Review updated draft recommendations or share your input on approaches to housing options and building heights along East Colfax Avenue. The surveys will be open until December 15.
If you would prefer to download the updated draft recommendations and email us your thoughts, use the links below to download the PDFs and submit comments through our general feedback form.
If you know individuals or organizations who would like to provide feedback in another language, contact Associate City Planner Israel Cruz (israel.cruz@denvergov.org).
Join the East Area Plan email list to get updates on the plan and reminders about opportunities to share your voice.
Want quick information about the East Area Plan? Download and share our FAQs to get caught up on the planning process, and share them with your neighbors so they can get involved.
Elizabeth Weigle
Senior City Planner
elizabeth.weigle@denvergov.org
All meetings are open to the public.
Check back for information on future meetings
Name | Affiliation |
---|---|
Laurie Bogue | Bellevue-Hale Neighborhood Association |
Tom Fesing | East Colfax Neighborhood Association |
Yoal Ghebrehmeskel |
Street Fraternity |
Mina Goldstein | Park Hill |
Marti Holmes | Historic Montclair Community Association |
Kyaw Lin Oo | Hidden Brook/Street Fraternity |
Tracey MacDermott | Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. |
Monica Martinez | Fax Partnership |
Tom Meyer | New Freedom Neighbors |
Hilarie Portell | Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District |
Merritt Pullam | Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. |
Rosalyn Redwine | Small business owner |
Wende Reoch | Cranmer Park/Hilltop Association |
Andy Sense | Park Hill |
Steering Committee Meeting #1
6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, 2017
East Montclair Community Center, 6740 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Summary (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #2
6-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Summary (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #3
6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 28, 2017
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #4
6-8 p.m., Thursday, October 26, 2017
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Summary (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #5
6-8 p.m., Thursday, November 16, 2017
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #6
6-8 p.m., Monday, December 11, 2017
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #7
6-8 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #8
6-8 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Commitee Meeting #9
6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2018
Montclair Civic Building (The Molkery)
6829 E. 12th Avenue
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #10
6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 26, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #11
6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #12
6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 28, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #13
6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #14
6-8 p.m., Thursday, August 23, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #15
6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2018
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #16
6-8 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018
Montclair Civic Building (The Molkery)
6829 E. 12th Avenue, Denver
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #17
6-8 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2019
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Summary (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #18
6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2019
Montclair Civic Building (The Molkery), 6829 E. 12th Avenue
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #19
6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 2019
Montclair Civic Center (The Molkery)
6829 E. 12th Avenue, Denver
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #20
6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2019
Montclair Civic Center (The Molkery)
6829 E. 12th Avenue, Denver
Presentation (PDF)
Summary (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting #21
6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 27
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Layden
Presentation (PDF)
Download the planning process graphic (PDF)
Learn more about the process for neighborhood planning in Denver
Below are listed all the community meetings, workshops, office hours and pop-up events hosted by the planning team. Unlike traditional meetings and workshops, pop-up events are intended to reach hard-to-reach communities where they live and involve only paper materials and on-the-street interviews.
