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City set to finish rezoning properties Final phase of process will be implemented this month By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
The department is especially taking note of the fast-rising at-risk population. “Our challenge now is: how do we prepare to be able to serve that growing population? And the demographic is changing,” he said. “Our population across the country is aging, but even more so in Douglas and Arapahoe counties.”
This month, the City of Centennial will implement the third, and final, phase of its rezoning process — one that spans the entire city and includes more than 32,000 properties. The rezoning, known as the 2011 Land Development Code, was adopted in the spring of 2010, and city council directed it to be implemented in three phases at a November 2010 meeting. The new code became effective in September 2011. The original land-development code, known as the Legacy Code, developed under Arapahoe County, was outdated, said Derek Holcomb, the city’s principal planner. The new code, he said, is modernized and includes a set of “high-quality, predictable development regulations.” A land-development code is a “comprehensive set of land-use regulations and development standards that govern everything from building heights to signs and lighting,” Holcomb said. It includes a list of permitted and restricted land uses. The land-development code “can be thought of as a tool,” Holcomb said, to promote “context-sensitive development, protect stable residential neighborhoods and enhance the character of the city.” The 2011 Land Development Code “is one of the biggest things the city has done,” Holcomb said, “and hopefully, everybody sees the benefits of it.” The rezoning has been seven years in the making. “Researching and analyzing over 32,000 properties takes a lot of time and effort to complete,” Holcomb said. “Careful research and analysis has been performed at each phase of rezoning to ensure that the city gets it right the first time.” The rewrite of the code began in 2008,
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South Metro Fire Rescue Chief Bob Baker, who took over the position in October, stands outside of the department’s headquarters in Centennial on March 10. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
New chief fans flames of success South Metro’s Bob Baker talks about importance of role By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com At a towering 6 feet 6 inches, the first thing people notice about Bob Baker is his height. The second characteristic they usually pick up on is his dedication and enthusiasm for fire service. Baker worked in eight positions during 30 years with the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority before taking over as the department’s chief last October. With predecessor Dan Qualman at the helm for 28 years, Baker knows he has big shoes to fill and high expectations to meet. Fortunately for him, Baker had the chance to study under Qualman and adopt many of his leadership qualities, chief among them patience and humility. Although he didn’t have much say in choosing his replacement, Qualman says he wasn’t surprised that Baker succeeded him at the highest rung in the South Metro Fire ladder.
“He’s analytical and intuitive, which I think is a real positive strength,” said the former chief, now a fire-protection consultant who considers himself semi-retired.
New horizons Baker’s experience in multiple capacities in the fire service has its advantages, but he has had to negotiate a learning curve since becoming chief. “The political side of the fire chief position is a lot more significant than the job I had before in operations,” he said, before listing the numerous cities, counties and law enforcement and fire agencies with which South Metro has a relationship. “You want to represent the organization with integrity and distinction, and you are a figurehead.” Baker and Qualman agree the biggest challenge will be keeping up with the pace of residential and commercial growth, in terms of inspections, response times and public education. South Metro Fire covers areas where major development is occurring or planned, including RidgeGate in Lone Tree, Parker, Sterling Ranch and Greenwood Village.
HOW BIG IS SOUTH METRO FIRE’S DISTRICT? The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority provides fire suppression, emergency medical service, building protection, life-safety training and other specialized rescue operations and services to an area that includes 194,000 residents and covers 176 square miles. The communities covered are Parker, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, most of Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, and unincorporated portions of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, including Louviers.
Area high school students share ideas at Capitol Members of the Youth Advisory Council make some policy recommendations By Christy Steadman
csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
A group of high school students recently proved they care about what happens in their state when they gave a presentation to Colorado’s state legislators at the Capitol in Denver. The students, all members of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, announced the group’s 2015 policy recommendations on Colorado’s water supply, public safety, mental health services and K-12 testing. The legislators enjoy hearing from Colorado’s young adults about what matters to them, said Maureen Wolsborn, program manager for Engaged Public, a Denverbased public policy firm that facilitates the advisory council. The legislators are generally “blown away” by the students’ ideas, creativity and
level of professionalism, Wolsborn added. “It’s a really unique experience that most adults don’t get,” Wolsborn said, “let alone high-schoolers.” COYAC is an advisory council to the Legislature made up of 40 students between the ages of 14 and 19 who represent each of Colorado’s Senate districts, Wolsborn said. “The students get a taste of what lawmaking and being a legislator is like,” she said. “There’s a lot of emphasis on making sure the students are running the council.” The students are required to meet four times throughout the year, Wolsborn said, and the fourth time is the trip to the Capitol to present the policy recommendations they had been working on. In addition to the four meetings, the students talk with each other via Skype, email or phone, she added. In total, they spend about two hours a week, plus some weekend hours contributing to COYAC. “We keep in mind they are still in high school,” Wolsborn said, but “the students are dedicated and come up with some Capitol continues on Page 22
Members of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council gave a presentation to Colorado’s state legislators on March 16 when the group announced its 2015 policy recommendations on Colorado’s water supply, public safety, mental health services and K-12 testing. Pictured, seated, from left, is David Willins, Logan Graham, Nick Gunther and Cole Hancock of Littleton. Standing, from left is Kate Burnite, William Kohnert and Joshua May to the far right. Courtesy photo