Old San Rafael Neighborhood Organization

Board of Directors January 14, 2004

Jan 21, 2004

San Rafael Neighborhood Board of Directors Meeting
January 14, 2004

In attendance: Jennifer Carter, Kipp Lockwood, Keith Bell, Jeff Mason, Christine Watkins, Danny Buscarello, Nancy Wiseman, Paul Brothe, Marty Jones
Special Guest: Carla Madison, City Park West

The following items were discussed in the meeting:
1. The construction in the southwest corner of 20th and Washington is a restaurant.
2. Marty Jones discussed issues regarding Pierre?’s Supper Club. Recent activity has been gang related. Marty will meet with the owners to discuss the concern regarding neighborhood safety and noise.
3. A status on the former neighborhood garden at 2346 Clarkson was presented by Jeff Mason and Danny Buscarello. The Denver Housing Authority owns the property and has given the lease to a developer who intends to develop the property. Danny has contacted the builders and is exploring joint development opportunities.
4. East Village demolition continues. The demolition is likely to be completed within the next month.
5. Free street trees are still available for our neighborhood. The deadline was extended until March 1, 2003. Contact the Park People.
6. Jennifer Carter reported that she attended the I-70 Environmental Impact meeting. The redevelopment will occur over the next 6 years and is projected to include a light rail line extending to DIA.
7. Children?’s Hospital was the topic of the Urban Design Forum. Marty Jones reported that townhouses are scheduled for the block of 20th and Emerson. Tammen Hall is slated for conversion to condominiums; however there are issues with asbestos.
8. Carla provided an update on the zoning application before the city. Carla stated that the City had neglected to copy a page of the application, this requires that the process be repeated. The City Park neighborhood submitted rezoning applications covering overlay districts (OD-9, OD-6 and OD-1).
OD-9 limits building heights to 35ft, set backs are the average of the two adjoining properties, there are also bulk plane restrictions, no parking is allowed in the front half of the lot, 25% of the yard cannot be driveway ?– the zoning basically helps to maintain the current character of the neighborhood.


Steps to the rezoning process are:
a. Send a letter and postcard to all property owners explaining the zoning, process, and upcoming community meetings. The post card should allow the recipient to indicate their support or opposition.
b. The Denver Planning Office should be contacted to help provide background on the zoning and boundaries of the zoning proposal.
c. Neighborhood forums ?– City Park West hosted three separate forums to explain the process. City Park West had Tom Noel speak at the first meeting, Kay Johnson a post card collector spoke at the second ?– having a speaker may attract people.
d. Submit a separate application for each type of zoning.
e. A survey of buildings may be necessary. Establishing the average heights of the building will reinforce that the 35 ft. height restriction is appropriate for the neighborhood. Measuring the buildings is important.
f. Support of the application process is necessary. Elbra Wedgeworth has expressed support as long as there is no significant impact to low income housing.
Marty will contact the Planning Office and schedule a meeting to discuss the zoning application.


9. Jeff Mason was nominated to the Board and unanimously approved.
10. Keith Bell told the group that he and his neighbors are being harassed by the police. Keith will contact the neighborhood police officer.