Street Fraternity pop-op
October 17, 2017
Hidden Brook Apartments pop-up
October 18, 2017
South Park Hill Listening Session
6-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Park Hill Masonic Lodge, 4819 Montview Boulevard
Presentation (PDF)
Avenue 8 at Mayfair pop-up
January 17, 2019
Shephard’s Motel pop-up
February 14, 2019
Hidden Brook Apartments pop-up
February 14, 2019
Regal Café pop-up
February 16, 2019
Area-Wide Community Workshop #1
6-8 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Park Hill Masonic Lodge, 4819 Montview Blvd
Meeting materials available at online workshop
Neighborhood Workshop #1 – Hale
6-8 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2019
Friendship Baptist Church, 880 Fairfax Street
Meeting materials available at online workshop
Neighborhood Workshop #2 – South Park Hill
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Park Hill Masonic Lodge, 4819 Montview Blvd
Meeting materials available at online workshop
Neighborhood Workshop #3 – Montclair
6-8 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2019
Friendship Baptist Church, 880 Fairfax Street
Meeting materials available at online workshop
Xenia Village Apartments pop-up
March 5, 2019
Neighborhood Workshop #4 – East Colfax
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Ashley Elementary School, 1914 Syracuse Street
Meeting materials available at online workshop
Street Fraternity pop-up
March 27, 2019
Hidden Brook Apartments pop-up
April 3, 2019
East Area Community Workshop
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2019
9th & Colorado Development Office
1000 Colorado Boulevard, Denver
Presentation (PDF)
Drop-in Office Hours
6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 25
Art Gym Denver
1460 Leyden Street, Denver
Drop-in Office Hours
5-8 p.m., August 1, 2019
Friendship Baptist Church
880 Fairfax Street, Denver
Drop-in Office Hours
5-8 p.m., August 6, 2019
East Montclair Community Center
6740 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Community Office Hours: Park Hill Branch Library
12:30-5 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, 2019
4705 Montview Boulevard, Denver
Community Office Hours: Ashley Elementary School
6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2019
1914 Syracuse Street, Denver
Listed below are focus groups hosted by the plan team for the purpose of topic-specific discussions with local stakeholders with subject-matter expertise and experience.
Focus Group #1: Affordable housing, social services, & financial stability
January 8, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Focus Group #2: Small business retention, real estate/transit oriented development, & healthy food
January 9, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Meeting notes (PDF)
Focus Group #3: Mobility & access
January 15, 2019
Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden Street
Focus Group #4: Green infrastructure, recreation, open space
January 17, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Focus Group #5: Design quality & character preservation
January 29, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Meeting notes (PDF)
Focus Group #6: Small business retention, real estate/transit oriented development, & healthy food
6-8 p.m., April 2, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Presentation (PDF)
Focus Group #7: Green Infrastructure
6-8 p.m., April 4, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Presentation (PDF)
Focus Group #8: Mobility
6-8 p.m., April 17, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Presentation (PDF)
Focus Group #9: Design Quality and Character Preservation
6-8 p.m., April 18, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Presentation (PDF)
Focus Group #10: Affordable housing, social services, & financial stability
6-8 p.m., April 23, 2019
Carla Madison Recreation Center
Presentation (PDF)
Listed below are (1) meetings hosted by East Area neighborhood groups and organizations, or other City of Denver departments or teams that East Area Plan team members attended, (2) community events at which the plan had a booth/table or was part of a larger booth or table representing the City of Denver, and (3) stakeholder conversations convened or hosted by East Area organizations.
8/26/2017 - Mayor's Cabinet in the Community
8/26/2017 - Mayfair Concert in the Park
8/30/2017 - Upper Montclair Basin community meeting
9/6/2017 - Colfax Mayfair BID board meeting
9/10/2017 - Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair
9/15/2017 – Seniors In September Educational & Resource Fair at Denver Botanic Gardens
9/21/2017 - Blueprint Denver Workshop
9/27/2017 - Quebec Alternatives Open House
10/3/2017 - Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. general meeting
10/12/2017 - Councilwoman Susman Town Hall
10/17/2017 - East Colfax Neighborhood Association meeting
10/18/2017 - Historic Montclair Community Association, Inc. meeting
10/24/2017 - Fax Partnership board meeting
11/2/2017 - Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. meeting
11/8/2017 - Upper Montclair Basin community meeting
11/28/2017 - Bellevue Hale annual membership meeting
12/4/2017 - WTF is BRT?
