Week of October 13, 2022
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 47
Council opposes county pot amendments Alternative proposed BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As Arapahoe County considers making changes to its medical and retail marijuana regulations, the
Centennial City Council is working to prevent a location from being near city limits. Currently, there are four commercial marijuana stores within unincorporated Arapahoe County. The county is considering changes to its land development code that would allow these stores to relocate
through a public review process, according to the county’s website. If approved, an existing commercial marijuana store could relocate to another location in unincorporated Arapahoe County if the new location is zoned for commercial or industrial uses and is located west of the north-south alignment of
Watkins Road, the website states. Those wanting to relocate would also have to go through a public hearing process with the county commissioners, as well as follow all state and county requirements for commercial and marijuana uses and facilities. SEE MARIJUANA, P13
Council members express support of rooftop greenhouses Part of ‘The District’ BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
according to preliminary data from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative point-in-time survey. Sandgren said as more partnerships take off, such as with Bridge House — a workforce training and housing program for single adults — he expects that number will soon increase. But it comes as the three cities have already shelled out a slew of funding for homelessness
Rooftop greenhouses spanning across approximately two acres may become one of several new developments at “The District” in Centennial, a mixed-use district along the Interstate 25 corridor near the Dry Creek Light Rail Station. During a presentation to Centennial City Council on Oct. 3, multiple council members expressed support for the greenhouses, which would be part of a building encompassing a proposed nine-story hotel, two-story recreation center, ground floor retail and restaurants. “‘The District’ is a planned, mixeduse community that spans 36 acres and will offer 2.5 million square feet of office space, a 150-room hotel, 1,800 residential units and more than 30,000 square feet of retail,” said Jenna Campbell, a senior planner with the city. The area was formerly known as “The Jones District,” Campbell
SEE HOMELESS, P12
SEE GREENHOUSE, P12
Littleton City Manager Jim Becklenberg, left, and Mayor Kyle Schlachter discuss policies aimed at curbing homelessness with PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN other south metro city leaders.
Better housing policy is centerpiece of meeting on homelessness Cities work together BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The need for improved housing policies was a centerpiece during the most recent discussion between south metro officials on how best to curb their cities’ rise in homelessness. With a coalition of the cities of
Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan in its fifth year and the implementation of their Tri-Cities Homeless Action Plan in its first year, at least 11 people have been known to be housed from the efforts, according to Mike Sandgren, Arapahoe County’s coordinator for homelessness services, during an Oct. 6 meeting. The metro area’s homeless population was estimated to have grown by 12.8% this year compared to 2021, totaling at least 6,888 people,
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 28
CULTIVATING HOME
Farm program helping Afghan refugees P16