Planning Commission Recommends Denial Of RMCC Site Plan           

 

By Claire Chase

 

            The Boulder County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of proposal SU-04-008, the proposed expansion plan by Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC).

            At a public hearing on Sept. 15, Todd Tucker of Boulder County Land Use (BCLU) and Rosi Koopman for RMCC gave presentations. Rick Thielen spoke on behalf of RMCC and Neal Anderson spoke on behalf of the Niwot Community Association (NCA). Members of the public, both for and against the proposal, also spoke.

            “Staff recommends denial,” said Tucker. He cited non-compliance with BCLU Code as the main reason for BCLU’s decision, and said further development would be inconsistent with the agricultural nature of the area.

Tucker highlighted a particular section of the code that states, “Future land uses proposed within the rural residential zone shall be of a residential and agricultural nature…Furthermore developments proposed at the boundaries of the Niwot Community Service Area shall ensure compatibility with surrounding agricultural lands.”

            Koopman began by noting that when RMCC was approved for temporary school buildings in July 2003, the Planning Commission and county commissioners asked for a “master plan” from RMCC to understand the extent of its intended expansion.

            Koopman outlined a revised plan that included landscaping, parking, lighting, use of a conservation easement and architectural design. Her presentation included density comparisons of the site plan to neighborhoods in Niwot. She emphasized the visual appeal of the site plan and showed its contrast to the “block style” of Niwot High School.

            According to Koopman, 75 percent of RMCC members were from east Boulder County. A point made repeatedly by Koopman and others who spoke for RMCC was that the church benefited the community by providing free space to nonprofit organizations.

            “It is not the intent for the church to serve growth along I-25. The majority of people are coming from Boulder County. [RMCC] benefits the Niwot community and east Boulder County and is in accordance with provisions for special use,” said Koopman.

            The commissioners ex-pressed thanks to RMCC and BCLU for reports and acknowledged a conflict in calculations presented. But their vote was unanimous to recommend denial of RMCC’s proposal. The commissioners stated that the main reason was that the proposed plan lacked congruence with the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan.

            The recommendation was no surprise. The day after the hearing, Thielen, Business Administrator at RMCC said, “We weren’t surprised at all. The outcome was what we had expected. I am appreciative of all the people who spoke. It shows that the process works. The public on both sides are able to say how they feel. I am looking forward to the process as it continues and looking forward to meeting with County Commissioners.”

Anderson, president of the NCA said, “We obviously appreciate and agree with the decision of the Planning Commission. Nonetheless, this is only one step in the process.

            “The final decision rests with the county commissioners who may choose to evaluate the application on broader criteria. We need to ensure the views of our residents, both for and against, are made known directly to the Commissioners.”

            The proposal and recommendations of BCLU staff and Planning Commission next go to the county commissioners who will review the information and decide the proposal’s outcome.

No hearing date had been scheduled at presstime.

 

 

 

 

 

Left Hand Laurel, Dr. Gerald “Gerry” Savory

 

By Claire Chase

 

October’s Left Hand Laurel is Dr. Gerald Savory, DDS, who has been caring for the teeth of Gunbarrel residents for more than 25 years. Savory said he thinks he must be the most senior dentist in Gunbarrel.

Besides his dental practice Savory has served on the school board of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School and on the board of Gunbarrel Lefthand Valley Recreation Association, now known as Niwot Youth Sports. He also sponsors Niwot Youth Sports baseball teams, gives speeches at middle school alerting students to the dangers of smoking and smokeless tobacco and serves as president of the Boulder County Dental Society.  As a result of this extensive volunteer work, Dr. Savory is the Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for October.

            “(Dentistry) has been my vocation and avocation. I really enjoy learning. It’s not so much the teeth, it’s the people attached to the teeth that I find fascinating,” said Savory.

