In Denver, between 1890 and the 1930’s, most of the housing in Congress Park was built. This includes 1,867 single family and 439 multiunit residences that compose the fabric of our neighborhood. The neighborhood that has evolved to the present day with tree lined streets filled with Denver Squares, Bungalows and turn of the century multifamily buildings. Our neighborhood has characteristics that we think are worth preserving and promoting.

A Conservation Overlay only affects residential additions, scrape offs and infills. The effect of the overlay would be to maintain the existing scale (height, bulk and size) of new construction to avoid overly large new homes and incentivize the reuse of existing architecture. This does not affect current zoning guidelines in the rear 35% of the property. It does not affect the construction of ADU’s. It does not affect the underlying use allowed in the current zoning code. It does not stop scrape offs.

Congress Park Overlay Proposed Standards

1. Currently, the code allows for 40% demolition of a residence, we propose to allow only 10% of the total demolition to be in the front façade.
2. Maintain traditional side setbacks
   1. Keep the existing side setback that is typical for that block, including sky exposure, solar access, rear garages and narrow driveways
3. Reduce height in feet and stories
   1. Pitched roof: Two stories capped at 28’ but can add dormers that pierce the bulk plane.
   2. Two story flat roof capped at 22’.
   3. Bulk plane vertical height at side interior wall 14’
4. Cap gross sq ft.

1. 1. For a zoned lot of 7,500 sq.ft. or less limit gross floor of the primary residence to 3000 sq.ft. above grade.
   2. Cap the current floor area limit allowed on multifamily buildings and work with Planning to insure this does not swell to out of scale multifamily buildings.

5. Low slope or flat roof require a front setback on second floor
6. Allow dormers to pierce the bulk plane
7. Require porches
   1. Require front porches to be a minimum of 6 x 20’, must have a minimum 18’ height and not be under a story
8. Minimum first floor elevation
   1. First floor elevation must be no less than12” above grade and no more than 36” above grade
9. Prohibit roof decks