Committee Co-Chairs Charles Nadler and Ean Tafoya convened the meeting. The following items were discussed.

1. Charles Nadler updated the committee on the very controversial proposal by 2 development companies, Urban Villages and Larimer Associates, to build a 40-story tower on the Lawrence Street side of the Larimer Square Historic District and a 12-story building on the Market Street side. The Larimer Square Historic District was the first historic district established in Denver. For these new buildings to be allowed, City Council would need to amend the ordinance which designated the district, which would be a major change and would set a bad precedent to bypass any review by the Landmark Preservation Commission. Historic Denver, Inc. is leading the opposition and several nearby neighborhood organizations are studying the proposals. Charles said that there will probably be a full discussion at the ZAP committee on June 23, with both sides making presentations.
2. Ean Tafoya updated the committee on the progress of updating Blueprint Denver and the Denver Comprehensive Plan.
3. Charles asked the committee to review the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation Platform for Denver Planning and Zoning, which was approved by the INC Delegation on November 8, 2014. He asked for volunteers who would be willing to serve on a short-term subcommittee to make suggestions for improvements by contacting him at charlesnadler2@gmail.com. Charles also said that INC should regularly monitor the progress or lack thereof of the INC platforms. Committee members made the following suggestions:

• The Board of Adjustment Zoning should notify neighborhood groups of the contact information for applicants when it sends its first Notices of Denials.
• RNOs should be notified by Excise and Licenses of applications for special events liquor permits.
• RNOs should be able to designate more than 2 persons to receive notices of rezonings, liquor and marijuana licenses, etc.
• The INC Zoning and Planning Platform should include mentions of the importance of environmental sustainability and also water management.

4. The committee had an interesting discussion of INC’s role in organizing RNOs, informing RNOs about city processes and the importance of working together.
5. The committee had a lengthy discussion about the position statement that INC sent to City Council and the Executive Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation on November 22, 2017 urging that “land designated as Zone District OS-A be subject to the planning and engagement processes of City Council, instead of the appointed Parks Executive Director” in order to “ensure a public voice is included in decisions made regarding the zoning and use of public parks.” No one responded to INC’s letter. INC President George Mayl said that he will re-send the letter and request a response. Tom Morris discussed the change in the Zoning Code as part of the 2010 revision of most of the Zoning Code which resulted in the transfer of responsibility for approving many use changes in parks from City Council to the Parks Director. The Committee discussed possible ways to accomplish the change, including petitioning for a charter change or an ordinance change. Tom Morris was requested to prepare a draft motion for consideration at the next ZAP committee meeting and also the INC Parks and Recreation committee.