Thursday, February 12, 2009

Frisco - Open Space or Affordable Housing?

Frisco residents will now decide whether affordable-housing development occurs on the Peak One parcel, after a petition was submitted to the town to require a vote before selling, subdividing or leasing town-owned parcels larger than five acres.

The Friends of Frisco Open Space group began circulating the petition in late September, touting the protection of open space in a town that is fast-approaching build out.

Although only 255 validated signatures were needed, the group collected some 428 signatures to place the issue on a mail-in ballot for the April 28 election.

Monday, February 09, 2009

30-foot Firebreak Around your House?

Homeowners here would have to create 30-foot firebreaks around their houses clear of trees and brush under a wildfire-protection ordinance being proposed by town officials.

The efforts are intended to prevent spread of fire and allow for safe evacuation for residents and safe access for firefighters.

Town staff members and the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District are working with the Colorado State Forest Service to develop a map designating the areas covered by the ordinance.

Areas south of County Road 450 (which begins at the 7-Eleven off Colorado 9) such as the lower Warrior’s Mark and Shock Hill subdivisions likely will be among the first affected by the proposed ordinance, which would take effect this summer.

The rest of the areas within town limits will be included in the next three to four years. The fire district will conduct inspections, and property owners would required to comply within a year.

A $45 permit will be required before tree-cutting occurs. If the proposal is adopted, the first round of certified letters alerting property owners of the requirements likely would be sent this spring, Scott said.

A draft of the ordinance indicates that defensible spaces should not be created through clear cutting, but the firebreak “shall generally be created by all flammable and combustible vegetation” within the 30-foot zone.

You can visit www.firewise.org for preventative landscaping plans and suggested vegetation.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

New Restaurants and Retail in Dillon

Though the new Walgreens building on Dillon Ridge Road still stands empty, the Qdoba restaurant is on track to open in an adjacent space by the end of this month.

A new Smashburger, a retro-style burger joint from Denver, also will begin operation in the same building by April or May.

“They’re (Smashburger) on a fast track,” said Devin Granbery, Dillon’s town manager.

Granbery still doesn’t know when Walgreens will open its doors, but he predicts it to be at the end of March or early April.

“We’ve heard that they working to get open this spring,” Granbery added. “Walgreens is not communicating though. They’ll probably call us a week before and tell us when.”

Three tenant spaces are still available in Qdoba’s building. Developers and the town are working to get them leased.