Greek Festival
Holly Street Condominiums Denied Rezoning Application
City Forces Residents Into Mediation With Developer
by Mark Smiley
In the April 2018 edition, the Chronicle reported on a proposed condominium development called Green Flats that would be located on Holly Street, between Cedar and Alameda, south of the strip of businesses that includes Novo Coffee and Park Burger. The proposed project would have 27 condominium units, 40 uncovered parking spaces in back, a 20-foot setback from Holly street, and stand 35 feet high, seven feet higher than the Park Burger business complex.
On April 4, 2018, the overwhelming pro developer Denver Planning Board (an 11-person board appointed by Mayor Michael Hancock) entertained the application for this three-story condominium project. Residents from the neighborhood filed into the Planning Board meeting to speak in opposition.
All told, 17 people went on the record, some for, but mostly against the project. In a stunning turn of events, the Planning Board voted to deny the application finding that the “applicable review criteria have not been met.” The vote cast had six in favor, one opposed, and one abstention.
Residents who opposed this project had little time to celebrate . . . Most cities in Colorado prevent a similar proposal from being considered for at least a year, but not Denver. Instead the city forces the successful residents into immediate mediation with the developer with the city choosing a mediator who some claim leans toward being pro developer.
“The city is really pushing to have this developed,” said Denver realtor Denice Reich. “They are trading affordable housing for the myth replacement of affordable housing.”
Since the April 4 Planning Board meeting, the developer Jason Lewiston, president of Greenius LLC and the applicant representing the homeowners seeking the sale of their property Anna Dewitt, have submitted a revised application.
They are asking that all three parcels receive the same Urban Edge multi-unit 2.5 story designation that the current condos have only “with waivers.” The new application doesn’t include new plans, but now says there will be 25 units instead of 27. It is suspected by some opponents that the Planning Board’s staff recommended the amended application indicating it might be something the City Council finds acceptable. Critics charge that there is virtually no development the city doesn’t find acceptable.
The “mediation” was held on May 7, 2018, at Augustana Lutheran Church. According to some of the 24 attendees the mediator’s only task appeared to be to get a development that Lewiston would approve. The mediator made a list of questions and three residents were chosen to sit down with the developer and the applicants at a later date.
If you wish to follow what’s happening in this rapidly developing story, visit www. glendalecherrycreek.com or follow the Chronicle on Twitter, Facebook at @GCCChronicle.
Plan Denied: The initial proposed site development for a 27-unit condominium project on Holly Street was denied by the Denver Planning Board on April 4. On May 7, the city forced a pro developer on residents opposing the project.
Leading The Opposition: Denver Realtor Denice Reich has been opposed to the development on Holly Street stating that “they are trading affordable housing for the myth replacement of affordable housing.”
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over
Yes, by gum, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are correct “on account-a it’s June, June, June.” The pair’s second musical’s explicit words mark the halfway point to the calendar year as an ode to the appeal and splendor of summer’s approach. Cool mornings quickly burn away, followed by breezy afternoons and tranquil nights.
We sense it coming: “You can feel it in your heart, you can see it on the ground. You can see it in the trees, you can smell it in the breeze: June is bustin’ out all over!”
Here are our sunlit choices for shopping, dining and entertainment so that the sunshine sprinkles like powdered gold over grassy lawns and the Valley smells of roses:
3 Raise funds and your heart rate during the Heart & Stroke Assn. Walk at Mile High Stadium, June 2. There’s a 5K run-walk plus a 1-mile walk with End Zone yoga at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Information: 303-801-4852.
3 Celebrate Lowry Beer Garden’s free 6th Anniversary party to help fund the Lowry Foundation June 8, 5-9 p.m. Information: 303-366-0114.
3 Walk with Autism at Sloan’s Lake Park June 10, 10:15 a.m. Enjoy food, live band, youth activities and a resource fair. Information: 720-214-0794.
3 Watch free films at Monday Movie Madness on Glendale’s Infinity Park lawn June 11 and 25, 7:30 p.m. Information: moviesatinfinitypark.com.
3 Shop the Cherry Creek Fresh Market Saturdays now until Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or Wednesdays June 14-Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market is in Cherry Creek Mall’s 1st and University lot. Information: 303-442-1837.
3 Treat dad to a very special Father’s Day dinner June 17 at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Information: 303-320-1104. Or take dad to the first ever Father’s Day weekend Denver BBQ Fest at Mile High Stadium, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
3 Enjoy great outdoor parades, art, food and performances at the Juneteenth Music Festival at 27th and Welton St. June 16. Information: 720-505-3274.