12/6/2017 - Upper Montclair community meeting
3/15/2018 - Blueprint Denver workshop
3/20/2018 - Colfax Grit & Glory, Historic Denver
4/19/2018 - Councilwoman Susman Town Hall
5/10/2018 - DURA, East Colfax Corridor URA Info meeting
9/6/2018 - Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. meeting
10/17/2018 - Historic Montclair Community Association, Inc. meeting
2/3/2019 – Immigrant/refugee service providers meeting
3/3/2019 – Small business owners meeting
3/19/2019 – Hospitals meeting
4/10/2019 – Development focus group
4/17/2019 – Social service providers meeting
4/17/2019 - Colfax Mayfair BID board meeting
4/27/2019 - Mayor's Cabinet in the Community
5/10/2019 - East Area Businesses Forum
5/15/2019 - Colfax Mayfair BID board meeting
5/22/2019 – Small business owners meeting
5/28/2019 - Fax Partnership board meeting
5/30/2019 - East Colfax Neighborhood Association meeting
6/3/2019 - Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. general meeting
6/5/2019 - East Side RNO meeting
6/5/2019 - Fax Partnership Open House
6/11/2019 - Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. meeting
6/19/2019 - Historic Montclair Community Association, Inc. meeting
6/19/2019 – Immigrant/refugee service providers and East Colfax Neighborhood Association meeting
7/16/2019 – Meeting with Locust Street neighbors
9/30/2019 - East Area Business Forum
10/1/2019 – Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. general meeting
2018
2019
Plan recommendations are a like an outline that serves as the basis for the draft plan, when the draft is written. The first set of draft recommendations were shared with the public in May. We received almost 2,000 comments on the recommendations and are updating the recommendations accordingly. Maps associated with the recommendations are currently being updated.
A - HOSPITALS
The healthcare and wellness sector is the foundation for economic growth
B - HOSPITALS & SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS
Together, hospitals and surrounding neighborhoods can address community development in ways that are mutually beneficial
The Plan aims to:
C - MIXED-USE CENTERS, CORRIDORS & DISTRICTS
The primary location for housing and employment growth in the East Area
The Plan aims to:
D - MOTELS
There are 17 motels along Colfax that currently serve as a form of transitional housing
The Plan aims to:
NEIGHBORHOODS OVERALL
A large majority of the East Area’s land is residential
The Plan aims to:
1. BOLSTER THE HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS SECTOR AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMY
2. STRENGTHEN THE SMALL PROFESSIONAL OFFICE NICHE WRITE IN ANSWERS BELOW. IF NEIGHBORHOOD-SPECIFIC, LIST WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD.
3. PRESERVE AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY-SERVING, LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES
4. PRESERVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND STABILIZE RESIDENTS AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT
5. CREATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT AND AMENITIES
6. EXPAND DIVERSITY OF HOUSING TYPES & AFFORDABILITY IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
7. INCREASE ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
INCENTIVIZE MAINTAINING EXISTING HOMES AND INTRODUCE NEW MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING IN AREAS VULNERABLE TO DISPLACEMENT
ALLOW ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN ALL RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
TRANSFORMATIVE STREETS
Prioritize Walking, Biking, Rolling and Transit Along Key Corridors That Connect People And Places
Colorado Boulevard between 6th and 23rd
Monaco Parkway Between 6th and 23rd
Quebec Street Between 6th and 23rd
23rd Avenue Between Colorado and Quebec
Montview Boulevard Between Colorado and Yosemite
17th Avenue Between Colorado and Monaco
Colfax Avenue Between Colorado and Yosemite
14th Avenue Between Colorado and Yosemite
13th Avenue Between Colorado and Yosemite
6th Avenue Between Colorado and Quebec
MAP-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS: BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS
HIGH COMFORT BIKEWAYS
Adopt And Upgrade Planned Denver Moves: Bikes Bikeways & Install High Comfort Bikeways Not Previously Recommended - Also See Transformative Streets. Key Locations Include:
Holly Street Between 17th and Cherry Creek Trail: Extend the existing conventional bike lane on Holly Street between 17th and the Cherry Creek Trail
