Athmar Park

Board Meeting - Recaps

Jul 26, 2004

May 25, 2004
Athmar resident Glenn Wilson, 303-744-7684, demonstrated his weed-digging tool, of which he has a limited supply for sale. Neighborhood Police Officer Macro Martinez reported that cruising in area parks and on area streets on Sundays is on the rise. Residents asked the Officers to follow up on: a series of unlicensed cars appearing at a house in the 500 block of S. Bryant; a trailer parked with 1998 tags in the 400 block of S. Canosa; a house on S. Alcott with loud a weekend parties; and options for a teen who regularly passes out on people?¹s porches (drunk/stoned). State Senator Paula Sandoval shared some of the bills passed this legislative session. Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie thanked Bob Zaragosa for joining the Nuisance Abatement Task-Force. Kathleen told everyone about 2 community meetings scheduled (6/9 and 6/10) on the hazardous waste clean-up at the Cherokee site. Kathleen also passed around a FastTracks petition. Kathleen reported that she, with other City officials, INC members, and community members were pursuing options for changing the way cruising and Cinco de Mayo are handled. Kathleen was asked to look into some options for helping abate "honkers"; i.e., those folks who are selling items out of stolen grocery carts and using a bicycle bulb-type horn to announce their presence. Tony Gross, CDOT's Senior Project Manager, Valley Highway Project, introduced Dale Tischmak, Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig's noise expert. Mr. Tischmak spoke about the study FHU conducted to analyze how much the noise level would change when the proposed Santa Fe "flyover" ramp is built. None of the stretch of existing/proposed highway nearest to Athmar Park qualified for any special noise buffering construction consideration. Mr. Gross said that Project personnel were looking at options for quieter road surfaces; e.g., mastic asphalt, taller "Jersey barriers", and landscaping that could help muffle noise. Dean Bradley, also from FHU, said that the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be ready for review at public meetings this Fall. Karen mentioned that the concerns raised by residents closest to the highway were not about an increase in decibel levels, but ?– rather ?– that moving the traffic up above the muffling effect of being below grade and behind trees would mean that they would hear much more traffic noise then they do now. Carol noted that she hears much more traffic noise from Alameda Avenue, now that the street trees on Alameda are gone. Committee Reports: Economic Planning & Development: Rick Taylor reported that DURA is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Alameda Square. Rick suggested we keep the pressure on the Mayor's office (cards, letters, telephone calls, emails) to make this a priority for his administration. Zoning: The permit for the residential care house at 438 S. Alcott is up for its biannual renewal. The Board voted 10 in favor, with 1 abstention, to write a letter in support of the renewal. Picnic: Karen asked someone to spearhead the annual Picnic Committee. Around The Board: Karen reported that the bill Gov Owens signed reducing the DUI limit from 0.010 to 0.008 (HB04-1021), also included a provision enabling liquor outlets to have liquor tastings 104 times per year, from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Several Board members reported that loud music/parties going past midnight were becoming a problem. It was suggested that anyone experiencing this should call the non-emergency Police number and contact Rosemary or Kathleen. Carol Campbell reported on the Board of Adjustment summit that she and Karen attended earlier that day. Big change: requirement of reasoning behind positions taken in letters to BoA.

June 22, 2004
Neighborhood Police Officers reported on the new barriers in Ruby Hill Park reducing the speeding through that park and reported on continued cruising problems. Parking issues around Diesel's Only, located on the corner of S. Pecos and W. Alameda, were discussed. Residents brought up problems with alley partying in the 800 block of S. Tejon and howling dogs in the 1300 block of W. Erb. An aide for Michael Carrigan, CU Board of Regents candidate, spoke about Mr. Carrigan?¹s qualifications for the job. Tracy Huggins (Exec. Director of DURA) and John Huggins (Mayor's Office of Economic Development) spoke about Alameda Square Shopping Center. Preliminary work to find anchor tenants and understand economic models continues, but they're unable to disclose potential tenants/development options being explored at this time. John also mentioned that the Mayor will not consider any development proposal that includes the use of imminent domain. Tracy spoke about the RFP that DURA will be issuing to try to attract a developer. Athmar residents present expressed concerns that this site will not be successfully redeveloped while the 3-owner issue remains unresolved. There was a feeling that this site is exactly what imminent domain is needed for and that the tenants will lose out on an opportunity to get relocation expenses covered if condemnation is not applied. There was also concerns raised that--if the site remains in 3-way contention--any redevelopment will be piece-meal and uncoordinated, with larger site issues remaining unaddressed. Construction of the new development at Daniel Yim?¹s old Organ Grinder site to begin July 8. Rosemary Rodriguez offered to personally shut-down perpetual garage sales in District 3- call her office. Committee Reports: Economic Development: Site plans for Yim development looked at. July 1 meeting with Yim, Council, and DURA announced. Picnic: Rick Taylor and Gregg Whelen have agreed to co-chair this committee. The picnic is scheduled for Sunday, August 29th. Newsletter: 4-page issue planned due to vacation schedules. Around the Board: Carol reported on Cadence Capital Development's plans for the old Fay Meyers site. Mosaic Project update: Losses to APNA from the break-in at the ASSC mosaic project storage-shed were minimal- cleaning supplies, tools & storage containers taken, and water damage to bags of grout; no major tools stolen. Karen and Carol storing supplies now. Karen reported that she switched internet providers and so APNA has a new email address:

AthmarPark@ecentral.com