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Urban Dweller

Volume 36, Issue 5

5/31/2018

 

Message from CHUN's President

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Thank you for visiting Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' latest edition of the Urban Dweller.  May was a time to celebrate Denver graduates as they embark on the next phase of their academic journeys.  The month was an opportunity to gather with friends and family to enjoy the [unofficial] beginning of Summer. We are also excited to report a number of exciting developments:
  • Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' will be partnering with City Street Investors to revitalize the Tears-McFarlane House and Community Center.  The house and property--now owned by CHUN for nearly a decade--is a fashionable Denver mansion built at the turn of the 20th century and is prominently located at 1290 Williams Street.  We are excited to work with the same group that preserved and transformed historic jewels like Larimer Square and Union Station. 
  • Our social medial presence continues to grow.  This month we reached more than 3,000 followers on Facebook and launched our channel on YouTube.  
  • CHUN achieved another membership milestone this month as we welcomed more than 25 individual, household and business members.  Thank you to First Bank on East Colfax, Barbara DeJong of Edward Jones Investments, Cherry Creek Drapery, Paradise Cleaners, and CRL Associates for joining and supporting our mission to improve the quality of life of greater Capitol Hill. Each Monday we will continue to recognize one of our business members/nonprofit partners and their contributions to our community.  If you aren't a member or your membership has lapsed, click HERE and join us today.
  • A team of board members and volunteers will be at the People's Fair in Civic Center Park.  The fair is scheduled for June 1 - June 3. Drop by to say "Hello".  We would enjoy seeing you. 
  • Neighborhood delegates have been busy planning various community engagement events including a traffic easement study, yoga in Governor's Park, an ice cream social, and other great opportunities to connect.  Be on the lookout for an invitation, social media post, or email as these events are scheduled and announced. 
  • Come have a beverage with us.  Govn'rs Park Beer Fest & Fundraiser is scheduled for June 23 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.  Tickets must be purchased in advance at Govn'rs Park (672 Logan Street); proceeds directly benefit CHUN. 
  • CHUN has a number of events, meetings, and forums each year and we are always recruiting  volunteers. If you would like to help us, please contact Mark Cossin, VP of Community Engagement, at [email protected].
As we look forward to the beginning of Summer, let us remember the following from Dickens:  "Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came...The great trees, which had looked shrunken and bare in the earlier months, had now burst into strong life and health...The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green; and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It was the prime and vigour of the year; all things were glad and flourishing."  

Indeed, Capitol Hill and Denver are flourishing. 
Wishing you all the best in June. 

​Warmly,

Travis Leiker
​President, Board of Delegates 


Ten Reasons to Visit the People's Fair

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The People's Fair is this weekend, June 1-3. There are many reasons you should go - the best people-watching, for example, but if you need more reasons, here they are:
  1. It's the official start to the summer (well, we think it is). This is the 47th year for the People's Fair, which CHUN has been involved with from almost the beginning.
  2. This year's PF begins on Friday night with a free concert featuring: Emelise Munoz, Optycnerd, Modern Suspects and MAX on the Mainstage. Thanks to PrAna  for sponsoring this so the entire weekend's entertainment lineup is FREE! Food and drink available.   
  3. Great musical acts throughout the weekend featuring local groups. Get the full schedule.
  4. Delicious food and beverages, including Coca-Cola products, Great Divide beers, The Great Oregon Wine Company wines, Tito's Vodka, Corazon Tequila, Fireball Whisky,
  5. A chance to meet and learn about local nonprofit organizations.
  6. See exquisite fine arts on display - and choose something to purchase and take home! There are also loads of craft items.
  7. Visit the Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods booth and learn about the organization that founded the People's Fair 47 years ago.
  8. The whole family will find a lot to do at the People's Fair, from group yoga to science wizardry.
  9. Looking for personal services?  Companies will show off and sell their best offerings.
  10. Two words: Goat Yoga. But there's a lot more fitness offerings, too.
Even if one of these reasons doesn't speak to you, there is something to see, do or try at the 47th Annual People's Fair. Make plans to go this weekend. Look for the CHUN booth. We'll see you there!

