Highlands Ranch - Alternative Fuel City of the Future

Team met in school library. Andy Furze was elected team leader, with Ashleigh Warntjes as second in command. Discussed Highlands Ranch Metro District questions for upcoming meeting.

Mr. Taraborelli, Mr. Sameshima, Mr. Cheney, Andy Furze, and Ashleigh Warntjes all met with Burt Automotive representatives, Mr. L.G. Chavez, President and CEO, and Mr. Hank Held, Vice President, at Burt Automotive in Centennial, CO on Tuesday, November 28th. The Burt team presented the ThunderRidge Senior Project/Science Club with a $5,000 check to get the project up and running and discussed ideas on how to transform the Highlands Ranch economy to an alternative fuel and renewable energy economy. Burt is excited about the energy efficient Vision and will be an excellent advocate and long term partner in this project.

Interview meeting held with Mr. Steve Ormiston, Vice President of Planning at Shea Homes held at the ThunderRidge high school. The team discussed pre-determined questions.

Questions directed to Mr. Ormiston:
1. What do you think is the most compelling reason to incorporate Highlands Ranch that is based upon an alternative fuel and renewable energy charter?
2. Will Shea Homes entertain the approval of incorporation and include the remaining undeveloped land?
3. How much undeveloped land is left as of November 2006?
4. What percentage of land is designated as commercial/light industrial?
5. How many acres of commercial land is left?
6. When will all commercial land be exhausted?
7. Does Shea Homes like the idea of designating a set aside area of commercial land designated as a Research and Developement Renewable Energy Zone designed to attract and retain new businesses to relocated to Highlands Ranch?
8. Please provide a Highlands Ranch boundary map that would show the boundaries of incorporation.
9. Do you know what a “building use tax - % of net vender value” mean?
10. Does Shea Homes have any ideas on how to create a city of the future solely based on alternative fuel and renewable energy economy?

Chamber of Commerce Interview with Mr. Glenn Hagen at ThunderRidge. The team discussed the predetermined questions, and had some good feedback.

Interview Questions Directed to the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce:
1. For new energy-related businesses considering relocation to Highlands Ranch, what would the obstacles be?
2. What actual alternative fuel energy businesses do you know of that would be willing to relocate in Highlands Ranch?
3. Do you forsee a lack of available land for new alternative fuel/renewable energy businesses coming to Highlands Ranch?
4. Would an extra energy-related sales-tax be a boon or a bane for Highlands Ranch based upon an alternative fuel economy?
5. An energy-related sales taxes would hopefully attract alternative fuels and renewable energy businesses in the future, therefore improving the economy of Highlands Ranch. What are your thoughts?
6. Suppose you had a revenue stream from an energy tax, how would you use such monies to attract and retain energy efficient industries to Highlands Ranch?
7. Does Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce/Highlands Ranch have any sources to attract venture capitalists?
8. What will the effect be on the willingness of venture capitalists to invest VC money into the “future city of Highlands Ranch?”
9. How can the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce attract energy businesses to Highlands Ranch? (ie. GM decides to make available prototype hydrogen/solar-powered autos for local residents to view and drive — then auto manufacturerer adopts community for future alternative fuel pricing discounts that are not found in other counties/States.) Are there any such businesses that you know of that you can attract?
10. Why would people want to come to Highlands Ranch over any other community/city?
11. If there was an energy sales tax to generate revenue for this new Highlands Ranch program, what would your recommendations be towards them?
12. How could venture capitalists relocate businesses to Highlands Ranch?
13. What have you tried in the past and has been successful that made businesses relocate to Highlands Ranch?

Highlands Ranch economy
alternative fuel industry
renewable energy sources
wind power
solar power
energy tax credits

“City of the Future” Highlands Ranch Alternative Fuel Economy Interview Question Development

The team worked through the questions for the upcoming Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce interview. The team also began brainstorming ideas to bring in new companies to the future city that could pilot new alternative fuel and renewable energy goods and services. In return these new companies could possibly receive good will recognition and local seed money funds. Highlands Ranch residents would also get first-in-line exposure exposure to these new energy efficienct products and services and possibly receive discounts. Hopefully businesses could jump on the idea of a renewable-energy based city and be open to new ideas.

Monday, November 6, 2006

Second meeting was today, we received the “Final Report and Proposed Incorporation Recomendation of the Incorporation Feasibility Committee” study prepared for the Highlands Ranch Community Association and the people of the Highlands Ranch Community which was presented on Febuary 16, 1999. It also included the responses from stakeholders, Highlands Ranch Metro Districts, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Shea Homes, etc. Analysis of the study and responses from the stakeholders will hopefuly help us identify areas of opportunity to improve on the study.

Also provided in a separate packet were some alternative fuel and renewable energy clippings gathered by Steve over the last six months or so.
Assignments for contacting various stakeholders were given out and we hope to have interviews scheduled within the next week, one for each Monday through Christmas Break (we’re basing our meetings off of the school schedule) and begining again in the new year.