Littleton rally on Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, for safer streets after two recent killings on local roads
In the wake of two killings on Littleton streets this past month, Vibrant Littleton and Littleton Social Cycle today announced a rally scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 1:00 PM, on the lawn in front of Littleton Public Schools headquarters to call for fundamental changes to community policy about road design and safety.
Bike riders of all ages will meet up on the lawn at 5776 Crocker St, Littleton, CO, to lay down their bikes to make the case that the City of Littleton needs our elected leaders to prioritize safer street design – around schools and across the entire city.
“The two recent deaths of people walking and bike riding on Littleton city streets this past month are unacceptable,” says Josie Haggerty, co-founder of Littleton Social Cycle. “Our streets need leaders to prioritize safety for all of us, not just car drivers and their convenience.”
“We’re insisting that local leaders — from the Littleton City Council and LPS administration on down — better articulate their priorities for safer streets for people walking and biking,” says Phillip McCart, member of Vibrant Littleton. “Council must make it clear that we can no longer, with good conscience, give priority to cars. Cities are for people and not for cars.”
Rally attendees will speak about how recent roadway deaths are the result of a flawed system-wide approach to street safety — not to be blamed on individual mistakes. Rally-goers are encouraged to bring their bikes, scooters, & strollers and to lay them down on the lawn in solidarity.
Vibrant Littleton supports redevelopment of Geneva Village
Dear Littleton City Councilmembers,
Vibrant Littleton endorses the staff recommendation as stated in the August 22, 2023, Council Study Session about Geneva Village:
Proceed with plan to redevelop property to meet goals for more housing and integration with Project Downtown with the following principles:
- Support the northern gateway emphasis
- Majority-affordable residential use
- Incorporation of Eugene Sternberg historic design principles
- Integration of rental and for-sale in the gateway
- Expanding community and downtown amenities through mixed-use
- Partnership with Private Owners and LDDA
As the City owns the property, it is in total control of redevelopment that will further fulfill the City’s Vision and Guiding Principles as well as specific goals stated in Envision Littleton. The staff recommendation offers the most opportunities to accomplish:
- More housing options for people from a wide range of age groups and income levels
- Homes that connect people to the community, resources and mobility choices
- Enhanced revenue with mixed-use development
- Creation of ‘a sense of place’ to our historic downtown by creating a gateway in the Prince Street corridor
- Incorporating historic Eugene Sternberg design principles which will further the unique character of this redevelopment
The Geneva Village property has been in limbo for far too many years instead of serving our community in the greatest way possible. Vibrant Littleton believes that now is the time to act and we urge City Council to proceed with redevelopment options as indicated in the August 22 staff presentation.
Thank you,
Vibrant Littleton
cc: colcityclerk@littletongov.org, jbecklenberg@littletongov.org, kschlachter@littletongov.org, grydin@littletongov.org, sbarr@littletongov.org, pdriscoll@littletongov.org, pgrove@littletongov.org, kmilliman@littletongov.org, jvaldes@littletongov.org,
Vibrant Littleton appreciates street improvements and shares our six roadway design priorities
Dear City Manager Becklenburg and Public Works Director Riester,
Vibrant Littleton would like to express our enthusiastic support of the bikeway improvements planned at Jackass Hill Road & Mineral Avenue. By building superior places to cycle, we’re also building a superior place to live. When Littleton transitions space reserved for cars to walking and bike-riding space, we gain safer mobility options that are less expensive to maintain. A true win/win for our community.
And we’re excited about further walking, rolling, and biking improvements at Prince/Santa Fe and Prince/Church. Kudos to the City and our Department of Public Works team who are bringing these upgrades to our streets.
