Neighborhood Advisory Committee – Denver Botanic Gardens

The NAC is a body which represents six registered neighborhood organization located adjacent to the Denver Botanic Gardens. The pupose of the NAC is to provide advice to the Gardens regarding neighborhood interests and concerns related to the Gardens, and to inform neighborhood organizations regarding planning activities, events, and potential construction which may impact upon those neighborhoods.
HISTORY OF THE NAC

The NAC was established by a 1995 Amendment to the original Co-operative Agreement between the Denver Botanic Gardens Foundation and the City and County of Denver, which accepted the Gardens as an entity of the City under the Dept. of Parks and Recreation.Under the 1995 Amendment, a Neighborhood Advisory Committee was established to represent the registered neighborhoods adjacent to the Gardens to be an advisory body to the Gardens and provide information to the neighborhood organizations about activities under planning at the Gardens.In addition, the Amendment sets out a process for the NAC to recommend nearby residents as “Neighborhood Trustees” to serve on the Botanic Gardens board as appointees of the Mayor.

COMPOSITION OF THE NAC
The NAC is made up of three representatives from each of the neighborhood organizations that are close to the DBG. These organizations are:

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc. (CHUN)
Congress Park Neighbors Inc.
East Cheesman Neighbors Association
Informed & Concerned Community Gardeners
Morgan’s Historic District Homeowners Association
Seventh Ave Neighborhood Association [SANA]

The NAC, neighborhood board of representatives, and a formalized DBG planning process were all new and ground breaking concepts in establishing a balance between the sometimes conflicting needs of the public, the DBG and the adjoining neighbors.

The significant events in the NAC/DBG history are:

Early 1990’s: DBG develops a master plan that calls for a significant expansion of the non-garden, concrete structures, increasing number, size and noise level of concerts, and a significant increase in the number of visitors.
Mid 1990’s: The plan is made public and neighborhood opposition is formalized.
1994/95: Councilman Thomas and Mayor Webb assist in finding a solution.
June 1995: The first amendment to the Cooperative Agreement is signed (establishing the NAC, etc.)
Mid 1995: DBG prepares a scaled back master plan.
November 1995: Phase 1 DBG expansion (parking lot expansion, gift shop expansion, conservatory renovation, laJolla apartment demolition) is proposed and approved by the NAC and Denver Planning Department.
1996: DBG proposes a phase 2 development (Romantic Gardens, Temperate Greenhouse, Education Building expansion, etc.) this project is opposed by the NAC but is approved by the Planning department. A scaled back version is implemented.
1997 – 1998: NAC construction committee works with DBG to minimize construction impacts on neighbors.
1999 – 2000: No major DBG construction projects – so NAC activity is low
2001: DBG starts planning for a major capital construction project
2008 NAC approves 2007 DBG Master Plan
2008 DBG/NAC agree on limits for large events
2010 DBG dramatically reduces sound levels at concerts