denvergov.org/PublicWorks/template115205.asp