1-Color
May 2, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 27 A publication of
parkerchronicle.net
Project adds ‘highway commercial’ Amendment doubles number of allowed units in Cottonwood Highlands By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com
A portion of Parker is visible behind the public notice sign along Chambers Road, just north of E-470, where Cottonwood Highlands will be built. The tollway corridor is poised for a commercial and residential development boom. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
“Accelerated development” along the E-470 corridor will continue with the approval of a request to more than double the number of units allowed in Cottonwood Highlands. During a meeting last month, Parker Town Council approved an amendment to a planned development guide that increased permitted dwelling units from 570 to 1,230. The request was submitted by C & J Land Investments LLC, the company behind the Cottonwood Highlands project. The proposed neighborhood will be built north of E-470 and stretch from west of Chambers Road to east of Jordan Road.
The site includes several parcels on approximately 202 acres. The objective for the Cottonwood Highlands Planned Development is to “create a living working community in response to the accelerated development of the E-470 Corridor,” the request said. The land presents an “opportunity for a blend of residential and mixed commercial land uses,” including what’s known as “highway commercial” zoning that allows for more intensive development. The approved amendment introduces the “highway commercial” designation to the guide, as well as a mixed-use planning area that can “allow for housing to be combined with supportive retail and commercial uses,” the request says. In the highway commercial zone, the developer wants to attract uses that are “complementary and supportive of the Compark Business Campus, Cottonwood Highlands” and surrounding neighborhoods, the development guide says. Project continues on Page 10
Crime rate drops in ‘13 for Parker Annual report shows decrease in charges, increase in spending By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com The Parker Police Department’s annual report highlighted an increase in traffic accidents and a slight decline in the number of criminal charges in 2013. The number of assault charges filed with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office went from 143 in 2012 to 109 last year, a 23 percent drop. Burglaries trended BY THE NUMBERS downward during — hours of training the same time peby Parker police last year riod, going from 130 to 93 and equating — traffic accidents to a 28 percent demillion — crease, according to Parker police’s 2013 budget the report. Larceny charges — arsons in the town went up 10 percent, — robberies in the town from 674 two years ago to 740 in 2013, representing the only significant uptick in the target crime categories. Vehicle theft, vandalism and sex offenses all decreased. The total amount of filed criminal charges dropped 2.6 percent, from 1,720 to 1,676. There were 1,132 traffic accidents in 2013, approximately 10 percent more than the previous year. The highest number of crashes — 44 — occurred at the intersection of Parker Road and Mainstreet; the second highest was 37 at Parker Road and Lincoln Avenue. Citations, of which 98 percent were traffic-related, rose by nearly 7 percent last year, said Laurie Milord, crime analyst for the Parker police. Seatbelt infractions went from
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1,132 $12.5 9 5
Report continues on Page 10
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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Michael Ryan, 5, of Parker, gets a lesson in birdhouse-making from his dad, Mike, during the town’s Arbor Day event April 26 at Tallman Meadow Park. Dozens of families got a sunny but windy day in the Idyllwilde subdivision, where they planted 30 trees and built birdhouses during the town’s annual celebration. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
Anderson back in sheriff ’s race Castle Rock police commander asks voters to write him in By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@coloradocommunitymedia.com Castle Rock Police Cmdr. John Anderson isn’t going to let the outcome of the Douglas County GOP Assembly stop him. Anderson, who fell 20 votes shy of making the Republican primary ballot in what had been a three-person race for the party
nomination, is officially back in the running for sheriff, and is asking voters to consider writing him in as the county’s top law officer in June when the Republican primary rolls around. Anderson Heading into the March 22 county assembly, Anderson, Coroner Lora Thomas and Undersheriff Tony Spurlock all were seeking the Republican nod. Yet after Spurlock garnered the support of 50.4 percent of the 460 delegates who voted and neither Thomas (24.8 percent) nor Anderson (24.6 percent)
got the required 30 percent to make it on to the ballot, Spurlock became the only one of three to get on. That didn’t sit well with Anderson, who is frustrated, not just with the caucus process, which he calls “corrupt,” but also with the current regime that has been in control of Douglas County since Sheriff Steve Zotos took office in 1983. Zotos was succeeded by his Capt. Mike Acree, who after his resignation as sheriff supported the county commissioners in appointing his undersheriff, current termlimited Sheriff David Weaver, to the office in 2005. Spurlock is Weaver’s undersheriff. Anderson continues on Page 10