July 1999 Newsletter

PHA  HOMEOWNER

PUBLISHED BY THE PINERY HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION

The 1999 Pinery Pedal & Picnic
August 14, 1999

Register by August 1
(Need a form? Click here to print one)

The 1999 Pinery Pedal & Picnic will be held on Saturday August 14th, at the Pinery Park (at the fire station) from 8:00AM to 2:00PM. Everyone from the Pinery should attend this year’s summertime picnic!

The Bike Routes are optional (and free) and start and finish at the fire station. Choose one or just come to the park:

26.2 mile Pinery Marathon  (8:00 am)   travels through all of the Pinery neighborhoods (North & South Pinery, Misty Pines, Pinery Estates, Pinery Pointe, the Pinery Townhomes, Fairway Ridge and the Timbers), continues out the Pinery Connector Trail and travels on the Cherry Creek Trail system.

15 mile Neighborhood Tour  (8:30 am )  winds through North & South Pinery, Misty Pines, Pinery Estates, Fairway Ridge and the Timbers.

10 mile Great Gulf Adventure  (8:45 am)   is a challenging off-road romp in the woods around Democrat near the new construction.

5 mile Family Ride  (9:00 am)   tours the middle part of the Pinery and the Pinery Lake area

Field Events (all are free): (10:00 am  to 1:00 pm)

Barbecue Picnic Lunch:

(11:30 am) BBQ picnic of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, veggies, fruits, desert and drinks. Lunches are free to PHA members (see registration form for membership info) who register in advance. If you have one, bring your canopy and set it up on the grass!

The Drawing:

(1:00 pm) Those who have purchased chances will have an opportunity to win prizes from local businesses like these:

If your business would like to be recognized, call Tom Kimball any time before August 7th at (303) 841-1846.

Register early: before August 1 to avoid late fee.
(Need a form? Click here to print one)

Who’s Invited to the Picnic?

Everyone in the Pinery Neighborhoods is invited. The Pinery neighborhoods include:

All of the events at the park are free, as are the bike rides. Lunches are free to PHA members and their immediate families who register in advance.

PHA membership is paid for automatically for those who use the Pinery trash pickup and is available to any other families for $20/year. Lunches for visiting guests or non-PHA members will be available for a nominal fee, too, if you register for them in advance.

If you’re unsure of your membership status or would like to join the PHA, call the PHA at (303) 841-8572 or visit the PHA office located on the lower level of the fire station.

PINERY BIRD SANCTUARY
Look for our booth at Pinery Pedal!

bird.jpg (2757 bytes)PINERY PEDAL-ERS!!! TUCK A BUCK (in your bike shorts) FOR THE BIRD SANCTUARY!!!

We will have a booth at the Pedal to give information and receive your donations. Celebrate our one-year anniversary by supporting your local bird sanctuary.

We’re happy to include many thanks to people who have helped us: to Connie Stephenson for her recent donation, Jan Wells for the donation and installation of pine and ash seedlings, and Mary Wiedemann for a long day’s work seeding the area with native grasses. We have also had scouts Phillip Thompson and Sam Dieter, as well as many residents and students, whose involvement we continue to want and need, donate many hours of their time!! We were also very excited to receive a generous number of free packages of wild flower seeds from Flutter at Jackalope. Be sure to visit their wonderful store, full of ideas for butterfly gardens. A gift certificate from Arapahoe Acres helped us to purchase a hose and sprinkler. Please stop by their store at C-470 and Santa Fe to thank them! Trees and native grasses will be our mainstay until the noxious knapweed is under control. We hope to graduate to wildflowers and bushes as early as this Fall. If you’d like to donate or volunteer, call Deb Dieter at 303-840-4360. Thank you!

PINERY GARAGE SALE A HUGE SUCCESS!

It’s history now, but we keep hearing about some of the wonderful things some of you found at the 4th annual Pinery Community Garage Sale! Thanks to volunteer Carol Yoss, who took garage sale reservations and compiled the PHA map of the 92 locations. Thanks also go to Gerta Thompson who arranged for the Association for Retarded Citizens to pick up unsold items that people wished to donate. Community volunteers like Carol and Gerta make these events possible!

KIDS FISHING DERBY

The Kids Fishing Derby, originally scheduled for June 12th , was called off when the Pinery was hit by significant hail storms on the two previous days with predictions of a repeat performance on the afternoon of the derby. The next available date for those involved with the derby was Saturday, July 17. Unfortunately, this newsletter went to press prior to the reschedule derby, so we will need to report fish contest winners and other information in the September "Pinery Homeowner".

LARGE ITEM DROP OFF

Your response to the Large Item Drop Off on June 19th indicates that this was much needed and appreciated! Nine large dumpsters were filled, and we could have used a few more. Our hats go off to Bill Hames who pulled it all together! Thanks also to volunteers Chris Campbell, Paula Collis, Chris Hanks, Whitney Miller, Bill Taylor and Doug Stephenson, and to PHA Board members Scott Campbell, Lou Elmo, Ron Henkel and Dave Kristick. These great volunteers worked hard from before seven in the morning until well after two in the afternoon under a hot sun to make the drop off possible. Sincere thanks to all of you!

