Page 28 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

d. Landscaping Requirements
Incorporating landscaping in a project area assists in creating an
attractive project that brings pedestrians and activity, and that
screens utilitarian aspects of a site. Meeting landscaping require-
ments in an adaptive reuse project, however, can also be difficult,
in quantity and location. In interviews with the development com-
munity and staff, the issues of landscaping in general, and espe-
cially between parking and the sidewalk were raised frequently.

e. Parking Lot Landscaping Requirements
In addition to parking requirements for a site and requirements to
provide landscaping throughout a lot, there are also requirements
for the surface parking lot to be landscaped. Standards vary by
Zone District and by adjacent property type. For instance, require-
ments for properties adjacent to a residential use or Zone District
are focused more on trees and fences to create a buffer between
the sites. Landscaping within the parking lot is also required
within the site and not just along the perimeter of the site. These
standards are often triggered by seemingly simple tasks such as
restriping or reducing the parking lot area. Because of the costs
associated with landscaping a lot and its irrigation, projects can
often be abandoned. Depending on the size of the parking lot,
this landscaping requires a certain ratio of landscaping to parking
and specific locations on the site. While parking lot landscaping
requirements vary for adaptive reuse projects based on their Zone
District, lot size and adjacent properties, the requirement to fit
in this landscaping on the site was noted as challenging by many
property owners.

f. Trash Location and Screening Requirements
Service areas – including trash receptacles, recycling collection
and storage areas – are required to be located in the rear, but
many sites are too small to comply with the current requirement
of a 20’ setback from the zone lot line, and therefore must submit
a variance request to the Board of Adjustment (BOA). While the
Board meets each week, submitting a variance request adds time
and cost to the process, often ranging from an additional eight to
twelve weeks to wait for BOA review.

Current Flexibility in CPD
Within the Community Planning and Development department,
flexibility for adaptive reuse projects occurs in a couple different
ways. First, for some projects, relief can be provided by the Zon-
ing Administrator as an Administrative Adjustment. The chart in
Section 12.4.5.3 of the Zoning Code outlines the types of admin-
istrative adjustments that are available and defines the range of
flexibility that is codified.

24 City of Denver, CO