How An Obscure Zoning Board Got Reformed (And Why It Matters)

Last May, we brought you the story of Shawn and Ben Johnson, a Sunnyside couple who wanted to build an ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, in their backyard so Shawn’s disabled mom could live close. The Johnsons were stymied by an obscure body called the Board of Adjustment for Zoning Appeals (BOA), which is in charge of approving any exceptions to the zoning code and which the Johnsons came to see as discriminatory. Now, after a year throwing themselves against the bureaucracy, the Johnsons have helped to make a change: Denver City Council recently voted to reform the BOA. So we called up Kathryn White, the Denver North Star reporter who alerted us to the Johnsons’ situation in the first place, to unpack the reform and its possible citywide impacts. Plus, we checked in with the Johnsons to hear if this means they can finally build their ADU. 

For the full backstory, here’s a link to our first episode with the Johnsons (May 19, 2021): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-cant-this-denver-couple-build-adu-for-their-disabled/id1557798162?i=1000522342311

Here’s a link to Kathryn White’s first story laying out their case (May 14, 2021): https://www.denvernorthstar.com/north-denver-couple-denied-zoning-variance-to-house-disabled-mom-subjectivity-and-bias-on-denvers-board-of-adjustment-for-zoning-enters-public-spotlight/

And here’s her latest, a report on the recent reform of the BOA (February 15, 2022), which has since passed: https://www.denvernorthstar.com/city-council-moves-to-bring-zoning-departments-board-of-adjustment-into-modern-era/

Looking for somewhere good to eat this weekend? Peyton’s got a roundup of all the latest food news and other delicious tidbits in our newsletter today: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/

What do you think about the BOA reform? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver