HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-22 City Council Meeting MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
January 24, 2022
Note: This meeting was held virtually, using Zoom video-teleconferencing technology.
As duly announced and publicly noticed, Council previously approved this format in order
to continue with normal business. Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker
stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format.
Mayor Starker called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Judy Hutchinson Scott Ohm
Amanda Weaver Korey Stites
Rachel Hultin
Leah Dozeman
Janeece Hoppe
Val Nosier Beck
Also, present: City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick; City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; City Manager,
Patrick Goff; City Treasurer, Chris Miller; Administrative Services Director, Allison
Scheck; Police Chief, Chris Murtha; Police Division Chief Jim Lorentz; Director of Parks
and Recreation, Karen O'Donnell; Assistant to the City Manager, Marianne Schilling;
Lauren Mikulak, other staff, guests and interested citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Without objection or correction, the City Council Minutes of November 8, 2021,
November 22, 2021 and Study Session Notes of October 18, 2021 and November 14,
2021 were approved as published.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES
This item began at 7:03 PM.
Heart Healthy Month
Mayor Starker welcomed Chelsea Kuznik, Lutheran Medical Center, who accepted the
proclamation and discussed key steps and habits toward more heart health.
The Mayor read the Proclamation and he also encouraged residents to adopt lifestyles
and habits that promote heart health. He thanked Ms. Kuznik for her attendance and
her work to promote public health generally and cardiac health in specific.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 2
City Clerk Note: To help the reader follow the Wheat Ridge Speaks and the
Public's Right to Speak comments herein below, note that a document in the
Meeting Packet included some examples of housing projects, submitted by the
Jeffco Public Housing Authority. Upon reading the packet, and social media,
some residents inferred that Council was or would in the future consider these
projects for approval. None of these projects exists, and there is no plan to
develop them; there never was. They projects were fictitious examples only.
Note about Wheat Ridge Speaks:
Members of the Public may visit the Wheat Ridge Speaks website and enter
written comments of up to 1,000 words on any Council agenda item. The deadline
for citizens to submit comments is 12:00 Noon Mountain Time on the da v of a
Council session so that Council members, other elected officials and City Staff have
time to review the comments before the meeting on Monday evening.
The City Clerk's Office transcribes those Wheat Ridge Speaks comments into
these minutes, placing each comment along with the record for that agenda item,
including items that address a public hearing (verbatim, if the comments do not
contain lascivious language or unlawful hate speech).
The following comments appeared in Wheat Ridge Speaks for this meeting.
I am opposed. We bought our home in Wheat Ridge instead of Denver in part because
it is still primarily single-family homes and community. Developers have not yet
destroyed that by putting in an ugly 300-unit high-density housing into communities that
cannot support them. This community cannot support the traffic and daily commutes,
there are not enough schools, and there should be green space per family and
adequate parking otherwise that traffic gets pushed into the lower density areas that
were designed thoughtfully. Single family zoning is how the surrounding community is
zoned. Don't try and turn this suburban community into a city.
January 24, 2022, 12:54 PM
Sarah Healey
3375 Wright St
Wheat Ridge, 80033
I am a Wheat Ridge citizen. I totally support the opportunity to have a lot more
affordable housing in Wheat Ridge. There are so many people who work hard and
support our community, but adequate housing is out of reach for many of them. I would
like to see the people who live in this housing be workers in Wheat Ridge so that we will
build our community and the residents will really care about the city in which they live.
The western suburbs have a great dearth of affordable housing, especially for young
working families. If we don't want to continue the trend of homeless people, we need to
address their needs for housing that they can afford.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022
January 23, 2022, 10:40 PM
page 3
Deb Bollig
4786 Flower St
Wheat Ridge, 80033
As a homeowner in Skyline Estates, I am very concerned about the density 300 units
would strain the traffic. We simply do NOT have adequate street parking for such a
project. I'm appalled with how much the City of Wheat Ridge is trying to obfuscate what
this really is -government HUD housing dumped right in the middle of a subdivision of
homes worth over $800,000. The misleading name of the meeting and the time of the
"virtual" event makes it clear that the City is trying to disenfranchise the community and
homeowners. No doubt this will lower the value of the nearby homes. I also have
serious concerns about the Jefferson Residential Housing developers. They put up 400
units-not yet occupied in Golden with little to no parking available. The JRH is not a
long-established developer and had bad ratings under their past business affiliation.
