The possibility that a large commercial development with retail, gas stations and auto businesses could fill in the open space near C-470 and Alameda --; and adjacent to Dinosaur Ridge, a popular area for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts --; has galvanized neighbors in protest.
"This is no ordinary open space --; Dinosaur Ridge really anchors what I think of as a Front Range experience," Brian Neff, a member of the Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors, wrote in an email interview. "They're going to build giant, brightly-lit signs glorifying corporate America right in the heart of this area. It's going to destroy this experience. It's important for people to say no, and say it loudly."
Greg Stevinson, one of the owners of the property under the name Three Dinos, LLC, said the property is already zoned for development. A proposed rezone would help draw in higher quality tenants willing to invest in a better development.
"We want to increase the kinds of buildings allowed here to draw in more upscale retail options," he said. "We think the rezone will make better of use of the area than the current zoning allows."
Plans to rezone the area for broader commercial development were filed in August.
Baseline Engineering, a company based in Jefferson County, submitted a pre-application on behalf ofThree Dinos on Aug. 26. The pre-application is the initial step to help determine what, if any, county or local issues would arise, said Heather Gutherless, case manager for Jefferson County Planning and Zoning.
County staff is reviewing the application and has not yet set dates for the rezoning public hearings.
"This is an open land use case, the commissioners are not allowed to discuss the case until it is presented to them," wrote Kate McIntire, public engagement director with the county, in an email. "The case needs to work through the planning and zoning process before then."
Two properties are included in the proposed rezone. The first is the northwest corner of C-470 and Alameda, which is 40.5 acres, and the other is the southeast corner of C-470 and Alameda, which is 30 acres.
Both are in unincorporated Jeffco, and although the northwest corner is near Dinosaur Ridge Visitor's Center, the center is not part of the rezoning proposal, Gutherless said.
The two properties currently have nothing built on them. However, they're zoned as a corridor district, which allows for a variety of commercial and light industrial uses including office buildings, retail and light manufacturing such as banks, restaurants, medical supply/drugstores and laboratories.
Three Dinos has development plans for the two properties, regardless of whether the rezonging is apporved or not, and sees development in the area as benefit to the community, according to Stevenson. He added the development is far enough away from Dinosaur Ridge that construction won't affect it.
"The taxes these businesses would develop are important, and would go to support Jeffco Open Space," he said. "I grew up in the area and know it well. We are very careful, and if any fossils or historic materials are discovered during construction, we will follow regulations to ensure it is preserved."
If Three Dinos' rezoning is approved, it would add several permitted uses to what is currently allowed: auto dealerships and higher end retail and restaurant space. All of these businesses would require special use permits under the current zoning. Special use permits would trigger a public hearing unless the proposed rezoning is approved.
Stevinson said developing the area has been in the works for some time while owners sought businesses to serve as anchors for the development. Avalanche Harley, currently located on West Colfax, would be the anchor for the southeast corner, and several boutique car dealerships would be anchors on the northwest corner.
"We've owned this property for at least seven years, and haven't developed yet because we were waiting for the area to mature," Stevinson said. "We're also seeing a lot of businesses being pushed out of the Denver area because of high prices and the proximity of marijuana businesses."
But some residentsare unhappy about the development plans, and have Started the Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors group to raise awareness and try to halt the development.
"I spend a lot of time in that area, and when I heard about the plans, I had to get involved," said Eric Brown, a member of the neighbors group. "We want to stop this because it's a completely inappropriate plan for the area."
Dinosaur Ridge Neighbors has started hosting informational meetings, Brown said, and will continue raising awareness until efforts to change the amount of development allowed in the area stops.
"Our basic message is that 'No Rezoning equals No Car Dealerships,' " Neff wrote. "We have a petition which opposes rezoning, signed by over 17,000 people. We have a "three-minute" message which shows people how to submit official public comment in less than three minutes. When the time comes, I want to see thousands of people attend a public hearing or rally in opposition to the rezoning and construction of car dealerships adjacent to Dinosaur Ridge."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Neighbors-rally-to-preserve-Dinosaur-Ridge,214967
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