CMNA BOARD MEETING NOTES

  • People attending - 36 people

    Time: 6:00 PM - 6:46 PM

    Starting Remarks - Chris Olson

    Still searching for an editor for the newspaper, happy there are a lot of people here regardless of no newspaper

    Introductions of 2025 Board Members

    President: Chris Olson

    Secretary: Michael Stolte

    Treasure: Laura Harter

    Social Media: Kaila B.

    at large: Kimberly Page, James Jacobs, Sam Sturhahn, Danielle Duffy, and Melinda Murphy

    Donation Call:

    As of January 8th, 2025 only $1,800 of donations

    Currently $4,000 in the bank, hopefully CMNB will receive $2,000 from Paul Kashmann’s office

    Guest 1 - Masha Lior ( Senior Council Aide to Paul Kashmann )

    (720) 337-6666 

    masha.lior@denvergov.org

    denvergov.org/district6

    What they are working on…

    1. Gas stations

      • Gas station changes in zoning code, final vote is on 2/18, will have a public hearing about the change since it regards zoning code

      • Changes would limit where gas stations to be, 1/4 mi from other gas stations, RTD stations, and 300’  from protected areas

      • Gas stations also won’t be allowed to add extra gas pumps if they violate above changes

      • This will also impact places that have 20k feet of business ( ex. Costco )  just because they have space doesn’t mean they can add a gas stations

    2. Derelict Buildings

      • increase fees on owners if their buildings are considered derlic

      • The hope of this is trying to reduce crime in neighborhoods and to beautify Denver neighborhoods ( i.e. they are an eyesore ) 

      • Involving the community planning and development board to take ownership of / provide guidance on the project

      • Early spring timeline

    3. Construction concerns in neighborhoods

      • Looking at tear downs and rebuilt single family homes

      • Homes are being built right onto property edges

      • Developers not being good neighbors

      • Looking to have a single point of contact for neighbors to file complaints about new builds

      • Proposed idea: Have developers submit a deposit, will only return if no complaints after build is complete

    4. District 6 Academy

      • open townhall / open house

      • Place for citizens to talk to city & district government members

      • Will also include representatives from city agencies + community partners

      • Will take place in April at Cook Park Rec Center

    5. INC event this weekend

      • Committee for community empowerment

      • Place for residents and others on how people can get involved

      • On zoom or in person

      • Email Masha for details

    6. Bonney Brae tavern development 

      • Starting March 1st, 2025, slight delay because of an existing cellphone tower in the way

      • 3 story, 48 apartments of 1-2 room apartments

      • 7,000 ft of retail space

      • 79 indoor parking spaces, 39 bike stalls

    Q&A - what is change with recycling ?

    On January 6th Solid Waste services is changing the recycling pickup schedule to be every other week, and every 9 weeks large item pickup. Previously this was every week and every 4 weeks, respectively. Suggested reason why is that recycling bins are not full, waste trucks only get 2 mpg, and toll on roads and infrastructure.

    Good news is that this will grow the compost pickup services ( almost 80% of houses are projected to be composting in Februrary ).

    You can request a second recycling bin for free if you need the extra space.

    Q/A - If we are worried about poor gas mileage on waste trucks and the toll on road infrastructure they make… I think they need to rethink compost

    “ I Mainly only put in yard waste, now in winter they believe most compost bins are under-utilized”

    Crowd suggestion: “I offer to my neighbors to use our compost bin if they’d like to use it “

    Q/A - what does city do with the compost

    Compost is brought out to the compost section of the landfill to make fertilizer ( Landfill is operated by Dad’s Landfill Co )

    Denver is not contracted with Kingsburg ( maybe Kingsbury ) 1A organics anymore

    Q/A - Some Alleyway conditions are not great. Unpaved, and have poor drainage… What can I do as a home owner ?

    Alleyway has potholes constantly. He calls 311 and is satisfied with how quickly they are filled with asphalt… however it breaks constantly and it doesn’t solve the drainage problem. 

    Water pools and doesn’t drain, water level reaches peoples’ garages.

    Masha Lior: Please call 311 with complaints ( do it online and attach photos ) or call Paul Kashmann’s office

    Q/A - Homeless are in alleyways, leads to trash, old food, clothing, being left in the alleyway

    Crowd Suggestion: Can Trash services pick up this waste ?

    Masha Lior: Call 311, you can complain about illegal dumping 

    Crowd Comment: the illegal dumping website isn’t set up for proper complains

    Crowd Suggestion: Can street sweepers come once in a while and clean up the alleyways ?

