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The Independent 5
December 25, 2014
Council OKs counter measure for ballot Urban-renewal battle spurs strong language
‘I am highly insulted by
By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Fireworks flew in Littleton City Council chambers on Dec. 16 in what’s been perhaps the most divisive issue in the city since the great Walmart debate of 2007. “I am embarrassed and sickened by the tenor that is being generated by something to benefit the community,” said Councilmember Debbie Brinkman, who began her political career as an anti-Walmart activist when one was proposed just north of her home. Back then, she and others gathered signatures and forced the issue to a vote of the people, which is exactly what the group Citizens for Rational Development has done to get its anti-urban-renewal measure onto the ballot for a March 3 special election. Supporters ultimately rounded up 3,926 verified signatures, about 800 more than the 3,152 required. As a result, voters will be asked to decide whether they should get the chance to weigh in on every urban-renewal project city council might consider that includes the use of eminent domain, condemnation, tax-increment financing, revenue sharing or cost sharing — in essence, every project that might come forward. Their success launched a counter group, Littleton Strong, which is asking voters to reject the initiative and keep an open mind when it comes to urban renewal. Rather than beating the streets for signatures, that group asked council to sponsor its ballot initiative, which would simply ban the use of eminent domain in urban renewal projects. “Our group agrees that the use of eminent domain and condemnation powers should be limited,” reads a letter to council signed by Norman Stucker on behalf of Littleton Strong. “We believe (our ballot language) addresses the potential for misuse of eminent domain and condemnation powers without weakening our community’s ability to use urban renewal strategies to the point where it is eliminated as a potential tool altogether.”
those folks who referred to this
Cernanec
as a lazy approach.’ Littleton Mayor Phil Cernanec Council passed the resolution that puts the Littleton Strong measure on the ballot by a vote of 5-2, with Peggy Cole and Jerry Valdes dissenting. But members of CRD were not pleased that council sponsored the legislation simply on the basis of a request. Linda Knufinke, a former planning board member, said the council’s action “denounces and disrespects” the efforts of citizens who worked to gather signatures for the CRD measure. “This is being done by lazy individuals to get something on the ballot without doing any work at all,” she said. Pam Chadbourne and her fellow CRD members collectively spent about 400 hours gathering signatures, she said. “These efforts are not equal,” she said. Mayor Phil Cernanec was incensed at the implication. “I am highly insulted by those folks who referred to this as a lazy approach,” he said, noting he’d spent two campaigns walking miles and knocking on doors to get elected to represent the people. “I find it personally insulting, and Pam, you can shake your head, but that’s meant for you and others.” Brinkman recalled that the anti-Walmart group wanted council to sponsor their ballot language but was shut down, so they hit the streets. “Citizens are completely within their rights to ask their elected representatives to sponsor that legislation,” clarified Kristen Schledorn, city attorney. Councilman Bruce Stahlman was shocked there was opposition to the Littleton Strong language, since it was giving those opposed to urban renewal exactly
Another developer ducks out of Tuck Taylor Morrison halts plans for land in Columbine Valley By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Taylor Morrison is now the second developer this year to pedal backward on development of Wild Plum Farm in Columbine Valley. “Unfortunately, Taylor Morrison is unable to make the purchase of this property viable at this time and has canceled escrow,” Phillip Cross, vice president of land development, said in a statement. The news likely has some neighbors of the 105-acre property, also known as the Tuck property, breathing a sigh of relief. “I’m really concerned these homes are going to be cheap,” said one woman who attended an informational meeting, along with a few dozen of her neighbors, at Columbine Country Club on Sept. 17. She and others noted that Taylor Morrison is not known for high-end houses. But Greg Barbuto, director of land development for Taylor Morrison, maintained that because the property is very expensive, the homes would have to be high end in order to make the project financially feasible. During that meeting, some expressed concern that it would be the same team
that’s building the patio homes on the former Willowcroft site at Bowles Avenue and Platte Canyon Road, which aren’t terribly popular among some current residents. Garrett Baum of Urban Frontiers, who lives in Bow Mar, spent a couple of years working with Taylor Morrison on the Willowcroft project, even weathering a referendum that sent those plans to a vote of the people. “It was a good process,” said Barbuto. “They definitely were tough, but I think at the end of the day, it was a fair process.” Baum had planned to turn the pristine farm into a strictly residential development, but had not released any specific plans. The land is currently zoned for agricultural use. The town’s master plan recommends rezoning it to allow no more than one dwelling per acre, though that doesn’t necessarily translate to one-acre lots. Town Manager JD McCrumb has explained that a substantial floodplain and open-space requirements don’t count against the units per acre, they just shift where the homes will be. Toll Brothers had put in a bid on the property in January, but pulled out in late May. “While in the process of due diligence, they decided, based on the potential costs that could be incurred with their development, not to enter into the contract,” said McCrumb at the time.
HAVE A STORY IDEA? Email Littleton Community Editor Jennifer Smith at jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com or call 303-566-4079.
City makes loan to LIFT Authority expects future projects to cover repayment
“I want to get a feel for what the citizens want,” he said. The other five councilmembers felt that as long as they will retain oversight of the funds, they should give LIFT the money to do what council has asked it to do. “We very specifically made sure it was coming back to you, and that it was in small increments,” said Michael Penny, city manager. “We also acknowledge you need to spend money to make money. But this is a one-time, $200,000 loan, not a line of credit.” LIFT and council have approved four plan areas in which urban renewal can occur: the Santa Fe corridor from Prince Street to just south of Mineral Avenue; the Broadway corridor from north of Powers Avenue to south of Littleton Boulevard; the Columbine Square area at Belleview Avenue and Federal Boulevard; and the Littleton Boulevard corridor from Windermere Street to Bannock Street. With the plans in place, property owners can approach LIFT with specific redevelopment projects and reasons why they can’t happen without financial assistance from the authority. If the board members are persuaded, they can enter into an agreement that whatever new taxes are generated from the project get divided between the authority and the property owner for 25 years. The money has to be spent on public improvements like roads, drainage, sewer and sidewalks — major expenditures that often impede development.
By Jennifer Smith
jsmith @coloradocommunitymedia.com On Dec. 16, Littleton City Council approved the first $50,000 installment of a $200,000 loan to keep Littleton Invests for Tomorrow, the city’s urban-renewal authority, afloat until the first projects roll in to start generating its own income. When LIFT kicked into high gear early this year, it had about $142,000, which has been spent on administrative and consulting costs. “We’re basically out of money,” said Jim Rees, executive director, adding that he’s fairly confident some projects will be ready to go in time to pay back the loan, with interest, by the 2019 deadline. Councilmembers Peggy Cole and Jerry Valdes voted against the loan. “We’re not expecting to have the same results as the Riverfront project, but that can happen, and I’m not comfortable going forward this way when we have other options,” Cole said. Most people agree the Riverfront project was not a success. It started life as a shopping center that quickly failed and now houses the Dish Network offices at Santa Fe Drive and Bowles Avenue. Valdes would rather wait until after the March 3 special election on urbanrenewal issues, he said.
what they want, he said. Council passed a resolution that mirrors the ballot language in August, but CRD activists have complained that they could repeal it on a whim. “If this puts it in the charter, and it’s full of teeth, then it’s totally fair to ask voters if this is something they’d like to do,” said Stahlman.
Both sides are hoping to get their supporters to check their mail for ballots starting Feb. 9 and get them back by 7 p.m. March 3 to the City Center, 2255 W. Berry Ave. Alternate drop-off locations are the Arapahoe County building at 5334 S. Prince St. and the county election warehouse at 5251 S. Federal Blvd.
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