Hideous Houses of Highland

"Denver doesn't regulate taste..." Well, it's time to start doing just that. I participated in a 30-unit development in New York, and to avoid the travesties that have blighted Sloan's Lake/Highlands, we implemented a strict architectural standard. We mandated such items as no garages facing the front of the house, no non-structural stone siding, no wrapping of chimneys with siding (only specific sidings allowed at all), minimum roof overhangs, restrictions on the roof profile relative to the elevation (plan), trimmed windows... and a stringent landscaping requirement. Builders HATED these standards; we argued for months with prospective builders about how "that's not what buyers want", over these items which really should be basic residential architectural code. The only reason people hadn't bought new homes with these elements is that the builders weren't building them -- to save the last 2%. In the end, the builders who embraced the standards and built attractive houses that differed from the endless sea of suburban beige sprawl sold their houses. The town loves the development and has implemented parts of our standard into the town's zoning/approval process. So, it is time to start legislating taste. Start by requiring new construction in established neighborhoods to look like the established architecture. Have architects design homes instead of builders. And, the egomaniacal architects who want to make a statement can go do that within the sea of beige, among to people who have demonstrated that they don't care about aesthetics.

Thank you C. Holiday! I'm tremendously concerned about preserving our history, especially in the Highlands where it is rich. Down-zoning was step one, but it is not enough. What do we have to do to install building requirements such as the ones you mention? What's the next step?

I am writing as a life-long Sloan’s Lake, Highlands resident, and for that matter 4th Generation North Denver resident. I call out my tenure in the neighborhood, not to say that my opinion is more valid than others, but as someone with a long term perspective. I welcome the changes that have come from the developers. They tend to be recent residents (last 10-15 years or less). They fail to see that if development had not happened through the 90's and early 00's highlands would not have become the gem it is today. Don't get me wrong, I love the influx of wealth, and welcome all those who move into the neighborhood, but I truely wonder if some of the more vocal pro-regulators new zoning proponents were confused, and really meant to move into Highlands Ranch. The name may have fooled them. The charm of North Denver is the eclectic homes, nice sized building lots, proximity to down town and lack of covenants. 20 years ago (before developers came in and SAVED the neighborhood), developers focused on the south and east part of town. Wash Park, and Cherry Creek really benefited. At the same time living in North Denver was pretty tough. Property was not respected, crime was high and few desirable businesses were in place. While I am sad that not many of my childhood friends have been able to afford to stay, I am thankful that the community 20 years ago did not entrench themselves and lock developers out. We have no reason to distrust developers. In fact, they have real incentive to improve property, and not to wreck neighborhoods and protect their investment. We should be thankful that the neighborhood is desirable, and many people pay a premium to move in. I'll submit to the tastes of the highest bidders, even if the changes they make are not in line with my personal taste. Lets face it the developers represent change, and they put their money at risk trying to make things better. After watching this debate for the last 4 years or so, I take it that many people just cannot handle change. Their little brains cause them to ask for a higher power to save them. They site their east coast, bad experiences as if I care. I submit that asking a city council to take on managing our progress is about the most foolish suggestion... I'll say it "Just Stupid." These are low level (aspiring) politicians. They are pretty inept, or else they would have better jobs and stature. I don't think any of the sitting members have any formal training or success in city management at a regulator level, or professional level (civil engineer, architect, etc.). They balance so many issues, but hardly know what is best, nor do they have a good track record for judgment. Instead, the council are vote whores, swayed away from their duty to protect residents and their rights by the vocal and opinionated. If you want uniformity, predictability of development, and security that your neighborhood will not change, I would suggest that Westminster, Montebello, Aurora, and other future ghetto (suburban neighborhoods) have houses available. Orange County CA probably would be a better place for you. I would just suggest you choose a place that you are comfortable in. Please do not come into my neighborhood, and push your opion’s on me, and for heavens sake don't move into my neighborhood then give my ights to the little city politicians. Truely, this is a rights swindle. If you did the math (25,000 to 75,000 of lost value per building lot), you would quickly see that this decision that are above coucil's pay grade and expertise.

To learn more about rightzoning visit: www.rightzoningnorthwestdenver.com

To learn more about rightzoning visit: WWW.RIGHTZONINGNORTHWESTDENVER.COM

Learn more about rightzoning visit: WWW.RIGHTZONINGNORTHWESTDENVER.COM

"Little Boxes, Tiny Boxes...and they look just the same" You want conformity, go live in an HOA. You'll love it, more nosey neighbors spying on you. more people telling you what flowers or plants you can have on your porch. What color curtains you can have facing outside your window. What color you can paint your house. How or if you can fly an American flag. Where you can park your car. How long your relatives can stay to visit. Who can live in your home. Yes, convenant controlled communities as made for you. You cannot stop change, it's coming. If we never changed our dewllings, with better newer homes, no modifications, leaving them as is...we'd still be living in caves! These down zone proponents make those Geico Cavemen even more smarter. Alas how sad some schmendriks just can't seem to evolve.

FYI, the Flintstone house is not in the area "affected" by the down zone.. As for as it's offense or intrusive look, 10 bucks say it isn't that neighbor taking time out of caring for his "expensive" new home to teach his kids to disrepect my property by tagging my brick wall, or his kid that knocked on my door stoned out of their mind and had to be taken to the hospital, or had anything to do with the 2 stolen cars left at my house. I welcome "improvement" in the neighborhood and those who care enough to live in Sloan's Lake whose signifigant money investment through the new homes will filter into the schools associated with our neighborhood. Which most in Sloan's Lake DO NOT SEND their kids to. It is the renters who kids make up the roll call. And why , those who can afford it send their kids out of our local schools. Yes the Flintstone house is out of the "affected" down zoned area but I would welcome them next door any day. As for as what one assume "acceptable" - take a look at Sloan's Lake - there is no set style. You have low income apts, 100 year old houses and 60's ranch. AND you have the basket pushers that cruise the alleys looking for anything not nailed down. What character are you talking about?? B.

Barbara...I can't agree with you more! "Flintstone" house? What did Fred and Wilma ever do to deserve such ridicule of their lovely home. All those down zoners would still be living in caves if the dwellings throughout time never improved. Flintstone indeed. Ya know...it reminds me about the house that sits at 23rd and King St. It looked unusual when it was built. But no one was up in arms over that 30 years ago when the owner put his syled touches to it. These down zoners; they are just jealous trouble makers and old farts (with bad make-up) envious of the newer houses on the block. Bigger than their's, with state-of-the-art appliances, nicer landscaping, better insulation, and all the other newer, better stlyes. How sad!