| | | Our building inspectors conducted 110,600 inspections in the first three quarters of 2012. |
| | | | Rocky Piro Named Manager of Community Planning & Development | 
| | Rocky Piro | Mayor Michael Hancock has appointed Rocky Piro as Manager for the Department of Community Planning and Development, following an international search. In his capacity as manager, Piro will be responsible for implementing visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building throughout Denver. Piro will begin his work at the city on December 10. "A smart, 21st century planning department depends on innovative ideas," Mayor Hancock said. "Rocky brings with him the knowledge to enact a global vision for Denver to help spur economic development while reinforcing the city's goals around sustainability and livability for our neighborhoods." A Denver native, Piro has worked with the Seattle-area's Puget Sound Regional Council since 1992 and currently serves as Program Manager of the Growth Management Department. Among his most notable achievements was the development of VISION 2040, a regional agreement on major new and emerging planning and policy issues -- including sustainability, climate change and public health. The Puget Sound region's integrated long-range planning strategy is recognized as one of the most pioneering and innovative regional plans in the United States. Read more about Rocky Piro. | |  City planners prepare plans and regulatory tools to guide Denver's future growth, enhancement and preservation. Our planners have been heavily involved in Denver's communities in 2012, working on area plans in places like Cherry Creek, Stapleton, Globeville and Sun Valley. Staff also completed a study of the entire South Platte River corridor, identifying several catalytic sites for development along the 11-mile span.
In 2013 staff will launch new planning initiatives in areas like the Golden Triangle, Lowry's Buckley annex and the former St. Anthony's Hospital site. Planning is a collaborative, public process and we welcome public participation in projects like these. To learn more about city planning goals and activities, read Plan Denver, our 2012-2013 strategic plan. | Proposed Changes to City's Landmark Ordinance  The city's landmark preservation ordinance came about in 1967 (DRMC chapter 30) to foster the "protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use" of historic structures and districts in Denver. In recent months, our Landmark Preservation staff has been working on potential revisions to the ordinance. Their recommendations are specific to the demolition section of the ordinance, and deal with applications for historic designation of buildings submitted by people other than the property's owner. The revisions are intended to ensure that the public interest is represented, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and delays, and allow the weighing of all relevant factors when considering designation.
The proposed ordinance revisions have undergone a public vetting process, beginning in July 2012 with an informal presentation at City Council's Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure (LUTI) Committee. A series of public hearings and public meetings have followed. On November 26, City Council will consider changes to the ordinance. Public input is still welcome and will continue through the City Council process. To view the proposal or provide feedback, please visit DenverGov.org/landmark.
|  Denver has weathered the economic storm better than most. Residential and commercial permit activity has picked up steadily since the start of the year on projects big and small. The number of building permits in 2012 is trending at about 12 percent over 2011, with a 31 percent jump in the monetary value of projects, underscoring the scope and complexity of what's going on in the city.
Although CPD's Development Services division has seen more projects in 2012, like many other city agencies it has yet to recover from five straight years of required budget cuts -- the economy's impact on our services and staffing levels. Combined, these factors have resulted in many projects experiencing delays this summer -- most often residential projects. Delays are not acceptable to us. As we are working to help you with your projects, we are also updating our review and permitting processes for a better, faster and smarter customer interface, including a new software system (more on that below). Please provide feedback to us, as we will continually use it to inform and improve our services. | Mayor's Design Award Winners  Mayor Hancock recently announced his selections for the annual Mayor's Design Awards, honoring the best in architecture, design and place-creating in Denver.
"Every great city has exciting, pioneering places like these that make its neighborhoods unique," Mayor Hancock said. View a slide show of all winners. | New Software System to Transform City Processes As part of DevelopDENVER, Development Services is working toward the launch of a new, 21st century web-based office and mobile software system that automates permit, plan submittal and licensing processes for the city. The system, called Accela, will be accessible from DenverGov.org and will allow customers to do the following online, rather than in person at the Webb building: - Look up permit records
- Submit a project
- Check a project's status
- View and print approved permits
- Pay city fees
When the launch is complete, the city's investment in automation will mean faster, more convenient service for homeowners, contractors and developers. Behind the scenes, the software will ensure more efficient workflow, allowing our talented staff of engineers, plan reviewers, inspectors and support staff to focus on technical tasks and customer service. Customers can expect a phased rollout of the available tools as we update our current processes to the new system. Look for the first tools to be available in 2013. |
| In-home Apartments and Second Kitchens In recent months, neighborhood inspectors have seen a rise in complaints about new apartments in existing homes. It makes sense: The economic crisis hit some families hard, causing some homeowners to look for new sources of income. At the same time, renters are finding that apartment vacancies in Denver are extremely low. For some, creating a new apartment unit in the home seems like a surefire way to generate rental income. Problems arise when new apartments are created without permits. Separate dwelling units require building permits for the construction work itself, along with a zoning permit for "use." Building permits ensure that the work is done safely, by licensed professionals, while zoning permits ensure that a property's use complies with the zoning code. In some zone districts, new apartments are not allowed in existing homes. Check with our zoning staff to find out what's allowed in your zone district at zoningreview@denvergov.org. For those who simply want to add a second kitchen to their own living space, it's more straightforward. The Denver zoning code allows second kitchens as an accessory use within a single-unit dwelling, provided the second kitchen is for the main household and not part of a separate apartment within the house. Zoning and building permits are required for second kitchens. Following building code standards is especially important when creating new kitchen space, since cooking appliances and electrical and/or gas lines are involved. Before you start a project, seek the advice of a licensed construction/design professional, or check with the City by contacting us at developmentservices@denvergov.org with your questions. | |  Snow in Denver creates a true winter wonderland. But after the flakes fall, Denver residents are charged with the responsibility of clearing their sidewalks (and our neighborhood inspectors are charged with enforcing this ordinance).
For those who are elderly, shoveling the snow can become a hardship that poses a serious life safety risk. That's why Volunteers Of America and the City of Denver are urging those who are in good physical shape to sign up to be a Snow Buddy this season, and help elderly residents by clearing snow from their walkways. Information about becoming a Snow Buddy is available at www.voacolorado.org or by calling 720-264-3379. | Plan Ahead for Holiday Closures Don't forget that City and County of Denver offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday and a furlough day. Offices will also be closed on Christmas day, December 25. Inspections will not be conducted on those days. | |  We're tweeting about everything under the sun in Denver: our news, events and public meetings, as well as transit, zoning, development, preservation, neighborhoods, and job openings. Follow us! We're going places....
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