PHA - ACC PART TIME OFFICE HELP NEEDED

The Pinery Homeowners’ Association and Architectural Control Committee have an opening for a person to fill in occasionally this year with the potential to work 16-25 hours per week on a permanent basis beginning early next year. Good people/phone skills, PC aptitude including knowledge of Word, Access and QuickBooks software needed. Some paid weekend/evening community meetings required. Call 303.841.8572 or 303.841.5305 for more information.

PINERY LOGO BASEBALL CAPS & JACKETS

cap.jpg (1619 bytes)PHA has denim green and natural colored caps, ideal for golf and other sports, available in the PHA Office. These caps are top quality, have an embroidered Pinery name and logo, adjustable leather straps and cost just $9.50. We also have three small adult green/navy MicroFiber jackets with hoods, available at $50 each. Items are on display at the PHA Office, lower level Pinery Fire Station. Jackets can be ordered in all sizes.

REATA

We all are painfully aware of the growth in and around Parker and Douglas County over the past few years, and must deal with the affects of high density zoning on a daily basis. Change is again upon us affecting the land north of The Pinery known to most as Betts Ranch. But this time, the communities affected by the proposed development have had the opportunity to make a difference. A coalition of representatives from all the developments adjacent to this land, now owned by Terrabrook, has been tracking this project for the past 3 to 4 years. All are working together to have a development that is viewed as an asset to our respective communities.

Terrabrook is currently developing a conceptual residential plan, named Reata, for the property. The land is comprised of 2500 acres which can be broken up into three distinct areas: 690 acres lies north of Hilltop road, 1700 acres lies from Hilltop road south to The Pinery and approximately 115 acres are to the west of Parker Road (Highway 83) and south of Stroh Road (new King Soopers).

In conformance with the Master Plans of both Douglas County and the Town of Parker, the plan for Reata is considering rezoning to create an urbanized area north of Hilltop Road. Reata North property is planned as a pedestrian-friendly, diversified neighborhood which integrated various housing types, neighborhood recreation center, pedestrian activity nodes, "green space", and school site. The residential development area of Reata that is adjacent to the Crestview community will be restricted to acreage homesites. The projected housing density on the 690 acres is currently being designed to support up to 1100 dwelling units.

Reata South is adjacent to Hidden Village, Butterfield and The Pinery. The plan for the 1700 acres includes a very limited number of large homesites and acreage properties. The current concept plans for 96 homesites that range in size from 1-acre to 12-acre sites, and restricts the building on ridge tops. Open space and new trail corridors that connect to the Cherry Creek trail system surround the outer areas of the gated community. This natural open space offers a natural buffer to both Reata and all the adjacent developments. A signature golf course, clubhouse, 50-bedroom guest spa that incorporate the existing ranch house, caretaker’s residence and historic barn, are part of the plan for Reata South. Equestrian boarding, training and teaching facilities will still be provided within the property, with the large pasture areas preserved adjacent to Betts Ranch Road.

The Reata West property is planned to include a mixed-use neighborhood of retail office and multi-family residential uses as well as a 40-acre public land dedication for the establishment of an outdoor recreation complex.

Terrabrook is also working in conjunction with High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center, Douglas County, and COSAC on a proposal to preserve the 300-acre parcel south of Bayou Gulch Road, as open space for county residents. This transaction would transfer the 1100 dwelling unit’s rights from the Gondilier Farms property (High Prairie Farms Equestrian area) to Reata properties. The funds from the transaction will greatly assist COSAC towards the purchase price of the open space. This open space land will create a great natural buffer and separation between our community and Franktown.

Terrabrook is working to incorporate the vision and concerns of the respective communities. While no one like to see changes that impacts our community, working together to minimize the impacts of the changes allows us all to work for a win-win situation for the community. The current conceptual plans are available to view at the Pinery Homeowners’ office.

Terrabrook’s conceptual plan is designed to include open space with pedestrian and equestrian trails and recreational uses, west of Parker Road, and developing the 1700 acres adjacent to The Pinery, Hidden Village and Butterfield, under a modified rural site plan concept. The residential areas of Reata can be categorized as two distinct types: a traditional neighborhood has been designed for the property North of Hilltop road and an exclusive, gated community has been designed to the south of Hilltop Road around the existing ranch house and equestrian operation of Bett’s Ranch. The two distinctive communities will be developed and marketed independently of one another. All residential neighborhoods in Reata are to be compatible with the adjacent residential properties

NEWS FROM THE WATER BOARD…

faucet.jpg (2375 bytes)As many of you know, there has been quite a bit of construction ongoing on the South side of the Pinery. Most of this work is associated with the Timbers , but some is associated with the construction of the two reservoirs and two pump stations for the District and the extension of supporting service lines to complete the loop system of the District water supply system. Excellent progress has been made on the District construction and weather dependant, it should be completed by early Fall. As for the construction and improvements to Democrat Road, this is being undertaken by Douglas County and is not the responsibility of the District. We, like everyone else, will be happy when that work is accomplished in the late Fall time frame.

