DECEMBER 16, 2016
FREE
CHRISTMAS CRAFT: Local
breweries debut their winter beers P14
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GIVING BACK: Toyland program
distributes gifts to hospitalized children P2
Petition aims to stop some Arapahoe Road development 4,086 valid signatures could halt plans in area BY STEPHANIE MASON SMASON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Leslie Jacobson recently purchased a vacant unit on the corner of Arapahoe Road and Havana Street in Centennial, intending to open her own Culver’s restaurant franchise. The burger and frozen custard restaurant would undergo a $50,000 renovation and add 75 jobs to the community. But because Culver’s has a drive-thru window, there is a possibility the restaurant will not open. A petition is seeking to stop certain types of new development on the Arapahoe Road corridor. The petition seeks to overturn a recently passed city ordinance that allows renewed business growth on the corridor. But first, petitioners must collect 4,086 verified signatures — 5 percent of Centennial’s registered voters — by Dec. 19. “This petition is going to stop growth in the Arapahoe (Road) area,” Jacobson said. “The city has a lot of good plans for the area, but this petition would ruin them. The buildings that are empty — no new businesses are able to go in there. I feel Arapahoe corridor is going to turn into a dinosaur if this petition passes.” In 2005, Centennial adopted ordinances restricting land use for restaurants with drive-in or drive-thru service, convenience stores and gas stations, vehicle sales and rental services, and car washes. The ordinance essentially covered Arapahoe Road between the Parker Road and Yosemite Street intersections. Last month, the city council passed an ordinance by a 6-3 vote that lifts those restrictions.
MOVE IT: Campaign aims to spread awareness of law that protects officers P5
SEE ARAPAHOE, P4
IN TRAFFIC: Arapahoe faces Lakewood in tight game P31
THE BOTTOM LINE
“At this time of year, some people drink a fifth and then take the Fifth. I listen to Beethoven’s ‘Fifth.’ ” Craig Marshall Smith, columnist | Page 10 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 27 | SPORTS: PAGE 31
CentennialCitizen.net
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 4