January 2018 UPDATE

Many neighbors ask about the former church property on the corner of Leetsdale and Colorado Blvd and while the process to move this from eyesore to a development the neighborhood can be comfortable with has been at times frustrating and arduous (for all parties!), we are please to report on passing one more milestone.

Last fall, developers SMW Hilltop, LLC presented a new plan to the neighborhood group and Cranmer Park/ Hilltop Civic Association (CPHCA).   After discussion between the parties,  an agreement was reached on a new plan which consists of 11 buildings (22 duplexes) built around an internal lane.  Traffic to this site would come in through Bayaud on the south and Ellsworth on the north, not Colorado Blvd.  The agreement includes restrictive covenants important to the neighborhood which are part of the title to and run with the land.  This agreement allowed the developers to proceed with a request for G-RH-3 zoning.  The developers had applied for this zoning one year ago with a plan for 54 units, but were turned down by City Council by an 11-0 vote.

The next step in the process was the public hearing before the Community Planning Board in mid-January but this hit a snag in December when the City decided it needed to address the issue of “Slot Homes” and asked the developer to change the zoning from E-/SU-D to PUD-G17 rather than the agreed upon G-RH-3.  Sounds like a recipe for alphabet soup!

Following this notification by the city, all of the interested parties (the developer, neighbors, city staff and the Association’s Zoning Committee) gathered together again to reaffirm the commitment to the negotiated legal restrictive covenants on this property, including a maximum density of 11 duplexes and a maximum height of 35 feet.  The Association has written a letter supporting the project based on the agreements from this meeting.

In January, at the scheduled Community Planning Board public hearing regarding the request to  rezone the church property at 30-50 South Colorado from E-/SU-D to PUD-G17, the Planning Board voted to approve this project and recommended it for approval by City Council. That meeting will take place Monday, March 12.  We will keep you posted on the progress and encourage you to visit the Association website to see the plans and read more about this process and project.

Sue Bollman and Wende Reoch

Cranmer Park/Hilltop Civic Association

The following letter dated August 15, 2017 details the recent progress on this development:

Dear Neighbors:

Last fall, developers SMW presented a new plan to the neighborhood group and Cranmer Park/ Hilltop Civic Association (CP/HCA)  for the church property at 30-50 South Colorado Blvd.  After discussion between the parties,  an agreement was reached on a new plan which includes restrictive covenants as discussed below. This agreement with the developers allows them to proceed with a request for G-RH-3 zoning.  The developers had applied for this zoning one year ago with a plan for 54 units, but were turned down by City Council by an 11-0 vote.

The new plan (see PDF here: 30-50 S. Colorado Blvd – 20161110) consists of 11 buildings (22 duplexes) built around an internal lane.  Traffic to this site would come in through Bayaud on the south and Ellsworth on the north, not Colorado Blvd.  There was a lot of concern about traffic backup with ingress from Colorado Boulevard.  The Declaration of Restrictive Covenants runs with the land and is enforced by the CP/HCA.  The covenants include:

•          a maximum of 22 dwellings as defined by the city zoning code
•          maximum permitted height of 35 feet
•          the building form of any dwellings in limited to duplex, row house and single family residential
•          no other building forms can be utilized

•          each dwelling will include an enclosed garage containing a minimum of 2 parking spaces
•          traffic access via Colorado Blvd is prohibited
•          safety bumps and safety mirrors will be installed in the alley east of the property
•          6 visitor parking spaces will be provided on the internal lane

In exchange for these covenants, CP/HCA will provide a letter signed by president Jay McCormick supporting the project.  These documents have been signed by both parties.

There were many negotiations required between attorneys to get these documents refined and finalized.  Much appreciation to attorney Joe Reece from the CP/HCA board for his diligence and hard work getting this accomplished.   Thanks also to attorney David Foster who did legal work on behalf of our neighborhood group.  This agreement would not have been accomplished without their advice and counsel.

This has been a long, intensive effort. We could not have accomplished this significant milestone without your ongoing support and commitment. Many thanks again!

Sue Bollman
Cranmer Park-Hilltop Civic Association