Athmar Park

Board Meeting Recaps

Oct 12, 2004

JULY 27 - Sgt. Hernandez reported that 50 lbs of illegal fireworks were confiscated in Athmar Park. The Sgt reported that cruising continues to be an issue on Federal and that residents have complained about motorcycle racing on Federal in early morning hours. Senator Paula Sandoval spoke about recognizing local students for their academic achievements. Sandra Adams, Denver Election Commission, spoke about the new voting requirements and procedures. The board voted 10-0 to take no position on a zoning appeal filed by the owner of 370 S. Clay. The board approved $200 to spend on picnic entertainment.

AUGUST 27 - Stephanie Fuentes, from Cadence International, showed site plans for a small shopping center at the old Fay Myers site. The shops are scheduled to open in November. Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie spoke about the FasTracks proposal on the November ballot. State Representative Mike Cerbo spoke about state Medicaid cutbacks for illegal immigrants. The board voted 11-0 to take no position on a 3.2 beer application for a new convenience store at Kentucky and Federal. The board voted 10-1 to support the Highlands Neighborhood's protest of the construction of a cell phone tower despite the BoA's denial of a zoning variance. Carol told about the August 26th meeting to discuss proposed changes to the mobile food vendor ordinance. Carol told about the August 26th Mobile Food Vendor meeting to discuss proposed changes to the mobile food vendor ordinance. We heard that the grocery cart vendors are illegal and those who sell cooked food are illegal (ice cream OK, because it's frozen). Environmental Health inspectors have been confiscating foodstuffs from those illegal vendors in Huston Lake Park. It is also illegal to be running a commercial kitchen out of a home kitchen. Call Gregory Reed of Environmental Health at 720-865-5378 to report illegal vendors or kitchens. The Mobile Food Vendor task-force has also identified a problem with the permitting process through the zoning department and a lack of appropriate consequences through the courts as two signiicant areas where changes needs to take place to get the mobile food vendors to come into compliance with the ordinance. Graffiti is on the rise. The board will continue to advocate for tougher enforcement of the 1998 anti-graffiti ordinance. We heard that 2 of the 3 Alameda Square property owners may redevelop the square as a joint venture. Karen reported that 10 additional test wells have been drilled to test for TCE on/near the Cherokee redevelopment site. No traces of TCE have been detected on the property Cherokee owns in Athmar Park (next to Vanderbilt Park). The General Membership Meeting was scheduled for November 13th. Questions were asked as to why Doug Wheeler, our new Neighborhood Planner, doesn't attend APNA's meetings as our previous Planner did. Karen reported that she invites Doug every time. Karen announced that INC is sponsoring an anti-cruising ordinance meeting on August 31st at the Ramada Inn on East Colfax.

SEPTEMBER 28 - Our NPOs reported on their activities in the neighborhood, including a drug bust in a house near Mississippi and Decatur. State Rep. Mike Cerbo reported that the state is looking at a shortfall of $230 million. State Rep. candidate Jeff Peckman spoke about why folks should vote for him. Bridgitte Kerr, Project Manager for the KSPA charter school design, KSPA principal Rich Barrett, and others presented the city-approved site plans for the new school and answered questions. The board discussed the Board of Adjustment proposal to revamp how certain types of cases are handled. Board members will attend the BoA public input meeting on October 5th to express the concerns raised. Carol reported that Hamid Simantob and the Vu family, majority owners of Alameda Square, are working on exciting plans for redeveloping Alameda Square. The owners would like to present site plans to the neighborhood as soon as they can- possibly at the Nov 13 meeting. Elroy reported that the alley repaving will take longer than what was originally reported in the media. Karen reported that she is trying to get some of the more dangerous of Athmar Park's 46 dirt alleys "bumped up" on the priority list. Karen also reported that the ribbon-cutting for Goldrick Elementary's new playground is October 26th.