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Blog Entry 27 of 47 A view from The Hill
Hi, I'm Joey Kirchmer, author of this blog and a community journalist at YourHub.com. I live at the intersection of 13th and Washington, smack dab in the middle of Capitol Hill. If you have news tips about Capitol Hill or the greater Denver area, feel free to e-mail them to me at kirchmerj@yourhub.com. You can also call me at 303-954-2650. Otherwise, sit back, relax and enjoy these blog entries.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~DealinInDouglas

I need your help writing my Frankstown story
Contributed by: Joseph Kirchmer/YourHub.com   on 11/21/2007

You may have noticed a few stories here and there about the Frankstown incorporation issue. This is Frankstown with an "s" mind you.

At first blush, it may seem like a convoluted issue, but it's pretty simple once you get past the county jargon and legalese.

The residents of Frankstown want to incorporate as a town because they want more control over their zoning matters. They feel like they've been wronged by the county, which are currently in control of their zoning laws.

According to their attorney John Evans, Douglas County officials imposed a Sub-Area plan on the area five years ago that requires residents to construct their own water and sewer lines if they want to make improvements to their land.

The problem with that is that many of the Frankstown residents use septic tanks instead. In order to make improvements, they would need to create or join a water district, which is expensive.

Evans also said the residents "on the hill," (referring to the Burning Tree and Burning Bush subdivisions) feel as if Frankstown is an eyesore and want them to fold up and leave. And Evans believes the county is helping them make that happen with the Sub-Area plan.

County officials deny those claims.

"The reason we're concerned is because it puts such a great amount of control in such a small amount of people," said Douglas County attorney Ron Clark.

So now, attorneys for the residents of Frankstown are attempting to reorganize the town. They argue that the Colorado Territorial Legislature in the 1870s designated Frankstown as a town back then, so they should be allowed to start up a new government and thus have more control over their zoning matters.

A Douglas County judge rejected that attempt, ruling that the Legislature's definition of a town back then isn't the same as a town now. It was appealed and is currently being considered by the Colorado Court of Appeals.

The county also is fighting the incorporation effort becausestate law requires Frankstown residents to gather 150 petitions in order to get on the ballot. The problem with that is there are only 19 or 20 registered voters in the entire area known as Frankstown.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently asked Secretary of State Mike Coffman to rule Frankstown, along with nine other communities, as "abandoned" because they haven't had an election in at least five years. As you may know, Coffman agreed.

Now it's up to the Colorado Court of Appeals. If they rule Frankstown is indeed a town, the 20 or so registered voters there would be allowed to control their zoning matters. If not, they would need to gather 150 signatures to get on the ballot, which is a longshot.

This is the story as it has been told to me, but I'm curious what you think. Have you heard anything different? Are these really the issues at stake?

Please e-mail me your comments/suggestions/concerns, etc. Your thoughts might be published in the next print edition of YourHub.com.

You also can call me with your comments at 303-954-2650.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.


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