January 22, 2022, 11 :46 AM
Sandy Nuyt
10523 54th Place
Arvada, 80002
Hello, we live in a fairly new development to the west of one of the proposed low-
income housing sites (site 2). We would like to state our concerns with the proposed
project as there is already a low-income housing site near our location that brings a ton
of crime to our neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods, which unfortunately
we have experienced first-hand numerous times. Not to mention that with all of the new
housing projects currently under way, there is not enough road infrastructure for all of
the added traffic that the current and proposed new housing projects will add to the one
lane roads surrounding this area. The low-income housing sites will reduce the property
value of the neighborhoods surrounding and would include ours. This is a huge concern
for us we paid a high market value price for our house and chose the location due to the
surrounding amenities and neighborhoods that would keep our property value high. We
think it is very important to have our opinions heard as we know that most of the
families, we have talked to in our community strongly oppose this proposal. Please
reconsider the location you are choosing to place this low-income housing project.
Thank you.
January 24, 2022, 12:29 PM
Shilah Anderson
5212 Quail St
Wheat Ridge, 80033
We are in sore need of affordable housing. I'm for it. HOWEVER, Jeffco, Arvada, and
Wheat Ridge have done POOR job planning around the new transit hubs. Dense
housing with no improvement to infrastructure shows a genuine lack of critical thinking.
Ridge Road is a 2-land road with increasing traffic. The county and municipalities
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 4
should have included, at minimum, a third lane for left and right-hand turns. Better yet, it
should have been widened to 4 lanes. Simply, the governments have shown little regard
for the communities and residents and have displayed interest only in raising tax
revenue. This area has quickly become just another unsightly piece of urban sprawl.
January 24, 2022, 12: 19 PM
RANDY WEINERT
1088 W/54th Pl.
Arvada, 80002
Hello, I live in a neighborhood west of this location and we are against this proposition.
Ridge road cannot handle traffic to safely accommodate another 300 houses in addition to
the houses already being built in the area. There is already a ton of crime and suspicious
activity that happens in the area, which we have dealt with first had numerous of times,
and I feel bringing more of this population would just add to the problem. Having low-
income housing I also think would decrease the value of our home, which we paid top
dollar for when we moved in. We chose this location for the amenities surrounding the area
and the safety and don't feel like this is going to be a good decision for the neighborhoods
that surround this location. Thank you.
January 24, 2022, 12: 18 PM
Shilah Anderson
5212 Quail St
Wheat Ridge, 80033
We've lived in Skyline since the beginning, 2002, & were told there would be no building
where there is building going on due 2 medical waste & the cost ink incurred from its
removal but bottom line when it comes 2 $ u make your own rules & the fact that u were
so deceptive in this project speaks volumes. We & the majority of r neighbors will do
everything we can 2 oppose & stop what our trying 2 do. Honestly is there not a cap on
the influx of people in such an already densely populated area?!?! We can't
accommodate what there is & u just keep adding & adding STOP!!!!
January 24, 2022, 12: 16 PM
Ellisa Rupoli
11271w54th Ave.
Arvada, 80002
I have been a resident of Wheat ridge for over 50 years and I'm proud of that. When I
bought my home on Nelson Street in skyline, I thought it was going to be a safe home
and community to raise my kids in and live there until I grew old. With this plan of
affordable housing, I am afraid that will not be the case. We all know what will come of
this community if this plan goes into effect. Please city council members think about if
your house was this close to a plan like this. This is going to decrease the value of
homes, and when the time comes for us to move out because we have had it with high
crime and good knows what else this will bring, we will be selling our homes for
pennies on the dollar because who else would want to move in next to a mess. Please
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 5
end this discussion once and for all so we here in skyline can stop worrying about it
and enjoy what a beautiful community we have built in the last 17 years. Please be
happy with what this area has become and find an area where it wouldn't affect people
this close to their homes.
January 24, 2022, 12:02 PM
Julie
5370 Nelson St
Arvada, 80002
As a homeowner in the neighborhood of the site on 54th Avenue and Miler, I am very
concerned about the impact that this housing plan will have on my neighborhood and
my property value. The project being proposed backs up directly to the back fences of
10-12 current homes, including mine. The proposed lot is not large enough to
adequately support the number of proposed units. The increase in traffic, as well as
limited parking areas, will negatively impact the entire neighborhood. With the number
of new homes, apartments, and townhouses that are currently being built in this area,
has anyone created an impact report for the area schools if this new housing is built as
well? The number of children that would most likely come into this area would overload
Vanderhoof Elementary, the area home school, with the recent closing of Allendale
Elementary. Overcrowded schools are unable to provide the education all of our
students deserve. This proposed housing would negatively impact the students in the
existing neighborhood as well as the students who would be moving into the new
housing area. I have seen some of the comments supporting this proposal, and I agree
that affordable housing is a concern, but building on this site will do more harm than
good.
