Talk of the Neighborhood
Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of items that were discussed during the Nov. 6 Greater Park Hill Community monthly meeting. There is no community meeting in December. The next GPHN meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Greater Park Hill Community Room at 2823 Fairfax St. It is free and open to the public.
District 2 Police Report
District 2 Officer Reyes Trujillo reported that in October, there were six home burglaries in Park Hill. A husband/wife team suspected in several burglaries had been arrested. There were five thefts from motor vehicles. In addition, Officer Reyes highlighted two “very concerning” incidents. They included a holdup on 22nd Avenue and Kearney Street, in which a man’s wallet was taken at gunpoint, and another incident involving a fired worker who threatened to blow up a warehouse in the neighborhood. The situation was deescalated before any damage occurred. Officer Trujillo recommended residents call 911 if they suspect an individual is boiling over in the workplace. Police have also launched a special operations vice and narcotics sting to address prostitution in the area of Pontiac Street and Colfax Avenue. On a lighter note, Trujillo reported a record 3,000 children attended the neighborhood’s Halloween party. District 2 police are also helping to achieve 10,000 food baskets as part of the annual Daddy Bruce Thanksgiving Day dinner giveaways.
New Parks & Environment Committee Proposal
Hank Bootz, who ran unsuccessfully for a Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. board position in October, addressed the meeting with a proposal that he head up a new GPHC, Inc. committee overseeing parks and the environment. “After a crushing defeat as a board member, I went to the desert and am back,” Bootz joked to the audience. “There is nothing better than a comeback and here I am.” Bootz is also the vice-president of the neighborhood organization Friends of City Park (CPFAN). Under questioning by attendees and GPHC board members, Bootz concurred that his main interest is in City Park, and advocates taking an “oppositional” approach to the Denver City Government and its policies about how commercial events and other programs are handled and administered in City Park. However, he noted that other important elements of the city’s parks department include its recreation centers, including the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly. Bootz expressed hope for support that he be selected to chair the newly-formed Parks & Environment Committee, a role that would empower him to speak on behalf of the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. RNO. Several board members asked that the request be channeled through the appropriate process by which committees are formed and chairs appointed to the RNO. New GPHC, Inc. Chair Dave Felice indicated the board will adhere to the established process and return with a statement of purpose and other clear definitions for such a committee.
36th and Quebec Rezoning Proposal
Millie Wilson, representing property owner Jeff Grazi, provided an update on a piece of property at the corner of 36th and Quebec, and noted that her boss was hoping to secure the support of the Greater Park Hill Community for his proposed project.
The property is currently zoned for a three-story building, and Grazi is asking the city to allow him to build a five-story building. Grazi is conducting a feasibility study, but the idea is to include a mix of 2- and 3-bedroom residential apartments, with commercial businesses at the street level. Wilson did not know whether homeowners along Potomac Street, to the west of the property, have weighed in with approval for the zoning variance. The zoning change request is scheduled for consideration on December 7.
Denver Sustainability Update
Sonrisa Lucero, a sustainability strategist with the office of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, provided a short presentation about efforts being made to establish a sustainable environment. As Lucero noted, sustainability is the concept of “Ensuring that basic resources are available and affordable to everyone now and tomorrow …
We boil it down to, we love this place because it’s awesome right now, and also because it’s awesome in the future.” A few of the programs include incentives for installing solar panels to lower the cost of energy, promoting the use of natural gas-fueled vehicles, farmers’ markets, community gardens and green businesses.
“We like to say the sustainability train is arriving, and we hope everybody signs up,” Lucero said.
Education Update
GPHC, Inc. Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas reported that Denver Public Schools has redrawn its boundaries, and Park Hill is now split at Montview Boulevard. The north side of Montview is represented by District 4 Board Member Landri Taylor, and the south side is represented by District 3 Board Member Michael Johnson. The result raises interesting questions for residents who live on one side of Montview, but whose children attend schools on the other side, Kalinauskas noted, as the board member you can vote for will not be the same one whose district includes your children’s school. In addition, Kalinauskas noted there have been changes in the color-coding school rating system within DPS.
Property Use Update
Planning and Zoning Chair Bernadette Kelly reported on the task force that Denver Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman is organizing to review the rise of the “sharing economy,” with a primary focus on short-term rentals like those promoted on websites like AirB&B.com. Renting out short-term properties in residential areas for less than 30 days is currently not allowed in Denver. However the popularity of renting rooms and houses on sites like AirB&B.com all over the world has risen exponentially. The positives include people being able to rent rooms and houses for extra income; however some of the negatives include a reduced number of long-term rentals available at lower rates, as well as the potential breaking down of communities for people who no longer know who is living next to you.