CHV still searching for answers for Quincy Farm

BY FREDA MIKLIN - GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

On June 16, the city council of Cherry Hills Village met in person for the first time since March 12. All six members and the mayor were there with masks and were seated with appropriate social distancing. At the start of every city council meeting, citizens are given the opportunity to speak on any subject that is not on the meeting’s agenda for three to five minutes. The first 48 minutes of this meeting were taken up by ten people who talked about Quincy Farm (QF), a 17.55-acre property south of Quincy Avenue and east of Kent Denver School that was bequeathed to CHV upon the passing of Catherine “Cat” Anderson in 2016. The property has a conservation easement on it. Speaking were Jeri Neff, who has lived on QF for 21 years, Natalie Anderson, Cat Anderson’s granddaughter, and CHV residents Howard Schirmer, Eric Jamrich, Dan Tully, Gerda Weis, and Debbie Wells. All expressed concern about the direction they believe that CHV’s QF Committee is heading and the manner in which it plans to operate the property. Mostly just listening in person and virtually were Lucinda Greene, chair of the QF Committee, and committee members Sally Scott and Klasina VanderWerf. Neff spoke first, encouraging the city council to listen to what has been testified to at recent meetings of the city’s parks, trails, and recreation committee (PTRC) and QF committee. She pointed out that the comments from those meetings “all contained the same central theme: to have the farm remain what it is—a working farm with vegetable gardens, animals, opportunities to learn about the farm industry….and to honor Cat’s vision. The planned idea...of a commonplace theme park with an overabundance of parking places…completely takes the life and history out of the farm and is certainly not in keeping with Cat’s vision for her beloved farm.” Neff expressed her dismay that her name, as well as that of Cat’s granddaughter Natalie Anderson and Candy Gray, who also lived on QF until she passed away in April, were listed as being stakeholders who were associated with the current draft master plan. She said that she, Gray (prior to her passing), and Natalie Anderson had “formally requested that their names be removed from the document in its current form.” She continued, “It is very confusing as to how the (draft master) plan for the farm has ended up where it is, forcing the farm to become something it isn’t. The plan never would have ended up there in contrast to the wishes of a large part of the community if that community had been involved from the very beginning. It saddens me to see this once vibrant place in such a state of disrepair with buildings and land being so neglected and nothing being done as far as much needed preventative maintenance.” Neff went on to describe the pasture not being irrigated and paint peeling on rails. She said that where she could, she was repainting by herself. Neff described her belief that the city’s policy about QF is, ”It needs to be open to the public and we’ve already spent a lot of money and it still isn’t open,” about which she concluded, “Sadly, that isn’t a good vision for developing a great plan for the farm.” Neff finished with a friendly warning that, “The legacy and history of our country has been lost to shortsighted ideas and concepts, only to be realized years later that history has been lost. The stewardship of our historic buildings and lands falls to the people who will best honor and protect, preserve and promote that history not only of Quincy Farm but of the incredible legacy that Cat Anderson left with us.” Schirmer, who lives close by Quincy Farm, said that he knew Cat Anderson for more than 20 years and thought he had “a decent sense of her vision for the property.” After reviewing the current draft master plan, he noted that although it was well written and professionally done, “the focus is off the target.” Schirmer views the plan as more of a “suburban park” than the “historic Colorado farm in a natural setting,” it is described as in its verbiage. An engineer who was part of the design team for Disney’s parks in Paris and Hong Kong, Schirmer likened the direction of the draft master plan to those venues (without the amusement rides). He agreed with Neff that “the farm is really crying out for maintenance” and that “it’s never looked as bad as today.” He stated that the plan for “24 parking stalls to service events” might bring too many people to the east side of the property. In conclusion, Schirmer said he hoped that “reason can prevail here and going forward, hopefully bring back” what he believes Cat Anderson intended and what is called for in the conservation easement. Jamrich, who also lives near QF said that he “has been very disappointed” by the process and resulting draft master plan which he believes is not compliant with the property’s conservation easement. He said that he has attended and spoken at meetings of the QF committee but was unsuccessful in getting the plan changed. Jamrich stated that he and others believe that “the conservation easement that governs the property would best be served by having QF be a sustainable, small-scale working farm with a focus on education of the children of our community.” He talked about a proposed firepit, noting that the current chair of the PTRC said that no park in the city allows fires. On the subject of parking, he said, “We counted 40 parking spaces,” and recommended an on-site caretaker, a role that had been fulfilled by Candy Gray. Like previous speakers, Jamrich noted the need for increased maintenance at QF. Natalie Anderson, granddaughter of Cat Anderson, came to say that although she is not a CHV resident, she is the only member of her family who has had any involvement with this project. She said, “I have not endorsed this plan, nor do I feel that feedback that I’ve given since the beginning of this process has been thoughtfully addressed nor has it been incorporated into the plan…..Of paramount importance to me is that this property be shared with the community in a way that is consistent with my grandmother’s vision and the spirit and letter of the easement.” She recommended that the property “should be protected like the historic farm that it is and not treated like a trailhead for the High Line Canal.” Dan Tully lives with his wife Dianne on property that “directly abuts QF.” He complimented the CHV Police Department, noting that “QF recently saw the downside of homelessness,” observing that, “When a property looks abandoned, bad things happen.” He also recommended a caretaker be retained as well as a “sophisticated security system” for the property. Tully added, “We want to be part of the solution….We want to work together on a plan for QF that the community can be proud of,” adding that he and his wife are willing to donate $100,000 to “a plan that works for us and our neighbors,” and that “It would be our privilege.” Gerda Weis, a member of the Cherry Hills Land Preserve, spoke to register her overall agreement with the previous speakers. Debbie Wells, a member of the original 2014 QF Visioning Committee, said “The last horse will leave QF in two weeks. The barnyard looks and feels strikingly abandoned. It is highly visible from the HLC. During her life, Candy (Gray) frequently asked trespassers from there to leave. A new caretaker is needed.” Later in the meeting, Mayor Stewart, who formerly chaired the Quincy Farm Committee, noted that the city council had the authority to retain a caretaker for QF and one is permitted by the conservation easement. Katy Brown, Mayor Pro Tem, pointed out that the city council had not yet seen the draft master plan about which multiple members of the public had testified. She further said that she would not feel comfortable moving forward with any decision at QF without hearing from the QF Committee. Council Member Al Blum asked if there is a current security issue at QF. Michelle Tovrea, chief of police reported that there had been no criminal calls for service at QF in 2020 but that patrols could be increased in the area. Council Member Mike Gallagher suggested that the council begin investigating the installation of a security system with cameras for the property. Emily Black, parks and recreation coordinator, told the city council that staff was going to walk the property with the police department later in the week to get their recommendations for short and long-term security measures. She also reported that staff was in the process of taking over maintenance on the east side of the property that was formerly done by Candy Gray. Council Member Afshin Safavi said it was important to let those who spoke at the meeting know what actions are taken as a result of their testimony. Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

This portrait of Cat Anderson, artist unknown, hangs in her home on Quincy Farm.

Photo by Freda Miklin

Natalie Anderson spoke on behalf of her grandmother Cat Anderson’s family.

This view is from the sunroom in the back of the main home on Quincy Farm.

Photo by Freda Miklin