Monaco Parkway Between 6th and 23rd: Install a protected bike lane on Monaco Parkway between 6th and 23rd
23rd Avenue Between Kearny and Central Park: Extend the bike lane on 23rd Avenue between Kearny and Central Park
17th Avenue Between Colorado and Monaco: Install a protected bike lane on 17th Avenue between Colorado and Monaco and a conventional bike lane on 17th Avenue between Monaco and Yosemite
14th Avenue Between Colorado and Yosemite: Install a protected bike lane on 14th between Colorado and Yosemite
12th Avenue Between Colorado and Yosemite: Install a high comfort bikeway on 12th Avenue between Colorado and Yosemite
6th Avenue Between Colorado and Quebec: Install a protected bike lane on 6th Avenue between Colorado and Uintah
NEW AND WIDENED SIDEWALKS
Create A Complete Sidewalk Network, Enabling Pedestrians To Safely Access Their Destinations
MOBILITY HUBS
Seamlessly Integrate Various Transportation Modes And Provide Customer Amenities at High Ridership Transit Stops - Also See Transfomative Streets
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE INTERSECTION SAFETY
Study Intersection Safety Improvements - Also See Transformative Streets
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING
Slow Traffic Via A Zone-Based Approach Along Neighborhood Streets
Parks
Primary and Secondary Schools
Hospitals and Libraries
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM)
Provide options for more effective use of the transportation system
PARKING, CURBSIDE MANAGEMENT AND FREIGHT ACCESS
Implement strategies for efficient and equitable use of curbside space
CENTERS, CORRIDORS AND DISTRICTS
These serve as community destinations and job centers, providing a mix of uses. The majority of jobs and housing growth is targeted for centers, corridors and districts.
Community Centers
Community Centers provide a balance of residential, employment and dining/shopping uses. Buildings provide a high degree of ground floor activation and front onto either streets or shared public space. Buildings are the largest scale of all places. In General Urban context (9th & Colorado and Colorado & Colfax), buildings may be up to 12 stories whereas in Urban Edge context (Mayfair Town Center) they are generally up to 5 stories, although additional heights may be offered in exchange for affordable housing or shared open space.
Community Corridors
Community Corridors also provide a balance of residential, employment and dining/shopping uses. Buildings have a distinctly linear orientation fronting the primary street (Colfax and Colorado Blvd.) Building heights vary along the street to provide interest, generally ranging from 3-5 stories with some areas reaching up to 8 stories with community benefits such as affordable housing, community-serving uses or shared open space. The most activity and shared public space occurs directly adjacent to transit stops.
Campus Districts
Campus Districts include education and medical campuses. They are typically dominated by a single, larger institutional use and provide important jobs to the surrounding community. Supporting retail and residential uses may occur within them. Buildings vary greatly in size and scale, depending on the use. The heights shown in the plan suggest appropriate heights given the surrounding context.
Local Corridors/Local Centers
Local Centers and Corridors provide options for dining, entertainment and shopping. They may also include some residential and office uses or small, shared open space. These places are generally up to 3 stories. They are quieter places, nestled within residential neighborhoods. The scale is intimate with a focus on the pedestrian. The public realm is typically defined by buildings with active frontages.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Areas where the predominant use is residential. Although they are primarily residential, these areas are supported by a variety of embedded uses needed for a complete neighborhood including schools, libraries, recreation and nodes of commercial/retail uses.
High Residential provides the highest intensity of residential uses. These are generally mid to high-rise apartment buildings of up to 12 stories. They may or may not include retail uses, but design treatment and activation of the ground floor along major corridors is important.
High-Medium Residential is predominantly multi-unit residential structures of 3 to 5 stories with a variety of lower-scale residential types. They may be mixed with lower-scale residential buildings as well. Retail uses may be present on street corners close to centers and corridors.
