University Park

UPCC Council Meeting, General Meeting Oct 6 2004

Minutes

University Park Community Council Mtg
General Meeting
October 6, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Co-President, Rosemary Stoffel.

Rosemary expressed thanks to Diana Helper for her many contributions to UPCC.
She then introduced Mary Myers, Chair of the UPCC Sidewalk Committee. Mary introduced Heidi Jung, Meghan Kleinsteber, and Olivia Urbanowicz; members of Girl Scout Troop #2402. Members of the troop did an impressive study of sidewalks in our neighborhood. Their study was used to present a case to City Council to secure funding for sidewalks. Mary thanked the girls and City Councilman Charlie Brown who worked with the City to get the sidewalks funded and installed.

University Park Elementary School President, Katherine Johnson thanked UPCC and Mary Myers who spearheaded the effort to get the sidewalks.

Hunter Sydnor of T-Rex announced there would be a huge paving project in Summer 2005 on University from the police station extending past Buchtel. She also noted that traffic would be shifting to the new portion of the Colorado Bridge in November or December. The Evans entrance southbound to I-25 would also be open around November or December. Paulette Poincerelli noted that testing of the Light Rail track from Broadway to University would begin in 2005 but it would not open until December, 2006. Using Light Rail from Lincoln to downtown should cut 20 minutes off a commute.

Aylene Quale of Transportation Solutions, a community based non-profit that promotes alternative transportation solutions, asked for comments on the proposed pedestrian bicycle and bus routes to the University and Colorado Blvd. Stations. She would be accepting comments through the end of October.

Rosemary asked attendees to call Pat Cashen if they had questions or concerns about zoning issues.

Rosemary introduced Pat Barron by noting that in a special meeting of the UPCC Board, a unanimous vote was recorded in support of his development concept at the NE corner of University and Evans. The vote was based on the feeling of Board members that it was a quality mixed-use project that would serve as a prototype for the rest of Denver

Pat reported on the progress of the project and answered questions. The project will encompass an envelope up to 65 ft. high with residential above, retail on street level and parking below ground. Pat noted he’d obtained the appropriate zoning permissions on 9/27

Henry Ammons, the Website Chair noted he was working to improve the UPCC website and striving to update it more frequently. He wanted it to serve as a means of quick communication in the neighborhood. Any comments or suggestions should be sent to Henry at henry.ammons@upcc.us.

Neil Krauss, the DU liaison to UPCC noted that the University had identified more than 75 homes in the neighborhood housing more than 3 unrelated students. He said letters would be sent to the students and landlords notifying them the practice is illegal and a fine of $995 will be levied if people are caught. He said that DU would have a Homecoming Parade down University from Wesley to Asbury on Saturday, October 23rd and that University would be closed to traffic during that time.

Neil noted that DU was addressing the issue of underage drinking and that stings had been conducted in bars and liquor stores around the neighborhood. He urged neighbors to keep abreast of DU happenings by visiting www.du.edu/calendar. The next Good Neighbors Meeting was scheduled for 10/26 from 7-9 p.m.

Bob Scott, the Tree Inventory Chair noted that the neighborhood tree inventory was 40% complete but would take another year to finish.

Diana Helper noted that the land on the north side of the Buchtel Trail had been given to the City in a land swap with RTD. She thanked all those who worked so hard to preserve the trail as open space. She noted the work of our current Council person, Charlie Brown and past Council members going back to 1976 when Paul Hentzell served on Council. She invited all to attend the dedication of Buchtel Trail on 10/22 at 11 a.m. at the corner of St. Paul and Buchtel.

Diana noted the next meeting of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation would be November 6th.

Pam Adams advised she had purchased yellow warning signs “Kids At Play” and that neighbors wanting to place a sign on their street should just give her a call.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.