ATTAINABLE HOUSING
Denver City Council Member Paul Kashmann reports changes have been proposed to how many unrelated people should be allowed to share a single-family home in Denver, as well as where group living facilities can be cited around the city. Today, only two unrelated individuals can share a home. The proposal that has been put forth by the Group Living Advisory Committee (GLAC) would increase that number to as many as eight in a home of 1,600-sq.ft or less, with another person allowed for every additional 200-sq.ft.
http://www.denvergov.org/groupliving
The GLAC in consultation with the Department of Community Planning and Development, will consider the feedback received, and put forth a Public Review Draft followed by a 30-day public comment period with “office hours” scheduled where residents can speak one on one with city staff. The proposal will go before the Denver Planning Board, City Council’s Safety committee and City Council.
To identify land that could potentially be developed for affordable housing, in May 2019, the Colorado Governor signed House Bill 19-1319 requiring each state agency and institution of higher education to submit a list of all non-developed land owned by or under control of the agency or institution. The Capital Development Committee, compiled the inventory for potential disposition on the Division of Housing’s website:
https://cdola.colorado.gov/inventory-nondeveloped-state-owned-land?mc_cid=a368927396&mc_eid=9f9898319f
MOBILITY
RTD’s Board of Directors selected Paul Ballard to serve as the interim General Manager and CEO. Ballard retired in April 2019 from Trinity Metro, which serves the city of Fort Worth, Texas, and its suburbs. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Nashville MTA and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee. Ballard has served as the head of public- and private-sector transit systems for more than 45 years.
https://www.rtd-denver.com/news-stop/news/looking-forward-to-working-you
RTD’s Board of Directors approved reducing service 40 percent beginning April 19 in reaction to a severe ridership drop amid COVID-19 lockdowns. Calling the recent 70 percent drop in ridership “surreal” and unprecedented, RTD directors said they hoped to restore service to the newly approved May plan whenever the economic impacts of the coronavirus begin to pass and ridership demand increases. RTD also announced in response to COVID-19 operational changes. Fare collection has been suspended on all buses and trains across the RTD system and rear-door boarding is allowed on buses, to provide a layer of social distancing. Service has been suspended on the 16th Street Free MallRide and Free MetroRide and service will be reduced to Saturday schedule for bus service and Sunday schedule for light rail service. Grocery delivery is available to Access-a-Ride Customers during the emergency – no fare is required.
https://www.rtd-denver.com/services/access-a-ride
The Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council (DRMAC) also maintains a list of options for transit/delivery services.
https://www.drmac-co.org/transportation-update-spreadsheet/
RTD Board meetings have moved to call-in only format. To listen in, call 855-962-1128 (no passcode is required). The public will continue to be able to address the Board – dial *3 once connected. RTD Telephone Town Halls will be April 16 through May 21. These events will cover updates from RTD Board members and leadership to discuss the agency’s response to COVID-19, ongoing safety considerations for riders and staff, as well as updates on RTD projects. The community is invited to participate over the phone or online to ask questions and hear the latest information. A list of events and details on how to participate will be available the week of April 6 at:
http://www.rtd-denver.com/town-hall
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has also suspended its Bustang and Outrider bus services. RTD will Receive $232 Million in Federal Funds through the federal stimulus package – the CARES Act. The funds may be used for any operations costs associated with COVID-19 such as protective equipment, cleaning supplies, salaries.
Denver City Council Member Jolon Clark reports the City of Denver has suspended enforcement of: parking meters; time-limited, non-metered parking areas; Residential Permit Parking areas; 72-hour parking limits; large vehicle parking; school bus loading zones and booting but will continue to enforce: fire hydrant zone clear areas (10 ft. clear around hydrants); “No Stopping” or “No Parking” zones to promote safety; loading zones; RTD transit stops; special parking permitted spaces, including accessible spaces, CarShare, church zones, fire zones; blocked driveways and alleys; parking in travel lanes, including bike and transit lanes.
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/environmental-health/news/coronavirus-info/parking-enforcement-during-covid-19.html
REAL ESTATE
Denver City Council Member Kendra Black reports the Yale Avenue Corridor Study will be hosting a virtual open house the evening of April 29. For project news, email: YaleCorridor@denvergov.org.
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transportation-infrastructure/programs-services/projects/yale-corridor.html
Denver City Council Member Amanda Sawyer reports Community Planning and Development (CPD) postponed the community open house of the East Area Plan and updates will be provided through email and on the project webpage. The East Planning Area neighborhoods—South Park Hill, Montclair, Hale, and East Colfax—contain many great community assets, including historic parkways, the Rose Medical Center, Johnson and Wales University, and many unique, locally-owned businesses. The area is experiencing some significant changes, such as the 9th and Colorado mixed use project, as well as plans to add Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Colfax Avenue. Two of the four neighborhoods, South Park Hill and East Colfax, have out of date plans, while Hale and Montclair have no plans at all.
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/planning-and-design/Neighborhood_Planning_Initiative/Planning-Areas/East_Area_Plan.html