Business Member of the Month

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This month we are recognizing Edward Jones - Barbara H. de Jong, CFP, Financial Advisor. From her offices situated within CHUN's boundaries, Barbara works closely with her clients and helps them meet their long term financial goals. Barbara has been a long-time supporter of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods and was active in the Alamo Placita neighborhood for a number of years. She is a leader in the community and is spearheading an effort to bring more women into the financial services sector. We are grateful to have her support. 
To join others like Barbara, visit: www.chundenver.org/membership

Community Engagement Report

  • Congratulations to Neighborhood 3 delegates for hosting a large crowd of Capitol HIll United Neighborhood members, the Congress Park RNO, Councilman Wayne New, and Frank Locantore of the Colfax BID. Coolfax is the first among CHUN's 10 neighborhoods to independently plan, organize, and execute an event for the entire membership. We recruited a couple of new members, which is great news! Thanks to the Humble Pie Store on Colfax for hosting us.
  • West Cheesman and Cheesman Park delegates have set August 25, 2018 for the tactical urban traffic calming installation event. There will be a community meeting June 7, 6:00pm in   Hedlund Community Hall at 1290 Williams St. to gather feedback and input, and to solicit volunteers for an August 18th data collection and material prep day. 
  • Capitol Placita met May 6th at Pablo’s Coffee on 6th and Washington to discuss neighborhood engagement efforts. Delegates are looking to partner with local businesses on a health event in Governor’s 
Park. 
  • Congress Park (NH7) delegates met at Sienna Wine Bar to discuss 
neighborhood engagement efforts. Some very exciting ideas were 
discussed. See story below for details of upcoming event.
​These are all efforts to increase the community's knowledge of what Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods does and to bring in new members. 

Cool Off at Sweet Couie's

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CHUN's Congress Park representatives are partnering with Sweet Couie’s Ice Cream at 12th and Madison to host an event on  Wednesday, July 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be a drawing at the event for a  gift certificate for a free Sweet Couie’s ice cream social for a group of four.  You must be present to win.  We also are planning to have live music. Sweet Couie's has some of the best ice cream around, and they have been a great addition to the Congress Park Neighborhood. 

Help Us Calm the Traffic 

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Thank you Councilman Wayne New and Verizon!


Save the Date: Upcoming Events

There are some other upcoming events that CHUN is involved in and/or will benefit from. And YOU are invited. Please put these dates on your calendar:
  • Govn'rs Park Beer Fest & Fundraiser: Saturday, June 23
  • Lala's Movie Under the Moon: Wednesday, August 1
  • Annual Wine Tasting: Wednesday, September 12
  • Holiday Party: Tuesday, December 4

Music Under the Stars at Cheesman Park

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The Denver Municipal Band, Concert Band will present a 7 p.m. concert on Friday, July 6, 2018.  The concert will be given in the North Meadow area.  We would appreciate your assistance promoting this concert.  The concert is given in conjunction with Denver Parks and Recreation, Cheesman Park West Association, East Cheesman Neighbors Association, and Friends and Neighbors for Cheesman Park.  This is the fourth concert of the 2018 Denver Parks Summer Concert Series.  Please join us at all the concerts.  They are free and a wonderful way to experience the many parks in Denver's parks system.


Parks Alcohol Policy Continues the Review Process

This just in from Denver Department of Parks & Recreation:   Thank you for sharing and participating in the Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) survey this past April! The feedback we heard from more than 4,000 respondents is being taken into consideration as the draft policy is created.

The survey findings can be found online at denvergov.org/ParkRules. For most of the questions asked in the survey, more than 50% of respondents agree with the proposed changes. This was the case both overall, and when divided out into three major age groups (40 and under; 41 to 60; and 61+).

Additionally, frequent questions DPR received during this public outreach process were recorded and compiled in the attached FAQ that is also available at denvergov.org/ParkRules.

