Niwot Downtown Revitalization Talks Continue
By Mandy Sutyak
Almost 60 people, representing
numerous Niwot businesses and organizations, attended the Niwot community
meeting on Jan. 24 to learn the pros and cons of the Main Street Program (MSP)
from representatives of Lake City, CO. and Steamboat Springs, CO. The MSP is a national program for downtown revitalization while emphasizing historic preservation. It is administered within Colorado by the Colorado Community Revitalization Association, which was also represented at the meeting by Vincent Martinez. Niwot Business Association (NBA) President Biff Warren opened the meeting and noted that Niwot has always relied on volunteers to get things done. He said that in the past Niwot has reacted to issues confronting the community, but he would like to see the town take a proactive approach in planning. While the MSP may or may not be the answer, Warren said the town does have some significant issues to address including commercial vacancies, extensive repairs to the Left Hand Grange Hall and expanding the volunteer base. The revitalization effort in Steamboat Springs was driven by fear the downtown area would get left behind with the redevelopment of the ski resort. Now, downtown is very desirable with just three vacant spaces. “I think the Main Street Program is what will keep us together,” said Tracey Barnett of Steamboat Springs. The challenge for Lake City, located about 276 miles southwest of Niwot with just 400 residents, was that it was heavily dependent on the summer tourist season. Even residents were not using local shops, preferring to drive 55 miles to Gunnison for groceries. Like Niwot, Lake City has a number of historic buildings. “I’m just astonished at the similarities between your town and ours,” said Marian Hollingsworth of Lake City. Going through the MSP application process itself convinced Lake City residents they should proceed with the MSP. The “four committee approach” convinced Steamboat Springs because, “It’s a broader base, a community,” said Barnett. Participants in the program typically form four volunteer committees to drive the revitalization effort: · Design committee which looks at architectural design guidelines and the town’s overall appearance; · Economic restructuring committee which considers issues such as what businesses are in town, who uses them, where residents shop and sales tax revenues; · Organization committee that examines the legal structure of the town and the feasibility of any special taxing districts; · Promotion committee that handles organizing community events and local advertising. · Responding to questions, Martinez said Niwot would be the first unincorporated town CCRA has worked with and the absence of a town government would mean gaining the support of Boulder County officials.
“I thought it was great and I’m happy to see the turnout,” said Laurie Adams of the Niwot Inn. “It shows everyone is interested in investigating the program.” “It was lots of good information,” said Chris Finger of Chris Fingers Pianos. “For me, there are still lots of questions. I think is has great potential.” The Niwot Business Association and the Niwot Community Association hosted the meeting. Numerous other individuals and businesses contributed to both the meeting and hospitality for the out-of-town speakers, These included Neal Anderson and Digital Globe, Michelle Cressler and Farmers Insurance Group, Eye Opener, Lefthand Grange, LaCavasita, Niwot Inn, Niwot Historical Society, Niwot Tavern, Rockin’ Robin, Rosahnda, and Warren, Carlson & Moore.
Photo By Mandy Sutyak
Main Street Program advocates Vincent Martinez, Michelle Pierce, Marian Hollingsworth and Tracey Barnett talk to Niwot Community Association President Neal Anderson at the Jan. 24 community meeting at Left Hand Grange.
Help For Niwot Senior Citizens And Their
Families
By Julie Fowler
But Marie McCreery, the Niwot Community Care Coordinator for Boulder County Aging Services, helps seniors and their families sort through these issues – and more. “People can call me if they have any questions concerning seniors, resources, issues or programs to sign up for,” said McCreery, who also is a licensed clinical social worker. “They might come to me because they have questions about Medicare or their medicines,” she said. “They might come to me for information on financial programs that could boost their income. They might need help with money for dental or vision services.” One of the most difficult issues for senior citizens and their families can be finding ways to keep the seniors in their own homes or finding desirable assisted living facilities in Boulder County. McCreery said she can help with resources for in-home nursing and cleaning, as well as information on specific senior housing facilities and financial options for making these services possible. “We can help folks figure out how to help a senior living alone, or assist families if they are caregivers and have a senior already living in their home,” she said. McCreery works with individuals and families of seniors and welcomes phone calls and one-on-one appointments. “You don’t have to have a special financial need to work with us,” she said. “You just have to be 60 years or older.” McCreery is at the Niwot office in the Eagle Place community building on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. She can be reached at 303-652-3850.