January 24, 2022, 11 :58 AM
Kristine Sawyer
5386 Nelson St
Arvada, 80002
This is in response to item #2 Affordable Housing -We have lived in Wheat Ridge for
over 17 years. The amount of housing off of Ridge and Kipling that has been developed
with apartment complexes has already created traffic problems in the area due to
additional increase in residents. The lot East of Kipling between 44th & 48th is a
complete eyesore with many homeless already living there. Why not use that lot instead
for section 8 housing? It has ease of access, it is walking distance to transportation,
jobs, and it is not located near high priced homes. Also, it is very disappointing that no
notice was provided to the local residents regarding the development. Why the lack of
transparency? Finally, when we purchased our homes, we had to sign a notice that we
knew of the occupants of Ridge Home, being sexual deviants as determined by the
state of Colorado. Does developing a Section 8 residential housing right next to this
facility make any sense? Please take all of these suggestions and questions into
consideration.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022
January 24, 2022, 11 :57 AM
page 6
Chris Bradley
5323 Nelson St.
Arvada, 80002
Against! With no one improving the infostructure to accommodate this huge flux of
people and traffic, will cause many issues, not to mention safety for all the current
residents and surrounding areas. It's a quiet and tranquil neighborhood, lots of walkers,
dogs, children etc. Not conducive to adding these Huge numbers of folks and
unbelievable amount of traffic etc. The decrease in our home values. This will be a huge
impact!
January 24, 2022, 11 :48 AM
Natalie Woodward
5369 Owens Street
Arvada, 80002
Against! With no one improving the infostructure to accommodate this huge flux of
people and traffic, will cause many issues, not to mention safety for all the current
residents and surrounding areas. It's a quiet and tranquil neighborhood, lots of walkers,
dogs, children etc. Not conducive to adding these Huge numbers of folks and
unbelievable amount of traffic etc. The decrease in our home values. This will be a huge
impact!
January 24, 2022, 11 :48 AM
Natalie Woodward
5369 Owens Street
Arvada, 80002
Good morning. I wish to publicly say that this subdivision is already taking on 250-500
new row housing and family condos and some private housing in this small area of land.
There is no way another 300 units can be added and expected to thrive in this Arvada
Community. There are no schools being built, Grocery Stores, Gas Stations,
Restaurants etc. for all these people to attend regarding daily life. This subdivision
already has a facility housing sex offender, a government run section 8 low-income
housing that brings in these issues of drug use, gangs and other problems This is a
low-income Government housing that has already taken up more police attention than
Arvada has and building another 300 units will father stretch our Police Dept. and add
more crime to our Residential neighborhood. This is a residential neighborhood and
not a low-income neighborhood. This housing will only hurt the residential families that
live here and are being drawn into the new builds that are under construction. We need
to make the Government housing that is already here cleaner and better for the people
that live there! Not add more housing! I do not feel comfortable to have my children and
other children waiting for the school buses and doing daily activities around the
individuals that this Low-Income Housing will bring. I know this because of the
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 7
experiences I have every day with the other low-income housing that are in
Arvada/Wheat Ridge area. Thank you for letting us be heard.
January 24, 2022, 11 :36 AM
Kellydeen McKinney
11251 W. 54th Ave.
Arvada, 80002
I am a 3rd generation Coloradan. I am very much for affordable housing. However, I
agree with comments that this development would be introducing too much density for
the neighborhood to support and needs to be more thought out on a community level.
Often new development does not adequately provide enough parking for its new
residents. New development will often inaccurately predict that new residents will utilize
public transportation more than they do. To provide enough space for families they
either do not give enough green space per family in front of the building or behind and I
believe in neighborhoods with a yard per family because I have seen what it provides
for my own child's development. I believe in quality over quantity. I love that Wheat
Ridge still has organic growth with independent businesses and not planned housing
communities envisioned by developers. Tennyson, where I grew up, has become a
wind tunnel with little shade and no parking, and smells like dog piss because there is
not enough green space or yards per family. It has a lot more traffic and I now, when I
visit my dad in that neighborhood, I avoid streets where these mixed-use buildings are,
and I see how it pushes through-traffic into the surrounding neighborhood making the
side streets more dangerous because that is not what they were designed for either. I
have seen several of these types of mixed-use developments. Mixed use developments
and apartments and buildings over 2 floor heights belong downtown where density
already exists and there is no commute for residents, not in Wheat Ridge. I do not
believe there is enough land for the max units they have mentioned and for this still to
be a quality community with 1 family houses and yards and zoned properly. I think 1-
family housing with yards and setbacks and space for the cars and people and pets that
will actually be in a community is the type of affordable housing and community that
we should strive for. Again, quality over quantity. I agree with the sentiment to look at
the traffic this would introduce, that the zoning should be single family residences if it is
to change and that the schools needed are there and have funding and capacity to
accommodate new residents.
January 24, 2022, 11 :27 AM
Sarah Healey
3375 Wright St
Wheat Ridge , 80033
Our comment is in regard to Item No.2 -We are STRONGLY against this proposal as
our home literally backs to this parcel. We have been here for 17 years and would
prefer looking at the current eyesore than have our property values tank. We have
worked extremely hard to be able to afford this place that we call home and to feel safe
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 8
in and around our neighborhood. We all know that crime will follow, and the police do
not have time or resources to control this anymore. While there may be a social need
for low-income housing within the City of Wheat Ridge there has to be a more suitable
location for this to happen and not next to $800,000+ homes. The infrastructure simply
cannot handle this influx based on all of the current building, traffic and crime that has
been on the rise in recent years.
Please do not ruin our neighborhood further.
January 24, 2022, 11 :25 AM
Miles and Wendi Griffith
5312 Nelson Street
Arvada, 80002
I support the initiative -anything we can do to provide affordable housing to those who
qualify is positive. The rents on the Front Range are out of control. The City and
community should be prepared to provide services to help those living there be stable
and successful. The fears of increased crime and traffic, etc., are legitimate but the
need to do something to address our homeless problem is paramount. New affordable
housing will help. Thank you.
January 24, 2022, 11 :25 AM
Rose Malone
3220 Arbutus St
Golden, 80401
I am in favor of affordable housing being built in Wheat Ridge. I understand there are
concerns, but I hope the city and the community of Wheat Ridge supports this
possibility. I do not see how there can be any improvement in our homeless situation,
unless more units of housing are built. This is true for all the Front Range, sadly.
Stabilized / housed living and an opportunity for children's improved educational
opportunities would help poor people move out of poverty -I am all for it. I am not an
immediate neighbor, but we owned in WR for many years and continue to do so. It is a
wonderful city and our home values have increased to an absurd degree over time. I
don't know how anyone affords housing these days.
January 24, 2022, 11: 18 AM
Rosemary Motisi
3220 Arbutus Street
Golden, CO, 80401
Hello, I am letting you know that I OPPOSE this project at this specific location of 54th
and Miller Street. I understand the need for affordable housing, but this #2 location is
not best suited for this high-density affordable housing (SECTION 8) project . There are
other locations throughout Wheat Ridge and other cities within Jefferson County that
are not surrounded by well-established higher end homes and Apartments that can be
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 9
a much better choice for this kind of project. This area has already been inundated with
several other projects buying up very vacant pieces of land to build large apartment
complexes and single-family homes. The traffic that has come with all of this building is
already out of control and another 300-unit complex will significantly add to this current
problem not to mention the crime and other issues that we all know follow. Everyone
can deny or say that it doesn't bring these issues along with it but if you look at all the
stats from other Section 8 locations you will see that this is the case. We purchased in
this area for a reason. We have worked extremely hard to be able to afford a home here
with hopes of increased value to give us a better life. This will only drop all property
values throughout the area which I don't think is the goal of any of the community
members living in the area and would also not be beneficial for the City. So, as you can
see there are several different impacts to all residents within this community of the
proposed project. I am not surprised that we had to hear about this High Density 300-
unit affordable housing (SECTION 8) project through social media instead of through
community outreach from our local government representatives. SHAME SHAME
SHAME on you City of Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. So much for being
transparent with the residents of your community ... sneaking through a project like this
under the radar.
