Page 39 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

iii. Alley improvements and access
Over the course of interviews with the development and small
business community and those with right-of-way inspectors, it
became obvious that information about permitted alley use and
required alley improvements is unclear. In the Handbook and on
the adaptive reuse webpage, clearly state the following:
• When an alley must be widened during an adaptive reuse
project to meet the standards set by the City
• Requirements for when the applicant must repave the alley
• When an easement on an alley may be considered to give
applicants a heads-up to this potential if their property is
adjacent to an alley
• If a commercial property can be accessed from an alley,
especially if it is one that is narrow and already has access
issues

In addition to clarifying alley ingress/egress and required im-
provements, consider additional solutions for required alley im-
provements to ease the financial burden on adaptive reuse appli-
cants. For example, some requirements could be waived, financial
assistance could be provided, or the requirements be shifted based
on the work proposed.

Fire Department (FD)
While many people think of the Fire Department as responding to
emergencies, they also have an important role in the development
process to ensure the safety of buildings throughout the City.

Role
The Fire Department conducts safety inspections to enforce the
Denver Fire Code. Inspections focus on commercial occupancies
throughout the City and are required to be conducted annually.
While on site, the Fire Department inspector reviews a variety of
items including fire exists, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire-re-
sistant separations, roadway access and fire lanes, the fire safety
system and an evacuation plan.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 35