Page 10 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

CHAPTER 2: LEARNING FROM OTHER ADAPTIVE
REUSE PROGRAMS
Several cities have formal adaptive reuse programs. These include
Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, TX; Salt Lake City, UT;
Tucson, AZ and Chandler, AZ. These communities have led the
way with their programs. Their approaches vary in the scope of
the projects that are eligible for assistance, the manner in which
flexibility in code compliance is made available and the way in
which the program itself is administered. These are some high-
lights of each program, as described below.

Key Features of Other Programs
While each city mentioned above has established a unique ap-
proach for their adaptive reuse program, common features have
led to their success.

The key features are these:

A Citywide Commitment
A successful program requires citywide commitment. This means
that each department must refine its current policies and processes
to more effectively support adaptive reuse, and it means adjusting
permitting processes as more is learned about how to make the
program as efficient as possible.

Flexible standards
Development and land use standards are made more flexible to
permit adaptive reuse, while maintaining the underlying intent of
the standards. This often includes:
• More permitted uses (offering a wider range than base zon-
ing allows)
• Flexible site plan standards (reducing required setbacks,
landscaping, and lot coverage requirements)
• Reduced parking standards (reducing minimum require-
ments and allowing for alternatives)
• Flexibility in engineering standards (permitting alternatives
to storm water retention and off-site improvements)
• Flexibility in building & fire codes

6 City of Denver, CO