Littleton Independent 0311

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March 11, 2021

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

LittletonIndependent.net

VOLUME 76 | ISSUE 20

Noise limits in downtown boosted Weekends can get louder on Main Street; council to reevaluate law this fall BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Aspen Grove shopping center in southwest Littleton could be mostly torn down and rebuilt into a mixed-use complex, city PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT documents show.

Aspen Grove could see overhaul Battered by COVID economy, shopping center in Littleton looks for a restart BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Aspen Grove shopping center in south Littleton could be headed for a total overhaul into a mixeduse residential, retail and office complex, if plans proposed by its owners move forward. Gerrity Group, which owns the shopping center beside Santa Fe Drive just north of Mineral Avenue, is in the “very early stages” of exploring a sweeping redevelop-

ment, according to a statement and documents filed with the city. The plans would involve tearing down most of the complex in phases. In its place, Gerrity would like to build a new array of buildings on a grid of streets, combining market-rate high-density housing, retail, office space and possibly a hotel. “The goal is to create a more sustainable, socially conscious and walkable property that meets the broader community needs,” reads a letter of intent filed with the City of Littleton in late January. The timeline for the project remains murky. Gerrity’s plans would require an amendment to the site’s zoning, mandating several public meetings and hearings.

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 23

In a January pre-application meeting with city staff, officials recommended Gerrity wait to submit formal plans until after October, when the city’s Unified Land Use Code — a new set of zoning regulations — is expected to be ratified, though Gerrity said they may push ahead before that. Communications for the Gerrity Group are being handled by former Littleton Mayor Debbie Brinkman, who has been hired on as a consultant for the project. Tough times The 33-acre shopping center, built in 2001 and 2002, consists of a long perimeter of shops around SEE ASPEN GROVE, P13

Downtown revelry will get a bit more leeway this summer, after Littleton City Council unanimously passed an ordinance boosting the allowable sound level on Main Street. The ordinance allows a maximum sound level of 80 decibels in the Main Street historic district from noon to 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays. The previous limit was 60 decibels all days of the week. The ordinance will sunset at the end of October, at which time council plans to evaluate its effectiveness. The ordinance initially came before council in a much looser form, which would have expanded the window for higher noise from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and would have included the entire downtown area — stretching into residential and office areas several blocks to the north and south — rather than just Main Street itself. Community Development Director Jennifer Henninger apologized for the process used to bring the measure before council, saying her SEE NOISE, P9

CRAFTING THE PERFECT CUP Area roasters get creative, to the delight of coffee enthusiasts P14


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