ARVADA PRESS 2/14/13
February 14, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 8, Issue 38
City reworks Olde Town guidelines
GOING ALL OUT
Historic preservation, continuing development intent of new design requirements By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com
Erin Metzger-Seymour of Ralston Valley High competes in the girls 200-yard freestyle finals during the Class 5A State Swimming Championships Saturday at EPIC in Fort Collins. See more sports coverage on Pages 21-22. Photo by Andy Carpenean
Marine celebrates 91st ‘oorah!’ Leader of Iwo Jima platoon marks birthday By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com Just a few days after his 23rd birthday, Marine Lt. Keith Wells was an “old man” on his way to Iwo Jima. It has been 68 years since then and on Feb. 5, Honorary Retired Major John Keith Wells celebrated his 91st birthday, surrounded by his family as well as veterans and current Marines. Wells was the platoon leader of the 3rd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division — one of the most decorated infantry platoons to come out of a single engagement — and the first to raise a flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. “His famous saying on the way over there was, ‘Give me 50 men not afraid to die, and I’ll take any position,’” said his daughter Connie Schultz. Wells was in the Marines from 194346, during which time he led the attack on Mount Suribachi in February 1945. Wells and Pfc. Donald Ruhl stormed the beach on Iwo Jima on D-Day before the pla-
Retired Marine Lt. Keith Wells, left, shakes hands with U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Aaron McDonald at a birthday celebration for Wells at the Verandas Assisted Living in Wheat Ridge Feb. 5. Wells, 91, was in the platoon that raised the first flag over Iwo Jima during World War II. Photo by Andy Carpenean toon joined them. While the platoon was in no-man’s land on its way to the base of Mount Suribachi, a Japanese soldier threw a grenade from a
trench, which Ruhl threw himself on. “It saved Keith’s life and a lot of others,” Wells continues on Page 18
City Council unanimously approved ordinances to rezone the Olde Town area and develop new design guidelines during its Feb. 4 regular business meeting. “It’s updating and refining the existing design guidelines to make it more sensitive to the specific context and to make it more user-friendly and at the same time to adjust the zoning to meet two objectives,” said Nore Winter with the consulting firm Winter and Company. “One is to promote the historic preservation of those areas with historic significance and at the same time to accommodate and facilitate higher intensity development where it’s appropriate.” The rezoning of Old Town included changing it from a “central business zoning district” to the “Olde Town zoning district,” which was revised to include “eating and drinking establishments” excluding “fast food restaurants with a drive-thru.” The rezoning also includes seven subdistricts that specifically meet the needs of various parts of Olde Town. The new guidelines “reflect the city’s goals to promote economic and sustainable development, to enhance the image of the area and reuse historic resources,” the ordinance read. The new standards brought some concern from residents though, specifically regarding the historic preservation of Olde Town. Resident Nancy Young asked council if a historic preservationist evaluated the plans to ensure they do not disturb the area’s rich history. “Olde Town Arvada is a gem, an absolute gem,” Young said. “Many residents today don’t realize this town was the center of activity in northern Jefferson County from the 1870s to 1970s, and we have a very long history. Even Westminster consults with a historic preservationist, and Westminster has very few properties of the magnitude and nature that Arvada has.” Historic preservation, though, was the primary consideration when drafting the new zoning areas and design guidelines, Winter said. “That is the reason the subdistricts are designed as they are,” he said. “Two of those are historic district areas … the policies and guidelines related to historic properties are identified and outlined in the design guidelines. The zoning policies in the historic district areas call for smaller scale buildings.” In the design guidelines packet, each subdistrict has a vision statement that goes in depth about the district and its qualities. “I find that a remarkable improvement to where we are today,” said District 1 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Zenzinger. “It really helps clarify what we have, what we want to maintain and how we want to maintain it well into the future. I find that very reassuring.” The new zoning maps and design guidelines can be found at www.arvada.org under the link “Design Guidelines for Olde Town” on the scrolling banner.
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