2nd Draft of Zoning Code Rewrite

Zoning into the Second Draft of the Code Rewrite Process

City of Golden Planning staff has been working on a project with a code consultant to review our 50-yearold code and provide recommended changes to the community for ongoing feedback. The first draft of the proposed code is form-based and can be viewed on Guiding Golden. Based on community feedback and a meeting in March with City Council and Planning Commission, the second draft of the proposed code is in progress and will be presented with more opportunities for feedback this summer. Some of the key topic areas that have been discussed are: REZONING (USES VS DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS)

The proposal for the new code DOES NOT rezone singlefamily neighborhoods to multi-family neighborhoods. If your property has single-family zoning today, you would still have single-family zoning with the proposed new code. Likewise, if you have multi-family zoning, that would not change either. The change is how you can build on your property in the future within the same zoning uses that are currently in place. Instead of allowing more multi-family developments, the proposed new code requires multi-family developments to better match the established neighborhoods that they are allowed in. Multi-family developments would be comprised of a series of smaller cottages rather than large multi-tenant apartment complexes. People could still build duplexes and triplexes but only on properties that permit those developments today. The biggest duplex and triplex permitted through the proposed new code is much smaller than any of the similar developments allowed by our existing code over the last several years. PARKING

The existing downtown and neighborhood corridor parking standards found in Chapter 18.36 of the existing code shall be maintained with no reduction for small tenant spaces within commercial parking requirements in the new code. The residential parking standards are proposed to remain the same as well with only minor modifications related to specific form types. SITE PLAN REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS

Staff is working on a concept that would allow a public review period for each development application approved by the Planning Division. This process would provide Council the right to “call-up” an application for Planning Commission review if there are concerns from the public related to compliance with specific zoning code provisions. More details will be shared in the second draft.

SINGLE FAMILY ZONING (PERIPHERAL ZONE)

Staff received direction from Council and Commission to only include form types in the Periphery zone (R1, R1-A, RE use districts) that will maintain the minimum lot sizes already permitted in the single-family zone districts under the current code. These include the Suburban House, Side-Drive House, and Village House form types. There will be no small lot subdivision permitted in single-family zone districts moving forward. The biggest difference between today’s code and the proposed new code with regards to singlefamily is a proposed cap on the total building size permitted in the future. We are proposing a cap of 3,200 square feet, not including garages, or finished basements, but would include an ADU.

After we, as a community, have had the opportunity to get the regulations adjusted in the correct manner, staff will focus on how to “map” the form types across the City. When the second draft is released, staff will reintroduce the office hours where anyone in the community can call and ask questions about the proposed code. As always, individual appointments can be set up with staff anytime to ask questions about the proposed new code at your convenience. For more information, visit www.cityofgolden.net/agendas and www.guidinggolden.com/zoning-code-update. June 2021 | 7