Vibrant Littleton Street Design Priorities
As the City of Littleton moves forward with improving our streets, sidewalks, and bikeways, here are six things we’d like our city to prioritize:
- Create protected bike lanes at grade with sidewalks (ie, do not place vulnerable rolling users with car lanes)
- Shorten crosswalks with bulb-outs at every corner
- Program “leading pedestrian intervals” at all signalized intersections
- Remove slip lanes and center turn-lanes
- Eliminate pedestrian call buttons (provide “Walk symbol during green light phases automatically)
- Minimize street corner radii to the maximum extent possible
Invite Us
Vibrant Littleton would welcome opportunities to give feedback on street design schematics in addition to the visioning process (such as the ‘Broadway Corridor Study’). Details are so important to get right in our street design. We would welcome participation in the later stage of infrastructure plans, so please invite us when specific road and hardscape designs are being drafted.
Sincerely,
Vibrant Littleton
Vibrant Littleton supports SB23-213, the More Housing Now bill
Vibrant Littleton is deeply committed to engagement in our local community around housing and mobility. Our work is exclusively local in focus, so we understand the importance of local leadership.
But we also recognize that there is an important role for state and national legislation, particularly in matters which affect a wider region. State and federal policies which set baselines in order to protect water and air quality, building structure, college accreditation, food and drug quality, utility rates, car safety, and myriad other things are positive interventions. Such laws prevent harms that strictly local law cannot properly address.
Vibrant Littleton welcomes SB-213 because it recognizes that housing is similarly an area where the impact of local control has led to negative consequences beyond local borders. SB-213 is an important step forward in making Colorado housing policy work in an equitable manner.
We view SB-213 as supporting Littleton’s “housing journey,” providing essential baselines that mitigate artificial local constraints to things like ADUs, missing middle housing, and municipalities which exclude workforce housing. We are extremely grateful that Littleton’s staff and council have displayed a concerted commitment to improving the city’s housing policy in recent years, but the relatively modest progress made during this time speaks volumes about the challenges faced even with engaged local leadership. The success of our housing policy will be largely dependent on the entire region adopting a similar approach, thus we believe that legislation like SB-213 is necessary to encourage shared responsibility among less committed nearby jurisdictions.
Vibrant Littleton views housing a matter of regional concern. We urge Littleton City Council to engage with and support SB-213 as a first step in crafting a regional housing policy framework. We do not view the legislation as a negation of local control, but simply a much-needed set of baselines and minimum standards that ensure a long overdue regional approach to housing policy. As a community which struggles achieving these baselines, we feel SB-213 would augment Littleton’s local efforts as well as require our neighboring communities to share responsibility for future housing creation.
— Vibrant Littleton
We asked South Suburban Parks & Rec candidates three questions...
Vibrant Littleton posed three questions to each of the six candidates in the SSPRD Board Election and five responded. We appreciate the thoughtful responses we received from five of the candidates but were disappointed that the one incumbent candidate did not respond. Thank you to the five candidates for taking the time to share their thoughts with us!
QUESTION 1 — As stewards of almost 4000 acres, please tell us your thoughts about SSPR’s efforts regarding environmental sustainability.
Read candidate responses >
QUESTION 2 — A goal of SSPR’s is to reduce water consumption. What more should SSPR be doing to conserve water?
Read candidate responses >
QUESTION 3 — With bird and insect populations radically diminishing everywhere, what might SSPR do to enhance their numbers in our part of the world?
Read candidate responses >
QUESTION 1
As stewards of almost 4000 acres, please tell us your thoughts about SSPR’s efforts regarding environmental sustainability.
ALEXIS BARRERE: The SSPRD 2023 Master Plan Draft references the word sustainability a few times, including a reference to a sustainability committee and a sustainability plan. Unfortunately, there is not much more information on either item in the plan or on the SSPRD website. I have looked into the SSPRD sustainability committee and what I have discovered is that the committee just re-established in January 2023 after taking a break during the pandemic and it is focused on improving the organization’s stewardship of community resources. It is an non-public internal advisory committee that makes recommendations to the SSPRD management team, the committee does not directly interface with the board of directors. Given these information, I believe that SSPRD and it’s board needs to make sustainability a larger priority given the state of climate change. It is possible SSPRD is doing a large amount of sustainability work but unfortunately that is not something that is common knowledge and I believe sustainability work should be front and center on the SSPRD website and posted in the rec centers so residents understand the work that is being done.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: As someone who first benefited from SSPR’s assets in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I appreciate SSPR’s definition of sustainability: using resources in a responsible manner to preserve opportunities for the next generation.
