Far Northeast Area Plan Amendment

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City Council votes to adopt plan amendment

The Denver City Council officially voted to adopt the amendment to the Far Northeast Area Plan at its meeting Monday, May 16.  

If you have trouble accessing the content in these file, please contact planningservices@denvergov.org.  

Area Information and Resources

Plan Amendment Study Area

The amendment focused primarily on revising and detailing land uses and mobility in a small part of the Denver International Airport statistical area encompassed by Tower Road, Himalaya Road, and 72nd and 70th streets, a greenfield site that has the potential to become a local employment center and help implement Far Northeast Area Plan goals around the local economy, jobs and access to opportunity.  

FNE_plan_amendment_boundary.jpg(PDF, 6MB)

Far Northeast Planning Area

The Far Northeast Area encompasses the Montbello, Gateway/Green Valley Ranch, and Denver International Airport statistical neighborhoods and was included in Phase I of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative because the Gateway/Green Valley Ranch and Montbello neighborhoods had relatively high planning need indicator scores, outdated plans and a lack access to goods and services. The information below describes the area context at the time the Far Northeast Area Planning Process began in 2017.  

Zoning Context

  • Former Chapter 59 - 61%
  • Suburban - 15%
  • Airport zoning - 10%
  • Industrial - 9%
  • Other (Open space, urban center, master plan, campus context) - 5%

Planning Need Indicator Scores

To help inform the neighborhood planning process, the city developed data-based indicators of planning need at the neighborhood scale. 

Each Far Northeast neighborhood was scored from low planning need to high planning need in five categories.

Neighborhood Livability Investment Policy & Regulation Economy Demographics
Denver International Airport not scored not scored not scored not scored not scored
Gateway - Green Valley Ranch Medium high Medium high High Medium Medium high
Montbello Medium high Medium low Medium lo Medium high Medium low


Read more about the indicators and scoring. 



Area Statistics and Other Information

Statistics
  • Area: 15.56 square miles
  • 2018 Population: 60,714
  • Housing units: 18,963
Regional destinations
  • Denver International Airport
  • Green Valley Ranch Golf Course
Natural features
  • Cherry Creek
  • Cook Park
  • High Line Canal
Key corridors
  • Havana Street
  • Peoria Street
  • Chambers Road
  • Peña Boulevard
  • Tower Road
  • Himalaya Road
  • 40th Avenue
  • Green Valley Ranch Boulevard
  • 56th Avenue
  • 64th Avenue


Boundaries

  • North: City limits
  • East: City limits
  • South: Interstate 70 and City limits
  • West: Havana Street 




Previous Plans

Process and Timeline

Amendment Process and Large Development Review

The amendment to the Far Northeast Area Plan focused primarily on a small part of the Denver International Airport statistical area encompassed by Tower Road, Himalaya Road, and 72nd and 70th streets, and was triggered by large development review for the site. At the time the plan was adopted, the potential for future development was still unclear for this greenfield site, which has the potential to become a local employment center and help implement Far Northeast Area Plan goals around the local economy, jobs and access to opportunity. The amendment revised and detailed land uses and mobility and supports the following plan recommendations:

  • Following development in line with existing high-profile employers such as DEN and Panasonic (identified by Far Northeast Area residents as key assets to build upon) as a strategy for attracting jobs.
  • Using major regional transportation infrastructure including I-70 and Peña Boulevard to attract more businesses.
  • Coordinating with Denver Economic Development and Opportunity for tenant recruitment.
  • Establishing new districts through market driven growth.
  • Rezoning Former Chapter 59 properties into the Denver Zoning Code. 

The formal application for the large development review process for the site was submitted in 2021. Large development review is a process that the Denver City Council adopted in July 2019 for large development sites. These sites are usually at least five acres or more and often take years to complete. The intent of the city's large development review process is to ensure proposed projects have clear direction at the earliest stages of how they are expected to meet neighborhood priorities. In this case, PepsiCo, Inc. has applied to develop a beverage manufacturing and warehousing facility. The plan amendment process was prompted by this application and will help align the project and the community's vision as outlined in the plan. Along with the plan amendment, the process involves an infrastructure master plan, a development agreement, an amendment to an existing general development plan currently covering the site and a rezoning.

As with the Far Northeast Area Plan, the plan amendment is an opportunity to check in with the community to ensure that as the city, the area and market conditions evolve, community needs and priorities remain at the forefront of development. The process involved the following steps:  

  • Understanding the amendment and LDR application
  • Review proposed changes to the Far Northeast Area Plan 
  • Community Review of Draft Amendment
  • Legislative Review and Adoption

Far Northeast Area Planning Process

The Neighborhood Planning Initiative provides a model for area planning that is intentional, equitable and measurable. The planning process is guided by a multi-pronged outreach and communications strategy with an expected timeline of 18 to 24 months from kickoff to adoption. For a detailed overview, visit How We Plan. The Far Northeast Area Plan was adopted by City Council on June 10, 2019 after a two-year community engagement process.   