Low-Medium Residential (Multi-Unit) includes 2-3 story apartment buildings. These often include small courtyard buildings or “walk-up” apartments (accessed via stairs instead of elevators) and are usually surface parked. They may be mixed in with single and two unit houses as well. They provide a transition from single and two unit areas to centers and corridors of higher intensity. They are often located near transit.
Low-Medium Residential (Row House) includes single unit attached townhomes and rowhomes. They are 2-3 stories and designed to seamlessly fit in with single and two-unit homes. They usually include a private or shared garage for parking cars. They provide a transition from centers and corridors to single and two unit places.
Low Residential - Two Unit Residential includes two individual homes - either attached in a duplex form or detached in a tandem house form - on a single lot. They often look and feel like a single unit home. Some forms have two entrances that face the street and some have one prominent entrance and one more discreet entrance from a side street or alley. They are site-parked via an enclosed garage or carport.
Low Residential - Single Unit Residential includes more traditional houses that are setback from the street with front and rear yards and occasionally side yards. They usually include a prominent front entrance with a porch or stoop. They often have pitched roofs although some low-sloping roofs exist as well. They are site parked via a garage (usually detached and accessed by an alley) or carport.
Low Residential - Accessory Dwelling Units are smaller units that share a lot with another primary unit. They may be attached and located within the primary structure or detached in a secondary structure located in the rear yard. These units provide sensitive ways to integrate affordable living into more expensive neighborhoods. They allow empty nesters to age in place by moving into a smaller unit and renting their home, or they accommodate singles or couples that want to live in the neighborhood but cannot afford a larger home.
ENCOURAGE A NODAL ENVIRONMENT AND DIRECT GROWTH TO THE AREAS THAT SUPPORT TRANSIT RIDERSHIP AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
INCENTIVIZE COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE HEIGHT (ABOVE WHAT CURRENT ZONING ALLOWS).
Benefits include:
NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER AND URBAN DESIGN
ENCOURAGE RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS OVER DEMOLITION THROUGH TOOLS SUCH AS:
WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOODS TO MODIFY ZONING STANDARDS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION TO MORE CLOSELY SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER.
Recommendations include modifying:
ENCOURAGE MAINTAINING VALUED HOUSING STOCK THAT CONTRIBUTES TO NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER BY ALLOWING ADDITIONAL UNITS IN LOCATIONS NEAR TRANSIT THROUGH TOOLS SUCH AS:
REQUIRE DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN CORRIDORS AND CENTERS
COLFAX AVENUE
REMOVE REGULATORY BARRIERS AND OPEN UP FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REUSE EXISTING BUILDINGS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHARACTER OF COLFAX .
MODIFY REGULATORY BARRIERS TO REDEVELOPMENT WHILE ALSO INCENTIVIZING COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND CHARACTER PRESERVATION TOOLS TO RESPECT THE UNIQUE HISTORY AND CHARACTER OF COLFAX.
OTHER COLFAX-SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONNECT EXISTING OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL ASSETS THROUGH A HISTORIC PARKWAY PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
DEVELOP NEW CONTEMPORARY PARKWAYS THAT CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL ASSETS, AS WELL AS SERVE MULTIPLE COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS
ENHANCE EXISTING COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
CREATE NEW COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
SUSTAINABILITY
A. STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING TREE CANOPY AND INCREASE CANOPY COVERAGE WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
B. PROTECT AND PRESERVE EXISTING TREE ASSETS IN ALL REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
C. INCREASE PERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE THROUGH THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
>> Download green streets map (PDF)
D. ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES INCLUDING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, FLOOD PROTECTION, WATER QUALITY, AND WATER USE
FOOD ACCESS
Download healthy food access map (PDF)
RECRUIT A GROCERY STORE IN THE EAST COLFAX NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPROVE PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS TO FOOD STORES
SUPPORT SMALL GROCERS & CORNER STORES
EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHY PREPARED MEALS
SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY
INCORPORATE FOOD ACCESS INTO HOUSING
SUPPORT MORE WIDESPREAD FOOD GROWING/PRODUCTION
SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FARMERS MARKET
1st Draft of Plan Recommendations Survey Results: Below are the results of the online survey seeking feedback on draft plan recommendations that were first released in May 2019.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Bolster the healthcare and wellness sector as the foundation for economic growth
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Provide more small, professional office spaces
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Preserve and improve locally-owned businesses that serve the community
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Preserve housing affordability and keep current residents in the area
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Create new affordable housing near transit and amenities
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Provide more diverse and affordable housing options in all neighborhoods
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Increase access to supportive housing and social services for vulnerable residents
Total respondents: 506
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Allow additional building height near transit in exchange for community benefits, such as affordable housing, public open space, preservation of an existing building, and community-serving businesses.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Use design guidelines and design review to encourage better design and walkability on key streets, such as commercial centers and corridors.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Ensure new homes in residential areas fit with the existing character by modifying zoning standards (building coverage, side setbacks, length of 2-story side walls, height, etc.)
