The Sustainability Board will meet tonight at 6PM in City Council Chambers. They will get a first look at an online dashboard that will show electricity usage and solar energy production at City facilities. They will discuss ways that the City can help home and business owners to increase their energy efficiency, and they will consider ways to review energy reports for new developments. They will also discuss an ongoing effort to inventory greenhouse gas emissions in the City. Learn more by reviewing the meeting packet….
An Update on the Proposed Housing Development at 24th & Ford:
The proposed housing project at 24th & Ford has caused consternation ever since it was first broached by a Chicago-based developer in 2016. Neighbors have been concerned about the overflow parking cluttering up an already crowded neighborhood. People who drive the Ford/Jackson corridor are worried about more traffic. Residents who value the single home, low-slung nature of Golden don’t want small houses to be demolished in favor of a 51-unit apartment building. People who love big trees don’t want them cut down and replaced with saplings.
The original developer was followed by the Jefferson County Housing Authority. They took their project to the Planning Commission in January and received a Special Use Permit, several waivers, a bonus to allow them to build 3 stories tall, and the right to build over the existing alleyway. The one thing they couldn’t get a waiver for was the parking requirement. They were 13 spaces short. They talked of having their tenants park in the High School parking lot. Since the School’s parking lot is too small to serve all of the High School students (and the overflow parks in the neighborhood), this was distressing for both High School parents and nearby neighbors. However, the Jeffco Schools Superintendent said the District would “not be entering into an agreement to provide these spots to JCHA.”
Discussion among the residents died down after the Planning Commission meeting. After all, the city said they couldn’t build if they didn’t have enough parking. Last week, the Golden High School PTA minutes said: The City of Golden and Jefferson County Housing Authority are working together for new parking and 13 spots will be in the GHS lot. However, in return for those spots lost, the school will be compensated and the Housing Authority will restripe the lot adding 60 additional parking spots. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the City of Golden–Steve Glick. Seniors and juniors will have first choice on parking passes, then sophomores if there are still available spots.
I asked the Housing Authority, School District Superintendent, and the City’s Community Development Director (Steve Glueck) if the PTA statement was accurate. The Housing Authority and Superintendent both said they were still negotiating and the City said no one had come to them with a new parking plan. I sent the Superintendent (Dr. Jason Glass) follow-up questions: Are you planning to cede some of the parking lot to the housing authority? | Are you planning to make the student parking spaces smaller? | Does current demand for parking spaces exceed supply? | How much are students paying for parking passes?
Dr. Glass replied that it was inappropriate to comment while negotiations were underway. So apparently much discussion is going on behind closed doors. I’ll let you know if I learn anything new.
Tonight’s Music:
Buffalo Rose – Nick Moss Band, 7PM
Dirty Dogs Roadhouse – Peter Fletcher, 6-9PM
Rock Rest Lodge – Dave Frisk, 5-8:30PM
Reminder about the scholarship offer by the Golden Civic Foundation: The Golden Civic Foundation is offering scholarships to attend the 2019-2020 Nonprofit Pathway program at Red Rocks Community College. Employees or committed volunteers for nonprofit organizations located in or serving the community of Golden are eligible to apply. Recent Golden High School graduates are also eligible. Applications for scholarships to attend the 2019-2020 academic program are being accepted through May 31, 2019. Applications and program information can be found HERE.
