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Image: RTD www.denvergov.org/38Blake

38th & Blake Station AreaHeight Amendments

February 10th, 2016

• Open House, Introductions (5:30 – 6:00)

• Presentation (6:00 – 6:30)• Current Plans for 38th & Blake Station Area

• Unclear and inconsistent height recommendations

• Opportunity to refine these recommendations

• Worksheet & Discussion Activity (6:30 – 7:00)

• Panel Discussion (7:00 – 7:30)

38th & Blake Station AreaHeight Amendments

Tonight’s Agenda:

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Along the Corridor of Opportunity, as envisioned by Mayor Hancock

NDCC – North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative

22.8 Miles, $1 billion

Corridor of Opportunity: University of Colorado A Line - opens April 2016!

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University of Colorado ‘A’ Line

Corridor of Opportunity: April 2016!

Corridor of Opportunity: April 2016!

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University of Colorado ‘A’ Line

Corridor of Opportunity: April 2016!

38th & Blake Station PlatformGateway to Downtown

(2014) (2014)  (2015) 

5 Applicable Plans for the Station Area

(2003)  River North Area

(2011) Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods

(2009) 38th & Blake Station Area

T

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Why amend building height recommendations from the plans?

• Overlapping Plans with inconsistent height recommendations

• Greatest intensity / tallest building heights are not adjacent to the platform

• Some language describes a potential range of stories, but lacks  clear criteria for achieving maximum heights

• Conditions have changed since 2003 (e.g. NWC Stays, I‐70 EIS)

• This area is growing, need channel growth in appropriate patterns, urban forms

GlobevilleGlobeville

Northeast DowntownNortheast Downtown

Cole

T

T

T

TElyria & SwanseaElyria & Swansea

40th ∙ Colorado

NWC

41st & Fox

Elyria Plan: 8* Needs More Discussion

* 12 stories could be 

appropriate in strategic locations

* Determined through 

discussion and collaboration with the community and applicable neighborhood organizations

T

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Changing Area Context

Brighton Boulevard Corridor Brighton Boulevard Corridor Station Platform

River North Park

Northeast Downtown Neighborhood & 38th & Blake Station Area Plans

T

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33

88

55 33

88

55

55

88

T

Downing

Downing

39th Ave.39th Ave.

37th Ave.37th Ave.

Bruce RandolphBruce Randolph

33

55

33

5533

55

8 +8 +

888 - 128 - 12

8 - 128 - 12

55

88

88

Current Building Height RecommendationsSummary of 5 Current PlansCurrent Building Height RecommendationsSummary of 5 Current Plans

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Planning Update ProcessRefine the station area vision with a focus on Building Heights . . .

STUDY AREA

43rd Ave43rd Ave

44th Ave44th Ave

46th Ave / I-7046th Ave / I-70

Was

hing

ton

Was

hing

ton

Dow

ning

Dow

ning

40th Ave40th Ave

High

High

Yor

k S

t.Y

ork

St.

T

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Goals of this Plan Amendment Process

1. Take a holistic look at future building heights within the station area

2. Clarify and resolve building height guidance from five plans

3. Incorporate all of the thinking of the surrounding current planning efforts

4. Create certainty for the community including neighborhoods, propertyowners and developers

GlobevilleGlobeville

Northeast DowntownNortheast Downtown

Cole

T

T

T

TElyria & SwanseaElyria & Swansea

40th ∙ Colorado

NWC

41st & Fox

• Representative from each neighborhood

• Acknowledges need to refine building heights

• Acknowledges the TOD vision in current plans

• Identified Elements for Successful TOD• Infrastructure Improvements & Mobility

• Affordability & Mixed Income Development

• Ground Floor Activation / Quality Pedestrian Realm

Steering Committee Input

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• Rejuvenation of communities• Protection of nearby neighborhoods• New or improved infrastructure & 

connections• Efficient use of infrastructure

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

• Mixed Uses (residential, retail, jobs & services)• Density (more people living or working near transit)

