Re-Zone in Denver to Allow ADU

[Steven Tawresey]

Hey everyone. I know there are lots of question on this site about Denver zoning regulations and their allowance for an ADU and I figured I share my recent experience working with the city and my neighbors on a 'spot rezone' of my primary residence from U-SU-B to U-SU-B1.

I bought this house in West Wash Park about a year ago and did a major remodel. One of the things that attracted me to the house when we bought it was an existing 2 car garage with an unfinished studio space above it. My intent when I bought the house was to live in the primary while working to get the ADU allowed through the City of Denver. Yesterday, the Planning Board recommended the rezone unanimously.

Part of the discussion on the board was about the City's intent to remove barriers for constructing ADU's, while they work on regulations that allow them city wide. There was some hints that this was being worked on currently.

The process is not a simple one. You need to fill out an application and provide a lengthy documentation process explaining what your intent is, how that intent aligns with the Denver's Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint Denver, and Housing an Inclusive Denver. All of these documents can be found online and there are very specific portions of these documents that promote the use of ADU's as a gentle growth strategy that the city supports. My application, along with all the other spot re-zones, can be found online here if you are wondering what the documentation actually looks like. https://www.denvergov.org/cont...

This was a very contentious issue in my old, established, mostly well-to-do neighborhood. I had to do community outreach to my neighbors and my local Resident Neighborhood Organizations. They both vehemently opposed the application. I did have a decent number of neighbors who supported my pursuit, but Nimby's are a lot louder than people who generally think density is a good thing. One neighbor even went door knocking for signatures on a petition to oppose the change.

That said, the planning board heard my desire to finish the space, listened to the neighbors complaints, listen to the RNO's opposition arguments, and still voted to unanimously approve the measure. 

From here, I still need a number of approvals from Land Use and Transportation, the City Council, and eventually, the Mayor's signature, but I know having the planning board support the measure is a great first step. 

Anyways, I figure some of you may be interested in going through this process. Reach out directly if you have any questions. I'll try to update this as the process continues. 

Cheers.