Monthly Archives: January 2009

One of Judy’s bills will come up for final consideration at tonight’s City Council meeting. Numbered CB 725, it’s a zoning-code amendment that would broaden the B-2 zoning district to allow structures designated as “Residence for Older Adults.” This use is defined in our zoning code as single-family or multi-unit housing for mobile individuals of at least 55 years of age receiving fewer services than provided in a special care home. They are not considered residential care uses or group homes.

Judy proposed this amendment because of the increasing need for a variety of specialized living arrangements designed for older adults. “Residence for older adults” is at the early end of the continuum of living assistance; it is not considered a “residential care” facility or a group home. This type of dwelling allows people to let go of the burdens associated with caring for a larger home, yet to remain in the communities they’ve resided in for many years ― encouraging generational links that are becoming more and more rare.

The Newsed project planned at 46th and Tejon is a good example of an older adult housing development that would become allowable if we pass this amendment. The project will include both affordable rental and for-sale units. The plan already fulfills all of the B-2 zone requirements; the present exclusion of the older adult use in B-2 is its only regulatory obstacle.

The B-2 district is usually a small Neighborhood Business District located on collector streets, and surrounded by residential neighborhoods. Allowing the “Residence for Older Adults” use in the B-2 provides convenient housing in easy walking distance of goods and services, so the residents don’t have to drive as much, helping to promote walkable communities, one of the goals of our Comprehensive Plan. This amendment is also in alignment with the Age Matters Task Force recently formed by Mayor Hickenlooper.

There will be a mandatory public hearing on the bill. If you wish to make a comment on this bill, you must sign up during the recess of Council. The time that Council recesses varies from week to week, so it is recommended that you be here by the beginning of the Council meeting (5:30 p.m.) to ensure that you don’t miss the opportunity to sign up.

A quick update regarding the Ruby Hill Rail Yard: the opening date has been pushed back from this Saturday (the 17th) to next Saturday, January 24.

But if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, get out and participate in one of the many “Call to Service” activities taking place in District 9 and elsewhere in Denver. Call to Service is a national event that’s taking place Saturday through Monday in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day and the inauguration of the new president. People throughout the country will be holding canned-food drives, cleaning up parks and neighborhoods, volunteering at homeless shelters, and taking part in various other activities on behalf of their communities. There are a number of events at (or on behalf of)  organizations in District 9, including the Denver Rescue Mission and the Bienvenidos Food Bank. To find an event, follow this link and enter your zip code.

Mayor Hickenlooper has released further details about how the city plans to cope with budget deficits in 2009. The information was conveyed in a letter to city staff:

Dear City Employees:

As part of our commitment to keep you informed with respect to the City’s 2009 budget process, we wanted share with you the November 2008 sales tax data that was just released for Denver .

Our sales tax revenues for November 2008 show a 5.9% decline from November 2007 sales tax receipts. This fits with projections we shared with you last month. We also expect December 2008 sales tax revenues to be down from December 2007. This news, combined with projections of flat overall revenues for 2009 – and the resulting $56 million gap we project in the City’s 2009 budget – affirm the necessity of the savings plan we presented to you last month.

This plan is based on nearly 600 suggestions we’ve received from employees on how we can best close our budget gap while keeping members of our City Team employed and maintaining our commitment to City services. The basic elements of the plan, which were presented in greater detail in our letter to you of December 19, involve:

1. ADDITIONAL OPERATIONAL SAVINGS: Creating $22.2 million in additional operational savings, such as deferment of equipment replacement, holding open additional vacant positions and savings in supplies and services where appropriate. Many of you have helped us identify the savings on this list, which will be finalized this week. For detailed information on the savings your agency is contributing to, check with your supervisor or manager.

Continue reading →

Denver Parks and Recreation and Winter Park Resort are teaming up again to bring winter sports to the City.

The Ruby Hill Rail Yard will return for its third year, bringing the excitement and energy of skiing and snowboarding to Denver with a one-of-its-kind urban rail yard.

Scheduled to open this Saturday, January 17, the Ruby Hill Rail Yard will feature six rails of varying configurations and levels of advancement. Weather permitting, the rail yard will be open through the end of February. Snowmaking equipment will pump out more than an acre of snow.

Opening day will feature demonstrations by Winter Park athletes, live music and guest appearances by KTCL 93.3, giveaways, and free snowboard lessons for local youngsters interested in trying a new sport or fine-tuning their techniques.

As an added feature this year, Denver Parks and Rec will team up with Christy Sports to provide free ski and snowboard equipment at the park every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. Kids aged 8 to 16 who want to use the free equipment must have a parent present to complete a release and waiver. Forms will be kept on file at Ruby Hill throughout the entire railyard season, so they only need to be completed once for each participant.

Returning for the second year is Jibbin’ for the Kids, sponsored in partnership with Snowsport Outreach Society (SOS). Every Tuesday and Wednesday from January 27 through the end of February, SOS and Denver Parks and Recreation’s outdoor recreation team will provide lessons to local teens. Lighting and generators will be at the park every evening until 9 p.m., facilitating evening access for families who want to come to the Rail Yard after school and after work.

Ruby Hill Park is located off of South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue. The Rail Yard will be open every day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Over the weekend, Denver’s Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library opened “When Hope Won,” a photographic exhibition showcasing President-elect Barack Obama’s historic run to the Presidency.

It features hundreds of items from the 2008 campaign trail and showcases Denver’s unique role as host city for the Democratic National Convention. The special archival collection is entirely supported by citizen photographers, memorabilia collectors, historians, and campaign supporters from Denver, Colorado, and across the globe.

