[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6102854,"mediaKeyId","2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5","parentId",2803155,"title","Votes at a glance: Grand Junction council adopts zoning amendment, approves appointments and consent agenda","audioSeconds",22,"startMs",2178000,"endMs",2200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5&start=2178&end=2200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5/thumbnail_2178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102854/Grand-Junction/Mesa-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Grand-Junction-council-adopts-zoning-amendment-approves-appointments-and-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102854-13ffd2efcf599c8993146d1f019a6a09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770765799&Signature=QDGc6JEfetfCIUxY3YuVLEMlDR6FAiZxrsGAS095Wr9juTYKs5HJylQdAYN6iD06kmSNixM0uGlWqjxs3pzNvIbNlNiyavZveGQ7-nOORIFjkrPdPDTE58orPp6RmliEY0IytQlF~~~MhJMJaRBveM4TOcGdOU9MV75fTqsH2xl9mMq5EBAgvXuBAx72jW5BBJhWb7GvEJwF5EATmCNK--yoFbQ5rnUUhKG0VsuQmOYnfzzChQkjVIMgdslyQ92nb32a-3O1XNgK125-duA5qbufzTdwBLdN9QoYI7YrA9bGoqHOAiDia05ysZ0gmRHSf8FulnsLN~j0mYIyEE3X6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Grand Junction CO","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Key outcomes from the Grand Junction City Council meeting on March 19, 2025:

Ordinance adoption — Title 21 zoning text amendment

The council adopted Ordinance No. 5252 on final passage to amend sections of the Zoning and Development Code (Title 21) related to residential single-family attached dwellings, mixed-use zone districts, and definitions related to multifamily and attached residential uses. Planning staff said the amendments revert a 2023 change to the multifamily definition to restore prior flexibility and to clarify which design standards apply. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on Feb. 11. The council vote was 7–0 (Councilmember Bialfuss: Yes; Councilmember Kennedy: Yes; Councilmember Winn: Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Reitz: Yes; Councilmember Simpson: Yes; Councilmember Stout: Yes; Mayor Herman: Yes).

Appointments

- Urban Trails Committee: Barbara Tesputin, Benaya Adams and Maureen Gerlick were appointed to three-year terms expiring June 2028. Motion passed 7–0.

- Downtown Development Authority Business Improvement District: Garrett Portra was reappointed, Afton Neal was appointed for four-year terms expiring June 2029, and Carly Hyland was appointed for a partial term expiring 2026. Motion passed 7–0.

Consent agenda

The council adopted consent agenda items 1 through 5 by unanimous vote (7–0).

Ending: The meeting concluded with the council approving the zoning text amendment on final passage and several routine appointments; council members indicated additional policy work is expected on Title 21 and on group-living issues arising under the HOME Act.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Junction City Council Regular Meeting - March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 19, 2025 meeting the Grand Junction City Council adopted an ordinance to amend Title 21 (residential attached and multifamily design standards), approved multiple appointments to boards and commissions, and adopted the consent agenda. All recorded votes were unanimous (7–0).","taxTitle","Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado","taxId",5495,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6102859,"Neighbors press Grand Junction council over 448 Bookcliff, HOME Act limits on regulating group living",1724,4339000,6063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5&start=4339&end=6063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5/thumbnail_4339000.jpg","/articles/6102859/Grand-Junction/Mesa-County/Colorado/Neighbors-press-Grand-Junction-council-over-448-Bookcliff-HOME-Act-limits-on-regulating-group-living","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102859-39172d0db4581ca92d8b43ffbe220eba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770765799&Signature=SbcCTfm1JEpP~6navfeosdOAbgfm6yWXt2vHOhKwig2Y5MPsM7dq1LRrmlZusoKABLgI1dAxlH-ecEUak0nxTQrNgLT3B5GzTE~73UXLrYQoivdrYxvWrfygycwSn4JU2d12T13CvMa9UYvNrR~gkQMQurXuU-ZiVdnL6jUOA6OkXYlpyOdyJjozr8aPZMr5v~1Tv9enK2SgRH8XSvL4DCq-sgVs137bPYbsYbYRYgoTIb-1u0luR6EkoaOZmztt55K98RjQtbmSyerlW7rICOmG~XGwA1aylRKl6DOy6EId4L5jXzyiS3n9DPm3Obh1DPniB64nIx4mlePOH77jgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors around 448 Bookcliff and leaders of A Special Place confronted the Grand Junction City Council on March 19 over whether the facility operating there falls within local land-use rules and how Colorado’s recent HOME Act affects municipal oversight.