With all this construction, some lot owners and contractors have been taking liberties on the tapping into the water system of the District. This very much concerns us, as illegal taps and connections have the possibility to contaminate the line in that area and can be very expensive and time consuming, not to mention a Public Health issue, for us to resolve. We are considering very strict enforcement measures to address this very serious problem. We ask that all property and lot owners b3e aware of the need to notify the District when a need for water taps arise and accomplish these within the stipulations of the District Rules and Regulations. If not, we will address each issue very seriously and bill accordingly for the cost of damage and required repairs/cleanup required to the water system. We thank all of you in advance for your understanding and help in addressing this problem before serious contamination of the water system occurs.

Summer also is a time of late evenings and lots of activities after dark. Unfortunately, part of these activities also involve continued vandalism of the facilities in and around Bingham Lake. The Douglas County Sheriff’s office is actively patrolling the area and will enforce the posted rules and regulations as needed. The basic regulation that we need all District members’ help with is that the Bingham Lake area is closed at dusk. Since most of the damage appears to occur after dark, the help of all District members to enforce the posted rules and regulations will ensure that repair costs of the area will be kept to a minimum and the continued use of the area by District members.

If you have questions or concern on any water or sanitary sewer issues, please feel free to contact the District at (303)841-2797. If you wish to meet with us in person, we encourage you to attend the regularly scheduled meetings, held at the District Offices, the second Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m., or to stop by the District Office during the week, Monday through Friday, 8 – 4 daily.

David C. Eyre, Civil Engineer, P.E.
Director

SHERIFF ADVISES ON YOUTH CURFEWS
AND DOG REGULATIONS

Youth Curfews in effect in Douglas County state that "It shall be unlawful for any person who has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday to be or remain upon any public road, street, or alley, to be or remain in any establishment open to the public, or to be or remain in any other public place in the unincorporated area of Douglas County after the hour of 11:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, or after the hour of 12:00 midnight on any Friday or Saturday, or prior to the hour of 5:00 a.m. on any day, except When accompanied by a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of such minor; or for lawful employment of for one-half hour before or after such employment when commuting directly to or from such employment and when carrying an employer’s written and signed statement specifying the type, hours, and place of employment or when accompanied by a person who has reached his or her eighteenth birthday and who has in his or her possession the written and signed consent of the parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of the minor.

Dog Regulations require every dog owner to obtain and maintain a current rabies certificate and tag issued by a licensed veterinarian for each dog above four months of age that he or she owns. Dogs are required to wear tags at all times. Guard dogs shall be confined to an enclosed area adequate to ensure that they will not escape or shall be under the complete control of a person at all times and warning signs shall be conspicuously posted indicating that a guard dog is present on the property and such signs shall plainly show a phone number where responsible person can be reached at all times. An animal control officer may take into custody and impound any dog found running at large or any dog that has allegedly bitten a person or animal.

"MEGAN’S LAW"

In 1994, New Jersey passed "Megan’s Law" requiring registration of sex-offenders. This law was created after a sex offender in New Jersey brutalized Megan Kanka. Colorado has a similar law that requires that sex offenders register with the police department or sheriff’s office where they reside. C.R.S. 18-3-412.5(6.5)(a). Those residents who wish to obtain this information may contact their local sheriff’s office or police department for a copy of the sex offenders list. This is only to advise our residents of the list and how to obtain a copy.

VOLUNTEERS CORNER

rt83.jpg (1921 bytes)COMMUNITY CLEANUP

Thanks to the wonderful volunteers who donated a lovely Saturday morning in May to make sure that the roads in the Pinery and Bingham Lake are in good shape. Please do your part to make sure that their efforts are not undone! We are most grateful to Jim Bagley, Bob Colby, Peter Condoulis, Kevin Schwandt, Fred Slick, , Janice Van Loh, Mary Wiedemann and Connie and Doug Stephenson.

 SPRING LAWNMOWER BRIGADE…

A huge round of applause is due for our Pinery Median Mowers! Keith Christensen, Bob Colby, Peter Condoulis, Dave Kristick and Ken Yoss are certainly not new to community volunteerism, but they donate the considerable time it takes to mow the median at intervals during summertime each year. They do this not only for aesthetic reasons but to avoid line-of-sight problems at intersections along North Pinery Parkway where problems could occur. We‘re most grateful to them! 

PINERY’S NEIGHBOR…HIGH PRAIRIE…INVITES
RESIDENTS TO SUMMER EQUESTRIAN EVENTS!

High Prairie Farms Equestrian Center and Pinery resident Helen Krieble invite Pinery residents to come down the hill July 21-25 for the "Colorado Summer Circuit" hunter/jumper show. Highlights include the $50,000 grand prix show jumping events Sunday, July 25 at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 24/25, bring the family to the "Hands-On Horses Festival." VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Admission to "Hands-On Horses" is $10/carload and grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Separate Sunday grand –prix admission (if not attending "Hands-On Horses") is $10/adults (18 and over), $5/children 12-17, and 11 and under and seniors, free. Those already admitted to "Hands-On Horses" either day receive half-off grand-prix admission. For more information, call (303)841-5550. Events benefit Morris Animal Foundation and Rocky Mountain SER.