January 24, 2022, 10:56 AM
Lance Carpenter
5318 NELSON ST
Arvada, 80004
My comment is in regard to Site #2 proposed by Foothills Regional Housing. I am
vehemently against this proposed development. Our property backs to a parcel that
would need to be rezoned to accomplish this project. When we built our home in 2004,
we proactively contacted Wheat Ridge to find out what would be allowed on the
property directly behind our home. At that time, I was told that it was currently zoned
Agricultural and the only types of businesses that would be allowed would be
something like a greenhouse. This put our minds at ease, and we went ahead with the
build. Now, 17 years later, we are finding out that there are plans in motion to rezone
this property and turn it into high-density low income (Section 8) housing and to make
matters worse, potentially a Jefferson County Human Services office. This is extremely
detrimental to not only our property values, but our way of life. The additional traffic,
parking issues, noise and potential crime, are a sure recipe for economic
obsolescence of not only the adjacent properties, but of the entire neighborhood,
especially those located on the south side of Skyline Estates. We have all worked hard
to be able to live in this wonderful neighborhood and it is not right to have our property
values decrease due to something that is out of our control, while the rest of the metro
area is gaining equity in their homes. I realize that there is a need for low-income
(Section 8) housing in the City of Wheat Ridge, but it does NOT need to be placed
right next to a subdivision similar to Skyline with $800,000 homes. A project of this
magnitude is absolutely absurd in this location. A SMALL development with limited units
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 10
located where the old building is along 54th would make more sense due to the current
zoning of that parcel, but this planned development is massive. It seems that this
project is being hidden and is being quietly pushed through in hopes that the residents
of Skyline won't find out anything about it until it is too late. As elected representatives
of our City Council, I would like you to look at yourselves in the mirror and honestly
ask yourselves if you would be okay with this development if it were literally in your
backyard. If not, I respectfully ask you to disallow this development at this location, and
to find a place that would be more suitable.
January 24, 2022, 10:51 AM
Cathy Carpenter
5318 Nelson Street
Arvada, 80002
Dear Wheat Ridge city council, we are very concerned about the idea of putting 300
low-income housing units in the lot at 54th & Miller Streets. Hopefully this is not a done
deal that someone has tried to sneak through. We only heard about it over the
weekend. 300 units is way too much to put in this small area. All of the neighbors that
we have spoken to on Nelson St. are very, very concerned that this will drive down our
property values.
Subsidized housing should not be built so close to $800,000.00 + homes. The homes of
the neighbors on the East side of Nelson St. will back up to all of these new units. This
is surely not something that anyone would have to look at in their back yard. Please
know that Skyline estates residents would like a meeting (not virtual) to discuss what is
being considered. Thank you, Dale & Rhein Squillace 03-422-5597 Home 303-881-
0128 Cell
January 24, 2022, 10: 18 AM
Dale R & RhueAnn Squillace
5311 Nelson St. Arvada, Co. 80002
Arvada, 80002
My family of 8 live within walking distance of this development proposal and we strongly
oppose this measure. I too am concerned with the crime this development may bring as
affordable housing locations in the area and specifically near 1-70 and Kipling already
have a high crime rate. The density is also an issue. More housing for sale in the
open market vs. rentals is fine if the projects are valued and sold at market rates.
Additional housing options made available in the free market for the area to flourish
naturally would be ok however, we do not support an affordable housing option here
next door to our community.
January 24, 2022, 10:07 AM
Paul Pelican
10954 W 54TH LN
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 11
Arvada, 80002
Please see the attached 2-page document regarding issues with site #2 of the proposed
UH project at 54th and Miller.
January 24, 2022, 9:15 AM
& Attachments [See Attachment #1 below]
Joy Wollesen
5282 Quail Street
Wheat Ridge, 80033
I and my family live in the quail ridge estates 5336 Johnson. which is less than 1 mile
from this site. Ridge road cannot support the amount of traffic that is here now. There is
no way that it will support the traffic that another 300 homes would bring. It's
irresponsible to build another 300 homes here before the projects that are already going
on have been completed. We have to see the impact that has on traffic before we try
and cram another 300 homes in here. This will drastically reduce the value of my home.
Please, let's not try and Cram another housing project in this area until the info
structure is in place to support it. The amount of new homes that are already being
built in this area is TOO MUCH! We cannot propose building another 300 homes in this
area. Haskins station is not finished yet
and when it is, it will bring with it an enormous traffic issue on Ridge Road. It doesn't
seem that anyone is thinking before these housing projects are being approved. There's
land so "let's build" no thought of how this will impact the area . How it will forever
change the Arvada, Wheat Ridge residents that have called this area home for
generations! NO! NO!
NO! Please do not do this! January 23, 2022, 11 :13 PM
Jonathan D. Brandow
5266 Pierson Street
Wheat Ridge, 80033
Affordable housing is good for the community. It provides an opportunity for parents to
rear their children in a stable environment.
January 23, 2022, 9:57 PM
Linda Foreman
30 Morningside Dr.
Wheat Ridge, 80215
We do not need another apartment complex in this area! And we definitely do not need
a low-income housing complex! The low-income housing will decrease our property
values, increase the crime rate, and increase traffic in the area. There are other areas in
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 12
Jefferson County that would be more suitable for this and the FRH needs to keep
looking at other options and not at the location proposed at 54th and Miller.