The most newsworthy point: Council member Cody Kennedy recused himself from the agenda item because he owns the subject property; the council then discussed the limits the 2024 HOME Act places on regulating occupancy and whether the city should pursue code changes or seek legislative fixes.

Why it matters: House Bill 241007 (referred to in staff materials as the HOME Act) restricts local governments’ ability to limit how many unrelated people can live together, leaving municipalities' primary levers for intervention tied to “demonstrated health and safety standards.” Neighbors said a provider operating at 448 Bookcliff — referred to as A Special Place — is advertising capacity for up to 20 men and operating with paid staff and court referrals, which they described as a commercial operation in a residential zone.

Neighbors’ concerns and provider response

Victoria Patzentaras, who said she has lived at 301 Bookcliff Court for 24 years, described the property’s change from an owner-occupied small group home to a facility she characterized as a business with court referrals and website advertising. “This is not an instance of nine roommates pooling money,” she told the council, and asked officials to “help us find facts about the actual use and then decide if this use ... is allowed in our residential area.”

Several neighbors reported safety worries and said they had not received notice about the facility. Karen Cordova told the council that recently someone from Lifespan Psychiatry had dropped off two men at the house and said she felt “intimidated” when one later approached her yard. Thane Depuy, who lives two houses away, urged the council to require fire and health inspections for high-density homes under the HOME Act.

Carrie Shabarami, who identified herself as executive director of A Special Place, said the organization is a nonprofit that provides housing and 24/7 staffing for people with serious medical and behavioral-health needs, including referrals from hospitals and emergency rooms, domestic-violence victims and people awaiting competency evaluations. “There is no profit,” she said, “we care about these individuals as human beings.” She added that competency housing helps people engage with legal processes and that staff work to protect both clients and neighborhoods.

Council and staff response

City staff and the city attorney described uncertainty in implementing the HOME Act because the statute refers to “demonstrated health and safety standards” without defining them. City planning staff said changes to Title 21 (the zoning and development code) would require planning commission review and a formal code text amendment process.

Mayor Pro Tem Reitz and other council members emphasized the need to keep the discussion at a policy level while staff investigates the specific property for any operational code or health-and-safety issues. Council members asked staff to prepare detailed information for a future workshop, including possible code text amendments, guidance on inspections, and neighborhood outreach strategies. Council indicated it expects the planning commission to vet any proposed zoning text changes before council consideration.

Ending: Council did not take enforcement action or vote on the property at 448 Bookcliff on March 19. Staff said they will continue work on how to apply health-and-safety standards under the HOME Act, refer code changes to planning commission and return to council with recommendations.","The City Council discussed 448 Bookcliff — a property operated by A Special Place — and broader implications of Colorado's 2024 'HOME Act' (House Bill 241007). Neighbors raised safety and transparency concerns; the council directed staff and planning commission to study regulatory options and return with recommendations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6102865,"Residents and service providers urge Grand Junction council to extend Resource Center lease 90 days",1377,2320000,3697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5&start=2320&end=3697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803155-53acf3e0503d11c66bfaa451c56321d5/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6102865/Grand-Junction/Mesa-County/Colorado/Residents-and-service-providers-urge-Grand-Junction-council-to-extend-Resource-Center-lease-90-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102865-b876f7a2f64e33833ad53fb1d5a9dee5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770765799&Signature=D0UPJ-A2bGjFNTHPHCqbPHhWcNvG~Zo~E5SSE4AelB9qA69xr56C9u6H21MP1UyYm5PYDAhj6QfRLFGUFA1iWgR7UJOrMG9ATicY4~DdAhfitV7YrSlcQPng5wr749wE6cmBAcGpPrfwLhi7~USFISBRp~Ezl5hBJzt9SuhnC5BJfaDe8objiAq4Z0XAFmJmQiVSVESTJfS8V6kAA6cL9hlB1BH9JgR9HxJDCU80d1wnPE1SZdHToZqtIzCWCO1b22HtgTRXyE~xLlu4nZftGZJtrkd8F14zauA2Rm2O~fdhhljBTI~5ldYken2boRom0YBlUrMlCEf1iCbgoGTp3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of community members, service providers and health-care workers urged the Grand Junction City Council on March 19 to extend the downtown Resource Center's lease for 90 days to avoid service disruption while a replacement site is found.