DPR is taking all outreach results into consideration as a draft policy is being created. Please note that the preliminary timeline has been pushed back about one month, with a public hearing in front of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board tentatively scheduled for July 11. This policy change will also be presented to the Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure City Council Committee (LUTI) in June. Any updates to this schedule will be posted on www.denvergov.org/ParkRules.

Current Public Hearing/Council Committee Schedule:

- June 19, 2018: LUTI presentation to City Council Committee (agendas posted here as they are created)
- July 11, 2018: PRAB Public Hearing (public comments are welcome, and an agenda will be available in early July at denvergov.org/ParkRules. This date should be announced on the DPR website as well).
These schedules may change. Once finalized, meeting details will be posted online.  Both meetings are open to the public.

"Smart Ash" Cartoon Engages to Fight the Ash Borer

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In preparation for the inevitable arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Denver, the City Forester has become The SmartAsh, an animated superhero developed to help illustrate the variety of treatment options available to ash tree owners. Inspired and voiced by Denver’s own City Forester, Rob Davis, The SmartAsh animation series launched last week and today, the full-length video is available along with each episode and related information at: beasmartash.org/the-smart-ash/.  

The Be A Smart Ash campaign seeks to ensure Denver is prepared for the impending infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, a metallic-green insect that has destroyed ash trees in 32 states and parts of Canada. EAB is a direct threat to the Denver metro area’s 1.45 million ash trees which make up nearly 20 percent of the city’s urban forest.  It was  spotted in Boulder three years ago.

Be A Smart Ash
encourages Denver residents to take action by identifying ash trees on their property and making a plan for treating, replacing or removing them. With the attention-grabbing slogan, the campaign recently received two national awards from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Ragan Communications.   

Residents can become Smart Ashes by visiting BeASmartAsh.org for information on:
  • Identifying ash trees
  • Signs of EAB infestations
  • Treatment option descriptions
  • Making a plan for existing ash trees

The damage left in the Emerald Ash Borer’s path has cost communities billions of dollars. Based on this widespread destruction, the Denver City Forester has been proactively battling the EAB for the past several years by replacing small ash trees on city-maintained land along with implementing a rigorous treatment schedule for some of the city’s large, historic ash trees. Since 2016, more than 12,700 park and right-of-way ash trees have been protected from the EAB, and nearly 5,000 more non-ash trees have been planted, thanks to the Be A Smart Ash campaign. 

While the Office of the City Forester, a division of Denver Parks and Recreation, cares for ash trees on city property, including parks, residents are responsible for caring for ash trees on their private property. Administering treatment, tree removal and replacement can be dangerous work, so it’s highly recommended to work with a reputable tree care professional no matter which course of action is chosen to battle EAB.

​Denver residents who have room in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property may be eligible for a free replacement tree. Applications can be found at www.BeASmartAsh.org.


City Looking for Your Input on Our Next Police Chief

A series of public meetings to get citizen input on what the city should be looking for in a new chief of police is scheduled. Current Chief Robert White has announced he is stepping down. The mayor has appointed a Police Chief Search Committee and also established an email address to hear your thoughts - [email protected].  The first two meetings have already been held. Other meetings are scheduled in other parts of Denver:
  • Tuesday, June 5, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 1000 S. Lowell Blvd.
  • Thursday, June 7, 6-7:30 p.m. at The Hope Center, 3475 Holly St.
  • Saturday, June 9, 9:30-11 a.m. at Windsor Gardens (Center Point) 597 S. Clinton St.
 Doors will open 30 minutes before the meetings begin. Meetings will begin promptly

Committee Reports

Historic Preservation Committee 

Real estate agent Ann Atkinson discussed the status of her listing of 6 properties within the CHUN boundaries. The committee is particularly interested in the properties at 1401 and 1457 Ogden, which are very attractive 2‐story early‐20th‐century structures which the committee members hope can be protected from demolition. They are not designated landmarks or in a historic district. Ann said that one prospective buyer is very interested in re‐using the structures.

