gdp's Comments

Longmont Times-Call : The first mayor\'s house: Baker Street property in Longmont has storied past, neighbors want say in

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:34:13 +0000

First things first: Karen does a good job with a very confusing subject. The article covers 3 very different and confusing things. land use, zoning and preservation. The article weaves historic preservation, zoning, and land use together as if all three were equal. In fact, they are not. For example, my wife, my daughter and I are one family, but we are 3 very different people. Likewise, land use, zoning and historic preservation are related but govern different things. Land use = what kinds of uses are allowed in our neighborhood, residential, commercial, industrial etc For example: Multi-family also known as high density/medium density residential and single family (low density residential) are classified as residential land uses. Zoning = how we use our individual properties within our neighborhood. Otherwise known as our property rights. Longmont’s zoning code dictates among others, the types, kinds and how many homes are allowed in a specific residential zone. Historic Preservation Ordinance = how a landmarked or designated property or district (multiple properties) looks in relation to other properties. The historic preservation ordinance only dictates what a landmarked home, business or historic district can look like. The historic preservation ordinance cannot dictate how historic properties are used. The preservation ordinance does not distinguish between a landmark being used for a residence or a hair salon. SO what do we know? 352 Baker Street is a single family home in a low density residential zone (zoning), and happens to be eligible for local historic designation. Also - 352 Baker Street is NOT in a local historic district. What does this mean for 352 Baker Street and the Historic East Side Neighborhood? A historic preservation ordinance cannot stop a multi-unit building from being built. The preservation ordinance CAN influence how it looks BUT ONLY if the building is located IN a local historic district. 352 Baker is located in a zoning district that requires neighborhood compatibility but not to the extent that local historic district design guidelines would. Title 15 the land development code – dictates zoning and among other things how we use property. The specific zoning district for 352 Baker uses math to determine how many homes can be located on a particular block. For the 300 Block of Baker (which includes the even side of Baker and odd side of Martin) up to 27 homes are allowed. There are approximately 19 on that block. Which means according to the zoning code, 8 units could be added. The discussion regarding this property and perhaps historic preservation in the Historic Eastside will no doubt, come down to City Council. The legal facts are in favor of the property owner – the use is allowed, the residential density requested is allowed and there is no way except by an act of Council to stop a demolition. I think the discussion should focus on “can“. Can 352 Baker be saved and renovated to achieve the developer’s goals and support the historic character of the neighborhood? I would suggest yes, the property can be reused and still allow the developer to meet their goals. BUT, not without some sort of incentive that offsets the costs associated with preserving something derelict. As I noted earlier quite a few residential units can be added to this block. An option for Council/staff to consider is to allow a density increase and possibly exemptions from certain requirements like parking standards and/or setbacks, in exchange for saving a certain percentage (more than 50%) of the historically eligible structure. There are several examples of old homes that were condo’d in the neighborhood, 4th & Collyer, and several along Kimbark Street and 3rd Avenue. There is also an example of a newer building on a similar sized lot at 10th & Kimbark Street. Lastly - Historic preservation should not mothball or freeze neighborhoods in time. Rather a good preservation program allows historic neighborhoods to stay relevant by allowing historic properties and neighborhoods to change and evolve in a way that preserves neighborhood character.

Longmont Times-Call : Beware of large moving objects on Main Street in Longmont on Monday night - Longmont Times-Call

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 16:21:18 +0000

Glad to see the house is being preserved. Can't wait to see the brownstones go up.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont cyclist manages diabetes on his bike - Longmont Times-Call

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:42:07 +0000

Congratulations, Jerry! Good luck on Saturday.

Longmont Times-Call : Breakfast treats greet Longmont Bike to Work Day cyclists - Longmont Times-Call

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:53:59 +0000

Congratulations to everyone who rode to work today!

Longmont Times-Call : Boulder County considers recognizing \'rights of nature\' in comprehensive plan update - Longmont Ti

Thu, 22 May 2014 20:37:35 +0000

two words. Opposable Thumbs.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont Bike Night launches Wednesday at Roosevelt Park - Longmont Times-Call

Wed, 14 May 2014 14:52:19 +0000

All rides this year will begin and end at Roosevelt Park. Due to the Greenway closure we won't ride to Golden Ponds and the Solstice ride which usually occurs late in June (to Oskar Blues) has been updated to show greenway closures. See you tonight!

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont-area events for May 13: RSVP for organic workshop today - Longmont Times-Call

Tue, 13 May 2014 14:56:25 +0000

Be a part of Longmont's biggest, free, family friendly bike event! Bike Night starts tomorrow. See you at 6:30pm - near the flag pole on the east end of Roosevelt park.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont Community Foundation will split from Denver Foundation - Longmont Times-Call

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:51:59 +0000

On behalf of the directors of Bicycle Longmont I'd like to thank the Longmont Foundation and it's funders for investing in our Earn-a-Bike program. Thank you very much.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont\'s Roosevelt Parks Apartments adding wine cafe - Longmont Times-Call

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 17:21:15 +0000

Old Town keeps getting better. Great news, congratulations to the Hollenbecks and thanks to Cotton Burden for making this happen.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont City Council votes unanimously to save Triathlon - Longmont Times-Call

