City of Golden Zoning Code Update
If you missed the Zoning Code Rewrite meeting on January 28, watch it now at GCO.tv or on the right column of this page.
You can now view a digital version of the form zone map! You can search the map for property addresses to see what form zone your property is in.
Microsoft Word Versions of the new Zoning Code Draft (Minus Map) are now available in the document center if you wish to track changes to the document(s) directly.
Don't Zone Out, Zone In!
Simply put, our zoning code is old… really old! It was developed over 50 years ago and although it’s been built upon and adjusted over the years, it’s not enough. The foundation of the code was based on an era long gone and those development preferences don’t represent the Golden community of today. Our decisions as a city are rooted in Golden Vision 2030, a document that is based off the vision, values, and needs expressed to us by you, our Golden community. We believe the Zoning Code should reflect those same modern beliefs.
So here we are, with a draft of the Zoning Code Rewrite based on a lot of research, work and insight from our consultants and community members who know the ins and outs of zoning. But they’re not the only ones affected by a rewrite. The truth is, anyone who works or lives in the City is impacted by pieces of the zoning code every day. That’s why it’s important to get your thoughts and feedback on this draft before we move forward. On Jan. 28, 2021 the Zoning Code Rewrite draft was unveiled at a virtual community meeting. You will find that draft and a video of the meeting right here.
If you are already familiar with the project and would like to provide feedback, consider these options:
- Weekly Office Hours – Join staff members from the planning division every Thursday between 4 and 5 p.m. throughout the month of February to answer your questions about the code and gather feedback. This meeting is specifically set up for the community to engage with the code writers directly. All questions are good questions and all levels of understanding are welcome!
- Idea Forums – Below are comment forums where you can leave ideas, react to the ideas of others, and also offer up questions. We’ve broken these tools into separate categories. Let us know how what you think about the draft code! We really want to encourage positive feedback as well. Tell us what you like about the new code in addition to what you feel might need work.
Still can’t find what you need? Contact Cory Miller – cmiller@cityofgolden.net
If you missed the Zoning Code Rewrite meeting on January 28, watch it now at GCO.tv or on the right column of this page.
You can now view a digital version of the form zone map! You can search the map for property addresses to see what form zone your property is in.
Microsoft Word Versions of the new Zoning Code Draft (Minus Map) are now available in the document center if you wish to track changes to the document(s) directly.
Don't Zone Out, Zone In!
Simply put, our zoning code is old… really old! It was developed over 50 years ago and although it’s been built upon and adjusted over the years, it’s not enough. The foundation of the code was based on an era long gone and those development preferences don’t represent the Golden community of today. Our decisions as a city are rooted in Golden Vision 2030, a document that is based off the vision, values, and needs expressed to us by you, our Golden community. We believe the Zoning Code should reflect those same modern beliefs.
So here we are, with a draft of the Zoning Code Rewrite based on a lot of research, work and insight from our consultants and community members who know the ins and outs of zoning. But they’re not the only ones affected by a rewrite. The truth is, anyone who works or lives in the City is impacted by pieces of the zoning code every day. That’s why it’s important to get your thoughts and feedback on this draft before we move forward. On Jan. 28, 2021 the Zoning Code Rewrite draft was unveiled at a virtual community meeting. You will find that draft and a video of the meeting right here.
If you are already familiar with the project and would like to provide feedback, consider these options:
- Weekly Office Hours – Join staff members from the planning division every Thursday between 4 and 5 p.m. throughout the month of February to answer your questions about the code and gather feedback. This meeting is specifically set up for the community to engage with the code writers directly. All questions are good questions and all levels of understanding are welcome!
- Idea Forums – Below are comment forums where you can leave ideas, react to the ideas of others, and also offer up questions. We’ve broken these tools into separate categories. Let us know how what you think about the draft code! We really want to encourage positive feedback as well. Tell us what you like about the new code in addition to what you feel might need work.
Still can’t find what you need? Contact Cory Miller – cmiller@cityofgolden.net
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Building Form Zones
about 1 month agoIf you’re familiar with Zoning Codes, you may be familiar with the idea of ‘zone districts’ (identified on the zoning map). Zone districts are mapped areas of the City that indicate to the user what land uses can be developed on the properties beneath.
As an example, the R2 zone district permits uses that are oriented to the development of residential neighborhoods and the C1 zone district permits commercial (typically). Often times, these zone districts are broken into sub categories based on the ‘intensity’ of the uses permitted with each zone district. For instance, the R1 zone district permits small-scale housing while the R3 zone district permits multi-family housing. R2 would traditionally be seen as a mix between the two. The zoning code establishes the dimensional rules for each of the zone district categories you see on the zoning map. As you can imagine, these dimensional rules can be quite restrictive for R1 zoned properties and more flexible for R2, and the most flexible for R3.
