Denver Community Planning and Housing Committee Meeting - September 29, 2026

The Community Planning and Housing Committee met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Room 391 of the City & County Building. The committee considered three major items: a landmark designation for 740 N. Washington St. (the Stone House), a rezoning for properties at 3343, 3345, and 3351 N. Mariposa St., and a briefing on the city’s cold weather shelter plans for the upcoming season. The committee voted to forward the landmark designation and rezoning to full City Council and received an informational update on shelter operations.

Consent Calendar

• Item 26-1402: Approved an amendment to a contract with The Salvation Army adding $100,000 for a new total of $3,336,638 to provide rapid resolution services for families experiencing housing instability and homelessness, citywide.
• Item 26-1403: Approved a contract with the State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs for $1,722,590 for construction of 28 middle-income row homes at Loretto Heights in Council District 2.
• Item 26-1404: Approved an amendment to a contract with The Delores Project adding $850,000 and extending the term by 12 months (new total $3,503,278, end date 12-31-2028) to provide rapid rehousing services for 30 families experiencing literal homelessness, citywide.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was heard during the committee meeting. For the landmark designation, staff reported one letter of support from Historic Denver and two speakers in favor at the Landmark Preservation Commission. For the rezoning, 10 public comments and one letter of support were submitted during the application process, including a letter from the registered neighborhood organization (RNO) Honey (Highland United Neighbors).

Discussion Items

Landmark Designation – 740 N. Washington St. (The Stonehouse)

• Presentation: Becca Dierschow, Senior City Planner, presented the application for owner-supported landmark designation of the Stone House, built in 1891. The property meets three of ten significance criteria: association with historic development patterns, maintaining visible characteristics of an architectural style (Queen Anne with Romanesque and Shingle style accents), and being a significant example of the work of architects Varian and Sterner. The period of significance spans 1891 to 2005 to capture the building’s conversion from single-family to apartments/office and back to single-family.
• Owner Testimony: Joe Mastercoy, co-owner, explained their motivation to codify the home’s history, including its connection to General H.C. Merriam (first Union general to lead an all-African American battalion). He noted the designation ensures the story becomes public record.
• Committee Questions: Councilmember Alvidrez asked about current use and motivations. Councilmember Torres clarified that the property is already in the East 7th Avenue Historic District, so design standards are similar. Councilmember Sandoval highlighted the importance of preserving stories associated with people of color.
• Motion: Councilmember Sawyer moved to forward the designation to full council, seconded by Councilmember Alvidrez. Passed unanimously.

Rezoning – 3343, 3345, 3351 N. Mariposa St.

• Presentation: Will Prince, Senior City Planner, described the request to rezone three parcels (total ~9,000 sq ft) from C-MX-5 and U-TU-B2, DO-4 to U-RX-3 to enable development of new housing as a transition between commercial and residential areas. The site is in the Highland neighborhood (Council District 1). The application aligns with the Comp Plan, Blueprint Denver, and the Near Northwest Area Plan. The zoning change is designed to support missing middle housing and affordability.
• Applicant Testimony: Rob Weathers, owner of the parcels, confirmed they are being assembled. The southern parcel has a 115-unit apartment building under construction. The rezoning will allow a transition to duplex/single-family scale to the north. Community engagement included multiple meetings with the RNO Honey, distribution of 300+ flyers, and a public event.
• Committee Questions: Councilmember Sawyer asked about parcel assembly and street designations. Councilmember Torres asked about the existing house (currently vacant, used as staging for the adjacent development). Councilmember Sandoval noted the rezoning supports the neighborhood plan and addresses gentrification concerns.
• Motion: Councilmember Alvidrez moved to forward the rezoning to full council, seconded by Councilmember Torres. Passed unanimously.

Cold Weather Shelter Briefing

• Presentation: Cole Chandler (Executive Director, HOST) and Jeff Kasipsky (Deputy Director) provided an update on two topics:
  1. Family Emergency Shelter at 4280 N. Columbine St. (Council District 9): A former CoreCivic site purchased in early 2025, to accommodate up to 20 families (~60 individuals). It will serve as an entry point for families, with a target length of stay under 30 days. Capital improvements funded by a $1 million allocation approved in June 2026. Community engagement began in August, with a meeting on September 15. A service contract will come to committee this fall.
  2. Cold Weather Shelter Season (2026-2027): Planning for up to 80 activation nights (worst-case). Capacity targets: 600 single adults in 24/7 sites and 200 families via hotel vouchers. Key data from past seasons: 70 nights activated in 2024-25, under 40 nights in 2025-26 (milder winter). Average nightly adult usage dropped from ~420 to ~320. Family usage from ~200 to ~100.
• Site Locations: Primary adult sites: 2601 W. 7th Ave. (Council District 3), 375 S. Zuni St. (Council District 7), and a proposed structure at 40th & Monroe (former tiny home village, Council District 9). A community meeting for the Monroe site is scheduled for October 8 at 5:30 PM. Family sites include the new Columbine shelter and contracted motels.
• Committee Questions and Concerns:
  • Councilmember Watson thanked staff for collaboration on the Columbine site and noted ongoing discussions about the Monroe site.
  • Councilmember Torres raised issues about encampments forming near shelters during activation. Jeff Kasipsky explained outreach efforts and that people are rarely asked to leave (only for violence). Torres emphasized the need for good neighbor practices and requested better coordination with schools for the Zuni site.
  • Councilmember Romero Campbell asked about bathroom facilities (shared, central), outdoor space, parking (street parking only), and coordination with Denver Public Schools for transporting children. Staff confirmed they are working with DPS on McKinney-Vento transport and will follow up on outdoor improvements.
  • Councilmember Alvidrez asked about procedures when shelters are not activated, data on why people remain unsheltered, and safety protocols for non-binary and transgender clients. Staff noted they collect case notes and are agile in meeting special needs.
  • Councilmember Torres asked about budget flexibility for unused activation nights (HRF funds can carry over).
• No motion was taken; the briefing was informational.

Key Outcomes

• Landmark Designation (26-1405): Forwarded to full City Council unanimously. Public hearing tentatively scheduled for November 9, 2026.
• Rezoning (26-1406): Forwarded to full City Council unanimously. Public hearing tentatively scheduled for November 9, 2026.
• Cold Weather Shelter Briefing: No formal action. Staff will continue community engagement for the Monroe shelter site (October 8 meeting) and return with a service contract for the Columbine family shelter later this fall. The committee stressed the importance of good neighbor agreements, transportation, and safety protocols.