            A major renovation was recently completed at Savory’s Gunbarrel office, now named the Gunbarrel Dental Center. State-of-the-art equipment was added, and last January, Savory welcomed Dr. J. Craig Pinkner,

DDS, as a partner in the practice.

            Before moving to Gunbarrel, Pinkner and his wife lived in Guam. They wanted to find a practice with the kind of atmosphere Dr. Savory provides. “It’s the type of practice I was looking for. Gerry is involved in continuing education and is at the top of the profession. The staff is nice. It’s the type of situation I wanted to be in,” said Pinkner.

            Asked about his lighthearted bedside manner and the almost cliché fear that people have of going to the dentist, Savory said, “Humor is the great aphrodisiac. Dentistry carries enough of an aura. Sometimes you have to step back.”

            Savory said that when people rank pain, childbirth is usually first, but many say that an abscessed tooth is worse. “The senses are loaded up front. It’s bound to cause suffering,” he said. Also, most of the time people only go to the dentist when they are having a problem. Because of that, people associate the dentist with pain. “The amazing thing about dentistry is that due to the availability of local anesthetic, technology can eliminate pain,” said Savory.

            Savory was raised in Wyoming, which he dubbed, “the abomination of desolation.” He graduated from the University of Wyoming and later from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Nebraska. Savory moved to the area in 1978 after a stint in the US Army, where he earned the “Concerned Patient Care Award.”

Since then, Savory has had one partner besides Pinkner. “Gary Sellers and I were in practice together for eight years. Then he moved his practice to Arvada where his daughters were. That was almost four years ago,” said Savory.

            Savory was interested in bringing in another partner, but wanted to take his time in order to find the right fit. He and Pinkner found each other through mutual affiliations with the Pankey Institute, an advanced dentistry postgraduate program for which Dr. Savory volunteers several times per year.

            In 2003, Savory was inducted into the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. Membership in this prestigious academy is limited to 165 people, and is by invitation only. The August issue of 5280 magazine named Savory one of Boulder’s top dentists according to Woodward and White’s “Best Dentists In America” survey. The survey asked dentists who they would send a family member to in the event that they could not care for the loved one themselves.

            Savory is modest when it comes to such accolades. “I am so grateful for the way in which the community has responded to me and my family. I want to extend my appreciation to the community for their support over the past 25 years.” He said that he could not imagine being in another profession. “I hope to offer the same passion for our work that our colleagues do, to render a worthwhile service and have fun doing it.”

He was quick to mention his faithful staff. One woman in particular, Cindy Bratcher, has worked with Dr. Savory for 24 years. Mary Ellen Savory, his wife and a full time nurse, manages the office. “I have a lot of wonderful women who have sort of brought me along,” said Savory.

            “Dentistry, like so many other things, has been caught in the vortex of technology. Within 10 years, we’re going to be able to grow teeth. In 20 years, what we do today will be obsolete,” said Savory. What will not be obsolete is the compassion and regard for humanity with which Savory maintains his practice and his outlook on life. 

 

 

 

Photo by Claire Chase

 

Dr. Savory, Dr. Pinkner and the staff in the Gunbarrel Dental Center office.

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Niwot Nostalgia Day Declared Great Success

 

By Mary Wolbach Lopert

 

By all accounts, the 2004 edition of Niwot Nostalgia Day was a smashing success. Niwot Community Association president Neal Anderson said, “People have told me they thought it was the best ever. We’ve been steadily expanding events and activities during the day and evening.  This year we emphasized children’s activities with more games, rides, magic shows and puppet shows.”

 With the quilt show at the Grange, an antique road show, a fashion show and tea at the Niwot Inn, there was plenty for the adults.

“We estimate approximately 1000 people gathered for the evening activities. Everyone, young and old, really enjoyed the music of the Nacho Men, augmented this year by the Boulder Friends of Jazz,” Anderson said. “A big ‘Thank you’ is due to our sponsors, Niwot residents, the many members of the NCA that helped organize the day. See everyone next year.”

