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February 19, 2015 VOLU M E 1 4 | I S SUE 5
LoneTreeVoice.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Widening to worsen C-470 noise Meetings aim to inform about sound levels By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com
Ethan, left, and Drew VanWoerkom of Lone Tree push off for another run down the hill at Acres Green’s Lonesome Pine Park hill Feb. 16.
The thrill of the hill Fresh snow and the Presidents Day holiday made the sledding hill at Acres Green’s Lonesome Pine Park a hot spot for local school kids Feb. 16. The park across from Acres Green Elementary is managed by South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, and with its long, relatively steep and treeless hill, has long been one of the most popular sledding sites in the area.
PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER
James Hermann of Lone Tree sizes up the hill at Lonesome Pine Park in Acres Green Feb. 16.
City adopts construction-defects rules Protesters and critics don’t sway council from unanimous vote By Jane Reuter
jreuter@colorado communitymedia.com The Lone Tree City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Feb. 17 to change the process of resolving condominium construction defects and cut back on litigation, with the ultimate goal of inspiring more condo development. They were unpersuaded by testimony from several critics, most of them attorneys, or the presence of approximately 30 protesters who lined the sidewalk outside the Lone Tree Civic Center before the meeting. Opponents said the city’s new requirements give too much power to developers and take away too many homeowner rights. Some said the current process, while timeconsuming, ultimately works. And others said the market will
About 30 people protested Lone Tree’s construction defects ordinance before a Feb. 17 city council meeting at the Civic Center on Lone Tree Parkway. Photo by Jane Reuter eventually correct the housing imbalance. But council members, citing statistics that show a sharp drop in condo construction, said they want to ensure a balanced housing mix in the city. Without change, they believe construction defects laws could alter the vision for Lone Tree’s as-yet undeveloped east
side. “In the last three years, we’ve had 733 rental units built and zero condos,” Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Millet said. “Removing that rung from the homeownership ladder has really done harm in our community. The rental rates in Douglas County are pretty astronomical.
“I would love my children someday to be able to live in a house in Lone Tree. If we do not have condos, and with the laws the way they are, I don’t see that happening.” A 2005 state law is blamed for creating today’s litigious environment and discouragingly high insurance premiums for condo developers. Lone Tree is among the first municipalities in Colorado to try to resolve the issue. Its new requirements give developers a chance to repair a defect before a lawsuit is filed, and ensure all homeowners in a complex — not just the HOA board — are aware of what’s happening. The ordinance takes effect April 1. Lakewood passed a similar measure in October 2014. The Town of Parker also added a provision in late 2014 intended to resolve such issues outside a courtroom. State efforts to do so have so far fallen flat, though a construction-defects reform bill City continues on Page 9
With a growing population comes more traffic, and with that comes lane expansions and added noise. The Colorado Department of Transportation had two open houses at the Highlands Ranch Metro District headquarters Feb. 10 and 11 to present its analysis of traffic noise generated by C-470, which is being widened by two and, in some places, three toll lanes starting in 2016. CDOT researched noise levels during “worst-case scenario” travel hours and peak traffic times, and projected what those numbers will be when the entire widening is completed around 2018, said Jon Chesser, environmental project manager for CDOT. Officials presented the numbers to homeowners who live near the interstate, along with recommendations to mitigate the increased noise, during the open houses. The second night drew more than 60 people who had questions pertaining to everything from how the studies were conducted to what impacts the noise might have on home values. Any homeowners exposed to sound below 66 decibels are considered not impacted by traffic noise, Chesser said, citing state and federal standards. Those who are affected will have the opportunity to vote on whether they want a noise barrier, such as a wall or berm, and a vote of 50 percent in favor is required to build a barrier. The extent of mitigation measures will also be weighed against construction costs. Some residents were upset that their homes were not within the zone that recommended noise abatement features. That included William Berg, who bought his home on Mallard Place, near Colorado Boulevard and Venneford Ranch Road, just six months ago. He was attending his first public meeting about the widening Feb. 11 after receiving a letter and postcard from the state. Berg, whose top concern is noise, was surprised to find there was no recommendation for a wall or berm behind his house on the poster boards at the meeting, despite his proximity to C-470. “Even though my house backs up directly to 470 and it’s going to expand closer to my house with more traffic, I’m not a candidate for noise mitigation,” he said, before Noise continues on Page 9
Residents view a project schedule and the results of noise impact analyses related to the addition of toll lanes on C-470 between I-25 and Kipling Street. Some neighborhoods could get sound barriers, such as walls and berms. Photo by Chris Michlewicz