Background and Phases

The Far Northeast Area Plan is a product of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative (NPI) which began in 2017 with the kickoff of the Far Northeast Area Plan. NPI is a long-term commitment by the City and Community Planning and Development (CPD) to ensure that every neighborhood in the city can enjoy the benefits of planning and the implementation of community recommendations and investment priorities. As NPI continues in the years ahead, residents, neighborhood groups, and community leaders will work alongside the city’s neighborhood planning team to create a vision and plan for their specific area, until such time that all Denver neighborhoods have an adopted area plan.

The Denver City Council adopted the Far Northeast Area Plan on June 10, 2019 after a two-year community engagement process that involved five distinct planning phases:

  • Meeting the residents, learning about the community and existing conditions
  • Developing community-driven guiding principles
  • Identifying focus areas and important topics
  • Learning, studying and exploring those topics
  • Developing concepts, recommendations and strategies to address the community-identified focus areas and topics

Steering Committee

The Far Northeast Area Plan was guided and informed by a 20-person steering committee nominated by City Council members Stacie Gilmore (District 11) and Christopher Herndon (District 8). Participants represented important community organizations, non-profits, cultural communities and long-time residents. The committee met monthly for a period of nearly two years. Members developed the plan’s guiding principles, identified focus topics and community focus areas, and provided information and guidance throughout. Committee members were instrumental in generating community interest and helped city staff with the vital role of data collection and engagement.

Name Affiliation
Rich Barrows Boys and Girls Club
Earleen Brown Northern Corridor Coalition
Shelli Brown Steps for Success
Tim Camarillo Green Valley Ranch Metro District
Blanca Castillo Montbello
John Foote Green Valley Ranch Citizen's Advisory Board
Charlie Foster 61st and Pena
Donna Garnett Montbello Organizing Committee
Terry Liggins Montbello
Rachel Marion Denver International Airport
Katie McKenna Habitat for Humanity
LaToya Petty Families Forward RC
Loretta Pineda ELK
Angie Rivera-Malpiede Northeast Transportation Connections
Brian Smith Rage Fitness
Susan Stanton Village Homes/Wm Lyons
Frank Tagader Parkfield II Homeowners Association
Rose Thomas Green Valley Ranch Master Homeowners Association
Rick Wells L.C. Fulenwider
Turner Wyatt Denver Food Rescue
Ann White Montbello 20/20

Amendment Committee

A smaller subset of the plan steering committee has been brought together to help guide the plan amendment process. 

Name Affiliation 
Charlie Foster  61st and Pena 
Donna Garnett Montbello Organizing Committee 
Blanca Madrid  Montbello 
Katherine Tinsley  Green Valley Ranch Citizen's Advisory Board
Anne White, co-chair Montbello 20/20 


Public Meetings and Engagement

The Far Northeast project team held or participated in several meetings during the two-year planning process:

  • 20 steering committee meetings
  • 5 area-wide public meetings
  • 5 online surveys 
  • joint town hall meetings and resource fairs
  • Numerous community events attended by city staff, the Far Northeast project team, and various city departments

See Project Archive for full listing of meetings and to download meeting materials. 

Plan Amendment Team

Planning is a collaborative, community-driven process facilitated by city staff with the support of City Council offices, partner agencies and guided by a steering committee of residents, local businesses, neighborhood groups, community-serving organizations and other constituencies from every neighborhood in the planning area.

City Planners

planningservices@denvergov.org

 

City Council Offices

Council District 11
Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore 
stacie.gilmore@denvergov.org

Steering Committee

For the Far Northeast Area Plan, Community Planning and Development and Council Members Christopher Herndon and Stacie Gilmore convened a steering committee of community members from throughout the planning area neighborhoods. For the plan amendment, Councilwoman Gilmore is bringing together a small sub-group of that committee.

Plan Amendment Committee

Name Affiliation

Ann White

  Montbello 20/20

Donna Garnett

 Montbello Organizing Committee 

Katherine Tinsley

 Green Valley Ranch Citizen's Advisory Board 

Blanca Madrid

 Montbello 

Charlie Foster

 61st and Peña 

 

 

Steering Committee for the Area Planning Process

The group listed below helped lead the planning process for the Far Northeast Area that concluded in 2019.