Karen Utke discussed with the committee her efforts to research the historic and architectural aspects of the Dennis Mullen Mansion at 860 Emerson and the rest of the 800 block of Emerson and to develop an application for landmark designation. Some committee members offered to help her.      Michael Henry told the committee that the Allen True murals, which had been removed several years ago from Tammen Hall at the former Children’s Hospital at 19th and Ogden, will be returned to Tammen Hall when the renovation by MGL Partners has concluded in about a year. Tammen, which was designated a landmark through the efforts of CHUN, will be reused as rental apartments for seniors.  The murals will be placed in a community room on the first floor, where they can be seen by the public.

John Olson of Historic Denver, Inc., described the controversy over proposals by 2 development companies, Urban Villages and Larimer Associates, to build a 40‐story tower on the Lawrence Street side of the Larimer Square Historic District and a 12‐story building on the Market Street side. The Larimer Square Historic District was the first historic district established in Denver. For these new buildings to be allowed, City Council would need to amend the ordinance which designated the district. John said this would be a major change and would set a bad precedent to bypass any review by the Landmark Preservation Commission. The owner of Larimer Square says that it cannot afford major repair costs that are necessary and that income from the new towers would pay for those. However, it could likely obtain tax credits for renovation expenses. The development proposals are currently on hold at the developers’ request, because they have asked a panel of “experts” to study the proposals. John asked that CHUN be vigilant and be prepared to take a position later.

Committee member Jude Aiello described her continuing efforts to study a possible community garden along the Park Avenue Historic District. She said that a good location would be the large square just south of 17th Avenue on the southwest corner near Marion Street.

Committee member Brad Cameron told of a recent discussion he had with the lawyers who own the law office at 851 Clarkson Street about a number of developers who propose to develop apartments or townhouses on the parking lot behind and to the south of the building, built in approximately 1901, which is not a designated landmark.

The next meeting of the committee will be on Monday June 25 at 7 p.m. at Castle Marne.

Zoning, Land Use, Transportation and Licensing Committee

The committee did not meet this month. Next meeting scheduled for June 6th, 7 p.m. 19th floor at 1201 Williams St.  Agenda items include:
  • Brian Toerber of Inspire Investment Group will discuss plans for redevelopment of former Rock Bar/Executive Inn at East Colfax and Milwaukee.
  • Discussion with Regional Transportation District Board Member Kate Williams (District A) about recent developments affecting our neighborhoods in CHUN.
  • Discussion with Adam Jadun and Michael Koslow of Denver Public Works Department about transportation/traffic issues in the CHUN boundaries.
  • Charlotte Pitt, Manager of Denver Recycles, will tell us about recycling and solid waste management in our neighborhood.
  • Any other business.
Please share what is going on in your neighborhood. Please contact Brad Cameron ([email protected]) and/or Shayne Brady ([email protected]) if you want to suggest topics for future meetings.

News about and from around the CHUN Neighborhoods

Not available online yet, but of great interest to people in our neighborhoods is the news that "Life on Capitol Hill," our community newspaper, has been sold to a local media organization, Colorado Community Media (CCM), along with its sister publication, "The Washington Park Profile." CCM is owned by Jerry Healey, and his wife. They own 18 weekly papers in the metro area, mostly in the suburbs.  "Community journalism tells the inspirational and positive stories that bring us together and, sometimes, the watchdog stories needed to bring about change," Healey wrote in the June LOCH. We saw these stories in local media this month and thought they had interesting and important information:
  • The artist behind Denver's familiar pixels gets due recognition in solo show at the Botanic Gardens - Denverite
  • Denver's ready to spend the first chunk of close to a billion dollars voters approved last year - Denverite
  • The so-called "beer wars" are back.  And without a truce, you won't be able to drink beer in Denver parks - Denver Post
  • Three Things You Didn't Know About Pinche's Kevin Morrison - 5280 Magazine
  • Capitol Hill apartment building sells for $8M - BusinessDen
  • Mansion with pending cannabis licenses listed for $2M - BusinessDen
  • Denver Has a Housing Crisis. Guess Who's Got 5,000 Acres and a Moral Mission? - Denverite 
  • You Asked: What Makes Some Neighborhood Organizations More Effective than Others? - Denverite
  • Denver denies social-use permit for marijuana spa because of 19.07 feet - 9News