January 23, 2022, 8:39 PM
Michelle Stieben
5285 Pierson Court
Wheat Ridge, 80033
I am very concerned about this project and others. Recent events of the Marshall Fire
must have us considering the future with regards to water usage, water drainage and
density of urban areas in a dry and drought prone climate. I am requesting that a full
study of the water requirements be completed before we approve this project. Without
data to show that this project will not, when in connection with other new build projects,
does not overwhelm our water supply in the next 10 years. This study should review
the water supply with our current level of drought in the state. Please take great care
that we not set up our community with a future tragedy such as the Marshal Fire for
projects such as these. Thank you, Toby Stilling
January 23, 2022, 7:50 PM
Toby Stilling
10813 W 85th Ave
Arvada, 80005-4792
As a third generation Colorado native, I am heartsick that so many of our citizens are
not able to buy a home in the Denver metro area. My own children are forced to pay
excessive rent because even a starter home is out of reach. I believe that it is a moral
obligation for our elected officials to support affordable housing initiatives and vote
accordingly. I also believe that there should be restrictions concerning individuals and
corporations buying multiple houses and keeping them out of the marketplace. A good
example of mixed-use housing exists on the grounds where I attended high school in
the 1960's at 52nd and Federal where homes, apartments and habitat for humanity
housing share the complex. January 23, 2022, 7:05 PM
Janet Swank
5091 Garrison St.
Wheat Ridge
I would like to express my support for the affordable housing bonds. January 23, 2022,
6:42 PM
Eric Wilson
3743 Jay St.
Wheat Ridge, 80033
Please do not ruin my neighborhood. I have no problem with affordable housing, but this
type and density is too much for that location to absorb. This feels like a punitive
measure for complaining about the disgraceful abandoned buildings that have been left
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 13
there. You are tanking my home value and being sneaky about doing so. I do not
appreciate Wheat Ridge making this an Arvada issue.
January 23, 2022, 5:24 PM
Aaron Nuyt
10523 W 54th Place
Arvada, 80002
Hello, we live in a fairly new development to the west of one of the proposed low-
income housing sites (site 2). We would like to state our concerns with the proposed
project as there is already a low-income housing site near our location that brings a ton
of crime to our neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods. Not to mention that
with all of the new housing projects currently under way, there is not enough road
infrastructure for all of the added traffic that the current and proposed new housing
projects will add to the one lane roads surrounding this area. The low-income housing
sites will reduce the property value of our homes.
Name and house number withheld at commenter's request
NNNN PARFET ST,
ARVADA, 80002-4947
PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK
Margie Robinson, 4 Hillside Drive. Called to comment on the Study Session agenda.
She supports partnering of the Foothills Housing Authority to expand affordable housing
options. We need to increase the number of affordable houses.
Joy Wallesen, 5282 Quail St. She called express her opposition to the affordable
housing at 44th Ave and Miller St. She enumerated several reasons for her opposition,
which she also wrote about in a post on Wheat Ridge Speaks tonight. We need to
better understand what is proposed here and 300 units is too many for the size of the lot
and for the proposed location.
Jeff Moore, 5275 Pierson Ct. Called to oppose locating 300 units of what is likely to be
Section 8 housing. The proposed project does not have enough infrastructure to
support that kind of development. He believes that this affordable housing will not help
our essential workers, like supermarket workers and first responders. If the project
goes forward, our real estate values will plummet, and he will sell his home and leave
Wheat Ridge.
Ali Vance, 10542 W. 54th Place, Arvada, called to oppose the development at 54th and
Miller. It is small plot of land surrounded by single family homes and the proposed
development has too many units in higher profile buildings that we do not want. We are
concerned about traffic increases, drag racing on nearby streets and public safety is at
risk. Council, if this were going into your neighborhood, next to your home, would you
want this development in your neighborhood.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 14
5344 Oak Ct., Arvada. Called to speak about his opposition to the planned
development. He has a major concern about communication among the Cities of
Wheat Ridge and Arvada and the State. We hear a lot of talk by Wheat Ridge wanting
to develop our City but at the same time I see that 654 feet of sidewalk is not assured in
this plan. I oppose Section 8 housing because of the crime problems that Section 8
housing always bring. This does not fit the neighborhood surrounding the proposed
development. The City of Arvada has allowed developers to bring this kind of housing
to the area, but I hope Wheat Ridge will not buy that same argument.
DeWayne Crowder, 5360 Nelson St., which would be contiguous to my property. I
agree with the previous speakers who oppose this proposed development for the
reasons they stated.
Tom and Kim Vanderveen, 5377 Profit, Arvada. Tom was an Arvada police officer for
35 years and he has seen the crime and density issues that these developments bring.