The new zoning draft goes even further to break our established zone districts into smaller zones called “Form Zones”. For example the R2 zone district maybe divided into 'core', 'transition', and 'edge'. In stead of apply standard dimensional standards to all properties within R2, these areas that have unique restrictions that are directly tailored to the established pattern of buildings in different areas. This concept of zoning is called a “form based” approach. Instead of creating dimensional rules for uses and building sizes based on industry standards, those rules are tailored to the “forms” that are already established in the area by the buildings already built.
From now on users of the code will follow the standard zone district to determine permitted uses (e.g. R-2) and the form zone to determine the dimensional regulations permitted for construction (e.g. R-2 Core, R-2 Transition, R-2 Edge). Again the big difference now is that the dimensional regulations are meant to be compatible with what came before versus what could be.
The consultants studied all of the neighborhoods in the City of Golden to create form zones that followed the rhythm and character when developing the form zones. Did they get it right? Are the boundaries they’ve indicated on the revised map reflective of the established development? Let us know what you think. Is there anything about the proposal that you particularly like?
Terri Hamilton11 days agoHow would the zoning code update affect Golden's projected population and ability to provide services? What are the financial impacts?
0 comment1derosagoco17 days agoIncorrect title on p 54
This page is labeled Four-cottage compound but it should be labeled Four-cottage compound with shop.
1 comment3calvin17 days agoParking
Abolish Parking Minimums - These rules are not only unnecessary: they are destructive of our communities’ financial strength and resilience. They push homes and businesses farther apart, impede the walkability of our neighborhoods, raise the cost of housing, and place an especially costly burden on small, local entrepreneurs. https://www.strongtowns.org/parking https://walkerconsultants.com/blog/2019/02/13/are-parking-minimums-a-thing-of-the-past/
0 comment2www.guidinggolden.com9 days agoWhat criteria was used to establish each of these new form zones from the other?
Transition, Edge, Outer Edge, Peripheral
0 comment0Terri Hamilton8 days agoLandscaping Site Design: Corner lot fencing should reflect actual site circumstances and appropriate fence height, design and setback.
Corner lots that have a side lot line as a continuation of a front lot line of an adjacent lot should be limited to the same fence style and height as allowable front yard fencing; this applies only to the fencing that would occur along the side and rear property line that is within the front yard area of the adjacent lot. Corner lots which have a side lot line as a continuation of the side lot line of an adjacent lot should be allowed the same fence style and height as allowable side yard fencing, however the fence setback from the right of way must be no less than the fence height, with a landscape area to occur within that setback.
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Building Form Types
about 1 month agoWhen you open up a zoning code you’re often faced with a series of numbers that tell you how high you can build (maximum building height), how close to the property you can build (setbacks) and other factors that regulate building scale.
Typically these rules apply to all properties within a zoning district and pay little consideration to the look and the feel of what is developed on neighboring properties. Well what happens if a neighborhood that hasn’t seen any development for the last 40 years all of sudden becomes cheap land for development? It could happen that the new development maximizes what is permitted in the zoning dimensional standards – the end result could be a building that doesn’t match the neighborhood – it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The new zoning code tries to address and rectify that very issue. Now, instead of a list of dimensional minimum and maximums that apply to every property devoid of context, the user of the zoning code will be presented with a catalogue of these standards that are tailored to recreate developments within the established neighborhoods of Golden. These are called “form types”.
In addition to some of the more traditional forms you may see in Golden, the team has created some new ideas (clusters and compounds) that try to offer a multi-family experience that is broken out into several different cottages versus a big apartment building.
Let us know what you think.Do you like the approach provided by the form types?
camerdb24 days agoTiny Homes - fixed foundations
I am in favor of option for tiny homes, but would rather they be closer to a cottage (but small) than an RV and be mobile. The devil is in the details. Denver is allowing Tiny Home Villages (https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/646/documents/Zoning/text_amendments/Group_Living/Tiny_home_villages_meeting_presentation.pdf), but only in certain zone districts and they require shared bath and kitchen, and are more of a solution to homelessness. I'm NOT seeking that option. Instead I like what Park County is doing (https://tinyhousecommunity.com/park-county-colorado-allows-tiny-houses/) allowing tiny homes, and would expect that they would have a bath and kitchen inside, or access to one on property. I would like these to be allowed in all zone districts as an allowed use. If they are allowed in a cluster, and could be split off for ownership (like a condo) then it is a path to family wealth on the low end that is sorely missing in Golden.
