Posted by Erin Eddy
By Mark Esper, editor
Silverton Standard
Wed Sep 24, 2008, 01:08 PM MDT
A proposed 8-unit condominium project on Cement Street near 14th was given the go-ahead Tuesday night by the San Juan Regional Planning Commission.
The panel approved a preliminary plat for the project in a unanimous vote. The proposal now goes to the Silverton Town Council for action.
The planning commission and town council had approved a sketch plan for the project last fall.
Planning Director Adam Sickmiller said the project is consistent with zoning in the area, which allows multi-family dwellings
Kelsey Dreery of Reynolds & Associates of Durango, said the project will have two one-bedroom units, five two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom condo.
She said the building will be built of stone, board siding and corrugated rusty metal for a “modern mining feel, as in a lot of architecture around here.”
She said the developer, Greg Drakos “has put this off until now, given the current real-estate market,” but hopes to break ground on the project in the spring of 2009.
Robert Winn, who owns property that would be across the alley from the condos, told the planning commission that he was “surprised to see such a great big building” being proposed.
“It looks out of proportion to the neighborhood,” Winn said. “These units do not add value to nearby properties.”
Winn suggested zoning in the “Poverty Flats” section of Silverton needs to be revisited.
“Somebody needs to get ahead of the ball and figure out what this place will look like 20 years from now,” Winn said.
Planning Commission Chairman Fritz Klinke said those in the neighborhood could ask the town to change the current zoning.
“When you get to what things should look like, everybody agrees and disagrees at the same instant,” Klinke said.
“If the current zoning is not the desire of those in the neighborhood, you can petition to have it re-evaluated,” he told Winn.
He noted that the current zoning there was adopted in the 1970s and allows light industrial activity such as machine shops.
“You could get together and say ‘let’s change this,’” Klinke said. “At some point, light industrial could be banned.
“Zoning and land use needs to be dynamic and keep up with what’s happening,” Klinke said. But he added “it’s too late in this case” and that the developer has rights to build the condos in compliance with the current zoning.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Be bear aware: activity increases in the fall
Posted by Erin Eddy
Denver
October 10, 2008
DENVER — Autumn is when black bears become more active, setting the stage for an increase in bear sightings and possibly encounters.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) reminds residents and visitors that bears are searching for food to prepare for the denning season, which begins in early to mid-November. From now until then, bears will look for food wherever they can find it and the result may lead them closer to people or homes.
While Colorado's bears usually run, rather than confront humans, encounters do occur and people should know a few things about how to react, or better yet, how to avoid an encounter altogether by reducing the likelihood of attracting bears in the first place.
Human injuries caused by bears are rare in Colorado. In the few cases when people are injured, it usually involves food left where bears can find it, or is the result of a surprise encounter.
When bears become habituated to food left out by people, it can lead to conflicts, property damage, the possibility of injury and eventual destruction of the bear. The DOW has the following recommendations to reduce the chances of having a close encounter with a black bear on a homeowner's property:
Do not feed wild animals (against the law to feed foxes, coyotes or bears) and play it safe if you have bird feeders in bear country. Feeding wildlife, including birds, can draw bears into an area. Once bears become comfortable in an area where they find food, they will continue to return. Bears have an amazing ability to recall areas where food was easily available from year to year. A "neighborhood bear" can become a real problem for homeowners and neighbors.
Tips for safely feeding birds include: restrict feeding to when bears hibernate, which is generally November through April; avoid bird foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar, or suet; bring feeders inside at night or suspend them from high crosswires; and temporarily remove feeders for two weeks if visited by a bear. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Don't place garbage outside until pick-up day. A 1994 Arizona study discovered that putting trash cans out the morning of the pickup reduced bear visits from 70% to less than5%. Garbage or food items, including pet food, should be stored inside the garage or secure storage shed. Garage doors should not be left open except for very brief periods during the day.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. Children should understand not to run, approach or hide from a bear that wanders into the yard, but, instead, to back away and walk slowly to the house.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit areas of human habitation are drawn there by food. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to bears.
For more information and tips on preventing conflicts with bears, go to DOW's webpage (http://wildlife.state.co.us) and the link Wildlife Species.
Denver
October 10, 2008
DENVER — Autumn is when black bears become more active, setting the stage for an increase in bear sightings and possibly encounters.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) reminds residents and visitors that bears are searching for food to prepare for the denning season, which begins in early to mid-November. From now until then, bears will look for food wherever they can find it and the result may lead them closer to people or homes.
While Colorado's bears usually run, rather than confront humans, encounters do occur and people should know a few things about how to react, or better yet, how to avoid an encounter altogether by reducing the likelihood of attracting bears in the first place.
Human injuries caused by bears are rare in Colorado. In the few cases when people are injured, it usually involves food left where bears can find it, or is the result of a surprise encounter.
When bears become habituated to food left out by people, it can lead to conflicts, property damage, the possibility of injury and eventual destruction of the bear. The DOW has the following recommendations to reduce the chances of having a close encounter with a black bear on a homeowner's property:
Do not feed wild animals (against the law to feed foxes, coyotes or bears) and play it safe if you have bird feeders in bear country. Feeding wildlife, including birds, can draw bears into an area. Once bears become comfortable in an area where they find food, they will continue to return. Bears have an amazing ability to recall areas where food was easily available from year to year. A "neighborhood bear" can become a real problem for homeowners and neighbors.
Tips for safely feeding birds include: restrict feeding to when bears hibernate, which is generally November through April; avoid bird foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar, or suet; bring feeders inside at night or suspend them from high crosswires; and temporarily remove feeders for two weeks if visited by a bear. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Don't place garbage outside until pick-up day. A 1994 Arizona study discovered that putting trash cans out the morning of the pickup reduced bear visits from 70% to less than5%. Garbage or food items, including pet food, should be stored inside the garage or secure storage shed. Garage doors should not be left open except for very brief periods during the day.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. Children should understand not to run, approach or hide from a bear that wanders into the yard, but, instead, to back away and walk slowly to the house.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit areas of human habitation are drawn there by food. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to bears.
For more information and tips on preventing conflicts with bears, go to DOW's webpage (http://wildlife.state.co.us) and the link Wildlife Species.
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