 

Photo by Mary Wolbach Lopert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longmont To Boulder Rail Study Presents Findings

No Decision Made For Intermediary Site

 

By Thomas George

 

            At a series of meetings in September, the Longmont Diagonal Rail Feasibility Study team released its results and preliminary recommendations.  While the study brings new detail to the proposed commuter rail project, the team left some questions to be answered later, including the location of a rail station between Longmont and Boulder.

            The proposed Longmont to Boulder commuter rail line is an element of FasTracks, the $4.7 billion public transportation upgrade put forth by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). It is an extension of a Boulder to Denver line proposed under the same plan.

            The proposed line would use existing tracks owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, adjacent to State Highway 119. As part of FasTracks, the Longmont line is dependent on the FasTracks funding initiative, with its 0.4 percent increase in the RTD sales tax, to be decided by voters in November.

As a first step, the RTD assembled a team, including employees of URS Corp., CDR Associates and CH2M Hill, to examine the feasibility of commuter rail between Longmont and Boulder. The team studied ridership models, environmental issues, and potential station sites, looking, above all, for issues that could halt the plan altogether.

            At meetings in September, study participants said no fatal flaws were found, and the team presented its preliminary results. According to participants, the study found that the rail line would serve a compelling need, and that it would be most cost-effective to start with trains every 30 minutes, with limited service during off-peak hours. 

            A single track, with improved signaling and added sidings, was found to be sufficient to begin service, but team members said they are still investigating whether building a full second track at the outset might be the wiser option.

            In Longmont, the team recommended a site at 1st and Main Street as the primary station, and indicated that the Longmont sugar mill location could be phased in later. Detailed ridership models, based on population, employment and other data from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), predicted that as many as 2,600 riders per day would use a downtown Longmont rail station in 2025.

            The study team decided to leave open the specific location of a station between Longmont and Boulder. Ridership models based on DRCOG’s figures for 2025 predicted that a station in Niwot would serve 150 riders per day, a station at the SH 119/SH 52 intersection would serve 200, and a station in Gunbarrel would serve 400 riders per day.

            For the purposes of the study, team members said the difference is not significant enough to recommend one site over another. The study report will instead recommend that planners wait for forthcoming 2030 figures from DRCOG before making a decision. Tim Baldwin of URS Corp., who presented the findings at meetings in September, said the location of the intermediary station “may come down to which community wants it more.”

Baldwin said he was somewhat surprised the ridership models did not indicate higher use at the SH 119/52 site, with its proximity to IBM and the Boulder Tech Center. He explained that a number of factors, including free and ample parking at those businesses reduce the likelihood that the site would serve large numbers of riders.

The SH 119/52 site, as well as locations in Niwot and Gunbarrel, are all still being considered. In Gunbarrel, community organizations and business representatives have expressed support for a station there, and two sites are being studied.

            Opinions in Niwot are divided. Baldwin, who recently met with members of the Niwot Business Association, said those present were in strong support of a Niwot station, but some residents are against the idea, citing the site’s proximity to existing homes.

            “My property value just went down the tubes,” said one Niwot resident at a September meeting, as she looked over a Niwot station concept plan. The resident, who asked that her name not be used, said her home is very near the station site, and she did not welcome the change.  “For the community, it doesn’t seem like the ideal location,” she said.

            The Longmont Diagonal Rail Feasibility Study team plans to submit a final report to the RTD by the end of September. Beyond that, participants will await the outcome of the FasTracks initiative. Should it pass, the RTD will initiate a full Environmental Impact Study for the rail line, and will pursue further engineering. Baldwin said a decision on the intermediary station location would not likely be made until well into next year, and comments are still welcome.

            For more information, or to submit a comment, contact Sylvia Kroeger at 303-442-7367, or visit RTD online at www.rtd-denver.org and click on the link to the Longmont Diagonal Rail Feasibility Study.

