South Platte River Committee Reviews and Approves Southwest Area Plan - February 11, 2026

The South Platte River Committee of Denver City Council met on February 11, 2026, to review and vote on the Southwest Area Plan, a neighborhood plan covering five Southwest Denver neighborhoods. The plan, developed over approximately 20 months, includes recommendations on land use, mobility, and quality of life, shaped by extensive community outreach. The committee voted unanimously to forward the plan to the full City Council for consideration, with a condition that the document be edited for clarity and correctness.

Discussion Items

• Fernando Abud of Community Planning and Development (CPD) presented the Southwest Area Plan, covering the neighborhoods of Westwood, Marley, Ruby Hill, Admar Park, and Overland. Key statistics: the area includes about 52,000 residents, the majority Hispanic or Latino, with a younger population and larger households. Outreach included 23,000 postcards, a kickoff meeting with over 200 attendees, nearly 40 community events, and an advisory committee of 22 members with nine meetings.
• The plan’s six community priorities: diverse cultural hubs, safe communal spaces, housing stability and options, integrated industry, improved infrastructure, and natural resources (including the South Platte River). Focus areas include Morrison Road, Westwood, Marley Shopping Center, Federal Boulevard, Alameda Square, Mississippi Avenue Shopping Center, and Riverside Communities.
• Council President Sandoval commended the culturally relevant recommendations and confirmed that the plan includes language that the South Platte River serves as an important ecological and recreational amenity, consistent with other area plans. He noted the rapid timeline and thanked CPD and the community for their work.
• Councilwoman Alvidrez reflected on extensive community outreach efforts, including door-knocking and a book club on The Color of Law to educate residents on zoning. She raised concerns about industrial zoning, air quality issues, and lack of guidance on data centers and water usage. She noted the plan documents historic wrongs but does not solve all problems. CPD responded that data centers are a new use not yet in the code, and the plan recommends further study of their impacts.
• Councilman Flynn expressed concern about the inclusion of the “missing middle” concept in suburban contexts (e.g., Marley), noting that the concept is still under consideration and not yet adopted by City Council. He requested follow-up on that section.
• Committee Chair Torres praised the advisory committee’s engagement and the plan’s benchmarks from the previous Westwood plan. She confirmed that a legislative rezoning package will follow the plan.

Key Outcomes

• The South Platte River Committee voted unanimously to forward the Southwest Area Plan to the full Denver City Council with the condition that the document be edited for clarity and correctness. This includes a change in the future place designation of a Denver Housing Authority property on Knox Court from low residential to low-medium residential (already corrected in the document).
• The Planning Board had previously approved the plan on January 21, 2026, with the same condition and a vote of 7-0 (unanimous, though the transcript’s “720” is unclear). During that hearing, advisory committee members and the Admar Park Neighborhood Association expressed support, while one member of the public spoke in opposition.
• The plan is recommended for adoption based on its inclusive community process, consistency with Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver, and its 20-year long-term view (to 2045).