Twelve neighbors gathered at the Morton Heights home of Tim and Mary Jolly on April 11 to discuss a proposal for additional business buildings on Paiute Avenue. The proposal, by builder James Beckley, is for two buildings of 3,000 and 9,000 square feet respectively. The land is zoned for business and is just north of the existing business buildings. Parking areas will be connected and tenants will use one garbage dumpster. The application is undergoing "Site Plan Review."

Everyone at the meeting was concerned that these buildings are being "pushed through" without a public meeting. Jennifer Wolf, a planner at Boulder County Land Use, is familiar with the process and this application.

"The Site Plan Review," she explained, "is a 43 day process. Every landowner within 1500 feet is notified and they have 14 days to respond." Two letters of concern about the project will normally trigger a public hearing.

Todd Tucker, the planner on the project, indicated that after the 43 days the staff will issue a determination letter. "This letter usually indicates staff recommendations, approval or disapproval," Todd said. Sufficient concerns will trigger a public meeting.

After reviewing the plans, Mary Jolly felt, "Two buildings this size just don’t belong here."

Concerns were expressed about the lack of a buffer between the homes and the new construction as well as the relocation of a dumpster near the residential property lines. "The lights in the (existing) parking lot stay on all night. They were supposed to shut off at 10 p.m.," Tim Jolly remarked.

Neighbors on the west of the existing buildings complained about the air conditioning noise. "The equipment was supposed to be in the basement, not on the roof. There is no follow-through, no enforcement on approved items."

The lack of sidewalks on Paiute and the danger of increased traffic to children walking to school was another topic of concern. There were also questions about possible tenants for the new space.

The conversation turned nostalgic as some old-timers remembered the shops that were located there years ago. "It was a kind of general store," someone remarked. "You could get some groceries and gas for the car."

Another participant re-membered a barbershop and another recalled "leaving school to go up the hill to buy candy."

A public hearing is anticipated.