Unless you’ve been out of town and off-line, chances are you’ve heard a lot of grumbling about development lately, including comments about:
• Multi-family homes built where single family homes used to be
• Homes built close to the lot line, without traditional front and back yards
• New houses that tower over neighboring houses
• Increased traffic
• Being told by traffic engineers that traffic levels are fine–not near capacity, in fact
• Projects built without adequate parking
• Being told that in the future, people won’t drive cars, so they won’t need parking
• The inefficacy of public comment, since most of these new developments fall under the umbrella of “use by right–” meaning that if the proposed projects meet our codes, then developers are permitted to build these new projects, irrespective of the opinions of neighbors.
The wheels of government move very slowly, but a few things have happened and are happening to address these issues.
- A group from the Central Neighborhoods asked for changes to the Community Mixed Use (CMU) zone, and as a result the code was changed to require slightly greater setbacks.
- A group from the North Neighborhoods is asking for architectural changes, hoping to make the new buildings blend better with their older neighbors. These changes are described on GuidingGolden.com and are currently open for comment.
- City Council has agreed to discuss a moratorium on new residential building until the community can define building styles that we consider acceptable. The City Attorney has written a memo describing the process of setting a moratorium and pitfalls to avoid when doing so. Council will discuss the possibility of a moratorium at the February 28th study session.
What can you do if you are concerned about the nature of new development happening in Golden?
- Review the North Neighborhood’s proposed changes on GuidingGolden.com. Submit comments if you have any.
- Urge your Council representatives to support a moratorium. (See the ward and district map if you’re not sure who represents you.)
- If we do get a moratorium, participate in public meetings to define what we do want–not just what we don’t want.
Wednesday Events:
5:30-7:30 Public Meeting – Peaks to Plains Trail, Mouth of Clear Creek Canyon Segment at the Golden Communicty Center Learn more….
6-7:30PM Everything Dinosaur Talk: Paleontology 101
Join the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge for this interesting talk on the history of dinosaur paleontology (including the Bone Wars!) Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center, 17681 W Alameda Pkwy – map
Live Music
Dirty Dogs Roadhouse – Peter Fletcher, 6-9PM
Miners Saloon – Lindsey Saunders, 6-9PM
Old Capitol Grill – Wintery Wednesdays Concert Series, 6-9PM
Rock Rest Lodge – Dave Frisk, 5-8:30PM
Thursday Morning:
10-11:30AM – Everything Dinosaur Talk: Theropods at the
Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center, 17681 W Alameda Pkwy – map