3 View and vote for your favorite rose at the Denver Rose Society Show in Denver Botanic Gardens June 30, 1-5 p.m. Information: 720-865-3505.
3 Celebrate Japanese heritage and culture by enjoying live entertainment, food and drinks, plus a marketplace, exhibits and demonstrations during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Sakura Square downtown June 23-24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. until 4 p.m. Shop a selection of jewelry, pottery, fine art and apparel from the marketplace. Event is the largest fundraiser for the Tri-State-Denver Buddhist Temple. Information: 303-951-4486.
Brilliantly colored and bursting with vitality, the Valley’s outdoors is no longer in the freezer section. The parks, playgrounds and countryside are drawings, relief paintings and collages filled with a multitude of twisting lines, natural shapes and complex patterns. They contrast with infill developments that are bubbling up on neighborhood streets.
Yet we imagine buildings and urban design that doesn’t divide us, but rather fills cityscapes with star-studded structures that shine in splendor on clear nights in June.
Carousel’s fervor to tread in the gray areas of life make it the finest of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musicals. It succeeds because it has no easy answers, and it invites us into a world of uncertainty that can be upsetting. Our streets are bustin’ with buildings just as in the meadows, “Buds’re bustin’ outa bushes just because it’s June, June, June!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
10 Ways To Have A Safe Summer
by Joshua Foster
Summer is time for adventure, getting outside and getting in shape. It’s also time to be extra diligent when it comes to your health and safety. In celebration of June’s National Safety Month, we’re sharing these 10 tips to have fun — but stay protected — all summer long.
Do your research. In Colorado, summer often means outdoor adventures. To stay safe, don’t stumble into things blindly. Have an idea of where you’re going and what you can expect. If you’re hiking, seek out maps and trail advice. If camping, learn about site conditions and rules as well as the area wildlife. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
Train. As you enter the summer, also have an idea of what you’ll be doing. If climbing a 14er is a goal, incorporate a training schedule of stairs, lunges or walking on the treadmill at an incline. If you’re heading to the beach, work on your cardio. Add weights so you develop the strength to pull yourself out of the water safely.
Be water smart. If you have swimming adventures planned, know that being in open water is different from being in a pool. Lakes and oceans require more strength to withstand waves and currents. Know the depths and permitted swimming areas. Use the buddy system and don’t take chances.
Be observant. When you do get to your destination, pay attention to posted rules and maps. Slow down and read the signs. This can not only keep you safe but also protect the environment. People often rush over trails, missing the “do not cross” signs. They end up in a dangerous situation or destroying the ecosystem.
Communicate. Wherever your summer takes you, make sure to have a plan to stay in touch. Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Many places don’t have cell phone reception. Set a deadline to check in so others know you’ve made it back safe.
Stay active. Take advantage of the warm weather and longer days to reduce your risk of issues like obesity, heart disease, and stroke and to stay healthy longer. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week. It may seem like a lot but it quickly adds up — Holding walking meetings, playing with the kids, doing yard work, or taking the dog for a walk.
Stay hydrated. Drinking water is important all year, and especially in the summer. The standard recommended amount is 64 ounces a day, but it’s a better strategy to watch for other signs that you’re properly hydrated. You shouldn’t have dry skin or feel feverish. Urine should appear clear, and if you press down on a fingernail and release, the nail should quickly go back to its normal color. This is a good indication of how fast your blood is flowing. Do not wait until you’re thirsty to grab some water.
Rehydrate smart. If you do become dehydrated, you may feel tired or dizzy or develop headaches, and dehydration in the summer can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you’re feeling any of these symptoms, take immediate steps to cool down physically. Get out of the sun, look for shade, and or seek air-conditioning. Start drinking slowly — but not too much, too fast. You don’t want to slam water. You’ll know you’re rehydrated when you start sweating again or your skin tone returns to normal.
Stay cool. As you spend time outdoors, make sure you’re wearing clothes designed for summer. Cotton doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate, which retains heat and adds to dehydration.
Look out for the kids. Finally, remember that all the summer safety rules that apply to grownups are good for kids too. To further keep kids safe, remember awareness. Know they gravitate to high-risk activities, they might not know if they’re getting overheated, and they may not recognize their own physical limitations. Make sure your kids are educated, dressed for the season, and prepared for anything that could happen.
To learn more about staying safe — and living healthy — during National Safety Month and all year long, contact the fitness professionals at the YMCA. We’re here for you!
Joshua Foster is the Health & Wellness Director at the Downtown Denver YMCA. He has worn various hats over his seven-year career with the YMCA, including Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer. Joshua received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Education from The Ohio State University.