1 comment3KWrona9 days agoRegardless of the building form type, side setback should remain at five feet.
2 comments2www.guidinggolden.comabout 1 month agoLegible Building Forms Zone Map
The Building Forms Zone Map is a critical part of the draft Zoning Code Update and needs to be reviewed along with the various documents that comprise the draft Zoning Code Update. The current map, which is listed under the Zoning Code Update, under Documents, is very difficult to read and to navigate since so few streets are included on the map. In order to improve legibility of the map and to facilitate meaningful review of this map and the Form Zones by residents, can you please revise the map by: 1. adding more streets and identifiers on the map, including a North arrow and 2. breaking down the map into 4 quadrants? I printed a copy of the map in color on Tabloid size paper (11" X 17") and it is not legible. Perhaps the map that is available under Documents was not sized to accommodate this. I appreciate that you can enlarge the map, on line, but, I find it beneficial to have a printed copy of the map in front of me to refer to while I review the draft Zoning Code Update. Also, it appears that residential use is only identified as core use zones in a very few areas, primarily in the center of downtown Golden (as identified by a "C + one of the 5 R use zone designations). The majority of the existing residential property is considered Peripheral in the Form Zone language and, thus, subject to significant change, particularly away from single family use. Is that the intent of the staff and consultants? I look forward to your response. Will comments such as this one, that I have included in this "idea box", be made available to other Golden residents who are aware of the Zoning Code Rewrite are also in the process of reviewing the same? Please advise. Thank you, M.L.
3 comments2camerdb18 days agoFour Story Apartment Buildings type 18.29.290(3) have no place in Golden
This building type looks to be just like the anywhere USA housing that we suffer from already, but at the apartment scale. This picture from Littleton shows basically the same thing. The lack of a courtyard, makes it worse for sure, but the size, scale and style are still no where in town now. If we want to look like Littleton or Wheatridge fine, but if the goal is to preserve some character, then do not allow this apartment type anywhere.
1 comment6Terri Hamilton8 days agoConsider the option of a Cash-in-lieu of Open Space contribution
Open Space requirements for lots in excess of 22,000 sf may not always make sense in every application. Perhaps a cash-in-lieu payment for the land and development cost could satisfy the overall intent when used at an alternate, preferable location- at discretion of the City. Minuscule could become more practical.
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Zoning Process
about 1 month agoWhen a property is developing into something new, understanding the zoning code is only half the battle. One must also submit a development proposal (based on the zoning regulations) to the City for review and approval. Over time, this process has become quite convoluted in certain situations. In addition, special review of these proposals by the Planning Commission and City Council because there are perceived concerns between what might be permitted by the code and the effects it will have on the neighborhood. Often times, these processes take months and no party ends up 100% happy with the end result.
That’s why having a new zoning code is so exciting. It allows us to come together as a community to determine the appropriate level of development across the City and turn it into law – eliminating the need for additional review.
The last section of the new zoning code draft outlines the process one has to complete in order to obtain a building permit.
Mudflats4710 days agoWe need a temporary moratorium on development while the zoning code changes are being considered.
When the recent zoning code changes were under consideration we saw a rush of development that would not be permitted under the proposed changes. We could very well see the same thing with these proposals. The City Council should place a moratorium on development to forestall a rush of development requests just before adopting this new code.
1 comment0camerdb17 days agoHow can we as citizens help make Golden affordable
What in the new zoning form types allows for more affordable units to be built? Cottages look good, but what about tiny home?
4 comments1camerdb1 day agoEconomic Development Director should not have such strong authority at the start of Zoning change process, perhaps after a year or so.
Planning commission changed rules for density and on over the desk minor replats. Yet city staff came forward recently with two cases (Newstar Way and 510 Arapahoe) in which they immediately wanted to subvert those rules. And, on the replat would have created a non-conforming structure if it had not been caught by planning commission. If we are making so many changes in the code there should be a second set of eyes on things until early mistakes are straightened out. Therefore it is not only in the interest of the citizens, but of the head of planning (Economic Development Director) to NOT have so much authority from the beginning. These are the clauses in the Form Code 18.29.600 that should be modified: The Director of Community and Economic Development shall have the authority to approve administrative adjustments that do not exceed qualitative regulations more than 5 %, without a building form variance approval process, as long as the applicant’s proposal fulfills the intent of the code; The determination of whether or not a structure is compliant shall be made by the Director of Community and Economic; The determination of whether or not a structure is nonconforming shall be made by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
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General Comments
about 1 month agoThis is your opportunity to give staff any general comments!
maysi0116 days agoI believe Boulder has had a rule limiting solar shading by neighbours.