Numerous crime statistics prove that when you build this kind of housing the
neighborhood declines in every way.
Brannie Brown, 11437 W. 55th Lane, Arvada, nearby the proposed development. She
also opposes the planned/proposed development.
Sara Sweedock, 5222 Quail St. A lot of homeless people come to our neighborhood
come into my knighthood at night and do mischief and crimes. We do not need this
development where is it proposed.
Armando Blanco, 5396 Nelson St. Also lives adjacent to the proposed development
and also adamantly opposes it. He cited similar arguments about concerns about
traffic, density, public safety and crime. Where else in Wheat Ridge can we put this,
because the proposed site is not the right one.
Ken and Kally Haag, 5315 Newcombe St., Arvada. Called to briefly echo the other
residents comments in opposition to this proposed project. The project has no
proposed sidewalks so people would have to walk in front of this development in danger
of traffic.
Erica Nollen, 5353 Parfet St. called to strongly oppose this development as inap-
propriate for the same reasons and concerns others have expressed this evening.
1. CONSENT AGENDA
Discussion began at approximately 7:40 PM.
CM Stites introduced the consent agenda.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 15
a. Motion to approve the purchase and payment of 2022 vehicle replacements and
additions and the installation of lighting and auxiliary equipment in a total amount
not to exceed $862,008
Issue
Twelve existing vehicles in the City's fleet are programmed for replacement in 2022 in
accordance with the City's Vehicle Replacement Policy. Four additional vehicles are
proposed for purchase as new additions to the City's fleet for Police Department patrol
operations and Parks and Recreation Department forestry and open space operations.
The cost of the vehicles is $695,308 plus $166,700 for auxiliary equipment, decals,
marking and other miscellaneous equipment for a total cost of $862,008.
Motion by CM Stites to approve Consent Agenda Item a.), Seconded by CM Hoppe,
motion carried 8-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
There were no readings tonight
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
There were no readings tonight
DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
2. Motion to approve an amendment to a contract with Short Elliot Hendrickson,
Inc., Denver, CO, and subsequent payments, in an amount not to exceed
$592,858.94 for professional services to complete the construction plans and
specifications for Wheat Ridge Ward Road Station pedestrian bridge, plazas,
and trail improvements
Discussion began at 7:44 pm.
CM Nosier Beck introduced the Motion.
Issue
Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) was contracted to perform design services for the
pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements at the Wheat Ridge · Ward Station
area in 2019. That contract was suspended in 2020 to divert funding from this project to
the Clear Creek Crossing hook ramp project. Renewal Wheat Ridge issued bonds in
2021, of which a portion those bonds have been allocated to complete the design,
construction plans and specifications for the pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail
improvements. An amendment to task order #5 of the contract with SEH needs to be
approved to restart the design of the pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements
and prepare construction plans and specifications.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 16
Staff Presentation
Mr. Westberg spoke on how the pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvement
projects at the Wheat Ridge · Ward Station area were put on hold in 2020 to allow the
remaining funding to be transferred to the Clear Creek Crossing project to complete the
hook ramps on 1-70.
As the conceptual plans were being developed in early 2020, potential cost overruns
were identified. So, in the spring of 2020, a value engineering (VE) process was done
on these projects to keep the projects within budget. In addition to making some of the
design of the various elements more efficient and therefore less costly, what were
deemed as non-critical enhancements were also identified and removed.
Since the funding for the projects will now be from a Renewal Wheat Ridge Bond
instead of the 2017 2E bonds, staff has requested that the consultant restore some of
the enhancements, but not the less than efficient design elements, that were removed
during VE.
Public Comment
Sara Sweedock, 5222 Quail St. -called again to ask why we are constructing this bridge
near the Ward Road Station when it connects to nothing on the south side of the bridge.
Why are there no sidewalks planned? Can we get some commercial development like
convenience stores or other small businesses rather than more residences?
(Mr. Westberg replied to her comments.)
Council Questions
CM Weaver asked about how the value engineering method to use runoff water might
help us as the climate gets drier and drier.
Mr. Westberg gave a detailed reply.
CM Ohm asked about whether the contractors engaged now will be engaged
throughout the project. Again, Mr. Westberg gave a detailed reply.
CM Hultin asked about provisions and options for better bike and pedestrian traffic. Mr.
Westberg provided an explanation of the study of those needs to date and the work
remaining to be done. CM HCM Hultin opined that some of the Federal funding passed
last year would support funding this purpose for cyclists and pedestrians.
CM Nosier Beck asked that staff consider carefully the comments from people nearby
this project and Ward Road Station earlier this evening. Mr. Johnstone provided
background information and plans going forward.
