INC ZONING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES -February 23, 2013
By Michael Henry, Committee Chair

Katherine Cornwell, who will direct the Denver Historic Survey, co-sponsored by Historic Denver, Inc., and the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission, known as Discover Denver, discussed the survey with the committee. The current phase of the survey is to test technology-based survey methodology so that a citywide survey can be done, similar to what has been done in Los Angeles. A master consultant will be hired in March and a 3-part pilot project should be finished in 2014 and then the citywide survey will begin. Many different sources of information, including past surveys will be included. The 3 pilot areas have not been finalized yet. Get more information from Katherine at kcornwell@historicdenver.org or 720-333-5283. Katherine said “We will need lots of help from the community. In particular, we need volunteers who will want to train to be field surveyors and actively participate in this effort. We hope to finalize all of this technology prep so that the beta-testing in the field may start this summer. As we get closer to that next step, I would love to know that I can count on INC to be a partner who will help us reach out to the RNOs to cultivate a volunteer corps of field surveyors.”

Michael Elliott, the executive director of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group (MMIG), discussed his group’s role in helping develop Denver and state policies and procedures for regulating possession and use and sale of recreational marijuana, as authorized by the passage by the voters of Amendment 64 last November. He said that there are currently almost 500 licensed medical marijuana centers in Colorado. The state legislature and City Council will be developing statutes and ordinances later this year. He said that he agreed with most of the recommendations from INC to minimize harmful impacts on neighborhoods, which INC President Larry Ambrose presented to the Special Issues Committee of the Denver City Council.

Committee members Michael Henry, Joel Noble and Margie Valdez summarized for the committee the progress of a working group established by the Department of Excise and Licenses to review the draft of updated policies and procedures regarding liquor and cabaret licenses. The latest draft indicates:

· There will be more consistency in the language and procedures

· Notification boundaries will be more consistent

· “Temporary” premises modification, such as for “temporary” patios, will be limited to 10 days

Also, the Department is considering whether there can be website-listing of non-renewal hearings and show-cause hearings, so that the public will be informed of these important hearings. The Department will notify all Registered Neighborhood Organizations when the draft is completed and set a date for an administrative hearing to consider testimony before adopting new policies and procedures. The Department has indicated there will be at least 45 days between the date of the notification and the hearing. All neighborhoods concerned about liquor and cabaret licenses should carefully review the draft and consider giving testimony.

Rosemary Stoffel mentioned that this year’s Doors Open Denver program will be on April 13-14.Those wishing to attend and/or volunteer can visit www.doorsopendenver.org .

Wayne New of Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association recounted the recent bitter rezoning of 245 Columbine Street (the former post office) and the ongoing battle over how much greater density and height should be permitted, with its attendant traffic and parking problems. The neighbors are especially concerned that no comprehensive traffic studies have yet been performed.

INC President Larry Ambrose recommended that the Committee and other neighborhood representatives develop a Zoning Platform, similar to the Parks Platform developed and used by the INC Parks Committee, to be used by INC to advocate for city zoning and planning decisions that support neighborhoods. The Committee will work on this in the next few months.