West Colfax Design Standards & Guidelines

What is the geographic scope of the West Colfax DSG?
The West Colfax DSG covers the corridor from Teller to Pierce streets and from Harlan Street to Sheridan Boulevard, roughly matching the area of the West Colfax Transportation Safety Project. This new DSG will NOT replace the existing ArtLine DSG, but rather extend the purview of the Design Review Commission both east and west from the original 40 West ArtLine boundaries.

What is the Design Review Commission (DRC)
The DRC is an appointed body (similar to the Planning Commission) of planning and design professionals who participate in the creation of design guidelines for new development in Lakewood. The commission has the authority to evaluate design review applications only within designated areas of the city. The development approval is based on the criteria adopted in the design guidelines. Because the DRC focuses on items such as "design intent," which has many possible interpretations and solutions, the DRC provides flexibility in how development meets those criteria and allows for more creative designs.

How does the West Colfax DSG relate to the original 40 West ArtLine DSG?
The West Colfax DSG builds upon and expands the original ArtLine standards, primarily by expanding the geographic area. The West Colfax DSG will be similar, but with less emphasis on public art.

What projects are subject to these DSG?
Just as with the existing ArtLine DSG, only new (re)developments that require Design Review Commission approval are subject to these standards, which include efforts requiring a Major Site Plan on parcels of land with frontage adjacent to West Colfax.

Are single-family and two-family structures subject to the DSG?
No. Per zoning, single-family and two-family structures are not subject to the DSG.

Can I request a waiver or variance?
Yes. Should there be a request for a waiver or variance, the guidelines shall be given strong consideration during the review process. It must be demonstrated that an alternative better achieves the Intent Statement or that extraordinary site factors make application of the standard impractical.

Should there be a request for a waiver or variance of the standard, the guidelines shall be given strong consideration during the review process. In such a case, it must be demonstrated that the alternative meets one or more of the following criteria:

• An alternative better achieves the Intent Statement.
• The intent will not be achieved by applying the standard in this circumstance.
• The intent of other standards or guidelines will be improved by not applying this design standard.
• Extraordinary or exceptional site factors make the application of the standard impractical.

What happens if a project doesn't meet the DSG requirements?

Project design may need to be revised during the design review process. The Design Review Commission works collaboratively with applicants to find solutions that meet both design intent and practical constraints. Approval from the commission is required for all applicable projects prior to receiving building permits.

How long does the review process take for individual projects?

Each project follows the three-step review process (Concept, Detailed, Final Design). The timeline varies significantly by project complexity, but typically spans 4-18 months from initial submission to final approval and runs concurrently with Lakewood's regular development review process.

How will community feedback be incorporated into the development of these DSG?

Stakeholder engagement will focus on defining a "vision" for the corridor and defining the necessary design standards and guidelines to achieve that vision. Both the technical nature and interplay with the zoning code limit the range of comments, but we welcome the discussion and feedback. West Colfax is a major gateway to the city that should reflect Lakewood's values, and we want to hear from you.