August 7, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
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Colorado cuisine has much more to offer than just an omelette
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Panel opposes land-use changes Planning commission votes 3-2 to recommend denial of IGA amendment By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com
Parker resident Tom Duncan points at a photo of one of his ancestors. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Digging deep into the past Parker man helps families uncover long-forgotten history By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Knowing what the future holds is a difficult proposition, but knowing the past has gotten much easier. Technology has brought about new ways of accessing old documents, helping more people discover their family histories. At the forefront of the changes has been Tom Duncan, who has taken on the art of genealogy as more than just a hobby. Duncan launched The Attic Genealogy Research from his Parker home in 2011, and since then has been uncovering closely held secrets, unraveling mysteries and introducing families to their ancestors. Duncan, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, uses common means of accessing public records, such as Ancestry.com, but has visited archives in Washington, D.C., that hold documents that have not yet been digitized. He also
has access to extensive databases that help connect the dots and fill in the gaps. The results are not always earth shattering, but they are nonetheless enlightening. “Not everyone’s family is famous, but everyone’s family has history that’s pretty amazing, since most of our ancestors were immigrants and had to take a lot of chances and risks to try to make a life over here,” says Duncan, who neatly packages the information based on his clients’ preferences. Access has improved at blinding speed in recent years due to online databases, record digitization and advancements like optical character readers that scan documents for key words. And with the advent of television shows like “Finding Your Roots,” “Who Do You Think You Are?” and the “Genealogy Roadshow,” more people have become interested in brushing the dirt away from undiscovered or long-forgotten family histories. Many of Duncan’s clients have recently lost a loved one. “They look at genealogy as a way to keep their memory alive and find out what their History continues on Page 9
Tom Duncan, founder of The Attic Genealogy, looks though an old journal that has been passed down through his family.
Innovation Pavilion coming to Parker
Planning continues on Page 9
Business incubator to bring experts, entrepreneurs together
Chief executive officer Vic Ahmed stands outside Innovation Pavilion’s Centennial facility. Courtesy photo
By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ABOUT INNOVATION PAVILION Located in Centennial, Innovation Pavilion provides coworking spaces, business incubation programs, job readiness training and a collaborative community
The Douglas County Planning Commission has recommended denial of a controversial amendment that could result in a higher density of homes south of Parker. The 3-2 vote by the planning commission, an advisory board to the county commissioners, followed two hours of impassioned pleas Aug. 3 from Pradera and Vistancia residents, who live adjacent to land being proposed for new homes northwest of South Parker Road and Scott Road. They are concerned that three proposed developments — Cielo, Sagewood Estates and Stone Creek Ranch — will have a negative impact on their neighborhood, including an increase in traffic and potential devaluation of homes. The planning commission was asked to consider an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement between the county and the Town of Parker. The IGA guides land use in areas where town boundaries meet with unincorporated areas of Douglas County. The properties are within Parker’s urban growth area, but the town said it is not yet prepared for additional development in that area, causing the landowners to ask Douglas County to review the plans. The Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to make a final decision on the IGA amendment at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock. If the changes to the IGA are approved, developers can then apply to rezone the land from an agricultural designation to “Planned Development,” allowing for a higher density of homes. Arlington Land Partners, LLC, which is developing the 151-acre Cielo site and recently took ownership of Stone Creek Ranch, is prepared to request the rezoning if the amendment is approved by the county commissioners.
that brings together entrepreneurs and business leaders. The 80,000-squarefoot facility at 9200 E. Mineral Ave. hosts more than 500 meetings and events per
year that foster innovation and business growth. For more information or to volunteer as a mentor, visit www.innovationpavilion. com.
Envision an office environment that fosters the success of entrepreneurs through mentoring and collaboration. Innovation Pavilion, a Centennial-based incubator for business start-ups, has announced plans to establish a facility in Parker, possibly in the downtown area. Vic Ahmed, chairman and chief executive officer for Innovation Pavilion, says the program involves bringing in industry experts to work alongside those who need help launching their business. It also encourages partnerships among the entrepreneurs, who would all be based in the same building. Innovation Pavilion has already been in discussions with regional business leaders, including the Denver South Economic Development Partnership, and has excited local officials who have been seeking a way to Pavilion continues on Page 9
Jim Weber, who owns a home in Pradera, speaks to the planning commission about what he believes will be negative impacts from a proposed residential development south of Parker. Photo by Chris Michlewicz