Photo by Julie Fowler
Marie McCreery, Boulder County Aging Services Community Care Coordinator, stands in front of her office at Eagle Place in Niwot.
Niwot Recycle Bins To Close Temporarily
By Mary Wolbach Lopert
The recycle bins located at the Niwot trailhead on 79th Street near Highway 52 will be temporarily closed due to construction. The construction is the result of cooperative efforts between Boulder County Land Use and Boulder County Parks and Open Space to improve both the trailhead and the recycling area.
According to Brent Wheeler of Boulder County Parks and Open Space, the plan includes moving the entry and improving traffic flow by directing traffic in a circular flow. Wheeler and Parks and Open Space landscape architect Jason Himick estimate that up to 13 vehicles can use the parking area as it is now. In an email, Wheeler stated, “The redesigned lot will accommodate 14 vehicles (one space that is ADA compliant,) a separate area for a bus or horse trailer and an additional four temporary spaces for unloading recycled materials.” The park area and trailhead will be separated from the recycling area by berms and landscaping. When completed, the bins will be located at the western edge of the area with access to the trail at the eastern edge. Besides relocating the bins, access to them will be improved by adding concrete pads and ramps. As far as a timeline, the big question is the weather. Jeff Callahan of Boulder County Land Use said that with the dry fall, they had hoped to complete the renovations earlier, but the winter storms got in the way. As of press time, Callahan said that the closure might happen in April or even May. Wheeler added, “Timing is a bit of the unknown. Once the snow melts, then the ground becomes saturated and you can’t run heavy equipment. (Boulder County) Transportation has the big equipment, (but) they have been doing snow removal.” Callahan tried to find a nearby site to temporarily relocate the recycle bins, but county land use regulations do not allow for temporary recycling facilities, and the only use by right allowed is in commercial, light industrial and general industrial zoned areas. If such a site were available, the bins could not take up any required parking spaces. Once the trailhead improvements are completed, the bins will be brought back and the recycling center reopened. If all goes well, the whole process should take less than three months. Area residents can take their recyclable items to Eco-Cycle at 140 Martin St. Longmont, 303-772-7300. In Boulder, Eco-Cycle is located at 5030 Pearl St. 303-444-6636.
Courtesy of Boulder
County Parks and Open Space
Proposed improvements for the trailhead and recycling area at the Niwot Trailhead.
Proposed Rural Community District Highlights Zoning Difficulties
By Mandy Sutyak
The length and width of most lots in Niwot’s Old Town residential area are considered “non-conforming” and do not meet the current zoning requirements. The proposal to change this area from Rural Residential zoning to a Rural Community District could address this and make it easier for property owners to renovate and build additions. The current zoning requires structures to be set back 25 feet from the front property line, seven feet from the side property lines and 15 feet from the rear property line. Corner lots in Niwot are considered to have two front property lines. The current minimum size for a new lot is one acre, although none of the 68 current lots are this size. Current lots range from less than 6,000 square feet to 31,431 square feet. The average is 12,972 square feet per lot. Putting the property in a Rural Community District could allow for reduced minimum setbacks and reduced minimum lot size. “It makes sense to change the minimum lot size to something that’s more reasonable that reflects reality,” said Jim Kalinski, an Old Town resident, “but it shouldn’t promote everyone wanting to subdivide.” Steve Arrasmith, a builder who owns 471 Franklin St., is proposing a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. That would enable him to subdivide his property. Arrasmith proposes requiring every lot to have street frontage to avoid the possibility of too many more new lots. There are currently only four lots that are 6,000 square feet or smaller. Kalinski thinks the current setbacks are reasonable based on other communities, but believes there should be a method for designating only one front property line on corner lots and requiring a 12- to 15-foot setback for the other property line. In comments to Boulder County about the proposal, a number of residents have expressed a desire for sidewalks. “I’d be much more comfortable with the kids walking to downtown if there were sidewalks,” said Kalinski. While there is room for them in the road right-of-way, Denise Grimm, a Boulder County project planner, said the county isn’t likely to fund such a project. Some of the Old Town streets were platted at 70 or 80 feet. The paved widths are currently 30 to 40 feet, while the standard today for a subdivision is 60 feet. The existence of the unpaved county right-of-ways has been a source of complaints ranging from portable basketball backboards placed in the street to fencing and landscaping on the right of way. In most of these cases the property owner was unaware of the county right-of-way boundaries. But the main complaint from residents is related to parking along Franklin Street. The closeness to downtown businesses often means residents find cars legally parked on the right of way in front of their homes because of the lack of parking downtown. The county hosted a meeting on Feb. 28 (after press time) to gather input from residents. An update will appear in the April issue. Comments or questions about the proposal can be directed to Denise Grimm, Boulder County Land Use Department at dgrimm@co.boulder.co.us or 303-441-3930.
