Thinking through Animas ADUs
To the editor,
The city is proposing to rezone Animas City (EN-3) from the single family residential zoning in place for the last 66 years to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). As a 30-year resident of this neighborhood, I would like to comment on the proposed public process for this rezoning.
Something this important doesn’t need to be decided in the next six months just because some councilors want to vote in favor of ADUs while they are still on the council. We heard the same argument two years ago when the existing council was trying to adopt the new Land Use Development Code (LUDC) before the last election. I believe the new LUDC is actually better since significant issues were more thoroughly examined and decided rather than rushing thru something important to the community.
Rezoning an established residential neighborhood to allow higher density needs to be determined by a consensus of the neighborhood’s property owners. Many of us have lived in this neighborhood for decades and if it takes longer to come to an agreement this important, so be it, even if there is a City Council election in April.
It is misleading for the City Planning Department to infer there were not zoning regulations in place in Animas City prior to 1989. Second residences, habitable structures or additional dwellings have not been allowed in Animas City since 1948. Animas City was annexed into the City on Jan. 1, 1948. Municipal Ordinance 778 adopted Aug. 31, 1948, amended the 1941 Zoning Ordinance to “include all the territory which was formerly known and platted as the Town of Animas City.” The 1948 Building Zone Map Amendment clearly shows Animas City is zoned R-1 for “one-family dwellings.”
I believe that ADUs should only be allowed in EN-3 by a majority mail-in ballot vote of the legal property owners in Animas City. If the results of this vote were to approve ADUs in EN-3, then we also need reasonable controls on the number and density of these ADUs so as not to adversely impact the existing character of our peaceful residential neighborhood.
– David McHenry, Durango
A question of standards
Dear editor,
Interesting that reducing the chemical pesticides in our parks should be considered by some city officials as “lowering our standards” if the weed ratio rises above 5 percent. I felt that creating organic parks in our city was “raising our standards” considerably. What basis is there for this 5 percent line?
– Louise Teal, Durango
‘Chemical reaction’ short sighted
To the editor,
I have been disappointed to hear that the city is proposing to cut three parks from the organically managed parks program. To remove these parks from the program is a compromise I do not support. In a recent email exchange with Sweetie Marbury, Durango City Council member, I was told that children’s physical safety was a major concern, citing uneven turf on the fields as a result of organic methods. As a parent of an active young soccer player and a frequent helper at practices and games, I can assure you that I have not seen any injuries related to uneven turf. But collisions of two kids or a ball to the face – absolutely:)
Children all around the world have been navigating terrain on which they've played for generations. I often think how our current conversation regarding imperfection on playing fields would be quite amusing to children and parents of developing countries, who also love and play soccer passionately.
The irony is in the appeal to parental emotions concerning physical safety. I understand the reasoning, because it is easily tangible and obvious but here lies in the problem.
As a parent, I would much rather see my child twist an ankle from uneven turf (which I have yet to see) then absorb harmful chemicals through his skin. Our children walk into our homes with cleats and shoes coated in chemicals. They fall and roll on treated grass, which is readily absorbed into their skin and remains on their clothing. The EPA knows and has stated that children take in more pesticides/herbicides relative to their body weight. Children are also uniquely susceptible because they are physiologically immature. These chemicals that are scientifically classified as known carcinogens remain in our homes in traces for many, many years. A twisted ankle heals quickly; exposure to carcinogens has a very complex, insidious, long-term effect.
This is what sometimes distinguishes and illuminates short-term versus long-term vision.
I accept that some of us in the community might have differing ideas of our children's "safety."
I encourage you to use your voice in this matter to help shape a genuinely healthy community with long-term vision. Writing letters, contacting City Council members and Cathy Metz of Durango Parks and Recreation is a great place to begin.
– Sheryl McGourty, Durango
The 10th Mountain Division
What became the 10th Mountain Division
In July 1943, came into being
They trained in part at Camp Hale in Colorado
Ultimately shipped in 1945 to fight in Italy, experts in both climbing and skiing
The 10th Mountain initially fought in February 1945
And significantly contributed to several German defeats
The last battle for the 10th Mountain occurred in late April 1945
And on May 2, 1945, German resistance in Italy ceased
May 8th marked V -E Day, the end of the war in Europe,
The 10th Mountain was scheduled to be sent to the Pacific, but that was not their fate
Following two atomic bombings, the Japanese surrendered in August, 1945
And the 10th Mountain returned to the United States
In 114 days of combat in the fighting in Europe
The 10th Mountain suffered nearly 1,000 deaths and wounds were inflicted on over 4,000 members
It’s hard to say in view of such losses, that the 10th was lucky
But their losses would have greatly increased, but for the timely Japanese surrender
After the war, ex-soldiers from the 10th
Constituted the modern ski-industry core
They founded Vail, Aspen, Sugar Bush, White Face Mountain
And many more
Not only did they found numerous resorts
But frequently employed Ex-10th Division veterans as principal aides
Thus brothers in arms became brothers in business
And this is how their road to prosperity was paved
For using their mountain skills to hasten the end of the European war
The 10th Mountain vets merit much loud applause
And many showed excellent financial sense
To become millionaires by founding a post war ski resort
– Chester Salkind, Durango
Thanks for making us ‘peerless’
To the editor,
Peerless would like to thank all of our customers for making Peerless Gas the number one gas station in Durango!
– Thank you, Sammy Dunham, Durango