Name Affiliation
Rich Barrows Boys and Girls Club
Earleen Brown Northern Corridor Coalition
Shelli Brown Steps for Success
Tim Camarillo Green Valley Ranch Metro District
Blanca Castillo Montbello
John Foote Green Valley Ranch Citizen's Advisory Board
Charlie Foster 61st and Pena
Donna Garnett Montbello Organizing Committee
Terry Liggins Montbello
Rachel Marion Denver International Airport
Katie McKenna Habitat for Humanity
LaToya Petty Families Forward RC
Loretta Pineda ELK
Angie Rivera-Malpiede Northeast Transportation Connections
Brian Smith Rage Fitness
Susan Stanton Village Homes/Wm Lyons
Frank Tagader Parkfield II Homeowners Association
Rose Thomas Green Valley Ranch Master Homeowners Association
Rick Wells L.C. Fulenwider
Turner Wyatt Denver Food Rescue
Ann White Montbello 20/20


 

 

Project Archive

Plan Amendment Steering Committee Meetings

Meeting 1
12:30-2 p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Meeting 2
4-5 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2022 

 

Public Meetings

Public Meeting 1
6 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021
Virtual meeting via Zoom

 

Public Meeting 2
6 p.m., Thursday, February 24, 2022
Virtual meeting via Zoom

 

Planning Board Public Hearing
3 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Virtual meeting via Zoom

 

City Council Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Virtual meeting via Zoom

 

City Council Public Hearing and Vote
5:30 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2022

The Denver City Council adopted the Far Northeast Area Plan on June 10, 2019 after a two-year community engagement process.

Meeting Archive for Far Northeast Area Planning Process

District 11 Visioning Town Hall
5 - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 

Far Northeast Denver 2017 Economic Summit
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017
Evie Garrett Dennis E-12 Campus, 4800 Telluride, Denver 

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #1
6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017 
Montbello Library Meeting Room
12955 Albrook Drive 80239
Meeting summary (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Public Kickoff
6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 22, 2017
Evie Garrett Dennis E-12 Campus Student Union
4800 Telluride Street, Denver
Presentation (PDF, English) / Presentacion (PDF, Espanol)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #2
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2017
Green Valley Ranch Public Library
4856 N. Andes Ct.
Meeting summary (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #3
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Montbello Public Library
12955 Albrook Drive, Denver 
Meeting summary - English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4
6-7:30 pm August 31
Green Valley Ranch Rec Center
4890 Argonne Way
Meeting summary - English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Workshop / Denveright Blueprint Denver Growth Workshop
Joint Meeting
5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2017
Maxwell Elementary School, 14390 Bolling Dr.
Meeting summary (PDF) / En Español (PDF)
Presentation-English (PDF) / En Español (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #5
6-7:30 pm September 27
Montbello Public Library
12955 Albrook Dr.
Meeting summary - English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #6
6:00-7:30 pm Thursday, October 26
Green Valley Ranch Rec Center
4890 Argonne Way
Meeting summary – English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #7
6:00-7:30 pm Wednesday, November 29
Montbello Public Library
12955 Albrook Drive, Denver
Meeting summary – English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #8
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 24
Montbello Public Library
12955 Albrook Drive, Denver
Meeting summary – English (PDF) / Resumen de la reunion - Espanol (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Public Meeting #3
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 30
Evie Garrett Dennis E-12 Campus Student Union
4800 Telluride Street, Denver
Public Meeting #3 Presentation (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #9
6-7:45 p.m. Thursday, February 22
Green Valley Ranch Public Library
4856 N. Andes Ct.
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #10
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 
Montbello Public Library
12955 Albrook Drive
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #11
6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018 / jueves, 26 de avril
Green Valley Ranch Public Library
4856 N. Andes Ct.
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

AIA Planning Charrette
5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018
AIA Colorado, 303 E. 17th Ave #110

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #12
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Montbello Public Library, 12955 Albrook Drive
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #13
6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018 / jueves, 28 de  junio
Green Valley Ranch Public Library
4856 N. Andes Ct.
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northest Public Meeting #4
6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 12 / jueves, 12 de julio
Montbello Campus Cafeteria, 5000 Crown Blvd.
Presentation (English, PDF) / Presentacion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #14
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Montbello Public Library, 12955 Albrook Drive
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #15
6-7:30 p.m. , September 26
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #16
6-7:30 p.m. , Thursday, October 25
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #17
6-8 p.m. , Wednesday, November 28
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Public Meeting #5
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Evie Garrett Dennis E-12 Campus Student Union
4800 Telluride Street, Denver
Public Meeting #5 Presentation (PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #18
6-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 30
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #19
6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 28
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

Far Northeast Area Plan Steering Committee Meeting #20
6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 25
Meeting summary (English, PDF) / Resumen de la reunion (Spanish, PDF)

 

Far Northeast Area Plan

Far Northeast Area Plan logo

Contact Us

planningservices@denvergov.org

 

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