 

 

Board Of Education Proposes Mill Levy Override

By Cheri Rukus

            At the Aug. 25 St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) Board of Education meeting, it was resolved that the board would officially place the mill levy overide issue on the Nov. 2 ballot.
          The mill levy override question, as outlined in the official resolution, will ask that the St. Vrain Valley School District RE-1J taxes be increased by $15,470,000 annually or by such lesser annual amounts as may be authorized under the Public School Finance Act of 1994.  
           Without voter approval, the district cannot increase the mill levy due to the TABOR constitutional amendment passed several years ago. The resolution states that funds are to be used for the following purposes:

The resolution also directs the district's administration to prepare and disseminate factual summaries representing both those for and against the issue. The board also authorized the expenditure of $7,000 in district funds for printing and distribution of this information.
            According to Sandi Searls, president of the SVVSD Board of Education, based on the Aug. 25, 2004 Boulder County property assessment report this would be an increase of 8.664 mills. On a $250,000 residence, it would mean an increase of $172.44 in property taxes annually.  
            Searls said, “We are one of the few school districts in the state which has no mill levy override in place. Eighty-one school districts have it, and all but three are permanent. The sunset clause in our proposed mill levy, override is there because we felt it is important for taxpayers to revisit it.”  
            Searls also said that the fourth item in the mill levy proposal was changed. It originally was worded to establish an annual surplus to the general fund, but is now worded to eliminate the general fund deficit. This was done to make it clear to voters that the deficit, currently at $8 million, would have to be cleared before accumulating a surplus.
            A citizen's group called Yes on St. Vrain Valley Schools is holding a series of meetings to discuss the issues. Searls will be at the Niwot High Booster Club meeting on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. and Debbie Lammers will be at Niwot Elementary on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and concerns to these meetings.
            For more information about Yes on St. Vrain Valley Schools, go to www.yesonstvrain.org or call 303-682-0907.
            Mill levy override information is readily available to voters. The complete document and supporting documents are at www.stvrain.k12.co.us. Copies are also available at local libraries and schools, and at the school district office at 395 Pratt Pkwy., Longmont.

For more information, call Sandi Searls at 303-652-2559 or the district's public relations director at 303-776-6200.

 

 

Local Artist Jane Langdon Brings Red Hat Society To Niwot

By Cheri Ruskus                                               

            You may have seen them around town, even marching proudly in the Nostalgia Day parade: ladies wearing a variety of hats with one common theme…they're red.   Red Hat
            What you saw were ladies who belong to the Red Hat Society, an international organization of women who are proud to proclaim that they are enjoying hitting the 50-year mark. Their goal is simple – to have fun.  
Jane Langdon, a Niwot artist whose watercolors have depicted the spirit of Niwot, shared how she became a Red Hat lady and how it inspired her to create her latest masterpieces.  
            Last November, Langdon was in a funk. Her beloved dog, Lucy, had died and Langdon was feeling that loss deeply. She went to lunch with her friends Bonnie Nelson and Connie Herbst, who talked about how they were putting together a local chapter of the Red Hat Society, the Red Foxy Rockies.  
            The more Langdon heard about the organization, the more inspired she became to draw the ladies with the red hats and the purple outfits. “I never felt so sure I wanted to do something,” Langdon said of the inspiration that took hold of her creative spirit.  
            Her drawings created a great inner happiness. Not sure at first of what to do with them, she finally decided to hire an agent to help her convince the Red Hat Society, headquartered in Fullerton, Calif. to work with her.
Langdon remembered that local businessman Charlie Bell had told her how much he admired her work. Since his office was only a few blocks away in downtown Niwot, she asked Bell to help her present her work to the society.
            Bell and Langdon decided to create a new company, Jane and June Publishing. Their collaborative effort got the Red Hat Society's attention and secured the right for Jane and June Publishing to license the Red Hat Society's name for Langdon's four prints.
            “I am so grateful for the support the town of Niwot has given to me.   It is that support that has given me the courage and confidence to create the work I do.” Langdon said.
            Langdon isn't the only person enthusiastic about the Red Hat Society. It is an international organization, with 30,000 members in the US. Niwot has two chapters, headed by Queen Mums (the term for a chapter's founding member) Bonnie Nelson of the Red Foxy Rockies and Nancy Rhodes of the Cherry Bombes. Both chapters are now closed to new members as they have reached the maximum size. Usually a chapter has no more than 20 members, to keep it manageable and fun.
            For more information about Jane and June Publishing, go to www.janeandjune-.com. For more information about the Red Hat Society, see www.redhatsociety.com .

