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More varied housing, preservation and keeping residents in their homes: Here's what's in the draft plan. What do you think?

As we start the New Year, the planning team it still meeting with residents in the Near Southeast Area. (Read on for opportunities this week.)

If you have not reviewed the draft plan and shared your thoughts, we encourage your to do so in the next couple of weeks. It's a big document with a lot of detail. To make it easier, we are sending a series of email updates over the next two weeks on key topics. Each update will include information on what is in the plan and direct links to comment on the document.

First up: land use and housing. Specifically, how "missing middle" housing can help address concerns we about affordability and create more options for places to live in the area.

"Missing Middle"

These types of homes can be a halfway point between single-unit houses and larger apartment buildings. They can provide affordable options in low-density residential neighborhoods and be designed so they don't look out of place.

The draft Near Southeast Plan recommends allowing duplexes and accessory dwelling units in appropriate locations and under the right conditions. Additional details include:

Making sure additions are consistent with the look and feel of neighborhoods
Using additions and ADUs as an incentive to preserve the existing home to discourage demolition.
Allowing duplexes in areas with the right infrastructure.

Comment on this page of the draft plan

Reminder: Talk to city planners this week

Have a question or comment you want to share directly with members of the planning team? They will be in the community this week on the following dates:

Wednesday, January 11, noon to 2 p.m., Cook Park Rec Center, 7100 Cherry Creek S Dr.

Thursday, January 12, 4 to 6 p.m., Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St.

If you prefer to read a hard copy of the draft plan, one is available at the Virginia Village Branch Library, 1500 S. Dahlia St. Everyone who participates in this phase of community outreach will be entered for a chance to win a $20 gift card.

Here are all the ways you can review and comment on the draft plan

Along with land use and housing, the draft Near Southeast Area Plan covers a number of topics that community members were important. The draft aims to provide a long-term vision for the area through the following goals:

Modernize centers and corridors in terms of land use, design, and mobility
Balance housing affordability, options, and preservation in neighborhoods
Improve sustainability through mobility, infrastructure, and greenery

Comment directly on the draft plan document

Download the executive summary

Download the full draft plan PDF

Submit general comments and questions

About the Near Southeast Area Plan

The Near Southeast Planning Area is made up of the neighborhoods of Washington Virginia Vale, Virginia Village, Indian Creek, Goldsmith and the area of University Hills north of Yale Avenue. It includes a variety of housing types, significant commercial corridors including Colorado Boulevard and Leetsdale Drive, and amenities like sections of the Cherry Creek Greenway and the Highline Canal. Several major redevelopment projects in the area have highlighted the need to work with the community to update outdated neighborhood plans or provide planning guidance in areas where no neighborhood plan exists. As part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative, this project provides an opportunity to create a long-term vision for these neighborhoods that furthers citywide goals and priorities while addressing local neighborhood needs.

Visit DenverGov.org/NearSoutheastPlan

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