Architects for Responsible Growth

December 10, 2009


Council Members
City of Denver, Colorado


RE: Denver New Zoning Code


Dear Council Person,
We are a group of architects who practice in Denver. We have no formal organization, what brings us together is a shared vision for the future of our City. We believe that through responsible planning and zoning Denver can become a model sustainable community that many will follow. Vibrant neighborhoods, healthy urban lifestyle, walking, biking, public transportation, good schools and public safety all depend on the right mix of uses and appropriate density.

We are deeply concerned with the down zoning of 70% of urban neighborhoods currently zoned R2 to a Single Unit designation. In order to promote sustainable growth of Denver we should allow incremental increase of density in urban neighborhoods. In our opinion all areas currently zoned R2 should allow, at minimum, Two Unit developments. There are four basic types of Two Unit developments: the main house with accessory dwelling unit, top-and-bottom duplex, front-to-back and a side-by-side duplex. All four forms are historically present in our neighborhoods and hold tremendous potential in terms of affordable and environmentally responsible housing. We also support increased density zoning (allowing townhouses, multi-story condominiums and apartment buildings) in the areas adjacent to public transit.

Stability can only be achieved through responsible and sustainable growth. In order to preserve urban fabric of our historic neighborhoods it has to be continuously repaired and updated; without the maintenance colors will fade and the fabric will deteriorate. It is also important to preserve the economic value and land entitlements that the property owners have reasonably expected to see. Maintaining and encouraging development potential is crucial component of supporting growing economy.

Increased urban density and transit oriented communities are the future of city planning. We cannot afford to continue and actually increase the un-sustainable low-density single family pattern of the past. Responsible city planning is critical in terms of reducing our carbon footprint. Increased density in urban neighborhoods has a potential to:

• Allow more residents to move closer to downtown and thus reduce commute, pollution and traffic.
• Promote health by encouraging walking and biking.
• Increased public transit ridership.
• Utilizing existing infrastructure, utilities, roads and public services for new housing and less need for development of virgin land.
• Reduce municipal infrastructure cost.
• Allow options in terms of affordable housing and transportation.
• Improve performance of local schools.
• Reduce sprawl and increase quality of life.

We are grateful and honored to be a part of the process that will shape our City for many decades to come. Denver Zoning Code overhaul brings with it a great potential but also a responsibility. We are asking you not to see the new code as an opportunity to implement shortsighted agendas of the few, but as an obligation to the future generations. Let’s make sure that we are promoting a Sustainable City that our grandchildren will be proud of long after we are gone.


All persons endorsing this letter are architects who completed projects in Denver within last five years.


Gosia Kung, AIA, LEED AP
KUNGarchitecture


Niccolo Casewit, AIA
Environmental Productions


Joseph E. Simmons
BlueSky Studio


Michael Knorr
Michael Knorr & Associates, Inc


Michael Kephart, AIA, NCARB, Certified Green Professional, NAHB, ULI and CAASH.
Kephart Living


Michel Tavel, AIA
Michael Tavel Architects


Richard R Heinemeyer, AIA, LEED AP
CDFM Architectural


Rebecca (Becky) Alexis, AIA
Architect, Residential Contractor, Real Estate Broker with RE/MAX Southeast
HIVE Architecture, LLC


Sean M. O'Hara, AIA, LEED AP
EVstudio


Guy R. Nichols, AIA
Nichols Design Group, PC


Jim Schneck
MasterBuild Architects, Inc.


Gary Taipalus
Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Center for Sustainable Urbanism


Tobias Strohe
JG Johnson Architects


Paul Adams, AIA LEED AP
Earth and Sky Architecture


Dean Foreman, AIA, LEED AP
CARVELL PAGESOUTHERLANDPAGE


Jamie Miller, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP
Odell Architects, PC


Mark Kung, NCARB
KUNGarchitecture


Paul Brady, AIA
Godden|Sudik Architects