A narrow residential lot in a West Highlands neighborhood will not be home to a luxury membership-based pool.

Denver City Council voted 11 to 1 on Monday to reject a proposed zoning change that would have permitted a local developer to build a private swim club at 3719 N. Wolff St.

Proponents say the project will add an amenity to the residential area.

Opponents say parking, noise, alcohol, and hours of operation use rank among the top concerns, as do accessibility, safety, and equity.

According to developer Ilan Salzberg of SC&P LLC, the project would be a year-round facility and “relieve pressure on the limited pool amenities available in the neighborhood.”

However, it would come with a one-time buy-in fee which Salzberg would cost “less than new car, between $15,000 and 30,000.”

Many West Highlands residents, including HOA board members, said they had no idea about the rezoning or the proposed swim club. Those who did attend a community meeting at a local brewery then shared the information with others by email and on social media.

Some residents went door-to-door, canvassing neighbors to spread the word and collect as many as 116 signatures opposing the change.

“I do not believe a private luxury pool club catering primarily to well-off rich people belongs in a diverse neighborhood of working class, young families and retirees, many who cannot afford to join,” Richard Rosen, who lives within 200 feet of the proposed site, said. “I have heard more than one comment from others in the neighborhood expressing resentment at the thought of rich people coming down from the mountain and enjoying themselves at our expense.”

Council members raised concerns over the project’s consistency with the city’s goals, such as equitable access to parks and recreation.

“I certainly understand the frustration of the idea of the (land) use might not be in line with our equity goals, but that’s not the decision we get to make,” said District 5 Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, who voted in favor of the zoning change. “ Private property owners get to do with their property what they want, even if we hate it — and I gotta be honest — I hate it.”

Sawyer clarified by saying the decision was to evaluate whether the proposed use fits the specific zoning criteria.

The Denver Gazette reached out to Salzberg for comment, but a response was not returned by press time.