Englewood herald 0214

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February 14, 2014

75 cents Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 93, Issue 52 A publication of

englewoodherald.net

Public hearing delayed More resident comment sought on home-occupation rules By Tom Munds

tmunds@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

She said he became a Special Olympian after, as an 8-year-old, he underwent the first of a series of operations to remove a large brain tumor. His mother said other problems have developed but her son refuses to let them hamper him or keep him off the basketball court. “The Special Olympic sports are wonderful for me too,” Marilyn said. “I love to watch him have fun out there on the court. I love to see him as he enjoys taking part in the competition. The sports are good for him and they are good for me.”

The Englewood City Council took the unusual action Feb. 3 of continuing the public hearing on the proposed amendments to the home occupations regulations, stating the decision was an effort to get more public comment on the issue. The existing city regulations prohibit all home occupations in the R1A zones residential district. An issue about enforcement of that regulation triggered the council’s May 2013 request for staff to work on the issue and seek to develop amendments that would permit some home occupations in the R1A zone without an impact on the character of the neighborhoods. The staff recommended a number of amendments to the home occupation regulations. The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the issues at several meetings and only one resident testified at the commission’s Oct. 8 public hearing. The continuing council discussion led to the proposal to adopt seven amendments to the regulations. Some of the issues proposed in the amendments included removal of the ban on home occupations in the R1A zone and eliminating the ban on more than one home occupation in a home in any of the residential zones. To preserve the character of the R1A zone, the proposed amendments would ban seeing customers in the home or putting up signs advertising the home occupation. Another proposal would allow home occupations to be set up in structures such as a garage or shed adjacent to the residence in all residential zones. The council held the Feb. 3 public hearing on the amendments as scheduled. Five residents spoke at the Feb. 3 public hearing. During council discussion when the public hearing was closed, Councilmember Linda Olson proposed continuing the hearing until the Feb. 18 meeting. “We have two councilmembers absent tonight and the detailed information about the amendments took a while to get posted on the web,” she said. “I recommend we continue the public hearing and urge residents interested in the issue to come and testify so we hear the opinions of the people about these amendments.” Councilmember Steve Yates agreed. “I support continuing the public hearing,” he said. “This is a very important issue and we need to hear comments from as many residents as possible. Then, we can use the testimony to properly craft these amendments.”

Hoop continues on Page 7

Hearing continues on Page 7

Players from both teams look on as South Suburban star Emily Phipps puts the ball in a special basket held by Southsiders player Shawneen Cooney during a Feb. 5 Special Olympics basketball game at Englewood High School. Special rules, such as the use of the adaptive basket, apply for the game. Photos by Tom Munds

Special Olympians hoop it up Crowd cheers every play made during the basketball game

POSTAL ADDRESS

who range in age from teens to individuals in their 30s and 40s who live in surrounding areas, including Littleton, Englewood, Centennial and Highlands Ranch. By Tom Munds In Special Olympics bastmunds@ ketball, the idea remained to colorado put the ball into the basket communitymedia.com but rules changed to accommodate the needs of players. The Special Olympic athNo one is called for traveling letes battled for rebounds if he or she runs down the and went to the floor to capcourt holding the ball or if a ture loose balls during the wheelchair-bound player has South Suburban-Southsiders the ball in his or her lap. Feb. 5 basketball game at EnScoring is a goal but there glewood High School. is a lot more emphasis on Both teams draw players participating and having fun. For example, a player who might not normally get the basketball is given the ball and moved into the lane to take a shot. But, if he or she doesn’t’ get the ball through the hoop, the ball is returned to the shooter for a second shot whether the shooter’s teammate or a member of the other team gets the rebound. Another difference is everyone on the team gets equal time on the court as the entire lineup on the court is replaced halfway through each of the four quarters. The crowd at the Feb. 5 game made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers as everyone cheered loudly for every play made no matter which team’s player made it. “This (game) is a lot of 6x1.75_BringAppetite_Layout 1 2/3/14fun. 11:15Basketball AM Page 1 is a lot of

South Suburban’s Alan Kovacs brings the ball up the court in a Feb. 5 Special Olympics basketball game against the Southsiders. The crowd and players cheered for each play no matter which team it was made for. The game was competitive but the main focus was on the fun of playing basketball. fun,” Shawneen Cooney, a Southside player, said during a break in the action. “I get to meet new people from other teams and I get to have fun with my teammates. I like to shoot the ball and it feels good, real good when the ball goes into the basket.” Marilyn Jordan, mother of South Suburban player Michael Jordan, said her son loves basketball season. “It is a physical and emotional outlet for him and he really looks forward to the games,” the Littleton resident said as she watched the game. “He is very competitive and, as you see, he often ends up on the floor but that is how he plays.”

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