INC met January 13 at Denver’s District 3 Police Station. An SRO crowd heard from Councilperson Paul Kashmann, Denver’s new Neighborhood Liaison and a special program from the representatives of Denver Road Home and Denver Homeless Out Loud, as well as reports from INC committees and a number of delegates who had RNO updates. [No voting matters at this meeting occurred.] President George Mayl opened the meeting with a welcome, and circulated a card of congratulations (to be signed by attendees) to longtime INC delegate and leader, Katie Fisher, who had just retired from 40 years on staff at Iliff School of Theology.
Many slot homes do not engage the street or sidewalk with street-level building activities, porches or human entrances that promote interaction with neighbors and ownership of the public realm.
The siting, setbacks and uses sometimes do not reflect the existing or desired future conditions of the street or neighborhood.
They often negatively impact the pedestrian-oriented character of the street and sidewalk by visible driveways, parking areas and garage doors.
Many slot homes do not incorporate human-scale proportions, heights and design elements.
PARC discussed its many goals for 2018. These include work with INC ZAP (Zoning and Planning) to require density development to provide adequate open park space for residents. PARC will meet with ZAP to get this underway while DenveRight is working to improve the city zoning. PARC also continues to work for more open park space in all areas, with special emphasis on more playing field area with multiple uses. PARC will look for one new possible park space and work to make this a reality. More small play areas also are needed. A resource person will be Grace Lopez-Ramirez of the Mayor’s office.
Councilman Kashmann reported that traffic and especially speeding traffic is a major concern brought to him, so he has created a new sign for neighborhood streets that says “Drive 25 – It Won’t Kill You ! Slow Down !” He said Housing and Homelessness are complex problems that will take the commitment of the city. The homeless need a strong voice..
Liaison to the Mayor’s office, Grace Lopez-Ramirez, added that the Mayor wants to know what is going on in the neighborhoods. Please advise him.
