Denver Community Planning & Housing Committee – Jan 6, 2026
Denver Community Planning & Housing Committee Meeting – January 6, 2026
The Community Planning and Housing Committee of Denver City Council met on January 6, 2026, to consider three action items: a rezoning for Cross Purpose at 3050 North Richard Allen Court, a mini-bundle of text amendments to the zoning code, and a rezoning at 1965 North Virginia (1965 Verbena Street). All items were advanced to the full council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cross Purpose Rezoning: Eight letters of support were received, including one from the Skyland Neighborhood Association and one with 21 signatures from community members. No opposition was reported. Bob Schofield, Vice President of Campus Operations for Cross Purpose, stated the rezoning is needed to comply with state Behavioral Health Administration licensing requirements.
- Mini‑Bundle Text Amendments: Nine public comments were received during the 30‑day comment period; 60% related to ADUs. Commenters raised concerns about fairness of exempting Denver Housing Authority (DHA) from owner‑occupancy requirements and asked about permitting for self‑contracting ADUs. No testimony was given at the hearing.
- 1965 Virginia Rezoning: The applicant, Pavel (property owner), conducted door‑to‑door outreach and obtained a letter of support from the East Colfax Neighborhood Association, along with names and contact information of 41 supportive neighbors. No opposition was submitted. In his testimony, Pavel stated his goal was to add housing to help with the city’s housing crisis and noted his personal experience housing Ukrainian refugees.
Discussion Items
- Cross Purpose Rezoning (Legislative Rezone 25‑21‑47): Applicant requested rezoning from former Chapter 59 (R2A with waivers) to EMX‑2X (mixed‑use up to two stories, limited commercial) for a 67,000‑square‑foot site owned by Cross Purpose, a nonprofit serving over 1,000 graduates per year (87% employed after one year). Councilmember Watson (District 9) sponsored the rezoning. Staff noted the existing zoning does not permit behavioral health services as required by state license; EMX‑2X allows those uses by right. Planning Board approved unanimously on December 17, 2025. The committee voted unanimously to approve.
- Mini‑Bundle Text Amendments (Items 25‑2163 & 25‑2164): Fritz Clausen presented four topic areas: (1) expedited reviews for affordable housing under Proposition 123; (2) wireless telecommunications modifications per state law; (3) accessory dwelling unit (ADU) changes—exempting DHA from owner‑occupancy requirement and clarifying PUD allowances; (4) extending site development plan approval periods to 30 months. Council President Sandoval raised concerns about design review exemptions for fast‑track affordable projects and potential proliferation of wireless facilities; Councilmember Torres noted the 30‑month extension merely codifies existing practice. Councilmember Watson requested a one‑page clarifying document on ADU impacts. Staff recommended approval. The committee voted unanimously to advance to full council (motion by Torres, second by Sandoval).
- 1965 Virginia Rezoning (1965 Verbena Street): Applicant requested a change from ESU‑DX (minimum 6,000 sq ft lots) to ESU‑B (minimum 4,500 sq ft) to allow subdivision of a 9,000‑sq‑ft lot. Staff recommended denial, finding no established pattern of smaller lots in the surrounding blocks as required by Blueprint Denver. Planning Board recommended approval unanimously on December 3, 2025, citing consistency with growth strategy and gentle density. Councilmember Sawyer expressed reservations but supported moving the item to the full council for a broader conversation. Council President Sandoval noted the risk of setting a precedent that could circumvent the citywide “Unlocking Housing Choices” process. Applicant Pavel testified about his community engagement and desire to add housing. The committee voted unanimously to advance to full council (motion by Alvidrez, second by Lewis).
Key Outcomes
- Cross Purpose Rezoning: Approved unanimously; will go to full council for second reading and public hearing.
- Mini‑Bundle Text Amendments: Moved to full council unanimously (first reading tentatively January 20, public hearing February 17).
- 1965 Virginia Rezoning: Moved to full council unanimously; full council will deliberate on the staff‑planning board split recommendation.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome back to this weekly meeting of the Community Planning and Housing Committee with Denver City Council. Your Community Planning and Housing Committee starts now. No, there it is. We're on air, okay. Welcome to the Community Planning and Housing Committee of Denver City Council. It is January 6th. That's kind of a grim anniversary, actually. And we have, let's see, three action items today. Actually, four of them. Two of them will be together for a block vote, all from community planning and development. So we will do council member introductions, and then we will get rolling. I'm Sarah Parody. I'm one of your city council members at large, and I'll start on my right. Good afternoon. Diana Romero-Campbell, Southeast Denver, District 4. Today's my daughter's birthday, the David. Good day. Okay, good. I'll wipe out my other phone. I'll just replace it. Rural Vibras, Lucky District 7. Good afternoon. Darrell Watson, Fine District 9. Jamie Torres, Best Denver District 3. And then I think we have one member online. Yep. Hey guys, Amanda Sawyer, District 5. Welcome. All right. Edson and- oh, actually, Councilman Mervis, if you want to introduce yourself. I kind of, you know, jumped that away from you actually. Okay, Edison, if you want to start with 25-21-47. Actually, I'm going to let the council member, or do you want me to go? No, no, I can jump in. Council member Watson, co-president. Thank you, committee chair, and thank you so much, Edison, CPD, and the cross-purpose team for what has been a very collaborative process and the engagement with communities within District 9. I'm honored to sponsor this rezone as a legislative rezone. This is for the 3050 North Richard Allen Court in Skyland neighborhood property where Cross Purpose currently exists. Just a little background on Cross Purpose and obviously Edson and team are going to go into the specifics of the rezone, the why and why this has such great support across the community. The site is owned and operated by Cross Purpose, a trusted local nonprofit. The request would change the zoning from R2A to EMX2X. Cross-purpose provides licensed behavioral health services along with career and community development programs. Cross-purpose serves more than 1,000 graduates every year. 87% of the graduates are still employed one year later. However, their state license requires land uses that current zoning does not permit. And that's kind of what we're going to be discussing a little bit today.
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