To me, sustainability is an evolving process incorporating new technologies and new practices. SSPRD as a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as one of the elite Park and Recreation Districts in the country to have received the CAPRA Accreditation, can work with other CAPRA Accredited entities across the country to share the newest technologies and best practices on sustainability.
I also believe that fiscal responsibility is fundamental for an organization to sustain itself AND all of the land and assets that it owns and/or manages.
PAM ELLER: Stewardship of the environment is one of the responsibilities of SSPRD listed in the District’s Mission Statement. The District has pursued several projects which promote environmental sustainability and preserve natural resources.
Almost all District parks are now watered through a central control system which conserves water and limits travel time for staff who monitor the sprinkler systems. All recreation facilities are on a central system which controls lighting, heating and cooling systems. Most lights throughout the District have been converted to LED and are controlled by automatic on-off sensors.
In addition, SSPRD now participates in two solar arrays. The power produced by these arrays completely offsets electric usage at three recreation centers—Buck Community, Goodson and Lone Tree.
The parks, trails and open spaces maintenance crews work in teams and travel in specific routes around the District to minimize fuel usage.
Clearly the District’s management and staff are dedicated to conserving resources and maintaining the environmental integrity of all District properties. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to encourage these programs and empower all employees to seek innovative methods in management that promotes sustainability.
JOHN PRIDDY: To promote environmental sustainability, I start by acknowledging that climate change is real! I make that statement because according to NASA, 97% of climate scientists agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change. Having said that, the District in its 2017 Master Plan very clearly articulated a Guiding Principle to “Lead Sustainability”. I also know that SSPRD in its yet-to-be adopted 2022 Master Plan lays out a Sustainability Plan and Natural Resource Management Plan. The District, as I understand it, will also reinstate an Internal Sustainability Committee this year following a hiatus resulting from the pandemic.
In short, my intent as a BOD member will be to evaluate how the commitments we made in the 2017 Master Plan as it relates to Sustainability were met or not met. Furthermore, how do we intend to meet the moment with our 2022 Master Plan as we all tackle climate change and environmental sustainability.
ELIZABETH WATSON: I am concerned that SSPR’s efforts regarding environmental sustainability are a secondary consideration for the organization, at best. SSPR’s sustainability information on its website ( https://www.ssprd.org/Sustainability ) has not been updated since 2018. SSPR’s Sustainability Committee does not include any members of the public and does not provide updates or reports to the community. In a search of the SSPR 2023 Budget, SSPR does not show a full or part-time sustainability employee. This is definitely an area that SSPR should actively focus on improving. If “Lead Sustainability” is going to remain one of SSPR’s four guiding principles there should be an active Sustainability Committee involving and providing information to the community, sustainability requirements for renovations and new construction, and updated information shared with the community on SSPR’s recent sustainability accomplishments and any upcoming initiatives.
QUESTION 2
A goal of SSPR’s is to reduce water consumption. What more should SSPR be doing to conserve water?
