I was once one of “those people.” Until I purchased a house in my mid-thirties, I rented. I also know “those people.” Several friends rent saving to buy a home. Others own condos or townhomes.
I might even enable one of “those people” by building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) above my garage to bring in some income or I could become “those people” once again by moving into a duplex or townhome after retiring.
On behalf of all of us “those people,” the just starting out 20-somethings, the young married couples saving for a home together, the retirees, the starting overs, and the singletons looking to develop their modest lot, I voted “no” on Littleton ballot measure 3A.
The proposal would amend the city’s charter to restrict land use, property rights, and changes to zoning for single-family homes and neighborhoods. The proposal would erect barriers to the building of affordable housing such as duplexes, condos, townhomes, and ADUs and make it more difficult for people to find an affordable home for purchase in Littleton or to alter their own property to meet their needs.
If I wanted a small group to dictate what I could do with my property, I would have moved into a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association and a lengthy list of mandates. 3A would HOA a whole city. No thanks.
Moreover, by amending the city’s constitution, the proposal would freeze residential land use code as it was at the beginning of this year. Changes henceforth would require a citizen-initiated ballot measure and the city council could no longer make common sense changes as needed.
Proponents would have you believe that the city is worse off for development. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I grew up just outside the city limits. Back in the 70s and 80s there was little reason to visit Littleton. That began to change as people moved into the city and commercial and residential properties were redeveloped and new developments were added.
Twenty years ago, I bought a house in Littleton and have watched as the city has gotten better and better thanks to all of the new people, new money, new ideas, and new growth. Today we have a charming, revitalized downtown, new shopping and dining options on Littleton, Belleview, Broadway, and Santa Fe thoroughfares, and more beautiful parks and bike trails. Cultural assets like the Littleton Museum, Hudson Gardens, and the Town Hall Arts Center and longtime local gems like Reinke Brothers and Romano’s Pizzeria are better than ever.
Littleton is a wonderful small city and its best days are ahead. Thank goodness no tried to stop its potential from being developed decades ago by freezing zoning and development. Littleton welcomed newcomers, all “those people” who wanted to make a new start in a little city, and the city has thrived.
Even though I currently have a single-family home, I welcome a full range of housing options and new neighbors who want to plant roots in the city I call home. That’s why I voted against 3A and urge others to do the same.
Krista Kafer is a Sunday Denver Post columnist.
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