City urges changes in Superfund law T ittleton and other cities in the metropoli­ Ltan area are stepping up efforts to in­ form the public about Superfund and how much It could cost taxpayers if Congress doesn't amend Superfund legislation to clarifY Its intent for the Environmental Pro­ tection Agency. EPA Is using an unjust method of allocat­ ing the cost of cleaning up the Lowry Land- FEBRUARY 1992 Printed on Recycled Paper fill based on volume rather than toxicity. This means you stand to pay the same for treating a gallon of common sludge that 'ln­ dustry will pay for a gallon of highly poi­ sonous Industrial waste. If the toxic industrial waste had not been mixed with harmless household garbage and sludge, the Environmental Protection Agency would not require the garbage and sludge to be cleaned up. EPA estimates the Lowry Landfill cleanup w!ll cost between $550 to $600 million. That could mean in­ creases in your sanitary sewer bill that amount to several hundred dollars each year. In Littleton's case, the harmless sewage sludge sent to Lowry Landfill is so clean that the same sludge has been given an EPA award for beneficial reuse as fertilizer on wheat fields in Adams County. City Council members have met with the Colorado congressional delegation on nu­ merous occasions. In addition, Council President Susan Thornton has testified at hearings in Washington and at National Leaguc of Cities conferences, seeking sup­ port for co-sponsorship and passage of leg­ islation to restore the original intent of the Superfund legislation: that the polluters should pay their fair share. She will travel to Washington again in March to reinforce NEW FIRE TRUCK the position of cities across the country at Littleton Fire Department's newest fire the National League of Cities Conference. pumper has arrived. It's big and It's REDI "It is crucial that we gain support to pass Zoning Code Revised The new color scheme - bright red with the Toxic Cleanup Equity and Acceleration white reflective striping - was chosen for Act (Torricelli/Dreier HR 3026 and Lauten­ By Jon Payne high visibility and attractive appearance. Planning Director berg/Wirth S 1557) this year: says Presi­ The new truck will be In service at the dent Thornton. "Passage will prevent need­ ~e City of Littleton has recently com­ West Coal Mine Station. .1 pleted preparation of an ordinance less lawsuits, save taxpayers millions of which repeals the existing Littleton Zoning dollars, and speed up the cleanup of Lowry Ordinance adopted in April of 1960, and re­ Landfill and other Superfund sites through­ places it with a totally revised Zoning Ordi­ City offers sales, out our country." nance. • Senator Tim Wirth, Representatives David Until this project was undertaken, no use tax seminars Skaggs, Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Pa­ complete, word-for-word review and amend­ tricia Schroeder are co-sponsoring the legis­ The City will conduct free sales and use ment had taken place in the 30-year history lation. Unfortunately, thus far, Senator tax seminars for all interested businesses of the City's zoning regulations. Hank Brown and Representatives Dan and taxpayers. These meetings will be tai­ Tapping more than 80 combined years of Schaefer, Joel Hefley and Wayne Allard have lored to help businesses and taxpayers experience in administering the code, the declined to support the Idea that industries alike understand the new sales tax simplifi­ staff worked over a period of more than should pay to clean up their own mess. cation ordinance adopted by the City Coun­ three years to correct problems found in the cil. The concept Is endorsed by the Colorado existing regulations. Names and addresses of the Colorado del­ Association of Commerce and Industry egation are listed on page 2. Most changes were for simplification and (CAC!) and is designed to streamline sales clarification. and use tax collection in all 41 metro area A provision which required a public hear­ Jurisdictions. CITY OF LITTLETON ing and permit for developmentally disabled 2255 Wesl Berry Avenue BULK RATE The seminars will be conducted at the lit­ U.S. POSTAGE in single family residences was eliminated l,ttlelon. CO B0165 PAID tleton City Center Community Room, 2255 L_.CO to meet Federal requirements of the Fair W. Berry Avenue, from 5:30 to 6:30 p,m. Permit No. 205 Housing Act. This means that the City has February 27, April 30, July 23, and October no say about where group homes for the 29. disabled may be located. If you have any further questions, call 'Group homes for elderly are not included Sales Tax Supervl&or Frank Bua at 795- J AMES C WOOD S (Continued on Page 2) 3768. C ITV MANAGER Page 2 Zoning Code (Continued from Page 1) In the federal law; therefore, the ordinance retains the hearing and approval process for such uses. Certain