    Masha Lior: We can look at this further and request a Denver team to clean this up

    Newsletter Call:

    Asking people to volunteer to take on the newsletter, email or hardcopy. We have previous templates to aid in its creation

    Topic 2 - 3801 E Florida

    A company requested a zoning change of the 3801 E Florida property to S-MX-5, with the intention of constructing a five-story mixed-use building (commercial and residential). This plan would preserve the existing nine-story business center at the corner of South Jackson and E Florida and build next to it. However, the company aims to build right up to the Jackson Street sidewalk, which would eliminate the approximately 80 feet of greenspace that currently separates the property from the Jackson Street neighborhood.

    Final vote on the zoning change happened on January 27th, 2025 and all city council members voted it down.

    • City has offered mediation between company and neighbors, company refused

    • Company can not come back with same re-zoning proposal within a year

    • Council members won’t pass something unless there is something done about the 80’ leeway of greenspace

    Guest 3 - Amanda Roberts

    Eugene Field branch of the Denver Public Library  

    The Eugene Field branch has re-vamped their programming and activities for all ages ( 50+ to toddlers )

    For 50+ adults there are more sessions teaching about new tech & other helpful things

    • How to make an emergency kit

    • How to cut the cable cord ( Librarian Kelly is passionate about this )

    • How to use ride share services ( apps ) like Uber/Lyft/etc

    • Drop in tech support ( or you can schedule an appt )

    For Adults with kids

    • 3 different story times for kids in the week targeting different ages ( Kids, toddler, baby )

    • Monthly programs of ( yoga, dance parties, arts and crafts, Lego club )

    Every month the library is going to showcase a service the library provides. This month is that with a library card you can access Consumer reports for free through their website.

    On March 8th for St. Patricks Day there will be live Irish music 

    Thanks to the District 6 Office for supporting this event

    Q/A - are renovations done ?

    Renovations will be done in 2026 because of funding etc

    Q/A - when are you going to have evening hours again

    Virginia Village Branch is open to 8pm on Tuesdays, they have more staff, Eugene Field does not have evening hours due to a non-excess of staff

    Guest 4 - Jeff Mauck 

    VP of HOA in Belcaro Neighborhood

    The Kentro Group is looking to prospect a deal with King Soopers at their location next to the Belcaro Shopping Mall on South Colorado Boulevard. 

    Their proposal would be to build a mixed use business and residential building at the King Soopers location, then sell their property where the former CDOT building is located a few blocks south on Colorado BLVD to build a new King Soopers location.  

    The Kentro Group originally sought out to keep the existing zoning and build a 3 story building, however in October 2024 they changed their plans to apply for new zoning which could ultimately let them build up to a 12 story building ( 16 floors would be allowed if 4 floors were designated as affordable residential apartments )

    Separately, CDOT is planning on bringing their BRT ( Bus Rapid Transit ) program to Colorado BLVD which most likely will reduce traffic lanes in favor of bus lanes.

    New residents from a 12+ story apartment building in addition to construction and less traffic lanes on Colorado will without a doubt incur more through traffic in the Belcaro neighborhood.

    200-300 people at came out to voice their opinions against the Kentro Groups proposal at a town hall on November 21st.

    Belcaro HOA talked with the Kentro Group after Christmas but came to no agreement.

    They will be meeting again next week with Kentro to see if they can come to a compromise

    Q/A - What stage are they on ?

    Prior to any deal with King Soopers, the Kentro Group will need to complete the LDR ( Large Development Review ) process which takes 18 months. They will soon submit their proposal and kick off the LDR process in March. This process includes talking to neighborhood groups, the District 6 Office, and the Denver infrastructure office.

    Q/A - What are they doing with CDOT location ?

    There will be a new 8 story apartment building in addition to the new King Soopers

    Q/A - What is the neighborhoods dream vision for the area

    Option 1) Redo the plaza, make it nice and modern

    Option 2) Redevelope the site, 3 story townhouses & retail + apartments

    Option 3) Series of new retail spots w/ better ammenitties

    Q/A is the BRT approved ? 

    - Colorado blvd is a state highway, CDOT is managing this project

    - Done safety studies, and other work showing that this will be beneficial

    - Will there be a bike lane on Colorado similar to the one on Broadway ? Probably not

    Q/A - Why doesn’t King Soopers just stay ?

    - King Soopers owns the site, and they have stated they don’t want to sell the lot to another grocery store. They are already slated to build a new King Soopers at the old CDOT location.

    Q/A - How much impact does a Neighborhood association have on the decision making process

    - I hope so, we will be apart of the LDR, but I’m not sure we will have much impact because city approves multi family units

    - More the community writes to city council, the better for neighborhood will have an impact … Neighborhood had an impact on 3801 E Florida & Jackson St development

    - 90% of Belcaro residents are opposed, city knows we don’t like it…

    Any other comments from anyone ?

    Neighbor - pedestrian and cyclist

    • Almost hit crossing Colorado, remind people to watch for pedestrians in cross walk

    • please look at for people while driving !

    End at 6:46 PM