Talk Of The Neighborhood
District 2 Police Report
Officer Andrew Slaughter reminded neighbors to observe speed limits and stop signs, especially in school zones. School has started, which is a good time to remind people to slow down. Running a stop sign in a school zone is a $265 ticket. Also, the best way to cut down on having valuables stolen from cars is to 1. Not leave them in the car; and 2. Lock your car. There has been heavy prostitution activity along Colfax Avenue where Denver borders Aurora. Also, an audience member reported that for several months a man has been seen in various locations along 17th Avenue and in one instance near Park Hill Elementary School wearing extremely revealing shorts and exposing himself to women and children. Officer Slaughter noted in this type of situation people should call 9-1-1 to enable police to respond quickly. People with non-emergencies are reminded to use the non-emergency dispatch number, 720-913-2000.
Fiction Brewing Company Opening
Ryan Kilpatrick, owner of the new Fiction Brewing Company, provided information about the brewery he and his wife plan to open at Colfax Avenue and Pontiac Street. The opening date is tentatively the end of August/beginning of September. Kilpatrick is seeking a special exemption permit to open an outdoor patio at the rear of the property, as it is located in a residential zone. The date of the hearing for the special permit is Sept. 16. Kilpatrick said at the time of the meeting he had not yet made contact with the two most adjacent neighbors to the proposed patio, but did have five letters of support from nearby neighbors on the 1500 blocks of Pontiac and Poplar streets. GPHC Board Chair LeAnn Anderson requested Kilpatrick to return during the September meeting, as the board would like feedback from the two most adjacent neighbors about whether they support or oppose the patio before determining whether GPHC will take a formal position on the patio.
4th of July Parade Recap
Parade founder and organizer Justin Bresler reported this year’s 4th of July Parade was the most successful yet. In all, several thousand people showed up, and 700 people representing 60 groups participated. There were 20 sponsors. The event was covered extensively by the media, including the Greater Park Hill News and the Denver Post.
Northfield High School Update
Northfield High School Founding Principal Avi Tropper described the new high school, which will open next year. The school is at the far northeast corner of Park Hill, and parts of Stapleton are also in its boundary. Students will be able to take college level courses and earn up to 24 credit hours at the University of Colorado.
Garden Walk Recap
Garden Walk Chair Barbara Armendariz reported that the June GPHC event was the largest ever, and raised $10,000.
Education Update
Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas reported that Denver Public Schools is considering combining the 9th grades at East and Manual. DPS is also considering changing the way the International Baccalaureate program is administered at George Washington High School, to open it up to more students. Many consider it to be the best IB program in the state, and parents fear these changes will impair the program.
Home Tour Update
GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born reported that this year’s Home Tour website is parkhillhometour.org. There are sponsors lined up for all the all the homes and two sponsors for the street fair. Solar will be used to power all the food trucks, rather than having a loud generator. Tickets are available at King Soopers stores, at the Park Hill Library, and Cake Crumbs. (For more information on the Home Tour, see page 10.)
Street Fair Update
Street Fair Organizer Kate Sultan reported that, as of that date, more than 100 vendors had signed up. The Home Tour and Street Fair both still need volunteers, including to help set up and taking down tables and chairs. (See story, page 1, for details)
1520 Grape St. Rezoning
Developer Jim Hartman addressed the board about the two-story apartment complex he is renovating at 1520 Grape St., including a proposed rezoning to add basement units and a third story to the property. The GPHC board voted in May to oppose the rezoning, which resulted in a mediation between Hartman and the GPHC board of directors, by the City of Denver. Board Chair LeAnn Anderson and members Tracey MacDermott, Dave Felice, Bernadette Kelly, Rebecca Born and Patricia Taylor met with the mediator, Steve Charbonneau, and Brande’ Micheau and Jim Hartman on July 2. Hartman offered the following concessions to alleviate the concerns of GPHC:
• Deed restriction limiting the building or any future building on the lot to 2 stories
• Deed restriction limiting the use on the lot to residential only
• Adding 5 off-street parking spaces for a total of 22 parking spaces
• Providing a landscaped buffer between the north drive and the north property line (adjacent duplexes)
• Developing a construction plan with the neighbors on the block
• Modify rezoning request to U-MS-2
Based on these concessions, the GPHC board voted 9 to 4 (with two abstentions) to support the rezoning request with one additional request to make the deed restrictions be in perpetuity.
Chive Fest at City Park
Board member Louis Plachowski noted that the City Park Friends and Neighbors neighborhood organization is opposed to the August 16 rock concert in City Park.
Executive Director Report
GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born reported that Plachowski is currently helping with water infiltration issues and irrigation repairs. The GPHC Garden is producing lots of food for the food pantry. A pump needed to be replaced for the A/C unit at the Bike Depot next door, which was a $150 repair. Food Pantry contributions are up 21 percent from July.