restrictions were also removed from home occupations that might interfere with work being done on computers in the home. Beauty shops, which were allowed, were added to the list for clarification. Home child care, which Is allowed now, will be further defined and added In the future with standards consistent with those re­ quired by Arapahoe County. The code was liberalized to allow replace­ ment of up to 50% of an existing fence with­ out requiring a permit. Also, detached sheds under 120 square feet and not on a foundation can go anywhere except in the front yard. The definition of household pets was clar­ ifIed to help people understand what is and what is not allowed In certain zones. House­ hold pets Include dogs, domestic cats, ca­ naries, parrots, hamsters, guinea pigs and similar rodents, fish, reptiles, and other (Left to right) Karen Bialkowski, Jim Donahue, Racine dig In at 1991's 10,000 Trees event. species normally sold at a local pet shop. Rick Cronenberger. Lorena Donahue. and Joe Not included are horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, peacocks, turkeys, geese or other poultry, mink, chinchilla or other So. Platte shores turn green with new trees commercial fur-bearing animals. n Earth Day 1990 and again In 1991, the Platte, once a barren wasteland, are In all but a very few exceptions, the zone Oan amazing series of events occurred. now tree lined, becoming an urban oasis district reguiatlons wiii have the same effect On each occasion, over 1,200 volunteers after years of neglect. on property under the new ordinance as gathered on the banks of the South Platte 10,000 Trees - Phase III Is the final chap­ they do under the existing ordinance. For River to plant thousands of trees and ter In this successful effort to "Turn the example, a property zoned R-l Single Fami­ shrubs. Greenway Green." The site for this third ly Residential will remain R-l Single Family The results are astounding. The banks of phase runs from C-470 north to Church ReSidential. Street along the banks of the Platte River The City Council has set a public hearing through South Platte Park. for March 3 at 7:30 p.m. to conSider ap­ The first two phases of the 10,000 Trees proval of this ordinance. Project are improving an already prized Council approved the ordinance on first SIDEWALKS recreational amenity - The Arapahoe Green­ reading January 21 and set a six-week re­ Littleton City code reqUires property own­ way. Over the years, as the new landscape view period before the public hearing. The ers to remove snow and Ice from sidewalks matures, the Arapahoe Greenway will be ordinance was published In the Littleton In­ adjacent to their property within 24 hours among the most outstanding river green­ dependent on January 23. The Planning of the last snow fall. In addition, trees and ways In the nation! Commission reviewed it on February 10. bushes are not allowed to overhang a side­ Phase III of 10, 000 Trees will Include Copies of the complete ordinance and a walk In such a way that a pedestrian can­ planting more than 2,500 large trees and narrative summary are available at the not easily walk down the sidewalk. shrubs and close to 2,500 seedlings. Sever­ Community Development office, City Clerk's Sidewalk maintenance is the responsibili­ al wetland areas will also be restored, re­ office, or BemiS Library. ty of the acljoinlng property owner. For addi­ quiring the regrading of some areas where Staff members are available to meet with tional Information call Bob Lindgren; Code native wetland species will be planted. Interested groups, or call 795-3748 for Enforcement Officer, at 795-3751. This section of the Greenway will also fea­ more information. ture new rest areas and Interpretive wildlife viewing blinds, designed so the viewer can COLORADO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION observe, unnoticed, the abundant wildlife Did you know ... ? The Fire Communica­ SENATORS that thrives along the river. tions Center handled 11,583 emergency The Honorable Hank Brown The Honorable TImothy Wirth The Arapahoe Greenway and 10,000 United States Senator United States Senator calls in 1991, an Increase of 567 calls over 717 Senate Hart Building 380 Russell Senate BuIlding Trees are prime examples of quality projects the previous year. Washington. D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 made possible by the help of government agencies, corporate sponsors, civic clubs, REPRESENTATIVES The Honorable Wayne Allard The Honorable Joel HeOey citizen volunteers and others. Disbict 4 Dlsbict 5 In 1990, President Bush presented "The United States Representative United States Representative Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award" to the ELDERLY REFUNDS 513 Cannon House Building 222 Cannon House BuIlding The City of Littleton will again offer a Washington.