Design Review Committee
General Restrictions
To make the community reflect the character of Denver, there are few restrictions on building and use. Central Parks’ governing documents impose limited requirements on properties, with the primary requirement being the owner maintain their property in a state of good repair.
When Design Review is Required
MCA design review is limited to residential units and is only for material changes to the exterior the unit. Approval is required for:
Improvements involving an addition or deletion of square footage to the unit.
Addition of an exterior deck or balcony at the primary entry or above the first floor of the unit.
Substantial change to the architectural style and character of the unit.
Adding an accessory or additional structure on the lot.
Substantial change to the roof plane or lines of the home.
The installation of a new fence or wall, or the moving of a fence or wall from the original location installed by the builder.
Any installation that abuts or is located within direct proximity of an alley.
No approval is required for the following types of improvements or modifications:
Solar panels
Changes in exterior color.
Landscaping changes to a Unit.
An Improvement that changes the front door of the Improvements on a Unit.
An Improvement that is a deck or patio at ground level of the Improvements and is not an addition to or improvement of the entry to the Improvements.
The architectural style of any fencing or walls of a Unit, except that the location of the fencing or walls is subject to approval.
All improvements, renovations, additions, or modifications must conform to the Design Criteria and International Building Codes.
Where approval is required, no work or improvements are to commence until approved in writing by the MCA. If work or improvements are completed without MCA approval, the owner may be required to remove the improvements at their cost.
Design Review Process
Design review applications must be submitted online using the Design Review Application Form. The MCA will not accept applications that are hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed and will only consider applications submitted using the Design Review Application Form. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant.
All submissions must include the following:
Plans and specifications showing exterior design, height, materials, color, and location of the renovation, remodeling, or addition (plotted horizontally and vertically).
Contextual renderings, construction documents, and any other documents that display the type and manner of the proposed improvement.
Detailed narrative description of the proposed improvement and its purpose.
Documentation of current site conditions.
Building permits or documentation that no building permit is required.
Documentation of neighbor notification.
Applications for the relocation of fences and installation of articles abutting an alley are processed administratively. All other applications are processed as follows:
Staff evaluate the application and determine if it is complete.
The application is reviewed by a consulting architect, who evaluates compliance with the Design Criteria and International Building Codes.
The architects report is forwarded to the Design Review Committee.
The Design Review Committee reviews the application, architects report and any public comment.
The Design Review Committee may hold a hearing on the application to hear a presentation for the applicant and any public comment.
Within 45 days of submission of the application the Design Review Committee will approve, approve with conditions or deny the application in writing.
Neighbor Notification
In all applications, except for the relocation of fences, the applicant shall notify all neighboring homeowners, to the extent practicable, and must notify the neighbors on either side of the applicants property. The applicant shall provide their neighbors with the Neighbor Notification Form, the neighbors must complete the form and the applicant must submit the form as part of the application.
Members of the public may submit comments to the Design Review Committee. Public comment must be in writing addressed to the Design Review Committee by email to info@mca80238.com. Comments must be received by the MCA no later than 10 days after the date on the Neighbor Notification Form, unless an extension is granted.
The Design Review Committee will consider any public comment timely received and may hold a hearing on an application where interested parties and the applicant can present to the Design Review Committee. If a hearing is held the applicant and interested parties will be given appropriate notice of the hearing.
Building Permits
The design review process is separate from the City building permit process. Just because the City approves an improvement or modification does not mean the MCA has to, and just because the MCA grants approval does not mean the City will. For this reason, the MCA will only process design review applications after the appropriate building permits have been issued.
Building permits are issued by either the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development or the Aurora City Building Division. Members of the public may report unpermitted building activity or protest the issuance of a building permit for an improvement or modification in their neighborhood by contacting the Board of Adjustment of the respective city.
Authority
The MCA’s Design Review authority is governed by the Article 9 of the Community Declaration and the Resolution Adopting Design Criteria.
Design Review Committee: Chair -
Members: Kristen Rozansky, Sarah Stabio, Mark Mehringer, Joseph Landen, Don Cloutier
Ex-Officio Members: Keven Burnett MCA Executive Director
Architectural Consultant: Eric Woods
Staff Support: Jenifer Graham