The Seediest Place Ever
By Donna Currie
If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably browsed the racks of seeds at garden shops, looking for just the right flowers, vegetables or herbs. Did you ever wonder where all those seed packets come from?
Curtis Jones, the Courier’s very own photographer, owns the blossoming business with his wife, Judy. Started in 1995, Botanical Interests shipped its first seeds in March of 1996 and has been growing ever since. A series of calendars in the warehouse tracks the company’s sales from its first bloom to the present. Jones noted that at first, he did all the work himself, from receiving to packing to shipping, but now he’s seeing the fruits of his labor – this year has started as the best yet. Jones was working for another seed company when “the entrepreneurial spirit took over.” Jokingly, he said that he “didn’t have enough debt and had too much free time,” but now he’s got plenty of debt and a lot less time. “It’s hard being in business,” Jones said, noting the increased costs in insurance and the lag time between when he buys his bulk seeds and when he finally reaps the profits. “It’s a challenge, but it’s really fun,” he said, adding that his favorite part of the business is his employees. Botanical Interests employees 22 people with an additional 50 independent sales reps who cultivate the sales to the 1500-plus retailers who sell Botanical Interests’ products. Jones also contracts with local artists to illustrate his seed packets. The artwork begins as paintings, which are then scanned. That artwork is one of the things that distinguishes Botanical Interests’ packets from many others. Besides the artwork, Jones noted that the information that consumers need most when choosing seeds – growing conditions, plant size, and other data – is on the front of the packet where it’s easy to find. Not so easy to find, but like a treasure buried in every packet, is the information printed inside. There, you’ll find a veritable forest of information specific to the seeds, as well as other tidbits, including a bio of the artist. Jones was particularly proud that his newly sprouted seed business instigated changes in the existing industry. “We wanted to buck the trend on quality and customer service,” Jones said. “We realized early on that we had to design the product for who is buying it.” He explained that 75 percent of customers are female, and those who are 30 to 50 years old “did not learn to garden from their parents.” Thus, there was a need to educate a whole new crop of consumers about the seeds they bought. “We think of ourselves as an education company,” Jones said. “But we include the seeds.” Among the challenges of the business is the heightened number of USDA inspections. He pointed to sacks that had been slit open for inspection, which often results in lost product. By law, seed packets have to be labeled with a date, and sold within that year, but Jones explained that the date is not an expiration date – most seeds are still able to germinate after many years of storage. However, because of the law, seeds that remain unsold at the end of a season are unsalable. Jones doesn’t dispose of the unsold seeds. Instead, his sales reps reclaim them and either give them to charities or return them to Botanical Interests. Jones then donates the seeds to local schools and other charitable organizations. Jones and his wife Judy divide the business chores, with Judy handing the production end of things while Jones handles the sales and customer service. Judy claimed that she had the best
chore, as she leafed though folders full of plant descriptions. “I get to
choose the plants,” she said, but noted that it’s hard to weed through all the
selections to find the best.
Photo by Donna Currie
Curtis and Judy Jones, owners of Botanical Interests, first lived in Boulder, then moved to Gunbarrel, and finally to Niwot. “It took a few years to get to Nirvana,” Curtis said of his hometown.
The Year Of The Grange Hall 1907-2007
By Dorinda Dembroski
The historic plaque on the side of the Grange states Nelson Hall was built in 1907. And while we plan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Grange Hall in 2007, recent research showed the building was actually built in 1905. Anything that’s 102 years old is going to have some problems. The peeling paint on the outside of the Grange Hall is only one symptom of more serious problems with the building.Left Hand Grange has been awarded a historic building assessment grant by the State Historical Fund. This grant will allow the Grange to have professionals assess the building’s condition. The end product of the assessment process will be a detailed description of the condition of the building and a prioritized list of repairs needed to rehabilitate the building. The building assessment should be near completion as you read this. Grants for work to repair the building require matching funds. Depending on the source of the grant, the matching funds required range from 25 percent to 100 percent of the grant. During 2007, we will be raising funds so money is available to match the grants to repair the Grange Hall. We proclaim this The Year of the Grange Hall 1907-2007.