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Discourage demolition and encourage renovations and additions.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Improve housing options near transit by allowing homeowners to add units in exchange for keeping most of the original building (for example, by converting a single-unit home into a duplex, instead of scraping it to rebuild).
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Take steps to establishing historic or "conservation overlay" districts in key areas.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Preserve Colfax's character while encouraging new development.
Total respondents: 382
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Make streets safer and easier to use for people walking, biking, using wheel chairs, or taking public transit.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Improve the bike lane network, making it safer and more connected.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Make intersections safer by reducing pedestrian, bicyclist, and driver exposure to crashes.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Provide more opportunities for pedestrians and bikes to safely cross major streets.
Question: Make buses easier to use by providing more routes, added stops, and less waiting time.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Encourage slower traffic speeds near parks and schools by lowering speed limits, adding better pedestrian crossings, and increasing visibility at intersections.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Provide options for more effective use of the transportation system.
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Implement strategies for efficient and equitable use of curbside space.
Total respondents: 358
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Create a pedestrian network linking Historic Parkways with other parks and open spaces
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Develop new "Contemporary Parkways" that improve walkability, bikeability and transit options, and connect parks and open spaces
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Enhance existing open spaces, parks and recreation facilities
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Create new open spaces, parks, and recreation facilities, in line with Denver's new Game Plan for a Healthy City
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Improve tree coverage along streets
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Strengthen development standards that protect trees during building projects
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Design and implement "green infrastructure", using plants and unpaved ground to help manage water cycles naturally
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Encourage sustainable water practices, including stormwater management, flood protection, water quality, and water use
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Recruit a grocery store in the East Colfax neighborhood
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Support small grocers and corner stores
Question: How do you feel about this recommendation: Support the offer of healthier food options at existing restaurants and retail establishments
Total respondents: 302
East Area Kickoff Survey: From the summer of 2017 to the spring of 2018, the East Area planning team attended neighborhood meetings throughout the plan area and used an online survey to gather input from more than 1,100 people to learn more about their hopes and concerns on the East Area neighborhoods. The results, summarized below, were used to identify key topics to be addressed in the neighborhood plan.
Question: What do you like most about the East Area?
Responses: 1,164
Top six most frequent responses:
Question: "What are your biggest concerns about the East Area, now and in the future?
Responses: 1,021
Top six most frequent responses"
Question: What is your big idea to improve the East Area?
Top 6 most frequent responses:
Total respondents: 759
The predominant themes of the community’s big ideas were safety and revitalization along Colfax. Improved walkability was a popular topic, particularly through easier street crossings, traffic calming, better lighting and improved sidewalks. Similarly, many respondents suggested beautifying and activating Colfax by adding trees and streetscaping; helping to foster growth in new local and independent retail and restaurants; cleaning up trash; reducing crime and potentially transitioning the street’s motels into higher-quality affordable housing, artists’ live-work studios, or other non-traditional group living spaces.
