Englewood Herald 0117

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HITTING THE SLOPES A trip to the mountains doesn’t have to break the bank P14

75 CENTS

January 17, 2019

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

Englewood allows new accessory dwelling units Years in the works, proposal passes for small residential spaces BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

along with two large indoor playgrounds — called “multipurpose spaces” with vaulted ceilings, large windows and jungle gyms — offer ample room to play. Undulating concrete outside works as a tricycle track, said Julie McMorris, spokeswoman for the district. The front of every classroom opens to the indoor playgrounds on either side of the building, and the backs open to the outdoor playgrounds. And the facility isn’t just for kids — it will also function as a community space

Englewood will be the latest in a slew of Denver-area cities to allow for new accessory dwelling units, a housing option touted as both affordable and a way for homeowners to pull in additional income. After more than four years in the works, the proposal to allow ADUs — small residential spaces located behind a house or attached to a garage — was approved by the Englewood City Council, after Arvada, Golden, Lakewood, Jefferson County and Denver began allowing them in recent years. “ADUs have slowly made a comeback since the 1990s, particularly in the northwestern United States, in response to tight and expensive housing markets,” said a fact sheet from John Voboril, a planner with the city. But the wave of new ADU rules didn’t hit Englewood without resistance, and the city council approved the ordinance to allow new ADUs in most residential areas in a split vote Jan. 7 during a contentious discussion. “I definitely want to protect District 3 and the single-family area,” said Councilmember Laurett Barrentine, referring to

SEE PRESCHOOL, P21

SEE DWELLING, P21

Teacher Shannon Farr plays on the teeter-totter Jan. 8 with her children, Aiden and Keyano Farr, who both are students at the Maddox preschool. The new Maddox building held a grand opening that day. ELLIS ARNOLD

New preschool building ‘brings outside in’ Maddox Early Childhood Center opens with a lot to smile about BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s easy to mistake the inside of the new Maddox Early Childhood Education Center for something other than a school. But Englewood Schools officials say the district’s new preschool building is so heavy on fun precisely to encourage learning.

“Learning comes best for young children through play and exploration,” said Wendy Rubin, district superintendent, at the Jan. 8 grand opening of the new Maddox. The new building, one of five schools the district has recently rebuilt or is currently constructing, was designed throughout with special effort to keep the kids in mind: overhang roofing so they can still play outside in the elements, and underfloor heating because preschoolers spend so much time on the floor, are just a few features of the facility. Four playgrounds outdoors,

THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL

“If there has been a miscarriage of justice in this district ... I want to ensure there is a path to have their liberty restored.” George Brauchler, district attorney | Page 10 INSIDE

VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 20 | SPORTS: PAGE 22

EnglewoodHerald.net

VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 48


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