September 4, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
VO LUM E 1 3 | IS S U E 44 | FREE
LIFE
LOCAL
A look at what makes a good song for the summer
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County approves rezoning near Parker Plan for hundreds of homes has some residents up in arms By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
World War II veteran Jack Frank, 90, was grateful for the support shown to him during a fundraiser Aug. 29. Frank is outliving his retirement savings. Photos by Derek Scott
FRIENDS LEND HAND TO VETERAN Approximately $17,000 was raised during an Aug. 29 fundraiser for Jack Frank, a World War II veteran who was running out of retirement savings until his friends stepped in to help. The 90-year-old was all smiles and expressed his gratitude to the hundreds of people who turned out at Takoda Tavern for the event. More than 200 people contributed, said Ron Meier, president of the Ironstone Homeowners’ Association, for which Frank is a board member. Frank’s living expenses are minimal — he has few bills other than his mortgage, utilities, food and medical needs — but he lost a much of his nest egg when the recession hit in 2008.
See Ann Macari Healey’s column on Page 2 to read about how people rallied for Jack Frank World War II veteran Jack Frank, 90, shakes hands with a military supporter.
The Douglas County commissioners voted unanimously to approve an application that will bring more than 340 homes to Parker’s southern boundary. The commissioners approved an application Aug. 25 from Arlington Land Partners LLC to change the zoning of a 150-acre parcel of land from an agricultural designation to one that allows for residential development. If later applications are approved, the Cielo subdivision could have 343 singlefamily homes and a 22-acre site for a K-8 school. The rezoning decision came immediately after the three-member commission voted in favor of a controversial amendment to an intergovernmental agreement with Parker that places the review of Cielo in the county’s hands instead of Parker’s. Three dozen residents spoke against the amendment to the planning commission, an advisory board to the commissioners that made a recommendation against the IGA amendment. A few dozen residents from the Pradera and Vistancia neighborhoods, which abut the proposed development, again tried to convince the Douglas County commissioners Aug. 25 to vote against the change, citing potential traffic issues, high housing density and devaluation of homes. Cielo is proposed for the northeast corner of Scott Road and Bayou Gulch Road. The town of Parker told Arlington Land Partners that it was not prepared for residential development within an urban growth boundary that has not been annexed into the town. Instead of Cielo being in the town of Parker, it will stay within unincorporated Douglas County. Mike Sanders, part owner of Arlington Land Partners, said the level Rezoning continues on Page 10
Food goes from Elbert ranch to Parker Garage Executive chef to live on ranch where food will be grown, raised
By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Parker Garage owner Brent Walker always planned to have food from local farmers and ranchers on his menu, but never envisioned pioneering an all-encompassing ranch-to-table concept. Walker and executive chef Duy Pham have hatched a plan to grow and raise the food that will soon delight customers’ taste buds at the popular eatery that opened in downtown Parker last October. In fact, Pham is moving to an Elbert County ranch to oversee the entire progression from the planting of a seed to the serving of a hot plate of food. After partnering with Lone Star Ranch, a 125-year-old cattle and horse operation on County Road 114 in Elbert County, Pham began planting next spring’s harvest. A ranch hand, who will oversee the
grass-fed cattle on the land, expanded a coop to fit 100 chickens and built garden beds. The idea is to offer a specialized menu, and even a five-course meal, with food that comes straight from Lone Star Ranch. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone, so it’s really true ranch-to-table farming, where whatever is available is what we’re creating that week,” said Walker, who had plans from the beginning to “get as fresh and local as we possibly can.” Pham, whose passion for fresh knowledge and food exploration runs deep, once owned a Pueblo restaurant where he had a limited farming operation. Walker said his partnership with Pham is fortuitous, as they share a common goal of putting the best food on the table. Likewise, the timing for the new partnership with Lone Star Ranch is serendipitous, as a ranch hand gave his notice a few weeks back, opening up the space that will accommodate Pham. He is excited Pham continues on Page 10
Duy Pham, executive chef at Parker Garage, cuts into a slab of meat Aug. 20. Photo by Chris Michlewicz