Question: "Please tell us what neighborhood amenities are important to you. These can be amenities that exist today or ones you would like to see in the future. The top amenities for me in the East Area are…"
Responses:
Total respondents: 968
Food and fun dominated the list of top amenities for residents in the East Area. Ranked highest were Grocery Shopping and Dining, both choices that were selected as “top 3” by the majority of respondents, followed by Other Retail and Entertainment, and Recreational Activities. Respondents expressed much less interest in prioritizing economic development amenities like childcare, educational opportunities, and office space.
Question: "Please tell us how friendly the East Area is for pedestrians, including the quality of sidewalks and ease of access to amenities. Walking in the East Area is . . ."
Many felt that walking was not very safe on and around Colfax due to speeding cars, difficult crossings, and crime. There is also a well-documented lack of sidewalks in some areas, as well as sections of sidewalks needing repair.
Source: East Area Kick-Off Survey, 2017
Question: "Please tell us how friendly the East Area is for cyclists, including the quality of bicycle facilities and ease of access to amenities. Biking in the East Area is . . .
Respondents asked for more and better bike facilities, specifically to improve connectivity between bike lanes and provide better access to local transit stops.
Source: East Area Kick-Off Survey, 2017
Question: "Please tell us how often you use public transit in the East Area. I take East Area local transit . . ."
Most community members surveyed stated they take local public transit rarely (30%) or never (36%). Many provided comments stating local transit options are not reliable enough, or should run more frequently. Some respondents also noted that transit amenities (such as bus shelters) should be improved, especially along Colfax.
Question: "Please tell us about housing options in the East Area by selecting all that apply. The East Area has good housing options for…”
Many community members felt that the area lacks affordable housing options for many groups and, further, that housing costs in the area are rapidly increasing. Respondents expressed concern that this would lead to less diversity in the area over time, and that new, higher-density and expensive housing development was affecting the area’s historical character.
Question: "Please tell us your opinion on the businesses in the East Area. The local businesses in the East Area _____ my daily needs."
The community agrees that businesses in the East Area meet “most” or “some’ of their daily needs, and that the area’s local, independent businesses are part of what makes it a great place to live. However, many also expressed concern about certain pockets of Colfax they felt have too many fast food restaurants, too many empty store fronts, and generally a lack of retailers that serve the community’s needs.
Question: "Please tell us how safe you feel in the East Area. I feel safe in the East Area . . . "
While most of the community reported feeling safe “usually” in the East area (67%), many also expressed concern with local crime, drug use in public areas, and panhandling. Many respondents left comments reporting what they felt was an increase in local property crime, and some stated they did not feel safe walking along Colfax.
The East Planning Area includes the statistical neighborhoods adjacent to Colfax Avenue between Colorado Boulevard and Yosemite Street (Denver's eastern city limit), including South Park Hill, Montclair, Hale, and East Colfax. The area contains many great community assets, such as historic parkways, the Rose Medical Center, Johnson and Wales University, and many unique, locally-owned businesses. The area is experiencing some significant changes, such as the 9th and Colorado mixed use project, as well as plans to add Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Colfax Avenue. Two of the four neighborhoods, South Park Hill and East Colfax, have out of date plans, while Hale and Montclair have no plans at all. The Neighborhood Planning Initiative provides a great opportunity to establish the community’s vision for maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in these neighborhoods for decades to come.
Currently, the East planning area is zoned according to the following breakdown:
58% | Urban edge context |
30% | Urban context |
5% | Former Chapter 59 (Old Code) Zoning |
5% | Other (Campus, Open space, Urban center contexts) |
5% | General Urban context |
To help inform the NPI Strategic Plan, the city developed data-based indicators of planning need at the neighborhood scale. Click here to read more about the indicators.
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Regional destinations |
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Natural features |
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Key corridors |
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