Working with the City in Highlands Area

[Dainen VanGorkom]

Hey BP,

An opportunity came up to purchase a property in the West Highlands area in Denver, Colorado. I know it is a great location however the home is old and needs to be scraped or extensive remodel. I was wondering if anyone had experience working with the City. To build any kind of multi-family I would need a variance. Does anyone know how hard it is to get a variance in this area or how hard it is to get a building permit/renovation permit in the Highlands. Thanks BP.

[James Carlson]

@Dainen VanGorkom

The city's Blueprint Denver -- it's development vision for the next 20 years -- has at it's core a focus on density in an effort to ease affordability issues. So they see request for variances through that lens. That does not mean you'll get approved, but they do lean that way. 

Factors affecting you are exactly where it's located. Are you on a corner lot? (That's at least helpful.) Are the adjacent corners multi-unit zoning (U-TU +)? Are you close to commercial areas. Like most of the blocks west of I-25 and just one block south of Colfax, a major commercial street, are zoned for multi-unit because it fits with the area.

However, if your lot is in the middle of a block full of single family homes that are all zoned U-SU (urban, single unit) then you're facing an uphill battle.

I wish you luck.