68th & Carr: Preliminary Approval To Go To City Council 3/6

In an unusual way, Arvada's Planning Commission voted Tuesday night to recommend approval of the development of duplexes at 68th & Carr called Hillside Cottages. The hearing was attended by four of the six current commissioners, which is the minimum number needed to hold the hearing, and which meant that a unanimous vote was needed for a motion of approval or denial to pass. (Remember, Planning Commission does not make final decisions. City Council will on March 6, 6pm.) Initially, three of the four commissioners on Tuesday voted for approval, and one for denial--not enough for the motion to pass. In an unusual move, the city attorney suggested that the commissioners hold "executive session": they stepped out of the public view and behind closed doors. 15 minutes later, they returned and voted unanimously for approval. Sound familiar? In "Round One" of this proposal, 4 commissioners were present, the developer and community presented their positions, one commissioner (the same one in both rounds) was unconvinced to approve, a bit of discussion ensued (after public comment was closed), that commissioner changed his mind, and a unanimous vote for approval ended the session. And...City Council overturned the whole thing in Round One by voting to deny. They could deny again on March 6th. The revised development plan eliminates the entrance/exit on Carr St. and replaces the townhouse building with duplexes--improvements, everyone agrees. Still there are numerous and significant problems with lasting consequences built into the current plan--consequences that the community and the City would endure permanently: - Parking issues - Issues with an HOA - Problems with the buildings' appearance - Poor views for residents - The Z-shaped intersection at 68th & Carr, and - Problems with not connecting 68th & 69th through the property I will speak at the City Council hearing on March 6th about these problems. I'll cover some and touch on others, as other folks will speak, as well. I'm happy to speak on your behalf--though I still strongly encourage attending. If you'd like to be part of the group I speak for, please email me, including the issues important to you, so I can compile a list. And if your spouse or others in your family would like to be part of the group, be sure to include their info. See you March 6th, 6pm, City Hall. Michael ArvadaHills@gmail.com