How one of the apartment buildings is now fighting for space

DENVER — Finding a parking space can seem like a nightmare for residents of the East Cheesman neighborhood. They are surrounded by two popular spots, Cheesman Park and the Denver Botanical Garden, and many visitors park on their streets.

“We have a garage behind the house, we’re very happy, but any time we have friends, a daughter, a granddaughter, family, other family, tradespeople, it’s very, very difficult,” said Henry Dubroff, president of the East Cheesman Neighbors Association.

Dubroff has lived on Vine Street since 1993, and the area has become increasingly crowded and filled with cars. Dubroff said: “Parking is a nightmare, it has gotten worse and one of the reasons is that this area has become incredibly family friendly. A lot of older residents are moving out, young families are moving in, there are more children, there are more children on the way and the impact of parking has impacted the quality of family life in our area.”

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokeswoman Nancy Kuhn provided details on the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program, which is in effect when the Denver Botanical Garden hosts nightly events. So far this program has been used for 10 days in the summer and will continue throughout the first week of January.

Kuhn referred to the RPP’s block zoning rules, in which only residents of buildings with 20 or fewer units are eligible for residential parking permits. Last year, residents of a Vine Street apartment complex received letters in the mail regarding the new changes.

“A letter we received in the mail last year stated that residents of buildings over a certain size would no longer be able to apply for parking permits due to a decision made by the city to try to balance the number of permits issued with the number of on-street parking spaces. was available and a letter was attached to our building stating that due to the size of the building we would no longer be receiving permits,” said Stacey Orin, president of the Vine Street Arboretum Homeowners Association.

When Orin first moved into the Arboretum complex, she tried to buy a parking space at her building.

“When I bought this building, there was an opportunity to bid on two spaces in tandem. I once made what I thought was a fair offer for $25,000 for two spaces, and then they sold for $40,000 to one person who still owns them now,” Orin said.

Because Orin didn’t get a parking space at her apartment complex, she parked on the street instead, and has done so for the past 12 years. Now stripped of her parking permit, she described how it affected not only herself but also other residents of the building.

“Not everyone has the luxury of having a garage, those of us who live in this apartment, there are a lot of families living here and we don’t all have the luxury of having street parking, whether it’s above ground, we have to park on the street.” Orin said.

According to Kuhn, the city is communicating with these residents and is considering the possibility of removing residential parking permit restrictions on much of the 1100 block of Vine. Dubroff said: “I’m concerned that if they remove the restrictions completely, people who enjoy garden parties will simply find out they can park on the Vine and take up spaces that should rightfully be in the area.”

There will be a virtual town hall meeting with DOTI on October 3 where residents can express their concerns. Now on Vine Street, Orin has posted flyers encouraging neighbors to attend the event. You can register for Zoom here.