Council committee advances Cross Purpose rezoning so nonprofit can meet state behavioral-health licensing

The Community Planning and Housing Committee on Jan. 6 voted to advance a rezoning request that would allow Cross Purpose, a local nonprofit, to keep operating licensed behavioral-health and workforce programs at 3050 North Richard Allen Court in the Skyland neighborhood.

CPD staff described the request as a change from former Chapter 59 R2A (with waivers) to EMX2X, a neighborhood-serving mixed-use district that allows limited commercial and up to two stories. Edson of Community Planning and Development told the committee the change aligns the property with current Denver zoning code language and with goals in Blueprint Denver and the Comprehensive Plan 2040, and recommended approval based on the zoning review criteria.

"Cross Purpose is a non-profit that provides licensed behavioral-health services along with career and community development programs," Councilmember Daryl Watson (District 9), a co-sponsor, said, adding the rezoning would avoid disruption to services residents use.

Bob Scofield, vice president of campus operations for Cross Purpose, told the committee the Behavioral Health Administration informed the nonprofit that the current zoning does not clearly authorize the mix of medical-office and counseling uses the organization provides. "Without this, we would not be able to bill Medicaid for the counseling services that we provide," Scofield said, describing the rezoning as necessary to maintain compliance.

Staff noted the site is roughly 67,000 square feet and sits adjacent to a church, a school and a three-story apartment complex. The proposed EMX2X zone would allow two stories (up to about 30 feet) and more explicitly allow neighborhood-serving uses that staff said are consistent with the site's history and with the city's equity and climate goals.

CPD reported outreach to registered neighborhood organizations and said it received a letter of support from the Skyland Neighborhood Association, eight individual letters and two organizational letters, including one submission containing 21 signatures. Scofield said Cross Purpose conducted door-knocking and reported no opposition.

Councilmember Jamie Torres moved to advance the item to the full council; Diana Romero Campbell seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice/thumbs-up; the chair confirmed online member approval and moved the rezoning forward for council consideration.

The full council is scheduled to take up the item on the floor; the committee record includes staff findings that the rezoning is consistent with adopted plans and neighborhood context and that it will allow Cross Purpose to meet state licensure requirements.