Message from the PresidentDear Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Members and Friends, Thank you for visiting the latest edition of the Urban Dweller. Hawthorne once wrote, “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." C.H.U.N.'s board and volunteers have been out and about--building community and championing our neighborhoods. The following are just a few highlights from September:
Warmly, Travis Leiker President | CHUN Board of Delegates Vision Zero Mural Watch Party
Join us October 4 for WTF is Blueprint Denver?Two years ago, the City began working on the update to Blueprint Denver, the citywide land use and transportation plan that guides decisions about development and transportation in Denver. Both issues have become very relevant, timely topics thanks to the city's rapid growth since Blueprint was first adopted in 2002. The Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) has been hard at work reading through the draft to see which aspects of the plan will support the creation of more people-friendly streets. In addition to reading through the 283-page document, DSP members have been attending community workshops and task force meetings hosted by the City since they began the public process in 2016. Even if you haven't had a chance to participate in the development of Blueprint so far, the DSP has teamed up with WalkDenver and Streetsblog Denver to organize an explainer event: WTF is Blueprint Denver? Come hear about about what's in the draft Blueprint Denver plan, particularly as it relates to mobility, while enjoying drinks and snacks. Expect a lively discussion and Q&A session about the good, bad, and ugly, and why YOU should care. A Happy Hour Conversation with:
RSVP for the event HERE Member of the Month: Colfax Business Improvement District
A Record Success: CHUN 11th Annual Wine TastingCapitol Hill United Neighborhoods Wine Tasting on September 12th at the Tears-McFarlane House was a huge success! More than 200 guests attended and we had a roomful of 50 silent auction items. The wines were wonderful, the margaritas delicious, and the food spectacular. Many thanks to our Silent Auction Donors: AK Studio | Angelo's Taverna | Carol Balkam | Berenices Salon | Blue Pan Pizza | Denver Brass Denver Zoo | Shirley Howson | The Horseshoe Lounge | Joy’s Wine & Spirits | Landmark Theaters Kent Miller | MP3 | Charles Nusbaum | Odyssey Restaurant | Patterson Inn | Philantopia Kathleen Reilly | Pablo's Coffee | Potager | OliveAnn and Jim Slotta | Diane Somer | Sportique Scooters | Steuben’s | TrueFit | WallTawk + Design | Warwick Hotel | Megan Whelan | Whole Yoga | Workability | Wyman's #5, and many more! We hope you'll support these local businesses in the coming months. We appreciate them and their support for Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods. Traffic Calming Demonstration... Colorful ways to say "Slow Down"2018 Elections Begin SoonGet Ready To Vote: register to vote & keep your address up to date Vote By Mail: beginning the week of October 15th ballots will be automatically mailed to active voters, or Vote In-Person: voters may also choose to vote in-person at a Voter Service and Polling Center beginning October 15th. ***Ballots must be received by 7pm on November 6, 2018*** Cranmer Park Sundial and Plaza OpeningDenver's Sidewalk Repair InitiativeContributors: Diane Travis and WalkDenver City Inspection: The City of Denver is sending out inspectors to review the condition of the sidewalks in central Denver. These inspectors will check the condition of the public sidewalk in front of your home. They said that they will not check the walk leading up to your home or the paving from the sidewalk to the curb. They are only interested in the public sidewalk. They are looking for sloped, broken, uneven or miss-aligned slabs of sidewalk. If any portion of your sidewalk is lifted more than ¾” from one slab to the adjacent slab, this is deemed to be a “tripping hazard” and the stones need to be re-leveled. If a slab of stone is shattered into several pieces, it is deemed to be beyond repair and the slab will need to be replaced. Go to www.denvergov.org/sidewalkrepair to find sources of new sandstone slabs. Tree Issues: Tree roots are the number one reason that sidewalk panels have been lifted out of alignment. While it might be tempting to cut a root or remove a tree, do not do this without advice from the City Forester. If you remove or damage a tree without permission from the Forester, the city can fine you for the value of the tree you took out. According to the Forester, trimming a root can actually be counter-productive. The tree will naturally sprout multiple new roots at the site of the amputation, causing even more aggressive root activity. The city has an online inventory of every tree in the tree lawns of the city at www.beasmartash.org. Look under “Do I Have an Ash Tree” and “Interactive Maps”. Permits and Licenses: If you are blocking the public sidewalk or if you are using machinery, you will need a permit. Homeowners can obtain a permit at no cost. Contractors are charged $50. You can file online at www.denvergov.org/sidewalkrepair. You should file for your permit early. It takes a minimum of five working days for the city to process your permit application. The Department of Public Works will deliver 4 saw-horse-style signs to your house the day before your construction starts. Put two of these signs on the sidewalk at the ends of the block. Put the other two signs on the sidewalk just beyond your construction zone. WalkDenver now has information about flagstones on its website here: http://www.walkdenver.org/flagstones/ And you can link directly to the video here: https://vimeo.com/291309830 C.H.U.N. Position on Denver Sidewalk ProgramAt the meeting of the board on September 20, 2018, CHUN Delegates and Board Members had an extensive discussion about the Denver sidewalk repair program and made the following recommendations to Denver policymakers, council, and the mayor's office::
News of Interest to CHUN Neighborhoods
CHUN Committee UpdatesZoning, Transportation, and Land Use: A Neighborhood Assembly will be held regarding a proposal to rezone the former Whole Foods location at 900 E. 11th Avenue from its current G‐MS‐3 to G‐MS‐5. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 9th, at 6 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 915 E. 9th Avenue. The CHUN Zoning, Transportation, and Land Use Committee will next meet on Wednesday, October 3rd, at 7 PM. Among other things, the agenda will include a discussion with the owner of the 17th Avenue Bar & Grill regarding his proposal to re‐zone the parking lot he owns just north across 17th Avenue from his restaurant at 1709 Washington Street to include first floor retail (but with no height increase). The meeting will be held in the 19th floor party room of the condominium building located at 1201 Williams Street. Historic Preservation: At its meeting on June 25, 2018, the Historic Preservation Committee of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods considered the draft application prepared by Historic Denver, Inc., for individual landmark designation of 670 Marion Street, the Meyer‐Reed Muraglia Home, which was built in 1904. It is a very large home, with a series of prominent owners and very distinctive architectural style, known as the Shingle Style. The Committee also discussed the importance of the new sidewalk repair program being enforced by the Denver Public Works Department. All agreed that the safety of pedestrians is very important. The Committee also agreed that it is also very important to protect the historic character of the many flagstone sidewalks in our neighborhoods and not to discourage their preservation, repair and reuse where possible. Other Upcoming Public Meetings
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