This spring, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance that amends the building code to strengthen notification of adjacent neighbors when properties next to them will be demolished or excavation is about to occur. It is now required that one show proof of a minimum of 10 working days notification given to adjoining properties before a demolition permit will be issued by the city. The ordinance also broadened the definition of ‘adjacent’ to include the property across the alley.
This is just the beginning of a larger discussion. In addition to demolition notification requirements, a task force is discussing the possibility of reviewing demolition permit applications to filter out potentially historic buildings. The idea is to create an opportunity for discussion of alternatives to total demolition and the economic benefits of preservation.
The larger issue of how “scrape-offs” affect neighborhoods will be addressed by the city’s Zoning Code Task Force. The group will be holding a set of public meetings soon. For information on the meetings, please call: Councilman Rick Garcia at 303-458-4792, Councilman Doug Linkhart at 720-865-8000, or Councilwoman Carol Boigon at 720-865-8100.