January 1, 2015 VOLU M E 31 | I SS UE 27 | 5 0 ¢
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The road more traveled Continued focus on 38th among stories of the year By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com This year some major growth and changes in Wheat Ridge, coupled with serious and vibrant debate about the best way for Wheat Ridge to develop as a city. Here are some of the biggest stories of the year:
38th Avenue
The 38th Avenue corridor continued to be a topic of discussion and debate in 2014, especially with the rejection by voters of a city ballot to widen the avenue. Issue 2B would have changed the street width designations for sections of 38th Avenue. The street would have been 47 feet from Upham Street to High Court, 41 feet from High Court to 230 feet east of High Court and from that point until Marshall Street the width would have been 35 feet. The 38th Avenue Corridor project has been at the forefront
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WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Vicki Murgach, a shift manager at Northern Lights Cannabis Co., rings up a customer’s order at the marijuana shop in Edgewater on Oct. 31. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain PBS I-News of the city’s efforts to enhance economic vitality by attracting businesses and people to Wheat Ridge. At the Nov. 17 study session council discussed the results of the election, with a particular focus on how to move forward on the 38th Avenue plan. Part of Entelechy’s — the firm designing the corridor — design called for amenity zones that included bike racks, chairs, pedestrian lighting and planters. Bulb outs were also planned for 38th, which would extend the curb into the street at certain intersections allowing for chairs and tables to be placed in the extended space. The increased width would have also accommodated on-street parking on both sides of the road from Upham to High Court. Some council members blame the road diet for the voters’ rejections, other the $9.3 million price tag on the 38th Avenue design. Mayor Joyce Jay called for council to evaluate each variable of the 38th Avenue project to find out what exactly the voters are taking issue with. Council hopes to set up future community meetings in which city staff will present multiple options for moving forward with 38th Avenue.
Elections: Jahn holds on
Wheat Ridge rejected two city ballot issues on the Nov. 4 election — opting against raising the sales and use tax by 1 percent and declining to widen the 38th Avenue corridor. Ballot issue 2A asked the city to raise sales and use tax by 1 percent for an extra $6.4 million in the first fiscal year. The issue failed 41.92 percent to 58.08 percent. Issue 2B would have changed the street width designations for sections of 38th Avenue. The street would have been 47 feet from Upham Street to High Court, 41 feet from High Court to 230 feet east of High Court and from that point until Marshall Street the width would have been 35 feet. The issue failed 42.7 percent to 57.3 percent.
oped land such as the greenbelt. The draft ordinance proposes that licensing for marijuana establishments be handled using the special use permit process. Such a process would require the applicant to would go before council and surrounding neighbors, and justify the need for a new business.
Megan’s Place
Jahn
For issue 2A, city staff had planned to seek a bond for the funds so to address improvement and maintenance issues more quickly. Democratic incumbent state Sen. Cheri Jahn held on to her seat against Republican challenger Larry Queen for the district 20 seat by a narrow margin — 33,543 votes (or 46.81 percent) to 33,104 (or 46.19 percent). Democrat Jessie Danielson beat Republican Joseph DeMott house district 24 with 17,501 votes (or 53.38 percent) to 15,286 (46.62 percent).
Marijuana legalization
Marijuana continued to be a subject of intense debate and scrutiny in Wheat Ridge. The city council approved an ordinance to enact a 120-day moratorium on the submission, acceptance, processing and approval of applications and requests for a Permit, License, Land Use approval or other approval for any Medical Marijuana Establishment or Retail Marijuana Establishment. Rumors of a potential marijuana grow operation near W.
38th Avenue and Miller Street — a location that is close to Discovery Park and the Wheat Ridge recreation center — renewed debate about how the city should handle, regulate or potentially prohibit the marijuana industry. Council opted for a 120-day moratorium to grant a bit of a time buffer to deliberate through the holidays. City council also discussed a draft ordinance, detailing new restrictions and procedures for retail and medical marijuana stores and manufacturers. Should the ordinance pass, the city would limit the number of retail marijuana store fronts in Wheat Ridge to five. The ordinance would also place a cap of three on the number of marijuana manufacturers that can be in Wheat Ridge. Among other things the ordinance aims to accomplish is to add a separate 1000 feet of space between marijuana store fronts and the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center and improved city parks, meaning parks with playgrounds that have been specifically developed for families. This 1000-foot buffer would exclude undevel-
Megan’s Place opened in the city, giving parents a safe place to work with their children with developmental and physical disabilities. The care center is the first of its kind in the Denver area and caters to children ages 6 to 16 years old. Originated by two Jefferson county teachers; Bryan and Kristin Smock, the facility is located at 6175 W. 38th Ave. in an old home built in 1929 that has been renovated to meet the demands of special needs kids. The center is handicapped accessible throughout the entire facility that has a homely feel with both open and private spaces to suit the varying needs of kids that will be visiting. Rooms are stocked with toys, puzzles, balls and books with fun themed rooms such as the Mario Playroom and Cuddle Corner. It’s also serves as a place for parents to receive much needed rest from taking care of a child with a disability. All the staff members are trained in CPR, first aid, seizures, and medication administration. Pricing ranges from $10 to $20 an hour with a two hour minimum requirement. Walk-ins are welcome although calling ahead is encouraged in order to make necessary preparations. The center which is open Monday through Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. offers in-home weekend overnights upon request and sibling care on the first Friday and Saturday nights of the month for “Date Night” for parents.
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