Developer, landowners sue Denver over rezoning denial – JS
Developer and Property Owners Sue City Over Rezoning Denial
A developer and property owners in the Athmar Park neighborhood have filed a lawsuit against the city in an effort to overturn a recent council decision that halted their housing project.
The Denver City Council’s vote on April 7 rejected the rezoning of 627 S. Lipan St. from single-use residential to mixed-use, effectively blocking RedT Homes from constructing two dozen townhomes on the site.
RedT CEO Nathan Adams expressed frustration with the council process, stating, “Three minutes to present was complete and total garbage, not fair in any way shape or form, and the people who really got hosed were the people who own the land, who are 30-plus-year residents of Athmar Park.”
The lawsuit, filed on May 5, includes the trust for Joe and Jane Madrid, who own the largely vacant 28,125-square-foot lot at 627 S. Lipan St., as plaintiffs alongside RedT.
Prior to the council vote, city staff and the Denver Planning Board had supported the rezoning request, citing the opportunity to add more housing options in the neighborhood.
Despite some mixed testimony from neighbors, the council, led by Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez, rejected the townhome project citing concerns about the impact on existing residents and gentrification.
The lawsuit accuses the council of basing their decision on unfounded skepticism of a good neighbor agreement reached between RedT and the Athmar Park Neighborhood Association.
RedT and the Madrids are seeking to overturn the council’s decision and proceed with the townhome project, with representation from attorneys at Fairfield & Woods in Denver.
Adams emphasized that the Madrids, as long-time landowners, are the true victims in this situation and that the lawsuit aims to rectify the harm they have endured throughout the process.
Original story via BusinessDen.