ALEXIS BARRERE: It is unclear to me exactly what SSPRD is doing to help protect the vital resource of water in our community. From what I understand, SSPRD is the largest landowner in South Metro Denver and yet they do not have an MS4 permit, which outlines a plan for how an agency manages/separates storm runoff. Agencies like Littleton Public Schools, Coors Field, and Arapahoe Community College have MS4 permits and it would make sense for SSPRD to have MS4 permit to make sure SSPRD incorporates into it’s policies all the strategies other MS4 permit holders use to protect water quality. If elected, I would like to explore how SSPRD can establish a MS4 permit and better understand how other water conservation efforts such as using gray water to water SSPRD parks and golf courses can be put into motion. I am the sister of two water resource engineers, so I understand water as a vital resource that we in Colorado need to be addressing NOW.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: First, I see this as an ongoing process that needs to continue to evolve as new technologies and practices become available. SSPR should be following the Best Practices of other Parks & Recreation Districts, specifically CAPRA Accredited entities throughout the region and across the country, on how they optimize water use and retention.
The artificial turf fields at the Sports Complex – both indoor and outdoor – are a great example of a technological advance that eliminates the need for watering grass, as well as other routine maintenance like mowing, fertilizing and weed control.
In parks that still have grass fields, SSPRD currently uses real-time date from centralized watering systems that measures natural precipitation, heat and humidity and alerting Park personnel if more, or less water, is needed. Watering with non-potable sources should also be evaluated.
PAM ELLER: Water use in District parks can be controlled by a central system as mentioned above. This not only controls the amount of water delivered, but also alerts staff if there is a leak or malfunction in a system, allowing for quick response to minimize water loss.
Mowing patterns also can limit water use. Leaving the grass longer in areas where it wouldn’t interfere with use of athletic fields could lower the water requirements.
The use of artificial turf on certain playing fields is an excellent way to conserve water. The District has implemented several different projects utilizing artificial turf and this practice should be encouraged.
Use of low flow water fixtures wherever possible in District recreation centers and sports facilities, as well as golf course clubhouses and the Lone Tree Hotel can make a significant difference in water use.
JOHN PRIDDY: In my experience, the first step to improve any process is to understand the current state. I believe the District is keenly aware of its commitment to work to improve its water use across the programs and activities it supports. What is key in doing more to conserve water would be an overarching Water Management Plan, and any actionable steps the District has articulated in its 2022 Master Plan. As a Board Member, I intend to review the water use priorities and our intent to hold ourselves accountable for the discrete work plans and steps to be good stewards of our critical water resource.
ELIZABETH WATSON: I believe the first step in meeting a goal like this is a clear understanding of where you are starting. I could not find any information on SSPR’s current water consumption rate. SSPR should establish what their water consumption is and then measure the impact of any conservation efforts. Two areas that I think would be key to lowering water consumption would be monitoring and maintenance programs at SSPR’s four golf courses and including water conservation as a key element to ongoing renovations and maintenance projects at SSPR’s numerous parks as well as their recreational facilities.
QUESTION 3
With bird and insect populations radically diminishing everywhere, what might SSPR do to enhance their numbers in our part of the world?
ALEXIS BARRERE: SSPRD needs to make sure there is a balance of natural open spaces along with recreation parks and playgrounds. To promote bird and insert populations, SSPRD needs to allow open spaces to safely remain as undisturbed as possible so ecosystems can flourish and work to create more parks like South Platte Park where resident adventure and wildlife populations are both fostered. SSPRD can also prioritize investing in drought tolerant and bird/bee friendly plants for park walkways and gardens and educate our residents on the topic through classes to learn about ways to plant and make their yards more bee/bird friendly.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: As a wildlife photographer, I look for, and appreciate, habitats that will attract birds and insects.
While SSPR’s 3,800 acres is a sizable number, it is small in comparison to district partners – the combined municipalities have about 30,000 acres and Arapahoe, Jefferson and Douglas Counties have 1.4 million acres – so, what is important for SSPR, is to collaborate with these municipalities and Counties to leverage the knowledge and resources to enhance or create habitats – even if it is just a an acre, here and there – that can both reduce water needs, maintenance labor and that will attract and support insects and bird populations.
Educating district residents about the issue of declining bird and insect populations is something that SSPRD has already taken a proactive and leading role with its various guided hikes with naturalists, nature programs and camps for kids. The education program is a key part of what the Carson Nature Center and South Platte Park staff focus on.
