Catch-all Corner: Update on 111th & Arapahoe development, water demonstration garden invite, collective bargaining ballot question, estate planning
an assortment of happenings
UPDATE ON THE 111TH AND ARAPAHOE DEVELOPMENT IN ERIE
On June 18th in a 5-1 vote the Erie Town Council rejected the zoning of this property to high-density residential. The zoning will remain agricultural for now.
Lafayette and Erie residents worked together to point out the problems with the Thompson Thrift development slated to be 336 high-density apartments with 636 parking spaces. An online petition details the points they made to the council. Currently, there are 1071 signatures. A GoFundMe page raised $3820 for legal assistance.
Over 130 people attended the June 6th council meeting, 97 signed up to speak, and 235 pages of public comment were submitted. The council voted to postpone the vote until June 18th when they denied the rezoning application.
An update to the petition after the vote.
Residents of Erie and Lafayette pointed to flooding and stormwater issues following the construction of Nine Mile Corner, traffic, lack of consistency with the character of the surrounding neighborhoods and overuse of Lafayette’s adjacent Kneebone Open Space.
Also highlighted was the developer’s claim of affordable housing. The development was presented as having 12% of the units deed restricted to people who make 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). I wrote about AMI in a recent post about Willoughby Corner. 80% of the AMI is a household size of one person earning $81,760, two people at $93,440 and three people at $105,120.
It was pointed out that market-rate rents at the Savanna apartments at Nine Mile Corner—$2000 for a one bedroom—are less than the proposed affordable units in the Thompson Thrift development at $2044. Average Erie rents were also shown to be lower than the proposed units.
An extra tidbit, Marcus Pachner of the Pachner Company is representing Thompson Thrift. You might recognise the name if you attended any meetings regarding the Willoughby Corner project or the Kensington development called the Lafayette Marketplace that was planned for the Tebo property at the SW corner of 287 and Arapahoe.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS BALLOT ISSUE
On May 21, 2024 Lafayette police officers petitioned the city to enter into collective bargaining with commissioned officers. At their June 18th meeting the city council was presented with three options to respond, do nothing, draft an ordinance to allow for collective bargaining or ask the voters in November to obligate the city to collectively bargain.
Only four councilors were present for this discussion. Councilor Barnes supported drafting an ordinance, Mayor Pro Tem Wong and Councilors Gallegos and Tapia-Vega supported a ballot issue.
City staff were instructed to write a ballot question for council consideration at a future meeting.
In 2015 the Lafayette firefighters requested collective bargaining, the council asked the voters and received approval. The language used for that ballot issue will be adapted for the police officers.
Here’s what that 2015 ballot question asked: “Shall the City Council of the City of Lafayette enact an ordinance by April 1, 2016, obligating the City to engage in collective bargaining with the designated exclusive representative of the Lafayette firefighters, including provisions for non-binding arbitration with impasses to be submitted to the electors of the city for final resolution.”
INVITATION TO A RIBBON CUTTING AT THE FIRE STATION’S DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
The City of Lafayette is delighted to invite you to the ribbon cutting of the City’s Waterwise Demonstration Garden, a place designed to inspire, educate, and empower our community towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday June 29th
Time: 10 – 11am
Location: Fire Station #1 – 401 N 111th St
Our Water Demonstration Garden showcases native drought-tolerant plants and firescaping best practices, highlights the benefits of waterwise landscaping, and supports local pollinators and wildlife. This garden serves as a practical example of how we can conserve water, reduce our environmental footprint, and promote biodiversity in our own backyards.
Please join us as we celebrate this significant addition to our community. For more information please visit: Calendar • Ribbon Cutting: Waterwise Demonstration Garden (lafayetteco.gov)
We hope to see you there!
Best,
Elizabeth Szorad
Sustainability Manager
City of Lafayette | Administration
Office 303-661-1230
ESTATE PLANNING AT THE SENIOR CENTER
From the Senior Services newsletter:
Wills, powers of attorney, and living wills - get a tough job finished! In a single, easy session, you'll complete a will, financial power of attorney, and combined medical directive (including a living will, medical power of attorney, and organ donation), all with the help of Colorado licensed attorney Mike Anderson.
All materials, witnessing, notarizing, individual review, and time for discussion and questions are included. Participants do not need to bring anything to the program. The fee is per person. Please register at least one week before the program.
Aug. 21| 1-3 pm 103 S. Iowa
Age 60 and older: FREE – (Sponsored by Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. Must be resident of Boulder County.)
Age 60 and older: $125 for non-Boulder County residents
Age 21-59: Residents: $125/Non-Residents: $150
Want to offer more support? Awesome!
Regarding Erie, & affordable housing:
Since Erie signed into IGA in 2020, are there plans (and Erie land) for affordable housing to meet Erie's goals?
Also, any count of Erie folks moving into Willoughby Corner? Can Erie count that as supplying affordable housing (& community)?
Thanks!