University Park Neighborhood Plan Prepared by the Denver Department of Planning & Community Development September 8, 2008 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Community Planning & Development University Park Community Council Peter J. Park, Manager Special thanks to the University Park Community Mayor John W. Hickenlooper Katherine Cornwell Council and the University Park Steering Commit- Eric McClelland tee who volunteered their time and knowledge of Denver City Council Caryn Wenzara the neighborhood to ensure this plan refl ects the District 1 - Rick Garcia Tina Axelrad community’s values. District 2 - Jeanne Faatz Jim Ottenstein District 3 - Paul D. López Carolyne Janssen District 4 - Peggy Lehmann Jill Fagan (former CPD employee) District 5 - Marcia Johnson Chris Yake (former CPD employee) District 6 - Charlie Brown Alice Gilbertson (former CPD employee) District 7 - Chris Nevitt District 8 - Carla Madison Public Works District 9 - Judy Montero Gretchen Hollrah District 10 - Jeanne Robb District 11 - Michael Hancock - President Parks & Recreation At-Large - Carol Boigon Britta Herwig At-Large - Doug Linkhart Jill Wuertz Denver Planning Board University Park Plan Steering Committee Barbara Kelley, Chair Pat Barron Laura Aldrete Councilman Charlie Brown Brad Buchanan Pat Cashen Frederick Corn Ben Cooper Richard Delanoy Carolyn Etter William Hornby Royce Forsyth Anna Jones Greta Gloven Judith Martinez Diana Helper Bruce O’Donnell J. Peter Saint Andre Karen Perez Neil Krauss Jeffrey Walker Ellen Seymour Rosemary Stoffel David Trickett Anne Wall Bill Winn 4 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN 5 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .........................................................................................................................8 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................10 ◗ Purpose of the Plan ...........................................................................................................................................11 ◗ Study Area ............................................................................................................................................................12 ◗ Project Partners & Plan Process .......................................................................................................................13 ◗ Relationship to Existing Plans & Studies ........................................................................................................14 ◗ University Park History .....................................................................................................................................20 Demographics & Existing Conditions ..........................................................................................24 Vision Statement ............................................................................................................................50 Framework Plan .............................................................................................................................54 ◗ Urban Design & Land Use................................................................................................................................55 ◗ Parks & Preservation ..........................................................................................................................................74 ◗ Mobility ................................................................................................................................................................78 ◗ Economic Development ...................................................................................................................................86 District Plans .................................................................................................................................92 ◗ Single-Family Residential Neighborhood........................................................................................................95 ◗ Urban Neighborhoods .................................................................................................................................... 102 ◗ Main Streets ...................................................................................................................................................... 111 ◗ Mixed Use Boulevard ...................................................................................................................................... 118 Implementation Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 122 6 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN 7 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sustainable Growth. Forecasts estimate that the population of Denver will grow to 686, 636 residents by 2020 (an increase of 132,000 people over a twenty year period). To accommodate this growth the city developed an integrated land use and transportation plan, Blueprint Denver, to ensure that Denver evolves in a sustainable manner. The Blueprint Denver planning process revealed that existing zoning would not promote sustainable patterns of development, where land use could be closely linked to the transportation system. To reverse this problem, Blueprint Denver divided the city into two broad categories: 1. Areas of Change – where growth is desirable and may be closely linked to the transportation network. 2. Areas of Stability – where preservation of both the existing character and intensity of development takes precedence. Blueprint Denver designates University Park as an Area of Stability. The Area of Stability designation does not mean that no change will occur. However, minor infi ll and redevelopment in these areas should have a stabilizing effect on neighborhood character, with modest infi ll redevelopment or large projects occurring on a limited basis in a small area. Zoning & Urban Design Challenges. Existing zoning within University Park does not support its Area of Stability designation. The majority of the zoning in the neighborhood lacks suffi cient form- based design and development standards to ensure that new development is sensitive to the existing context. This plan explores the various zoning issues and recommends actions to reinforce the neighbor- hood as an Area of Stability, while capitalizing on investments that support transit and improvement to the neighborhood’s edges. Transportation Challenges. Two major transportation corridors form the eastern and western bound- ary of the University Park neighborhood. Pedestrian improvements along these streets will ensure neigh- borhood access to the light rail station areas and will strengthen the economic development potential of the corridors. As transit oriented redevelopment near the stations and along the corridors occurs, it will be particularly important to ensure the dedication of suffi cient right of way to handle increased pedes- trian loads. 8 UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Placemaking. Placemaking and character conservation will augment investment in the University Park area. Unlike other parts of the city, pressure to redevelop land in University Park is quite strong. A strong commitment to preservation and urban design quality means creating and tapping economic and regulatory incentives to build, maintain, restore and adaptively reuse architectural resources that add value and character to a place. Some new construction in University Park threatens the very things that have made the neighborhood a desirable place to live, such as deep setbacks, classic architecture, mature tree canopy. Preservation of existing historic resources, stabilization of established residential areas and promotion of high quality design in new construction need not be at odds with development objectives. Flexible standards that focus on conservation of cherised historic resources without prohibiting develop- ment in the surrounding area and promoting compatible development reinforces a vibrant, healthy and diverse urban environment. Cities thrive on variety – blending different places such as corridors with neighborhoods, and on a fi ner grained level, mixing a variety of building forms and site development pat- terns within these areas in a rational, orderly and compatible way contributes to a sense of place. The primary goals of this plan are: 1. Create a sense of place with identifi able districts that support discernible patterns of land development. 2. Promote high quality design, preserve historic resources and complement the traditional urban patterns of development. 3. Protect and enhance the mature tree canopy, the presence of generous front and back yard spaces and the outdoor recreational spaces (parks and trails) to preserve the sense a neighborhood in park. 4. Focus compact, mixed-use or high density residential development to places where it may be best integrated with the transportation system. 5. Provide a variety of housing options that appeal to young families and empty nesters. 6. Increase opportunities for formal and informal public gathering. 7. Connect residential areas and neighborhood gathering places with safe and attractive multimodal linkages. 8. Improve roadway safety for all modes of travel and enhance the convenience, ease and enjoyment of public streets for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. 9. Upgrade public infrastructure