Denver City Council Rezonings

150 Units Ignites Debate

September 29, 2022

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Madison Mixed-use

Cherry Creek | 0.29 acres | 115-150 Units | Approved

3 stories, 45' height rezoned to 5 stories, 70'.

This "Vision for a town center at this property" (Owner, Travis McAfoos) was approved to bring 115-150 units to the neighborhood of Cherry Creek.

Out of 200 residents that responded to a survey about the project, 69% were opposed.

Bill Tanner, representative of the Cherry Creek East Association Board, led the opposition.

There is a height map in the Cherry Creek area plan that shows this property as a 3-story limit. This was the main reason against the project.

Travis signed a good neighbor agreement, adding street lighting the day before this meeting. Trash services, construction parking, street improvements, bicycle improvements, are all addressed in the agreement.

He also mentioned they will be looking to Cherry Creek East for architectural guidance, but they haven't created a site plan yet.

The Staff was in support because they found consistency with the adopted plans. The following points affected their decision.

  • Guidance from a current small area plan

  • Surrounding context, including existing and planned building height

  • Transitions, including transitions from higher intensity to lower intensity areas

  • Adjacency to transit, especially mobility hubs

  • Achieving plan goals for community benefits, including affordable housing

  • Furthering urban design goals

Namely, there are 15-story buildings to the north.

When Council asked why this project wasn't CMX-3, staff said they're not in real estate but pointed out that there must be a reason why it hadn't been developed before.

"That's a little frightening." Council said, mentioning how if nothing happened to a site that there should be a rezoning."There are so many parcels in the city that reasoning could be applied to."

The application was carried by the developer committing to 10% of housing at 60% area median income (AMI). The affordable housing will be dispersed throughout the project.

If they provide more affordable units the new G-RX-5 zoning allows up to 7 stories. The development team said they do not plan to use this density bonus.

Owner: Travis McAfoos LinkedIn
Developer: Brian Levitt Phone: 303-809-8887 Email: [email protected]

York St ADU

There was one concern with this project, but it was with Short Term Rentals and not ADUs.

Humbolt St ADU

This ADU is neighbors with multi-unit buildings to the east.