Photo by Cheri Ruskus
Niwot's Jane Langdon in her Red Hat best.

 

 

 

 

Take Note: Sheet Music Comes To Gunbarrel

By Thomas George

            The Boulder area may be a hot spot for musicians, but according to Karen Ziegler, it can be a difficult place to find sheet music. A long-time piano teacher, she found herself making regular trips to Denver to buy music for her students. Seeing other teachers doing the same thing, Ziegler recognized an opportunity.
            Blending her passion for music with her knowledge of the publishing business, Ziegler opened Take Note in the Gunbarrel Shopping Center and has filled the shop with sheet music, educational supplies, music boxes, and music-themed gifts.
            “Lately there has really been a need for sheet music stores,” Ziegler said. While she acknowledged that musicians and teachers have the option of ordering music from a catalogue, Ziegler said many people prefer to look over a piece of music, or skim through a book before they buy it. “It's nice to have it in your hand,” she said.
            Take Note features scores of lesson books, songbooks, musical collections and exercises. Ziegler said she focused mostly on piano, voice and guitar, with a limited selection of music for other instruments. She will happily order titles she doesn't have in stock.
            She chose the Gunbarrel location for its accessibility from Boulder and Longmont, but she favored the area anyway, having grown up in Heatherwood.
            With two part-time employees to help run the shop, Ziegler maintains an active teaching studio, and continues to operate a small music publishing business. “[The workload] keeps me really, really busy, but ties together nicely,” she said. In time, Ziegler plans to add new elements to the business, including in-store studios for teaching.
            Take Note is at 6545 Gunpark Dr., Suite 270 in Gunbarrel.For more information, call 303-530-0521 or visit www.TakeNote4music.com.

 

 

To Vicinity And Beyond

Prospect Rolls Out The Welcome Mat

By Donna Currie

            In September, Prospect New Town hosted a neighborhood get-together with food, drinks and entertainment, welcoming residents and visitors alike. Ken Curtis, one of the architects of this gathering, explained that Prospect “is going to be a vital shopping area” with several new shops opened recently, and more to come. Hosting public events invites people in to Prospect to see what's new. Band
            An upcoming event, the First Annual Christmas Stroll, is scheduled for the first weekend in December. Plans include a house stroll, a food tent, a visit from Santa, and the original Grinch car and chair from the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. It's expected that all the local businesses will be participating in some way.

Walking through Prospect bears witness to the fact that there are new businesses getting ready to move in, but there's already plenty to see.

Before opening The Rib House, Tracy had been looking for a new catering kitchen, and happened upon the current location. “What a great place for a little restaurant,” he said was his original thought, “but now it's not so little any more.”
            The new space, dubbed “The Gallery Dining Room of The Rib House” was originally an art gallery, and it has kept the Italian stone tile and gallery décor, but the fall-off-the bone ribs will be the same as those served next door. The Rib House is at 1920 S. Coffman Street.
            For more information see www.prospectnewtown.com or call Sweet Pea Cottage at 303-682-1213, Gallery 730 at 303-684-6858, Maddie and Matthew's at 303-772-8882, Unique at 303-772-7413, House Gifts and Décor at 303-485-1811, or The Rib House at 303-485-6988.