East Colfax

Last night, the Denver Planning Board recommended approval to rezone over 2,050 single family homes in the East Colfax neighborhood from E-SU-Dx to E-SU-D1x. The new E-SU-D1x zoning district would allow attached and detached accessory dwelling units.

An accessory dwelling unit, also known as a granny flat, in-law suite or carriage house is a separate living unit attached to a primary residence or can stand alone on the same lot. To qualify for an AUD, the minimum lot width must be 50 feet wide with a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet.

Currently with the existing zoning, home owners are required to go through a lengthy application approval process to construct an AUD. With a zoning change, this process would be eliminated, lowering the barrier to entry for home owners to undertake such a project.

The goal of the zoning change is to enable homeowners to create additional housing options that will result in owners staying in their homes for longer periods. Also, adding an AUD can serve as a wealth building tool for existing homeowners to earn additional income from their property.

While many home owners are in support of the zoning change, we heard a few concerns that permitting AUD's in this neighborhood would create a parking issue, while also turning the neighborhood into the next hot spot for developers to change the character of the neighborhood.

Check here to check if your home will be effected by the proposed zoning change.

Rendering and photos provided by the Denver Planning Board and Propel Studio Architecture.