OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Denver Community Planning and Housing Committee Meeting – September 1, 2026

Council Committees — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyDenver, Colorado
SessionCouncil Committees
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Welcome back to this weekly meeting of the Community Planning and Housing Committee with Denver City Council.

0:10

Your community planning and housing committee starts now.

0:20

Alright, good afternoon, everyone.

0:23

It is Tuesday, September 1st.

0:25

This is the Community Planning and Housing Committee.

0:27

I'm Amanda Sawyer.

0:28

I'm actually not the chair of this committee, I'm the vice chair, but I'm covering for Councilmember Sandoval who is out today.

0:34

So thanks for joining us.

0:35

Before we get started, let's do a quick round of introductions, and we're gonna start my left.

0:42

Daryl Watson, fine district nine.

0:44

Good afternoon, Federal Vidas, Lucky District 7.

0:46

Good afternoon, Diana Romero Campbell, Southeast Denver District 4.

0:50

Hello, Chantal Louis District 8.

0:51

Jamie Torres, West Denver District 3.

0:54

Alright, and I don't see any council members online.

0:57

So we have three action items today.

1:01

Two are gonna move in a block, so that will be our second piece.

1:04

The first is um a set of rezoning.

1:07

So Libby, if you want to introduce yourself and take it away, and I know that Councilmember Torres um is a sponsor of this, so she may want to make comments as well.

1:14

Councilmember Torres, you want to start or finish?

1:17

I'll finish.

1:18

Yeah.

1:19

Alright, take it away, Libby.

1:20

I'm Libby Glick with Community Planning and Development, and I will be presenting the rezoning for the Denver Housing Authority properties in Barnum and Barnum West.

1:29

So first we'll go through the request, then the location and context, followed by the process, and then finally ending with the review criteria.

1:37

So as you all know, Councilwoman Torres is sponsoring this rezoning on behalf of Denver Housing Authority.

1:42

So they own three properties that are highlighted on the screen.

1:45

And they're single and two unit, or they're all zoned single unit, and they're proposed to be rezoned to two unit.

1:52

So ESUDX to ETUC.

1:54

They're currently single and two unit residential structures, and DHA is proposing to allow tandem homes to be built on the back of the properties, and these homes will be income restricted to residents making up to 80% of the area median income.

2:08

And it's a part of their first phase of the single family plus affordable home ownership pilot project.

2:16

So this is located in Council District 3 in the Barnum and Barnum West neighborhoods.

2:23

The current zoning is urban edge single unit DX.

2:27

Most of these neighborhoods have that same single unit zoning, and then there's more mixed use in Main Street along First, Federal, and Sheridan.

2:36

The purpose of the Urban Edge 2 Unit C zone district is it's a two-unit district allowing urban houses, duplexes, tandem houses, and detached ADUs with a minimum zone lot size of 5,500 square feet.

2:51

So the current uses are single and two-unit residential.

2:55

Most of this area single unit with some two and multi-unit, and there's public quasi, public uses, and then some commercial and retail along the corridors.

3:05

So this shows the three sites that are proposed to be rezoned.

3:09

I'll note that the one in the middle is the one that currently has like two single family dwellings on it.

3:14

So it's one zone lot, two uh units, and I believe the plan is to split this lot and then do two tandem homes behind these existing homes.

3:25

So now we'll discuss the process.

3:28

So this was this application was complete at the end of July.

3:31

It went to Planning Board in mid-August.

3:34

We're here before you today for the committee meeting, and it will go to City Council on October 13th.

3:40

Um so as of the date of the staff report and when this was all sent to you or posted on Thursday, we had not received comments from the public or registered neighborhood organizations, but we did receive a comment over the weekend, I believe, from a neighbor of the property on Hazel that was in opposition to the rezoning, and they were citing just concerns over the current structure that it's kind of fallen into some disrepair.

4:05

And then they also felt that this was um did not comply with the West memo that came out, which is where you know CPD kind of had a because there's a lot of guidance in the West area plan for affordable housing, that we weren't gonna do a lot of rezonings from single unit to more intense zone districts unless there's an affordable housing agreement.

4:24

However, this is a DHA property, and so from staff's perspective, we feel that this is in line with that memo to go from single unit to a little bit more because it will have affordable housing on it.

4:38

Um so this went to planning board August 19th, and the board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning.

4:45

So now we'll discuss the review criteria.

4:48

There are three review criteria that must be met.

4:50

Consistency with adapted plans and needs to further the public interest and be consistent with the neighborhood context, zone district purpose, and intent statements.

5:00

So you can find more information on how this rezoning meets the strategies in the comprehensive plan in the staff report.

5:04

So I'll just talk about Blueprint Denver and West the West Area Plan in the presentation today.