It’s a Laughing Matter
By Mary Wolbach Lopert
We all know about hot trends. A few years ago it was bathrooms, with outlandish sinks that looked like waterfalls and full picture windows over the two-person Jacuzzi tub – just what you want in the typical suburban setting in a home with a zero lot line. Menopause is also hot (pun intended). But, much to the relief of my friends and the Courier staff, who have snickered while watching me sweat when I’ve eaten one too many spicy dishes, this article isn’t about that formerly taboo subject either. No, this column is about the hottest of the hot trends – laundry and washers and dryers and the thousands of dollars the designing industry (pun intended here too) is trying to add to your credit card debt. I’ve always loved my old washer and dryer. Believe me, there is nothing that makes you want your own more than having a sick infant and still having to go to the Laundromat on a cold rainy night because you’re down to your last crib sheet and blanket sleeper. But after a quarter century, even the hardiest of machines needs to be replaced. Yet, a funny thing happened during those years. All those basic white machines morphed into a fashion statement and an expensive one at that. What I wanted was a socially, economically and environmentally (I’ve lived in Boulder County way too long) responsible machine. I’d seen front load washing machines in Europe and they worked. Small and compact, it got my grubby jeans clean even though I forgot to add detergent. But this is America; and if “small and efficient” works over there, then “large and expensive” is the order of the day here. My education began in the “If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It” big box store. As I wandered around in the forest of fridges and the meadow of metallic appliances, I finally found the laundry area and the overly helpful sales guy we all dread. Sales Guy: Hi, what are you looking for? Me: I need a new washer and dryer. SG: I see, now have you done your homework? Me: Well, not since grad school. SG: (Mild chuckle bordering on a sneer) No, what I mean is, do you know the difference between HE machines and traditional ones? Do you want a lovely front loader, or one of the older top loaders? As for dryers, gas or electric, front or top loaders, side door or pull down? You can have your choice of colors, midnight magenta blue, hot tamale and salsa red, solar flare yellow. I think you can still special order antiseptic hospital white, for an extra charge. Me: I want a high efficiency washer, but these look pretty big. I don’t know if they’ll fit in my laundry room. SG: Are you planning on remodeling? You know, these machines are lovely conversation pieces. We can have our tech guys install a HDTV and wet bar in the area. The Home Theater department is just over there. Me: We remodeled eight years ago and all I really want is clean clothes. SG: Hmmm, now what kind of flooring do you have in this so-called area? These machines will spin at 35 kagillian RPMs. In a house like yours, I’m guessing small room, crawl space, I don’t think you’d be suited for one of the high tech wonders. You know they require special detergents and are completely electronic. Me: By the way, where do you add the soap? SG: Oh, it’s right up here. See, these machines are on pedestals, so you don’t have to bend over to put your fabrics in. Well, for you and your height I don’t think that’s going to be a problem even without the pedestal. You’re rather short, aren’t you? I’d be glad to show you where the step stools are in the complete Household Organization department. I’m sure you’ll find other items you need there too. Now that I have given you all the information you’ll need to make an actual informed decision, shall I get the finance and adoption papers?
But in the split second it took me to respond, a richer, taller and obviously hotter couple walked in, so Sales Guy left me in the canyon of one-eyed, multicolored monsters to pursue his newest conquest. I too, beat a hasty retreat. In the long run, I did solve my washday woes. With the aid of an advanced appliance expert who came to my house and measured the laundry room to calculate length, width and economic depth, I found a lovely high efficiency, low water use top loader with a side door dryer. And I don’t need a stool, nor do I need to be a rocket scientist to use it. And, as for electrical consumption, all I have to do is plug it in to one of my personal “power surges” and we’re good to go. Am I hot or what?
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The closure was originally
scheduled for March 1, but because of the weather, no firm date has been set.
The answer, at least for some of
them, is that they’re packaged right here in Vicinity. Botanical Interests, a
seed packaging company that ships nationwide (and farther) has its roots in
Niwot and its plant (puns intended) in Broomfield.