Motion by CM Nosier Beck to approve an amendment to a contract with Short Elliot
Hendrickson, Inc., Denver, CO, and subsequent payments, in an amount not to exceed
$592,858.94 for professional services to complete the construction plans and
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 17
specifications for the Wheat Ridge Ward Station pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail
improvements, seconded by CM Stites, motion carried 8-0.
CM Hoppe thanked Renewal Wheat Ridge for their support for this project, including
funding, and Mr. Westberg for his hard work.
3. Motion to approve an amendment to a contract with HOR, Inc., Denver, CO, and
subsequent payments, in an amount not to exceed $116,710.31 for professional
services for property acquisition services for Wheat Ridge Ward Road Station
pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements.
CM Dozeman introduced the Motion.
Issue
HOR was contracted to perform property acquisition services for the pedestrian bridge,
plazas, and trail improvements at the Wheat Ridge · Ward Station area in 2019. That
contract was suspended in 2020 to divert funding from this project to the Clear Creek
Crossing hook ramp project. Renewal Wheat Ridge issued bonds in 2021, of which a
portion those bonds have been allocated to resume property acquisition services for the
pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements. An amendment to task order #2 of
the contract with HOR needs to be approved to restart the property acquisition services
for the pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements.
Staff Presentation
Mark Westberg, Project Supervisor once again described how the pedestrian bridge,
plazas, and trail improvements projects at the Wheat Ridge · Ward Station area were
put on hold in 2020 to allow the remaining design, ROW and construction funds to be
transferred to the Clear Creek Crossing project.
The property acquisition for the pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements
projects had just started before the task order for the projects was suspended.
Public Comment
No one came forward to speak.
Council Questions
Council had no questions or concerns, as they were familiar with this project.
Motion by CM Dozeman to approve an amendment to the contract with HOR, Inc,
Denver, CO, and subsequent payments, in an amount not to exceed $116,710.31 for
professional services to complete the property acquisition services for the Wheat Ridge
Ward Station pedestrian bridge, plazas, and trail improvements, seconded by CM
Nosier Beck, motion carried 8-0.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 18
CITY MANAGER'S MATTERS
Mr. Goff deferred to the end of the Special Study Session.
CITY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS
Nothing tonight.
ELECTED OFFICIALS' MATTERS
CM Hoppe has been elected to the Board of Porchlight Family Justice Center. She
remarked that the Center and 75 other partner agencies offer many amazing services to
the survivors of conflict and violence. For example, they work with on call volunteer
doctors and nurses, who will come to the Center for treatment of sexual assault
survivors rather than have traumatized survivors go to an emergency room.
CM Hultin announced that on Saturday, February 5th she and CM Ohm will host the
District II meeting. She will recognize those who have been good neighbors. The
meeting will be held virtually; details to follow soon.
CM Hultin also commented on the impact of CoVid in our City. Even larger stores are
understaffed and cutting back hours at their locations. Please, support small
businesses during this time when they need our purchases of their goods and services.
CM Stites announced the District Ill meeting, tentatively planned for February 12 and
more details to follow. He echoed CM Hultin's comments on patronizing restaurants
and bars in Wheat Ridge. Please, support the local businesses in Wheat Ridge!
CM Nosier Beck proposed a Study Session in which we address some of the
connectivity issues near Ward St. Station. CM Hultin agreed and will add it to the queue
for Study Sessions.
CM Nosier Beck was recently appointed to the Jefferson County Accessibility and
Inclusiveness Task Force and encourages others to get involved. She thanked those
who responded to the needs of those recently impacted by the Marshall Fire disaster in
Boulder County. She grew up in Louisville and is very appreciative that so many have
risen to the occasion to help their neighbors in need. She also thanked the teachers at
Wilmore Davis for helping families and students through the CoVid surge and to help
students continue to learn during difficult times.
Mayor Starker reported on a meeting today with Congressional Rep. Perlmutter,
Senator Michael Bennett, other elected officials and CDOC leaders at the Kipling and
I-70 interchange project. The Mayor enumerated a number of other bridge and
overpass repair or reconstruction project coming to WR soon. He thanked our partners
at the Federal, State and local levels for their hope.
ADJOURNMENT TO SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 pm.
City Council Minutes January 24, 2022 page 19
~ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON February 14, 2022
Rachel Hultin, ayor Pro Tern
The preceding Minutes were prepared according to §47 of Robert's Rules of Order, i.e., they
contain a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members.
Recordings and DVD's of the meetings are available for listening or viewing by contacting the
City Clerk's Office, as well as copies of Ordinances and Resolutions.