1
February 6, 2014
Free Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 1, Issue 27 A publication of
castlepinesnewspress.net
Town Center changes clear hurdle Council votes on adding homes, decreasing commercial space By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Castle Pines City Council on Jan. 28 gave preliminary approval, voting 7-0 on first reading, to proposed changes that would result in more single-family homes and less commercial space in part of a 354-acre development to be located north of Happy Canyon Road and west of Interstate 25. The changes focuses on a 39-acre par-
cel within the proposed Castle Pines Town Center development, switching the zoning from commercial uses to single-family residential - to add 155 single-family homes for a total of 475 homes, and eliminating about 200,000 square feet of commercial space. The council also gave preliminary approval on giving the developer vested rights for 10 years for the amended plan. But before the votes, myriad concerns were discussed, ranging from possible ethics violations an possible legal claims by the developer to lack of documentation for council to be able to make a decision. Newly elected Councilmember Roger Addlesperger asked to table the proposed
ordinances dealing with changes to the Castle Pines Town Center because of his concern that some of the documents referred to in the ordinances weren’t yet available to be reviewed. “I move that we table … until we have more documentation,” he said. “It calls for us to approve documents that we have not seen all the reasons for and why.” He read aloud a whereas clause in the proposed ordinance that stated the city council had determined these changes to the development would “provide substantial benefits to the City…” by facilitating public improvements, increasing tax revenues and stimulating economic growth. “I’ve seen nothing to back that up yet,”
he said. Councilmember James Einolf had similar concerns, including that he wanted two weeks to review documents prior to the next hearing, on Feb. 11, and his understanding is that staff, waiting for receipt of information from the developer, wouldn’t have those to give until about eight days before the next hearing. Mayor Jeffrey Huff asked the city attorney, Linda Michow, and she cited state statutes to assure council that the first reading was just to introduce the proposed changes so the council and public were
Development continues on Page 13
Local man receives ‘Rising Sun’ honor Petition to Isao ‘Kami’ Kamitani stop repeal decorated by Emperor Akihito for community, underway international work By Virginia Grantier
Castle Rock residents want voters, not council, to decide about guns in town buildings
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com “Kami” is in his 70s, now, recently retired, and living quietly in a Castle Rock townhome, watching over his wife who has had health problems. But in November they were far from Castle Rock — in Japan at the Imperial Palace with Emperor Akihito. Castle Rock’s Isao “Kami” Kamitani, was there to accept from the emperor one of Japan’s highest honors for everything he has done. Kamitani received one of the Order of the Rising Sun decorations that was established in 1875 and has been given through the years to exceptional achievers — scientists, playwrights, educators and others in various fields. “This is the highest honor for a Japanese national … given directly from the Japanese emperor,” said Shunsuke Ono Jan. 30, consul at the Consulate-General of Japan’s office in Denver. “He’s well respected by the Japanese community and helped the city of Denver a lot. He’s (had a) very important role.” When Kamitani, a long-time international businessman, found out he was chosen, he truly didn’t think he deserved it. But others begged to differ with him. In December, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proclaimed Dec. 17, 2013 as Isao “Kami” Kamitani Day for what he has done over decades in strengthening relations between Colorado and Japan; establishing the Japanese Firms Association of Denver and the Japanese School of Denver; and securing Denver’s first-ever nonstop airline service between Denver and Tokyo — which the mayor’s office estimated would add about $130 million annually to Colorado’s economy. Other accomplishments through the years included finding new markets in Japan for American products. He knew, for example, the Japanese would love Coors beer, and arranged a licensing agreement between Coors and Asahi Breweries to
By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Isao “Kami” Kamitani, 72, of Castle Rock, was recently flown to Japan and presented one of the country’s highest honors from the Emperor of Japan for his work in international relations. Photo by Virginia Grantier
brew Coors beer in Japan. He also helped Callaway Golf enter the Japanese market. And he identified investment opportunities with American start-up companies that his employer, Sumitomo Corporation of America, then ended up investing millions of dollars in. But most significantly, he was honored for being a person of high integrity and sincerity, according to the mayor’s proc-
lamation. In the often brutal, competitive corporate world of business, his character is perhaps what Kamitani is most known for. “Do right … even if you lose money it will come back to you,” he said in a recent interview.
On Jan. 28 at about 11 p.m., Castle Rock Town Council voted 4-3 to repeal the ban on open carrying of firearms in some town buildings and facilities. And on Jan. 29 at about 9:30 a.m., a committee of six residents, upset with the council’s decision, started a referendum effort by submitting a petition to the town clerk. Jacob Vargish, a Castle Rock resident and consulting engineer, told the NewsPress Feb. 1 that the city clerk had OK’d the petitions and the group was already out getting signatures. They need to submit 1,887 signatures by 5 p.m. Feb. 27 — the day the repeal is to go into effect. He said the town clerk, Sally Misare, would then have to verify the signatures. Later, town council would have the choice between either changing their decision or scheduling a special election. If Vargish and others can’t get enough signatures, the town council’s decision stands. And on Feb. 27 — 30 days after that decision was made — anyone who has a handgun or assault rifle or any other legally purchased firearm will be allowed to carry it in their hands or holstered to Castle Rock Town Council meetings, other town commission and advisory board meetings, administrative offices, various parks and other town-owned properties. The group spearheading the effort contends that 78 percent of Castle Rock residents’ emails on record at town hall about the issue indicate opposition to the repeal. “I don’t think council has done a good
Kamitani continues on Page 11
Petition continues on Page 14
ShopLocalColorado.com
Visit the all new P O W E R E D
B Y
Local Ads, Coupons, Special Offers & More