Why doesn't Golden have one ? Is there a anything preventing a neighbour building something which partially or completely shades existing solar panels or a sole potential solar panel location ?
0 comment1Minihane17 days agoUses - Consider expanding co-living
Co-living has been described by the city as: "‘Co-living’ is an umbrella term for different types of ‘co-housing’ setups, and can loosely be defined as a home, where two or more unrelated people live together, whereby each person signs their own lease for a private bedroom, and often bathroom, within a residence. However, in addition to the private accommodations, residents, or members as they are often called, share common living spaces, such as a family room, dining area, kitchen, laundry facilities, and recreation facilities." I would like everyone in a residential dwelling to decide whether to welcome an unrelated person into their home. It can help someone stay in their home when finances are tight and is a great option for some people. Right now, it is not an allowed use for several of the residential areas. Please consider adding it to all residential areas.
2 comments1KWrona9 days agoCan the language under Setbacks #1 read that setbacks shall be measured from the back of the curb rather than the property line?
0 comment0maysi0116 days agoIs there any rule incentivizing orientation of a sloping roof to maximize solar panel efficiency ?
And at this latitude, for a given orientation, there is an optimal range of roof slopes for solar panel productivity.
1 comment0Reed7 days agoWhy isn't East Street historic district listed as Core?
I don't understand why the East St. historic district, where we live, is not designated Core. It has similar characteristics to the examples and photos of Core provided in the document. This represents our neighborhood much more than the description of Peripheral that is provided. Peripheral is several blocks or more away from the homes along East street between 14th and 23rd street (approximately). Also, many of the houses west of us, across Jackson, are also Core and are listed as Peripheral...
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January 28, 2021 Zoning Code Rewrite Meeting
Don't Zone Out, Zone in!
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Click here to play video Confused about fencing? Zone in to the Golden Zoning Code Rewrite! Confused about fencing? The Golden Zoning Code has answers!
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Click here to play video Why did the chicken cross the road? Zone in to the Zoning Code Rewrite! Learn why the chicken crossed the road with the Golden Zoning Code!
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Click here to play video Don't Zone Out, Zone In! Get involved in the Golden Zoning Code Rewrite
Helpful Links
The City of Golden has released the Zoning Code Rewrite draft and we now need your feedback in the tools at the bottom of the page. We also invite you to take a look at some of the resources we’ve put together regarding new zoning concepts that are being explored for our new code. The Youtube videos feature Peter Park, one of the consultants employed to help us update our regulations, and the remaining resources provide introductions to ‘form-based’ codes. Not everything provided below will be included in the new zoning code, but it provides a vocabulary to the types of things being explored.
Videos:
Websites:
Form-based code (Smart Growth America tag)
Factsheets:
Form-Based Codes: Implementing Smart Growth (Local Government Commission Factsheet)
Overcoming Obstacles to Smart Growth through Code Reform (Local Government Commission Factsheet)
Documents
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Use Regulation Changes (919 KB) (pdf)
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Use Regulation Changes - Microsoft Word (480 KB) (docx)
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Form Zones and Building Form Types (15.4 MB) (pdf)
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Form Zones and Building Form Types - Microsoft Word (17.7 MB) (docx)
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Landscaping Use Regulation Changes (7.5 MB) (pdf)
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Landscaping Use Regulation Changes - Microsoft Word (8.4 MB) (docx)
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Building Form Zones Map (3.95 MB) (pdf)
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Current Title 18 with Deletions (3.96 MB) (pdf)
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City Zoning Code Rewrite - Schedule (970 KB) (jpg)
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Diagnostic Report (19.2 MB) (pdf)
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Zoning 101 (2.26 MB) (pdf)
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Summer Outreach - Survey Results Report - 10-5-20 (508 KB) (pdf)
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Code Rewrite - Fall Update Meeting - Full Slide Deck (3.71 MB) (pdf)
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Form Zone Map (883 KB) (pdf)
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Form Zone Map 2 (3.36 MB) (pdf)
FAQs
- What are zoning regulations?
- Okay, I understand these basics that you’ve outlined, but why are you updating the code (zoning laws) now?
- But weren’t buildings smaller 50 years ago? I like smaller buildings, it creates Golden’s character. The new buildings I see are much bigger than the older buildings, what gives?
- What does the ‘Peripheral’ form zone mean, how did it get its name, and how is it different from the ‘Core’ form zone?
Who's listening
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Email cmiller@cityofgolden.net
Key Dates
Follow Project
Engagement Level
- Inform: City provides timely information and updates to the community.
- Consult: Hear public feedback on relevant parts of a project, keep information updated so community can follow along.