Upcoming Public Meetings

  • Public Hearing regarding the property at 1650 E. 7th Avenue - appeal of a denial of a permit to erect a new 2.5 story residence that would exceed the allowed size in numerous ways, including (a) exceed the allowed building lot coverage by 18 square feet, (2) exceed the maximum height in the front 65% of the building by 3 feet 6 inches, (3) exceed the maximum height in the rear of the building by 18 feet 6 inches (approximately 1.5 stories), and (4) also with front porch and side patio encroachments.  Hearing to be held on June 5th at 9 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor Tower Hearing Room, 2.H.14.  Contact Denver Board of Adjustment regarding Case No. 63-18 for more information (720-913-3052).   
  • Public Hearing regarding the property at 1280 Grant Street - appeal of a denial to expand the interior of the existing Domino's Pizza storefront due to vehicular access & circulation violation.  Hearing to be held on June 5th at 10 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor Tower Hearing Room, 2.H.14.  Contact Denver Board of Adjustment regarding Case No. 64-18 for more information (720-913-3052).
  • Public Hearing regarding the property at 2215 York Street - appeal of a permit to amend an existing detached garage by adding alley access doors, resulting in the existing garage encroaching 2.6 feet into the 5 foot rear setback.  Hearing to be held on June 5th at 11 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor Tower Hearing Room, 2.H.14.  Contact Denver Board of Adjustment regarding Case No. 61-18 for more information (720-913-3052).  
  • Public Hearing regarding an application for a new Beer and Wine License for 1426 E. 22nd Avenue by Scoops Uptown (d/b/a Scoops).  Hearing to be held on June 11th at 9 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, Dept. 206 (Excise and Licensing).  Contact Sharon at Denver Excise and Licensing for more information (720-865-2748).  
  • Public Hearing regarding an application for a new  Hotel and Restaurant License for 601 E. Colfax Avenue by Tom’s Diner to be held on June 11th at 1:30 p.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, Dept. 206 (Excise and Licensing). Contact Audra Miller at Denver Excise and Licensing for more information (720-865-2684).
  • Hearing before City Council's Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee (LUTI) regarding the property at 146 Madison Street.  Hearing is to consider a proposal to rezone this property from "B-1 with Waivers" to "C-MX-5."  Hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 12th, at 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room 391 at the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street.  If wanting to speak, arrive at least 15 minutes early and contact City Council Member Wayne New (720-337-7715).  Contact Theresa Lucero in the Denver Planning Office (720-865-2933) for more information.  
  • Public Hearing regarding the property at 1120 E. 6th Avenue - concerning a proposed zoning exception for an outdoor patio / eating and serving areas.  Hearing to be held on June 12th at 10:30 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor Tower Hearing Room, 2.H.14.  Contact Denver Board of Adjustment regarding Case No. 65-18 for more information (720-913-3052).
  • Public hearing June 18th at 5:30 p.m. at the City & County Building in front of Denver City Council regarding the proposed text amendment by Councilman Rafael Espinoza that would require additional notifications to neighboring property owners during the rezoning process. Currently, when the Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) receives a complete rezoning application, staff send notifications to registered neighborhood organizations whose boundaries encompass or are located within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning, first at the time the application is received and again ahead of the Planning Board public hearing on the rezoning. This proposal would require CPD to also notify by mail all property owners within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning at both of these steps. You can read the proposed amendment: City Council Redline Draft (PDF), City Council Clean Draft (PDF). Questions and comments may be directed to Associate City Planner Jason Morrison ([email protected]).
  • Public Hearing regarding the property at 1520 Marion Street - concerning the appeal of a denial for a Residential Care / Transitional Home Use that does not meet the minimum lot size requirement.  Application is by Open Door Fellowship.   Hearing to be held on June 26th at 10 a.m. at the Wellington Webb Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor Tower Hearing Room, 2.H.14.  Contact Denver Board of Adjustment regarding Case No. 71-18 for more information (720-913-3052).

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