PAM ELLER: There are many opportunities for an organization such as South Suburban to enhance bird and insect populations. The planting of specific species of trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that attract insects and birds should always be a consideration. The District maintains a horticulture department and follows best practices for utilizing native species and controlling invasive species of plants.
Carson Nature Center and Hudson Gardens are unique facilities for a parks and recreation district. In addition to studying and monitoring the effects of various practices on the populations of insects and birds, staff offers many educational opportunities for the public to learn best practices for their own properties.
Finally, limiting the use of pesticides is an important factor in maintaining an environment that is healthy for birds and insects (and humans)!
JOHN PRIDDY: I agree that the District must do its part to enhance bird and insect populations over the 4,000 acres that it stewards. Recognizing that biodiversity to include habitat, food, water sources and pesticides use are all factors that impact bird and insect populations, I will look for bird and insect-friendly projects in the 2022 Master Plan. Another factor is how SSPRD, and its professional staff show up across the south metro region and influence governmental groups, agencies, and other groups to effect practices and policies and other changes that aid in arresting the decline in bird and insect populations. As a Board member I intend to ask that those factors be considered in the programming and resource choices we make.
ELIZABETH WATSON: As of January 1, 2023 SSPR now owns and operates Hudson Gardens. Combined with South Platte Park, the City of Littleton is truly the heart of SSPR’s natural open spaces. These two amazing amenities provide numerous opportunities to enhance bird and insect populations. In addition to the ability to preserve and maintain bird and insect habitat, the educational and programming options at South Platte Park and Hudson Gardens can, and should, contribute to education regarding the importance of bird and insect populations. In addition, SSPR should consider insect-friendly plantings at all of their parks and facilities and, when possible, include habitat for birds as well as insects in their projects and renovations.
SSPRD Board Election voting takes place on May 2, 2023 at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd, Centennial CO. Or you may request an absentee ballot (mail ballot) in writing by April 25. Or simply download the Absentee Ballot application here >
Bradley House's Sandra Petry has perspective
Sandra Petry’s life has been anything but ordinary. From waitressing to selling high-end women’s clothing to designing closets to reporting the news, she has adventured well and now calls the Bradley House, here in Littleton, home.
Sandra’s fascinating journey begins with her growing up right here in Littleton and she spent a significant amount of time in California where she worked as a reporter with a Korean newspaper in Los Angeles.
Her eyes twinkle as she recalls her favorite interviews ranging from the Romanian Ambassador to US to officials who talked on, and off, the record about alien sightings in Roswell, New Mexico. She said, “I was sent on assignments – any wild thing you can think of!”
But Sandra’s true passion was interior design and she soon went on to designing closets for the “rich and famous” in Hollywood. “One house had a closet with 300 pairs of shoes,” she remembers. “It was a unique adventure.”
Sandra loved California and being near the ocean but concerns about earthquakes, coupled with her adult children living in Colorado, lured her back. She continued to pursue her passion in interior design by working at Kacey Fine Furniture in Littleton where she was a leading sales representative.
“My rent in Littleton was sky-rocketing and I knew I had to investigate housing options run by public housing authorities for seniors.”
It was from her last sales job, working for a spa, that she was laid off. She had been in 2 car accidents that caused physical limitations. The lay-off and the fact that she couldn’t stand for long on her feet limited the jobs she could pursue. This was further exacerbated by being in her 60’s and Sandra believes she experienced considerable age discrimination during her job search.
Sandra explains, “My rent in Littleton was sky-rocketing and I knew I had to investigate housing options run by public housing authorities for seniors. My name finally came up on the wait list for Bradley House. When I came to look at the apartment, it was so beautiful.”
Bradley House is the oldest subsidized senior housing community, a part of South Metro Housing Options (SMHO).
