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JULY 3, 2014 VOLU M E 6 | I SS UE 27
BrightonBanner.com
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A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
County increases permit fees Fees have not been revised since 1994 By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Angelo Ortiz roasting green chili at his booth A.J.’s Chili Roasting. Photos by Lou Ellen Bromley
Artisan Fair a Colorful Event Sidewalk chalking colorful and imaginative By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
The second Artisan Fair of this summer was full of color and imagination with local business and visitors using chalk to create artwork in the sidewalks of Brighton. Saturday’s perfect weather promised the work would last through the day, giving downtown visitor’s a chance to enjoy the talents of the artist while taking the opportunity to Artisan continues on Page 11
Melonie Whatly and her mother Cherri Roth drawing the Milagro’s logo on the sidewalk in front of the store.
BRIGHTON BANNER (USPS 290)
OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Brighton Banner is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BRIGHTON, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
Greg Aksamit standing beside his brother, Dan’s 2002 Chevy Corvette drag racing car. Photo by Lou Ellen Bromley
Businesses show appreciation for customers My Car Wash, Mile High Glass host car show By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Neighboring businesses with a mutual interest in cars decided to combine milestones into a singular celebratory event.
My Car Wash and Mile High Glass combined the cars wash’s 7th anniversary and the glass repair shop’s grand opening at an event held last Saturday. The event included free food, a car show and several drawings for prizes. Grey Aksamit, owner of My Car Wash at 505 South Main St., said his company wanted to Car Wash continues on Page 13
For the first time in more than two decades, Adams County has increased fees for permits and associated work for its planning and development, neighborhood and transportation departments. The Adams County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the rate increases — and in some cases, establishing a fee for services — during their regular June 24 meeting. “It’s important to note that these fees have not been revised since 1994, which is roughly about 21 years,” said Deputy County Manager Ray Gonzales. “In many cases, Adams County charges significantly less than any other counties and cities in the metro area for these services.” He added that no fees had been charged for a number of these services. The rate increases went into effect July 1. The county is using a phased approach to implement any fees that will be increased by more than five times. The second increase for these services will be Jan. 1, 2015. District 3 Commissioner Erik Hansen said it was reasonable to charge for these services and that increasing the fees will not scare off business. “It’s unfortunate that it creates a little bit of a sticker shock, so I appreciate what you’re doing in terms of phasing it in for certain people, but you know at the end of the day we’re talking about specific fees for specific purpose — building permit fees, storm water inspection fees — in some cases we weren’t charging for fees for anything whatsoever when everybody in the metro area was charging these fees,” he said. Some of the services that were not being charged before, but now have a fee, include commercial building permits ($65 at first, then another increase Jan. 1 to $130), residential building permits ($45), memorial sign program ($100) and storm water permits ($200). Increased fees include conditional use permits, which have doubled to $1,000; sign permits from $75 previously to $200; and special use permits from $100 to $500$700. “Based on the current average permit volumes, the new permit fees are estimated to generate an additional $415,000 annually,” Gonzales said. Staff will start doing annual reviews of these fees to keep up with neighboring municipalities. “A lot of people when I’m out campaigning always say they want government to run like a business and that you need some kind of business sense to be able to run the budget,” said District 1 Commissioner Eva Henry. “I don’t know of any business that hasn’t raised their prices or fees in 21 years.” The permit fees only apply to projects in unincorporated Adams County.