• Variety of housing options• Amenities (activities, entertainment, open space)

• Access to transit• Walkable/Bikeable• Less automobile use

Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

Stable Residential Neighborhood

Stable Residential Neighborhood

Arlington, VAMetrorail Station Areas

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Stable Residential Area

Stable Residential Area

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TOD Area (2012)

TOD Area 2007

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TOD Multi-Modal Mobility

Stable Residential Neighborhood

Stable Residential Neighborhood

Arlington, VAMetrorail Station Areas

51%

65%

81%

Near TOD TOD Region

1. Infrastructure Investments & Mobility

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45%

53%

71%

Near TOD TOD Region

1. Infrastructure Investments & Mobility

Density (Residents & Employees)

Daily Vehicle Trips per Unit

Vehicular Trips Decline as

Density Increases

Length of vehicle trips also decreases!

= Fewer miles traveled

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Brighton Boulevard Corridor Brighton Boulevard Corridor

NDCC Mobility Master Study

New Study Area

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2. Affordability & Mixed Income Development

Programs and Initiatives

OED invests In . . . • Affordable Housing• Non‐Profit Service Agencies• Job Training/Job Creation• Business Development

85 investments in Housing, Neighborhoods and Business:• Five Points • Cole• Clayton• Globeville• Elyria• Swansea• RiNo

Collective Impact Strategy Community Development

Programs and Initiatives

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• $1.35 M Housing Mitigation for I‐70 construction in Elyria/ SwanseaNeighborhoods.

• $1.5 M in the purchase of ULC’s 48th and Race site for future affordable housing development.

• $2.5 M in the Enterprise Foundation Community Partners TOD Fund for  land acquisition near existing and future light rail and commuter rail stops including a site at 38th and Blake.

Increasing Housing Funding CommitmentsPrograms and Initiatives

2015 ‐ $10.0 Million. Revolving Affordable Housing Loan Fund  (RAHLF)  

2016 ‐ $8.0 Million. General fund for affordable housing (development, land banking, and preservation of existing affordable housing units).

2016‐2017 Study of a permanent affordable housing funding mechanism to raise $15.0 M annually:• Mill levy Increase • Linkage fees on new development 

Goal: Build 6,000 new affordable housing units over the next 10 years.

Increasing Housing Funding SourcesPrograms and Initiatives

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• Commercial/Retail at ground level to activate streets

• Quality Pedestrian Realm

• Vibrant Mix of Uses

3. Desire for Ground Floor Activation (Less Active)

http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/160/300%20Ivy%20Street.html

Active ground level

Quality Pedestrian Realm

Vibrant Mix of Uses

3. Desire for Ground Floor Activation (More Active)

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http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/160/300%20Ivy%20Street.html

3. Desire for Ground Floor Activation (Creative, Networking)

Opportunity for Innovation!

• What excites you about the new station? 

• What do you want to see here?

• What are your concerns?

• Opportunities at the Station Area:• New Development 

• Infrastructure Investments

• Neighborhood Amenities

• Quality Urban Design

• Affordable Housing

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What is your Vision?Share your creative ideas and any concerns

• Positive or negative impacts

• Mitigating negative impacts

• Merits or drawbacks of current plan recommendations

• Mark up a map

• Color / hatch and label to indicate preferred building heights

• Refer to Image boards and reference sheets

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• Public Meetings (February to April)

1. Kickoff: Collecting ideas and feedback2. Early March: Continue conversation & explore 

alternatives3. Early April: Establish Preferred Alternative4. Late April: Open House review of draft plan amendments 

• Plan Amendments Adoption Process (May to July)

• Planning Board & City Council 

• Council‐Initiated Rezoning (August to October)• Available to opting‐in property owners

Planning Process

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38th & Blake Station AreaHeight Amendments

February 10th, 2016

Image: RTD www.denvergov.org/38Blake