Washington Park East Neighborhood Association

Sept 2003 - Neighborhood Support Needed to Save Quick Wins II

Aug 30, 2003

Neighborhood Support Needed to Save Quick Wins Two

Neighborhoods across Denver are being threatened by possible repeal of the Quick Wins Two zoning ordinance adopted by City Council last December. It balances the need to protect neighborhood character and the need for new residential construction. Despite a mandated review scheduled in March, 2004, opponents have put the issue on the November ballot.

If voters repeal Quick Wins Two, the previous ?“pop top?” ordinance would go back into effect and ?“long houses?” could continue to be built for as long as 10 years. Supporters have mounted a grassroots campaign, ?“SAVE Quick Wins ?– Vote NO!?”, to convince voters to keep the ordinance. ?“Neighborhoods would be powerless to do anything to protect themselves against overbuilt houses if this is repealed,?” said campaign chairman Bob Hickman. ?“As the desirability of living in Denver grows, all our city?’s neighborhoods will be impacted.?”

Quick Wins Two increases the amount of required open space, as well as limiting height in the rear yard to one story. This preserves back yard privacy, sunshine to neighboring houses, and a sense of openness. At the same time, it allows large new homes and additions; a 4200 square foot home may be built on a 50 foot wide lot. ?“You can still live in established neighborhoods and build a big house or addition,?” said Hickman. ?“However, Quick Wins Two preserves the rights of neighbors and neighborhoods, too.?”

Architectural diversity is increased because more house may now be built in the front portion of a lot. This includes the classic Denver Square, prohibited under the previous ordinance. Quick Wins Two reduces required open space for smaller lots and provides incentives for detached garages and front porches.

Support has been received from the Denver Community Planning and Development Department, the Planning Board, Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (which represents neighborhoods throughout Denver), Historic Denver, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the majority of former City Council members, but Hickman said the campaign will not be an easy one. ?“This will be long and arduous, and we need tremendous support ?– both funding and volunteers ?– to be successful.?”

To help, vote NO! in November and contact neighborhood coordinator Diane Wolta at 303-759-4089 or dwol99@msn.com to volunteer or schedule speakers. For information on ?“SAVE Quick Wins ?– Vote NO!?”, contact campaign chairman Bob Hickman at 303-863-9484 or bnlhick@aol.com, or check the ?“SAVE Quick Wins ?– Vote NO!?” website at: www.savequickwins.org. To provide funding, make checks out to ?“SAVE Quick Wins ?– Vote NO!?” and send to: Nell Swiers, Treasurer, P.O. Box 40875, Denver, CO 80204
(Press Release provided by the Save Quick Wins II - Vote No! Committee)