Sandra’s 5th floor apartment in the 7-story Bradley House has a spectacular view of the Front Range. She says exuberantly, “I never had an apartment where I could watch the sunsets. I love fireworks and, on July 4th, I can sit on my balcony and watch all of the fireworks from south to north.”
This cozy apartment reflects her love of interior decorating and is filled with photos of her children and grandchildren. She has become friends with many of her neighbors and she enjoys working in the Bradley House garden. “Oh, and I love the elevator. This is the first apartment building that I’ve lived in with an elevator, seniors need elevators.”
“Oh, and I love the elevator. This is the first apartment building that I’ve lived in with an elevator, seniors need elevators.”
After living at Bradley House for a few years, SMHO management approached her about being the resident representative on the SMHO Board of Commissioners where she since has served for 4 years. She brings a valuable perspective to that board: she is not only a SMHO resident but the change in her financial circumstances that led her to seek an apartment at Bradley House are experienced by millions of seniors throughout the country.
Sandra’s customer service skills are put to use at Bradley House where she is often sought out by other residents to mediate issues with SMHO managers. “We can always work out a solution by being calm and diplomatic,” she says.
Sandra Petry describes herself as a creative person and spends a great deal of her spare time painting in acrylic and recently wrote and self-published a children’s book. But she always has time for her children and grandchildren.
Come to Vibrant Littleton's fall mixer at Rocker Spirits — Friday, Oct 21
You’re invited to Vibrant Littleton’s fall mixer at Rocker Spirits on Friday, October 21. Join fellow Littleton enthusiasts from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at this downtown Littleton gem of a bar.
Plus: Vibrant Littleton subscribers get a 15% discount on all Rockers delicious drinks during our event. Just look for our “Vibrant Littleton” sign when you arrive and sign up on our mailing list to get a wrist band for the discount.
Rocker Spirits, located at 5587 Hill Street (about a block north of Main St downtown), distills their own rum, vodka and whiskey. Weather permitting, we’ll be enjoying Rocker’s outdoor patio and menu of tasty nibbles. Mark your calendar and come by Oct. 21 at Rocker, Littleton’s own microdistillery!
FRIDAY • OCTOBER 21, 2022 • 5:30 to 7:00 PM
A huge Thank You to Rocker for being our generous sponsor for the gathering.
If you missed our summer social, we hope you’ll join us for this fall mixer. Sign up for our newsletter to get word on all Vibrant Littleton events as soon as their scheduled.
You're invited to Vibrant Littleton fall mixer at Rocker Spirits — Friday, Oct 21
You’re invited to Vibrant Littleton’s fall mixer at Rocker Spirits on Friday, October 21. Join fellow Littleton enthusiasts from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at this downtown Littleton gem of a bar.
Plus: Vibrant Littleton subscribers get a 15% discount on all Rockers delicious drinks during our event. Just look for our “Vibrant Littleton” sign when you arrive and sign up on our mailing list to get a wrist band for the discount.
Rocker Spirits, located at 5587 Hill Street (about a block north of Main St downtown), distills their own rum, vodka and whiskey. Weather permitting, we’ll be enjoying Rocker’s outdoor patio and menu of tasty nibbles. Mark your calendar and come by Oct. 21 at Rocker, Littleton’s own microdistillery!
FRIDAY • OCTOBER 21, 2022 • 5:30 to 7:00 PM
A huge Thank You to Rocker for being our generous sponsor for the gathering.
If you missed our summer social, we hope you’ll join us for this fall mixer. Sign up for our newsletter to get word on all Vibrant Littleton events as soon as their scheduled.
In My Own Words: Matthew Duff and a Vision for Littleton
By Matthew Duff
How did you come to live here in Littleton?
I moved to first moved to Littleton in 2001 when I graduated high school. This is my third time living in Littleton, but we are here for the long haul this time. Littleton has such a great mix of nature trails, proximity to Denver, and an old Main Street style development that creates a great space to live. We love it here. We have kids in Heritage High School, Euclid Middle School, and Runyon Elementary.