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 15:58:50 +0000

Congratulations to the folks who showed up to the open forum a couple weeks ago, and to City Council for not letting this Longmont tradition go-away. Nice work.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont cyclists optimistic about flood recovery - Longmont Times-Call

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:41:14 +0000

Thanks to all the people who attended last night. The tenor of the meeting was positive and optimistic. From our perspective there was little, if any, whining - as some on Facebook have implied. The majority of attendees were there to listen, learn and find out how they can get involved in the broader recovery effort. Our intent is simply to get good, solid, information into the biking community. It isn't to advance an agenda or to put cycling ahead of returning people to their homes. For this reason, Bicycle Longmont supports the County and Longmont's position requesting outdoor enthusiasts to stay away from fenced off areas. From our perspective the more space we give public employees, construction workers and residents of the flood zone, the shorter the recovery period and the sooner we all can get back to enjoying our great county. Bicycle Longmont will hold a follow up meeting in early spring. Bicycle Longmont is hosting a greenway cleanup this Saturday beginning at 10am. We've adopted the St. Vrain Greenway between Martin Street and the Ken Pratt Boulevard bridge and Left Hand Greenway from the St. Vrain Greenway to Main Street. We have 22 people signed up to help us, and, if you'd like to help make a difference, this Saturday, please do so. We are meeting at the Longmont Museum on Quail Road. Please bring shovels, gloves, and push brooms. More information can be found here: http://www.meetup.com/longmont-on-bikes/ Thanks

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont council votes to increase stormwater, parks fees - Longmont Times-Call

Wed, 9 Oct 2013 21:57:29 +0000

The driver behind most of these discussions is the FEMA requirement to have a 25% local match. If this match is met, then, FEMA covers the remaining 75% of, I believe, approved projects. Regarding the increased parks fee, Longmont residents spoke loud and clear last year (2012) during two planning processes, the first ever telephone town hall and the Parks Master Plan update, during those two processes residents said they'd support an increase to the fee if it meant better parks, trails and greenways. I believe council is moving lock-step with where the community is. We love our parks, we love our greenway, this is how they get rebuilt and maintained.

Longmont Times-Call : Mosquito spraying set for Longmont, Erie on Wednesday night - Longmont Times-Call

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:09:40 +0000

Bike Night will stay West of the spray area. Our route will include Old Town, west of Main Street and south of 9th, North of the Greenway., between 6:30 & 7:30ish. The second part will include a trip to Chuburger for a shake, staying west of Main Street, crossing the Greenway on Price Road.

Longmont Times-Call : ColoRODans take to Longmont\'s streets for cruising - Longmont Times-Call

Mon, 29 Jul 2013 16:48:59 +0000

My family and I had a great time at the event on Saturday night, rain and all. I'd like to see the City Council repeal the Main Street cruising ban during the summer months in conjunction with the Second Fridays downtown (May to September on the second Fridays or Saturdays of each month).

Longmont Times-Call : Urban Thai now open in Longmont\'s Prospect neighborhood - Longmont Times-Call

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 22:28:17 +0000

Congratulations, Edward! Good luck.

Longmont Times-Call : Sears returning to Longmont - Longmont Times-Call

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 17:15:50 +0000

Good deal.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont-area events for the week of July 15 - Longmont Times-Call

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:48:48 +0000

Thursday, Bicycle Longmont will celebrate the "Queen" stage of the Tour de France - the best way we know how: By touring all 3 Longmont Dairy Queen locations! Join us for what we think might be an annual fun, family friendly event. Costumes, headlight and a helmet are highly encouraged. The route will be longer - approximately 14 miles. We will meet at 6:30pm at Roosevelt Park, in the middle of the Senior Center/Memorial Center Parking lot near 910 Longs Peak Avenue. The Queen Stage of the TdeF is the longest stage prior to the end of the Tour.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont Mayor Dennis Coombs running for re-election - Longmont Times-Call

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:48:37 +0000

Dennis Coombs has done a remarkable job as mayor, considering how dysfunctional local politics and the City Council were. In his term, while council discussion was sometimes heated and sometimes dysfunctional, he has brought this council together. He along with council are responsive to the community and moving Longmont forward. I'm not saying it's all clear sailing, unicorns, rainbows and butterflies, far from it. I'm just saying Longmont would do well to stay the course.

Longmont Times-Call : Longmont-area cyclists Bike to Work - Longmont Times-Call

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:23:01 +0000

Thanks to everyone who participated this morning, volunteers, sponsors and riders alike. Please join Bicycle Longmont this evening for after work & Pre-Bike Night at the Red Zone (540 Main Street). We'll have swag and lots of fun going on. We'll join Bike Night at 6:30 at Roosevelt Park. Have a great day.

Longmont Times-Call : Boulder County grant could provide Longmont with free bus travel for two years - Longmont Times-Call

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 21:20:18 +0000

Thanks for the info, Katie. I'm skeptical that the Northwest Line as approved previously will come to fruition. I believe there will have to be some kind of vote, compromise, or least-worst option chosen given the escalation in costs. May be the NAMS study will provide better options. Again, thanks for the info.