Page 33 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

o Consider eliminating the need for additional parking
spaces (as previously suggested) and the possibility of
repurposing existing, unpermitted parking spaces into
outdoor space that benefits the adaptive reuse project
objectives, if safe to do so.
o Rather than referring these applicants to the Board of
Adjustment, determine the appropriate standard (if the
recommendation above does not move forward) and
adopt this as flexibility that staff is able to approve. This
will eliminate any additional time applicants must wait
to receive necessary approvals to move forward with
their project.
• For adaptive reuse projects that use the existing building or
that plan to add onto an existing building, allow parking to
be located between the building and the side street as an
option that increases the project’s feasibility, when this is a
constraint.

iv. Providing flexibility to parking lot landscaping
requirements
Consider offering flexibility to, or even allowing the elimination
of, parking lot landscaping standards for adaptive reuse projects.
Rather than requiring adaptive reuse projects to abide by the same
perimeter and interior surface parking lot landscaping standards,
consider creating an evaluation method for adaptive reuse projects
that continues to mitigate any glare and vehicle exhaust into a
neighboring residential property, but that provides more creative
ways to incorporate landscaping. This could include:
• Allowing large landscaping planters to be counted towards
the requirement
• Permitting turfed areas to be counted towards the require-
ment as long as they are incorporated as usable outdoor
space on the site

Eliminating parking lot landscaping standards altogether may also
be appropriate for some adaptive reuse projects. The determined
approach should be written into Article 10 of the Zoning Code
to ensure consistent decision making between all adaptive reuse
projects.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 29