City Council approves rezoning to allow four community-led affordable homeownership units in Elyria Swansea

Denver City Council voted unanimously on March 9 to rezone 4631 North Josephine Street in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood to URH‑2.5, clearing the way for four permanently affordable homeownership units proposed by Tierra Colectiva in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Council sponsor Daryl Watson described the measure as restorative. "This rezone is about repairing harm, restoring housing, and keeping neighbors rooted in the Elyria, Swansea communities," Watson said, urging council support for community-led solutions after the I‑70 expansion removed dozens of homes and businesses.

Edson Ivanias of Community Planning and Development summarized the staff analysis, noting the site is a 9,484‑square‑foot vacant parcel adjacent to predominantly single‑unit residences and that the rezoning is consistent with Blueprint Denver, the small area plan and the comprehensive plan. The staff report identified the property owner as Habitat for Humanity and said Tierra Colectiva (a community land trust) will develop four income‑restricted homeownership units under a 99‑year land lease.

Representatives of Tierra Colectiva and neighborhood groups spoke at the required public hearing. Danny Slabaugh, Tierra Colectiva’s real estate development director, said the project would support "four family‑sized homeownership units, at roughly 55% AMI affordability," and noted Tierra Colectiva’s track record of placing families at risk of displacement into permanently affordable homes. Nola Miguel, executive director of the GES Coalition and partner in the land trust, said the rezoning was the product of years of community organizing and would let remnant parcels left after the highway expansion be reactivated for housing.

Multiple neighbors and residents praised the plan as a route back to ownership for families displaced by earlier transportation projects. Yessica, a longtime resident who said she previously served as a CDOT district transportation commissioner, told council: "We cannot undo that harm. But we can choose how we respond to it right now." Several speakers and the staff report noted notices sent to surrounding registered neighborhood organizations and 22 letters of support.

Council members asked about parcel acquisition and community process. Staff said CDOT appraised the parcels and sold them at the low end of market value as allowed by the agency; Tierra Colectiva and partners explained CDOT reserved funds and cooperated to release parcels for community purchase. Councilmembers emphasized ongoing community engagement and the broader pipeline of community‑led projects in the area.

The rezoning passed on final consideration by roll call, 11 ayes. The council scheduled related hearings on other rezoning items for future meetings. The City’s action enables Tierra Colectiva and partners to move into design and permitting; details about construction timing and final financing were described in public testimony and staff comments as "to be determined" and are not specified in the hearing record.