{"id":719,"date":"2022-06-29T20:36:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T02:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yesopenspace.org\/?page_id=719"},"modified":"2022-06-29T20:46:56","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T02:46:56","slug":"community-planning-and-development-department-cpd-sham-process%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yesopenspace.org\/community-planning-and-development-department-cpd-sham-process%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Planning and Development Department (CPD) Sham Process\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CPD\u2019s June 30th<\/sup>\u00a0\u201cCommunity Open House\u201d is a continuation of the sham planning and development process conceived and implemented by CPD with the predetermined outcome of supporting the residential and commercial development plans of CPD\u2019s real estate developer \u201cclient\u201d Westside Investment Partners.[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0CPD has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and devoted thousands of CPD staff hours in support of Westside\u2019s development plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting soon after Westside purchased the PHGC land in July 2019 subject to its perpetual open space and recreational conservation easement<\/u><\/strong>, the Hancock Administration began working with Westside on plans to break the conservation easement and construct a mini-city of residential and  commercial buildings on the PHGC land.  CPD began the formal planning process in early 2021 by forming a \u201cSteering Committee\u201d to engage in a \u201cvisioning process.\u201d  Working for its \u201cclient\u201d Westside, it\u2019s not surprising that CPD\u2019s hand-picked \u201cSteering Committee\u201d was primarily composed of pro-development supporters.  In late 2021, CPD ended the \u201cvisioning process\u201d by unilaterally declaring that the \u201cprevailing vision\u201d for the PHGC land would include substantial mixed residential and commercial development.  And, in early 2022, CPD directed its \u201cSteering Committee\u201d to begin discussing a formal \u201carea plan\u201d that CPD will draft and likely present to the Planning Board and City Council for approval later in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next hurdle for the Hancock Administration and Westside will then be for the Hancock Administration to submit a ballot measure to Denver voters in accordance with Ballot Initiative 301 that passed city-wide in November 2021 by 63% to 37%.[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0The Hancock Administration\/Westside ballot measure will seek voter approval for breaking the PHGC land conservation easement and allowing residential and commercial construction on the land.\u00a0\u00a0Presumably, the Hancock Administration and Westside will use CPD\u2019s \u201carea plan\u201d in their campaign to support their ballot measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why CPD\u2019s Planning Process Is a Sham<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CPD planning process is a sham and it\u2019s irresponsible for CPD to move forward with its effort to secure approval of an area plan for the PHGC land: <\/p>\n\n\n\n