Tell us about your home building experience and what you learned from it
This could be a really long conversation. But to keep it brief, we wanted to build the most energy efficient home we could. I had gone down a rabbit hole of Youtube videos on how we miss so much comfort and less reliance on energy needs by building a standard, minimum code home. We ended up hiring an energy consultant and an architect to help us build our current home trying to optimize the free energy from the sun as much as possible and making a comfortable place for our family to live.
We ended up building our house to the Passive House standard out of Germany. This standard requires things like orienting the house southward to take advantage of the free energy of the sun in the winter, having triple pained windows, and having an airtight home. Our walls are about 14 inches thick and are around R60 or something like that. Our roof is around R80, if I remember correctly.
We learned during the build process that with some modifications to how a home is built even Colorado’s harsh winters can be lived in with comfort if we build according to the best practices in building science. We also learned that building a home during a pandemic is very expensive!
Share with us your vision of what Littleton should be, in terms of how we build homes here
Probably that the top of what I would love to see is for us to embrace multi-family homes more. We built a single family home because that is what is allowed by code when we built on our lot. But there are few things that can reduce energy costs like sharing a wall with another house. I also believe we should incentivize building homes that exceed the minimum building code. Almost all tax benefits of green building come from retrofitting a house, not from building the house correctly from the start.
I believe we should build many more multi-family and mixed use developments along the four primary corridors of Littleton: Littleton Blvd, Santa Fe, Mineral, and Broadway (we live off Broadway). We can build a multi-modal city that fosters less car dependency while also making a fantastic place to work, play, and live. Littleton’s roots are a town with greater density (think Main Street) and a trolley system for transportation. The city has great bones in comparison to towns like Highlands Ranch or newer developments.
I would love to see Littleton define a vision of what “great” city building looks like, and then incentivize developers and individual home owners to help make that vision a reality. We so often focus on “what is the worst thing you are allowed to build” instead of asking what we want to see built if we were building the best city we could build.
What’s your philosophy about wanting things to “stay the same” and “keep Littleton little”?
I agree with many sentiments about wanting to keep Littleton great. Littleton is a fantastic city and we should keep many of the things that people love. I love having a downtown in Littleton, public transit options, an city with public trails that bring community together. I want a city that is a great place for small businesses to start and grow. These are all great parts of living here. We should focus on maintaining that.
But it is not possible for a city to not change. As an example, if a city decides they don’t want to get “big” they often block new developments from coming in and double down on single-family zoning. It’s a good idea (depending on your goals) in theory, but in practice the consequence of that is skyrocketing prices because of artificially limited supply of homes. Then the city becomes a city only for the wealthy. California has shown the folly of this approach in towns up and down their state. It has become unaffordable for everyone except the exceptionally wealthy.
I just invested a lot of money in living in Littleton. I care deeply about our city. But I see us going down a path where only the wealthy can live here. I want Littleton to have a diverse housing supply so people across the lifetime spectrum of situations can live here: single people who are renting or owning, young families, professionals, and our older neighbors who need better amenities as they age and lose their ability to drive. We need to create a Littleton that serves people across the spectrum. Many cities across the world have shown that if you design a city for the most vulnerable in our society, people like small children, those with disabilities, or the elderly, that it often creates an incredible, vibrant city for everyone.
Change will happen. There are no laws that we can put in place that will keep things the same as they are now, because there are so many variables moving as time progresses. We need to create a city that provides more people with the opportunity to live in Littleton, as the population of the front range expands. We can either infill our existing cities, which makes the most sense fiscally as well as environmentally, or we can force further sprawl out into our undeveloped edges of our city. That is damaging to our pocket books and our environment. We can embrace infill projects and reap the rewards in a more vibrant, walkable city while also improving our city’s finances.