Transcript Golden
November 21, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourgoldennews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 51
Golden Saddles Estates draws county concern
TIMBER! A LOT OF TIMBER!
Homeowners unaware cul-de-sac designated as through street By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
Dillon Haugum, left, and Kevin Nilsen, right, stand in front of a colossal size plains cottonwood at 1213 8th St. in Golden. The tree had rot inside which led to its removal as it posed a hazard for residents on the property. Nilsen, owner of TruRoots Arborscape, and his colleague, Haugum, estimated the tree to be 120 years old, at least, and weighing anywhere from 25,000 to 30,000 pounds. A crane was needed to remove the canopy, with limbs weighing 5,500 pounds to 7,500 pounds. It took Nilsen five days to finish the job. Courtesy photo by Kevin Nilsen
Jeffco commissioners unanimously passed rezoning of the Golden Saddles Estates development plan Nov. 12, but not without raising concerns about access points to the proposed site which could encroach on what was thought of as a closed off cul-de-sac. Remington Homes, a company located in Arvada, is heading the housing development located just south of West 58th Avenue and Blanca Street at 18530 West 58th Ave. in Golden. The lot size is about 12.58 acres and will border the Estates at North Table Mountain with up to 30 residential lots. To the east of the site, is West 58th Court, which is a residential road that curves through Table Mountain Heights, where it ends at a fenced off cul-de-sac. Developers proposed extending the cul-de-sac to the proposed neighborhood which drew criticism not only from county commissioners but also residents who argued it would not only disrupt controlled traffic flow along the street but they were unaware their street could be opened as a through street when they bought their homes. “When somebody buys a house on 58th Concern continues on Page 8
Coal Creek Canyon on its way to recovery Highway 72 opens to residents, public transit By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com Coal Creek Canyon residents are beginning to feel whole again since the September floods, with the opening of Highway 72 on Nov. 11, and with the help of a local charity which received recognition from Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Jeffco officials. Canyon Cares, a grassroots charity organization, has provided assistance to Coal Creek Canyon residents for the past six years. Its goal is to help community members who have hit hard times by providing financial assistance if needed for house payments or car payments, food assistance or labor help. When Coal Creek became overrun with flood waters, Canyon Cares sprang into action and assessed resident needs. “We ramped up to be a physical aid in people’s homes,” Pastor Brian Young of Whispering Pines Church and president of Canyon Cares said. The Pastors Pantry Food, a community food bank associated with Whispering POSTAL ADDRESS
Pines Church, was handing out food, water and toiletry supplies. During the first week after the floods, the pantry was open six days a week. Starting the week of Nov. 18, the pantry food bank will go back to its regular hours at every Wednesday, 4:305:30 p.m. “We were the only people that had any kind of food,” Susie Starr, head of Christian Life at Whispering Pines said, while trying to hold back her tears. “It’s just been a privilege to be able to provide food the community, and I guess I still get emotional about it,” she said. “It’s just a real blessing to have the road open.” The re-opening of the highway also meant a much easier time for children and their families. Around 42 students from Ralston Valley High School had to take an hour and a half ride to school and back, leaving at 5:30 in the morning while the highway was closed, Pastor Young said. His daughter had to stay with friends who lived closer to school due to after school activities. “It’s just hard on a whole family,” when you have a child staying down in town,” Young said. With Coal Creek Canyon’s future looking a little brighter, residents still have more obstacles to overcome before things
Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, is joined by Jefferson county representatives, the Coal Creek Canyon Fire Department and CDOT officials during the ribbon cutting event, which opened Highway 72 in Coal Creek Canyon on Nov. 11. Photo by Amy Woodward are back to normal. There are 13 houses that are radically changed, with residents displaced, Pastor Young said. There are 20 more homes with severe mold issues, or with cars that cannot get out. Overall, Young estimates there are 30 to 50 homes that sustained minor damage.
“I already see that people are starting to feel a little bit more normal now,” Young said. “I can’t say enough about everybody involved, we feel like it’s a beautiful, beautiful road, the speed and determination they showed to get it done is just marvelous. It’s quite a relief to all of us.”
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
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