Frequently asked questions
Where is the site located?
The site is located directly east of the Hebrew Education Alliance as shown in the white box in the map below.
What is the property currently zoned and what zoning changes are proposed?
Current Zoning: S-SU-F (Suburban Single-Unit, minimum lot size of 8,500 sq. ft.)
- Proposed Zoning:
North portion of site: S-RH-2.5 (Suburban Rowhome, up to 2.5 stories) This is the same zoning as the properties directly north and east of the site. S-RH-2.5 allows duplexes and townhomes.
South portion of site: No change to existing zoning - Important Note: We are not proposing dense apartment buildings that do not fit in with the surrounding character of the neighborhood. The proposed zone district was chosen with the goal of fitting in with adjacent land uses and homes.
What type of housing will be built under the proposed zone districts?
The project will include single-family homes on the south and townhomes on the north portion of the property. All homes will be designed with quality architecture and materials that complement the area.
How many homes/units will there be?
The exact number hasn’t been determined yet. We intentionally delayed site planning to gather community feedback first. The chosen zoning districts set clear limits on density and keep the project in line with surrounding uses. Once we have a site plan, we’ll host another community meeting to share details, including the number of homes/units.
Will the homes be for rent or for sale?
We’ve heard the surrounding community would prefer to see for-sale units on this site. The development team has experience building high-quality for sale and rental product. The team would like to deliver for-sale units, but the possibility of doing so will be largely based on timing and market forces.
Will these homes be affordable? How will they affect nearby property values?
The single-family homes will be market-rate while the townhomes will likely be a mix of market-rate and affordable units. Denver’s Expanding Housing Affordability (EHA) ordinance requires sites with 10 units or more to dedicate a certain percentage of those units as affordable or pay a per unit buy-out fee. Based on community feedback, we’ve heard residents would like us to provide a greater variety of housing types, including affordable townhomes on site with the hope they can go to educators associated with Thomas Jefferson High School and/or staff from the Hebrew Educational Alliance. With Narrate and Palmquist Investments leading the project, the community can expect high-quality design and construction, which we believe will add value to the neighborhood over time.
What are the height and setback requirements under the existing zoning vs. proposed zoning?
The height limit of 35 feet under the S-RH-2.5 zone district is exactly the same as the 35-foot limit under the property’s current S-SU-F zoning. Both the current and proposed zone district also have the exact same rear setback of 20 feet.
Where will future residents access the property from?
Access to the property will come from where it was always contemplated, East Jefferson Avenue which currently dead ends at the eastern boundary of the site. There will not be vehicular access for residents from the Hebrew Education Alliance (HEA) side.
How will this project impact traffic in the neighborhood?
After the project team has completed the site plan process, they’ll engage a professional consultant who will undertake a traffic study based on the number/type of units in the draft plan. That study will evaluate any potential impacts to nearby streets and intersections. Safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians is of utmost importance to our team.
How will parking be handled?
Parking will depend on the number of units, but we know this is a top concern for neighbors and will be a top priority for us as designs move forward. We know the project won’t succeed unless it provides sufficient on-site parking for residents and visitors. While streets are public and anyone may park there, our goal is to ensure parking needs are met on site within the development.
How will the new homes blend in with the neighborhood?
We’ve heard clearly that residents value neighborhood character. While the homes will be new, the design will prioritize quality architecture and materials to complement the surrounding community. Final designs will be shared during the site planning process which comes after the rezoning process is complete.
What is the project timeline?
If the property is rezoned, we wouldn’t anticipate any dirt moving for another 2.5 years. It will take us 7 months to get through the rezoning process and additional time to get through the city’s site development plan (SDP) and building permit processes.
Will construction affect local streets?
We do not anticipate limiting access to Hillcrest Drive or East Jefferson Avenue during construction. The goal is to keep construction parking on-site and minimize impact to surrounding streets. While some trucks may temporarily park nearby, we’ll work with contractors to reduce this as much as possible.
Will there be additional community meetings?
Yes. Our team is committed to additional community meetings once we’ve completed the site plan process. We’ll post these meetings on our website and let neighbors know via our email distribution list. Please note the City & County of Denver notices neighbors within 200 feet of a property regarding rezonings. For our first community meeting, we noticed all property owners within 500 feet and have committed to increasing that notification distance for subsequent meetings.
How can neighbors stay informed and engaged?
We are committed to keeping neighbors informed and involved throughout the process. Project updates will be shared through our website, postcards, emails, and future community meetings. You can sign up for the project mailing list to ensure you’re included in all future updates by emailing Peter Wall at pw@wkccolorado.com. If you have feedback or questions in the meantime, you can share them by emailing the same address.