March 12, 2015 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 30
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Mayor looks to future in his last state of city Murphy charts goals as he nears end of tenure By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy’s last state of the city speech was a chance to celebrate the city’s accomplishments while looking ahead to goals yet to be achieved. “I have the enormous satisfaction of being able to look back over 21 years of service with no regrets,” Murphy said. “I have the satisfaction of being a part of truly moving this great city forward, the honor of being one of just seven mayors in our city’s history.” The speech was a kind of a greatest-hits list for the mayor. He recognized L a k e w o o d ’s economic and artistic growth, particularly with the opening the W lightrail line, St. Anthony Hospital Murphy and 40 West Arts District. Murphy also took the opportunity to make some big announcements concerning the future of the city. “The Federal Center is also looking forward to reinvesting in their future and their facilities. Part of that plan is to divest their land north of the Federal Center Light Rail Station and invest that value into What did you think of Mayor improving an important Murphy’s last state of the city Federal Center buildspeech? ing that provides jobs in Lakewood. The land “I was super thrilled to hear about would then be available the ArtSpace progress, which could for Lakewood to transbe a game-changer for us. I’m also form it into a unique so excited for the redevelopment community asset,” he at the Lamar Station Plaza, and announced. “Our vithe way the city is holding on to its sion for the new Federal history while moving forward.” Center Station Neigh— Liz Black borhood is a sustain“I’m glad he recognized how the able live-work village community is involved in so many that will employ thoudecisions to make Lakewood a sands of people while better city.” hundreds more will call — George Valuck it home. This year, City “Bob Murphy has been such Council plans to coma force for change, and he is so plete that transaction, giving. His leadership is evident create a governing auin everything he does, and it’s bitthority and seek quality tersweet that he’s leaving. It will be development proposals a different city without him in the from the private sector.” mayor’s chair.” Murphy also an— Kevin Yoshida nounced the city has an agreement in principle to collaborate with Artspace on a new development in the 40 West Arts District. He said council will take action on the issue in April. As Murphy is term-limited, he wanted to use the speech to address some of the challenges still facing the city — from city infill and high density to a November election that could change the direction of the city. “We have enjoyed steady forward progress here, precisely because of our continuity of strong forward-thinking leadership. We’ve come too far to reverse direction
STRAIGHT TALK
Mayor continues on Page 14
The completely full auditorium and long line of neighbors wishing to comment on the proposed development to Applewood Golf Course on March 3. Photos by Clarke Reader
Applewood neighbors jam golf course meeting Crowding cuts meeting on course closure short By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com The first public meeting about the development of Applewood Golf Course was called off after less than an hour because the more than 300 people in attendance filled the auditorium at the Manning School to a “dangerous level of over-capacity.” The announcement was met with loud boos and signs reading “NO redevelopment of Applewood Golf Course” being held aloft. At that point in the meeting, only about 10 people who were lined up to speak and ask questions had the chance to address Scott Carlson, a representative of the development team under contract from Molson-Coors, and Alan Tiefanbach, a planner with Jefferson County Planning and Zoning. “The property was zoned industrial and agricultural by Coors in 1973, and they built the golf course as an interim use — it was never meant to be permanent,” Carlson said during the presentation portion of the meeting. “Coors has determined the property is surplus land, and it will be sold. What we’re trying to determine is what the most appropriate use of the property is.” The 145 acres owned by MolsonCoors is zoned primarily industrial, with some agricultural zoning and commercial use. While a full rezoning proposal has not been submitted to the county, developers are expected to submit an application for the mixed-use development, which would include 454 homes and duplexes. “If the rezoning isn’t approved, the property will be sold and developed under its current zonings,” Carlson said, to audible sighs and scoffs from the audience. “Several years ago there were efforts made to sell the property to Wheat Ridge and the county at a lower price, and the golf course operator had first opportunity
Scott Carlson, a representative of the development team under contract from Molson-Coors, answers residents’ questions about the development at Applewood Golf Course during the first community meeting on March 3. to purchase the land and declined.” Carlson said they have found two primary impacts of the rezoning — the loss of the course as a community amenity and traffic in the area. If the proposal moves forward, there will be no changes to the course’s operations this year, and Carlson said he wouldn’t expect to see any changes until 2016. He went on to add that the clubhouse is an integral part of the community, and the developers have had early talks with the Prospect Recreation and Park District about donating the clubhouse land to the district. “We have made no agreement or commitment to anything happening here,” said Jim Zimmerman, chairman of Prospect’s board of directors. “We’ve had preliminary talks but have made no agreements to take the clubhouse, or of any other nature.” Traffic impacts will be mitigated in several ways, Carlson told the crowd, including new bike lanes and a new roundabout, but there will be no ex-
pansion of the right of way. Tiefanbach added there would have to be a traffic study completed as part of a rezoning application. Residents spoke about the damaging effects the development would have on traffic, despite the proposed mitigation options, and the overcrowding of local schools that would happen as a result of so many new residents in the area. Carlson said there have been some meetings with the Jeffco School District and it believes it has the capacity within the system to handle the influx — a statement that was met by loud laughter from the audience. Tommy Dowd, Wheat Ridge High School’s golf coach, said the loss of Applewood would be devastating to youth golf in the area. Other residents spoke about the environmental impacts, both for wildlife and for the land itself. The meeting will be rescheduled at a later date and time to be announced soon.