Wheatridge transcript 061313

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Transcript Wheat Ridge

Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 29, Issue 51

June 13, 2013

50 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourwheatridgenews.com

Height, density limits stand ground Council declines ballot question on building restrictions By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Wheat Ridge voters will not be considering another ballot question having to do with height and density issues this fall. City Council members decided June 3 against moving forward with an effort to

amend the city’s charter to allow for the removal of height and density restrictions for commercial and residential properties in town. The city’s charter contains restrictions on maximum building heights and densities, and the charter can only be amended by voters. City charter restricts properties in residential-zoned districts to 21 units per acre, and limits building heights in those districts to three stories. Commercial properties can go no higher than five stories.

The issue is something that Wheat Ridge voters have become very familiar with over the years. In 1983, voters approved an amendment to the charter to put in place height and density restrictions, out of concern of that too many high-density properties would be built in the city. In 2008, voters rejected lifting those restrictions. The next year voters approved ballot measures 2A and 2B, which allows for the removal of height and density restrictions in urban renewal areas, such as the 44th

and Wadsworth corridor and Interstate 70 and Kipling areas. But, during a June 3 study session, the council decided it would be best to not bring the issue to the voters this time around. “We went to the voters in 2008, and they resoundingly said no,” Mayor Jerry DiTullio said after the meeting. “Our development in the city has to be smart.” Limits continues on Page 11

Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks to reporters on June 5, following the signing of several pieces of legislation. Photo by Vic Vela

Softball team members of the Wheat Ridge Storm pose with head coach Scott Trengove, top left, at Wheat Ridge’s Randall Park on June 6. To Trengove’s left are Cristen Malbacias, Darian Trengove, Lindsey Wadle and Brianna Perez; front row left to right, Hannah Dowd, Brandy Trengove, Alexus Spinks, Kaylee Herring and Maya Galicia. Photo by Vic Vela

Softball players overcome tornado Teammates pitch in to help others By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com The Wheat Ridge Storm girls softball teams ought to consider changing their names to the Perfect Storm on the heels of their recent trip to Oklahoma City. The two teams, made up of players between the ages of 14 and 18, traveled to the Sooner State on the final weekend of May for a tournament, where they competed well, but were no match for their toughest opponent – Mother Nature. A tornado pounded the area around their hotel on May 31, causing players, parents and

Tornado damage blocks an Oklahoma Street on May 31, not far from a hotel where members of the Wheat Ridge Storm softball team were staying. Courtesy photo coaches to take shelter inside bathrooms. And some of the quick-thinking girls secured

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their noggins with batting helmets, as they packed into bathtubs like sardines. The girls weren’t just there for softball. They, were on an altruistic mission to help victims of the deadly tornado that ravaged the Oklahoma town of Moore earlier that month. The team brought a trailer full of food and clothing donations to give to the people of Moore. “We were really excited about helping out the people of Moore,” said 18-year-old Dar-

ian Trengove. “It was really ironic that we were donating all this stuff, and we were the ones who needed help.” The two teams drove about five hours from Wheat Ridge and stayed the night in Kansas on May 30 before traveling another five hours to Oklahoma City the next day. There, they unloaded a trailer full of donations at a drop off location, before heading to a Quality Inn hotel to unwind. That’s when things started to get ugly. At about 5:30 p.m., the winds began to howl and the thunder started to roll in. “The sirens must have gone off over a dozen times in about a half an hour,” said Scott Trengove, Darian’s father, and coach of both teams. “At one point, the rain was absolutely going sideways. I’ve never seen rain do that.” Trengrove and his players took cover in a ground level bathroom. Soon after, the entire hotel lost power. Anitra Galicia, her 14-yearold daughter Maya, and other Tornado continues on Page 11

Gun law affects domestic abusers Restrictions received no GOP support in Legislature By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Domestic violence offenders will find it more difficult to own or transfer guns under a bill that was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper on June 5. Senate Bill 197 places greater gun restrictions on people who either are convicted in cases involving domestic violence, or those Report who have been served with a court-issued protection order. Prior to the bill being signed, Colorado law had already prohibited domestic violence offenders from having guns. The new law puts in place a system by which state courts ensure that offenders relinquish their weapons. Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, a bill sponsor, said an incident from about 20 years ago motivated her to carry the bill. A former teacher, Hudak said that a stu-

Capitol

Gun continues on Page 11

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