5:10

So Blueprint Denver identifies this property as in the urban edge context, and the district they're applying for is in the urban edge context in the Denver zoning code.

5:20

The future places is low residential.

5:23

This is where duplexes are appropriate and can be thoughtfully integrated.

5:27

And then the future street types are local and residential, where we primarily see residential uses.

5:34

The growth area strategies, all other areas of the city where we anticipate to see 20% of new housing and 10% of new employment.

5:41

So this will allow for a slight increase in density on these within this area.

5:47

And then this application addresses equity by increasing the development of affordable housing in Barnum and Barnum West.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Housing Stability██████████████████████████████30%
Homelessness███████████████████19%
Affordable Housing██████████████████18%
Community Planning███████████11%
Public Engagement██████6%
Housing Preservation█████5%
Eviction Filings████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Racial Equity██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Denver Community Planning and Housing Committee Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Community Planning and Housing Committee of the Denver City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 20:30 UTC. Vice-Chair Amanda Sawyer presided in place of Chair Sandoval. Councilmembers present: Daryl Watson (District 9), Federal Vidas (District 7), Diana Romero Campbell (District 4), Chantal Lewis (District 8), and Jamie Torres (District 3). The committee considered three action items: a rezoning request for Denver Housing Authority properties (item 1252), and two items related to the Department of Housing Stability's (HOST) strategic plan continuation (items 1253 and 1254, moved together).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rezoning (Item 1252): A neighbor of the Hazel property submitted a letter opposing the rezoning, citing concerns over the current structure's disrepair and arguing it did not comply with the West Area Plan memo limiting single-unit to more intense rezonings unless tied to affordable housing. Councilmember Torres responded that the West memo does not stop such rezonings when affordability is delivered, and DHA addressed the property condition claims.
  • Strategic Plan (Items 1253-1254): Three public speakers testified:
    • Randy Kilborn (HSSA board member, lived experience) supported the one-year continuation plan, emphasizing the need to wait for housing needs assessment data.
    • Moeth Beisho (formerly homeless) opposed the plan, accusing HOST of falsifying data and mistreating people in shelters, calling the presentation 'bullshit.'
    • Melanie Lewis Dickerson (HSSA chair) supported the continuation plan, noting unanimous HSSA approval and praising the engagement process.

Discussion Items

1. Rezoning of Denver Housing Authority Properties (Item 1252)

  • Libby Glick (Community Planning and Development) presented the proposal to rezone three DHA-owned parcels in Barnum and Barnum West from ESUDX (single-unit) to ETUC (two-unit). The sites currently have single- or two-unit residential structures; DHA plans to build tandem homes on the back of the properties, which will be income-restricted to households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income. The properties are part of DHA's first phase of a single-family plus affordable homeownership pilot.
  • The rezoning supports Blueprint Denver's 'Low Residential' future place and the West Area Plan's height guidance (up to 2.5 stories). Staff found all review criteria met; the Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval on August 19.
  • Councilmember Torres, the sponsor, emphasized community engagement (an open house at Barnum Park, one tenant attended) and that existing tenants will not be displaced. DHA's Avet (via Zoom) confirmed that earlier rezoning from the Southwest Area Plan is moving through permitting (Glencoe Street and Thrill properties are ready for SUDP permits, others submitted). Councilmember Alvidres asked about land trust structure: DHA retains ownership, Habitat manages the land lease. Proposition 123 funding and HOST contributions will subsidize sales prices.

2. HOST Strategic Plan Continuation (Items 1253-1254)

  • Cole Chandler (HOST Executive Director) presented the department's original 2022-2026 strategic plan progress and the proposed one-year continuation plan for 2027. Key metrics from the original plan:
    • Achieved: Income-restricted homes increased from 7% to 8.1%; 1,424 affordable homes preserved (goal 950); unsheltered homelessness reduced by 64% (from 2023 baseline, exceeding 50% goal); ended street homelessness for veterans in 2024.
    • Not achieved: Cost burden rate increased (from 59% to 51% goal); BIPOC homeownership rate reached 43.2% (goal 45%); low/moderate homeownership declined; evictions filings rose to ~16,000 (goal 6,600); foreclosure filings among income-restricted units increased; veteran functional zero not fully met; newly developed and permanent supportive housing units slightly below targets.
  • The one-year continuation plan keeps most goals, with minor adjustments. New goals for 2027 include: deliver at least 930 newly developed units, preserve 490 units, prevent 700 households from becoming homeless, reduce overall homelessness by 30% (vs. 2024), maintain unsheltered point-in-time count at 350, serve 3,200 households in rehousing/supportive housing, and continue toward ending veteran homelessness.
  • The accompanying ordinance amendment allows HOST to submit a one-year plan while conducting a housing needs assessment (due December 2026) that will inform the next long-range strategic plan (to be brought to council by September 1, 2027, effective January 2028). An RFP for the long-range plan has been issued; vendor selection is underway.
  • Councilmember Watson (former HSSA chair) noted the original goals were intentionally aggressive and praised progress. Councilmembers Torres, Lewis, Romero Campbell, Alvidres, and Sawyer raised questions about eviction metrics, anti-displacement strategies, family homelessness, racial equity (particularly Black homeownership), and tracking return on investment by funding stream. Chandler acknowledged these concerns and committed to improved transparency and collaboration for the next plan.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1252 (Rezoning): Motion by Councilmember Lewis, second by Council President Romero Campbell. Passed unanimously by thumbs up. The rezoning will advance to full City Council on October 13.
  • Items 1253-1254 (Strategic Plan Continuation): Motion by Councilmember Torres, second by Council President Romero Campbell. Passed unanimously by thumbs up. The one-year continuation plan and associated ordinance changes will move to full City Council.