The Resource Center, which provides food, hygiene services, case management, bus passes and connections to jobs and health care, is currently scheduled to close April 15. Kristen Seidel, identified in public comment as the Grants and Outreach Coordinator with Mutual Aid Partners, told the council that clients who use the center rely on it to secure identification and transportation to look for work and that a disruption would harm “hundreds of others like him who are trying to find work and housing.”

Why it matters: The speakers said the center functions as a one-stop hub that reduces barriers to services for people experiencing homelessness. Service providers and clinicians warned that closing the site abruptly would increase burdens on emergency services and fracture partnerships built around the center.

Multiple speakers asked council to authorize a temporary 90-day extension of the existing lease so providers have time to secure and prepare an alternate site. Richard Cressman, a board member of Mutual Aid Partners, said the extension would “bridge that gap” and allow working groups to scout and secure a location rather than dispersing clients across downtown.

Health-care and social-service perspectives

Stephanie Avascones, who identified herself as executive director of Mutual Aid Partners and co-chair of the Resource Center Service Council, told the council she had learned the day before that a person receiving services at the center died by suicide. Avascones and other clinicians described regular mental-health outreach at the center (Lifespan Psychiatry, Lifespan Shift Counseling and Amos Counseling were named) and said closing the site would interrupt continuity of care for high-risk clients.

Porsche (Portia) Silverberg, speaking as a downtown business and resident advocate, said supporting unhoused neighbors and restoring downtown vitality are not mutually exclusive and urged the council to create “open dialogue sessions” that include businesses, residents and service providers. Jeremy Sheets, speaking for the Elks, said he supported the planned closure date and urged the city to find a different site, such as an unused Riverside Parkway school, if necessary.

Community and provider concerns raised to council

Speakers repeatedly asked for clear communication about transition plans and for neighborhood outreach so residents know who to contact about safety concerns during any relocation. Providers said the center offers showers, food, storage, and case management that help clients take “the next steps out of survival mode.” Several speakers pressed council to avoid what they called rushed decisions that would “dump the problem elsewhere.”

Council response and next steps

Council members referenced recent provider workshops and ongoing work by service partners. Council member Bialfuss noted a Mesa County Coalition for the Unhoused workshop and council member Stout noted continuing staff work on memoranda of understanding for lodging-tax recipients. No formal vote on a lease extension was recorded at the March 19 meeting. Council members indicated they expect staff to continue working with providers and community groups to find solutions; several emphasized the need for greater neighborhood communication as part of any transition.

Ending: The council did not take immediate action to extend the lease during the March 19 meeting. Several public commenters and council members said they expect staff to return with proposals and that any relocation should prioritize service continuity and improved outreach to neighbors.","Service providers, clients and health professionals urged the Grand Junction City Council on March 19 to extend the lease of the downtown Resource Center for 90 days while a new site is identified and prepared, warning that an abrupt closure set for April 15 would disrupt services for people seeking housing, IDs and behavioral-health care.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Grand Junction council adopts zoning amendment, approves appointments and consent agenda

Neighbors press Grand Junction council over 448 Bookcliff, HOME Act limits on regulating group living

Residents and service providers urge Grand Junction council to extend Resource Center lease 90 days