[MissoulaGov] Re: Denver’s Revamped Zoning Code Could Set Precedent

[hdgray at modwest.com]

Russ,

I am not to excited about what I read in the article.  Sounds like the
Zoning office has to much say of what can be done on Private property that
has nothing to do with Public safety. Denver's Architectural expression
will be lost (or greatly watered down) I feel because new ideas will not
"Fit in" and the mistakes of the past will be the Hallmark of future
development. If this Preserve at all cost mentality was used over the
centuries we would be living in Greek temples or dugouts in the side of
Mount Jumbo today to preserve the status quo. (I have seen the
neighborhoods in Denver that were raised and know what it means to the
area.)

I would not enjoy living in a city that did not appreciate its history and
the means from which it was developed. Our Downtown alone has been
replaced many times since its inception. Check out the original Plat for
the Downtown area its very interesting. I do not believe the Downtown
Master Plan wants the now historic downtown buildings removed to restore
the original neighborhood of farms and single family homes that were
raised to make way for the new development.

When zoning gets away from its Public safety purpose of Height, Use and
Setbacks it begins to fail it's community.  New developments becomes out
of reach of the local population because of mandatory design standards
that favor expensive amenities of the rich that the average citizen cannot
afford.  Who wants to legislate average and mediocre architecture that is
within the means of the population? Zoning should be simple, predictable
and to the point.

Anything more then that should be under covenants and neighborhood
associations control. So every person involved is very aware of what
happens to their neighbors when such ideas are put forth as the answer to
the neighborhood problems.

Sincerely,
David V. Gray


>

>         Denver’s Revamped Zoning Code Could Set Precedent

>         <http://matr.net/article-35599.html>

>

> http://matr.net/article-35599.html