Note: All votes were taken without roll call; committee members indicated approval by raising hands.

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. Alright, good afternoon, everyone. It is Tuesday, September 1st. This is the Community Planning and Housing Committee. I'm Amanda Sawyer. I'm actually not the chair of this committee, I'm the vice chair, but I'm covering for Councilmember Sandoval who is out today. So thanks for joining us. Before we get started, let's do a quick round of introductions, and we're gonna start my left. Daryl Watson, fine district nine. Good afternoon, Federal Vidas, Lucky District 7. Good afternoon, Diana Romero Campbell, Southeast Denver District 4. Hello, Chantal Louis District 8. Jamie Torres, West Denver District 3. Alright, and I don't see any council members online. So we have three action items today. Two are gonna move in a block, so that will be our second piece. The first is um a set of rezoning. So Libby, if you want to introduce yourself and take it away, and I know that Councilmember Torres um is a sponsor of this, so she may want to make comments as well. Councilmember Torres, you want to start or finish? I'll finish. Yeah. Alright, take it away, Libby. I'm Libby Glick with Community Planning and Development, and I will be presenting the rezoning for the Denver Housing Authority properties in Barnum and Barnum West. So first we'll go through the request, then the location and context, followed by the process, and then finally ending with the review criteria. So as you all know, Councilwoman Torres is sponsoring this rezoning on behalf of Denver Housing Authority. So they own three properties that are highlighted on the screen. And they're single and two unit, or they're all zoned single unit, and they're proposed to be rezoned to two unit. So ESUDX to ETUC. They're currently single and two unit residential structures, and DHA is proposing to allow tandem homes to be built on the back of the properties, and these homes will be income restricted to residents making up to 80% of the area median income. And it's a part of their first phase of the single family plus affordable home ownership pilot project. So this is located in Council District 3 in the Barnum and Barnum West neighborhoods. The current zoning is urban edge single unit DX. Most of these neighborhoods have that same single unit zoning, and then there's more mixed use in Main Street along First, Federal, and Sheridan. The purpose of the Urban Edge 2 Unit C zone district is it's a two-unit district allowing urban houses, duplexes, tandem houses, and detached ADUs with a minimum zone lot size of 5,500 square feet. So the current uses are single and two-unit residential. Most of this area single unit with some two and multi-unit, and there's public quasi, public uses, and then some commercial and retail along the corridors. So this shows the three sites that are proposed to be rezoned. I'll note that the one in the middle is the one that currently has like two single family dwellings on it. So it's one zone lot, two uh units, and I believe the plan is to split this lot and then do two tandem homes behind these existing homes. So now we'll discuss the process. So this was this application was complete at the end of July. It went to Planning Board in mid-August. We're here before you today for the committee meeting, and it will go to City Council on October 13th. Um so as of the date of the staff report and when this was all sent to you or posted on Thursday, we had not received comments from the public or registered neighborhood organizations, but we did receive a comment over the weekend, I believe, from a neighbor of the property on Hazel that was in opposition to the rezoning, and they were citing just concerns over the current structure that it's kind of fallen into some disrepair. And then they also felt that this was um did not comply with the West memo that came out, which is where you know CPD kind of had a because there's a lot of guidance in the West area plan for affordable housing, that we weren't gonna do a lot of rezonings from single unit to more intense zone districts unless there's an affordable housing agreement. However, this is a DHA property, and so from staff's perspective, we feel that this is in line with that memo to go from single unit to a little bit more because it will have affordable housing on it. Um so this went to planning board August 19th, and the board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning. So now we'll discuss the review criteria. There are three review criteria that must be met.

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