“When Hope Won” is located in the Library’s Level Two Gallery. It will be on display through Saturday, March 14. Admission is free. Gallery Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Blair-Caldwell branch is closed Thursdays and Sundays.

You can view a few of the images online here. For additional details or to support the Library, please log on to www.aarl.denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-2401.

A little while ago, the Denver Parks and Rec Task Force wrapped up a press conference to announce its Draft Recommendations for changes to the Rec Center program. The recommendations are based in part on citizen input provided during public meetings last fall.

You can view the Draft Recommendations here. They include various ideas for enhancing the Rec Center system, including increased hours of operation and community programming provided through partnerships with outside service providers.

A new of community forums will now begin so that people can offer feedback on the Draft Recommendations and submit ideas for changes to them. These will be held next month at the following times, including one in District 9. Mark your calendars:

• Tuesday February 3, 2009 ML King Recreation Center , 3880 Newport St . 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
• Wednesday February 4, 2009 East High School Cafeteria, 1545 Detroit St . 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
• Thursday February 5, 2009 Swansea Recreation Center , 2650 E. 49th At. 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
• Tuesday February 10, 2009 Harvard Gulch Recreation Center , 550 E. Iliff Ave. 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
• Wednesday February 11, 2009 Barnum Recreation Center , 360 Hooker St . 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.

You can also contact Judy’s office with any concerns you have about the Draft Recommendations.

RTD is looking for applicants to the volunteer FasTracks Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The RTD Board of Directors recently expanded the CAC from 11 to 17 members, creating six new slots that will be filled via appointment in March.

The FasTracks Citizens Advisory Committee advises the District on matters relating to the implementation of the voter-approved FasTracks Plan. Members of the Citizens Advisory Committee:

• Receive staff reports on the progress of the project in relationship to established schedules, budget allocations, DBE goals, and quality management guidelines.
• Provide region-oriented advice to the Board of Directors on issues related to the implementation of the FasTracks Plan.
• Review and provide comment on the DRCOG Annual FasTracks Review Report.
• Promote public awareness and understanding of the voter-approved FasTracks Plan and its implementation.

Selection criteria considered by the nominating committee will include (but not be limited to) residency within the RTD boundaries; a demonstrated interest in public transit and/or the FasTracks Plan; previous community service; and experience in working with local jurisdictions on regional issues and professional expertise. Appointments will be made to ensure a broad representation of stakeholder interests, to achieve diversity, and to provide geographical representation within the district.

The Committee meets quarterly at RTD’s administrative office at 1600 Blake Street. Regular meetings are held in the evening, and additional work sessions are held as needed.

To apply for a position on the FasTracks Citizens Advisory Committee, submit a one-page letter to Roger Sherman, RTD FasTracks Team, 1560 Broadway, Suite 650 , Denver , CO 80202 . Letters also may be emailed to roger.sherman@rtd-fastracks.com or faxed to 303-592-5460. The letter must be received by close of business Friday, January 30, 2009, and should include

• a brief statement of interest in serving on the committee
• specific qualifications for serving on the committee.
• highlights of related experience and expertise

Include a resume with your letter. If you need additional information, contact Roger Sherman at (303) 299-6918 or roger.sherman@rtd-fastracks.com.

The Neighborhood Collaborative Partnership has pooled its resources to launch an energy-efficiency blitz in Globeville. This will be the second neighborhood in District 9 (and in the entire city) to get this treatment; the Partnership canvassed Sunnyside in October 2008. They got great results in that initial effort, providing more than 500 residents with energy-efficiency improvements that led to substantial savings on utility bills and warmer, more comfortable homes.

The Globeville blitz will run from January 15 through January 31, 2009. Volunteers from the Collaborative Partnership and Americorps will walk door-to-door throughout the neighborhood, offering residents free resources to reduce energy use and save money, including

• a free CFL porch bulb
• recycling signu
• junk mail reduction
• a tree
• a free energy audit

Funding is available to provide weatherization for qualifying households, and substantial rebates will be offered to assist non-qualifying residents toward upgrades found necessary in their audit report.

The program is part of the City’s Climate Action Plan, the goal of which is to reduce per capita carbon emissions 10 percent by 2012. When the City studied its carbon footprint in 2006, it found that Denver’s built environment (and its residential housing in particular) is responsible for more than half of the carbon emissions generated in the city. This project has the benefit of providing energy efficiencies to every resident that will improve their quality of life, conserve resources, and save them money while reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

The Collaborative Partnership includes LEAP, Groundwork Denver, Mile High Youth Corps, Sun Power, Greenprint Denver, the Governor’s Energy Office, Energy Outreach Colorado, Office of Economic Development, and the Department of Environmental Health.

For more information, contact Groundwork Denver at 303-455-5600, or Greenprint Denver at 720-865-9017.

The Community Planning and Development Department has sent out notices for annual re-registration to all registered neighborhood organizations, or RNOs.  In that notice, each RNO was provided with a unique link for online re-registration. The deadline for re-registration is January 31, 2009.

If an RNO fails to re-register, it will not receive notices of rezoning applications, liquor and cabaret license applications and a host of other important notices from many city departments.

RNOs may designate a secondary optional contact person to receive city notices, which recognizes the fact that sometimes contact persons are out of town, or their computers malfunction and they may fail to receive important notices. Very few groups have yet designated secondary contacts.

If you have questions about re-registration, or if you know of a new group that is interested in registering, please contact Julius.Zsako at 720-865-2969 or Julius.Zsako@DenverGov.Org.