The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/30/2006AGENDA CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING CONIlVIISSION March 30, 2006 , Notice is hereby given of a Public Meeting to be held before the City of Wheat Ridge Planning Commission on March 30, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. , 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS 3. WORK SESSION A. Three-Mile Plan (continued) 4. OLD BUSINESS 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. ADJOiTRNMENT City of Wheat Ridge ~oF "'"EqrP Community Development Department „ ° Memorandum c~CORA00 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Alan White, Community Development Directar SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Addenduxn DATE: Mazch 22, 2006 Attached is the draft Comprehensive Plan Addendum for 2006. It contains revised text and maps. Text revisions aze shown by strtkeex~ (deletions) or with illiM (additions). One new map is included to cover the areas at 50t'lKipling which the City has agreed to annex. At the work session on February 16'h, several comments were made concerning the plan, specifically the azea to the west of I-70. Many of the comments aze in response to a specific development proposal or the environmental assessment prepared for highway and interchange unprovements. Below are responses to those comments. Planning Commission is reminded that a Comprehensive Plan (including this Addendum) is a general policy guide for future development in the area. It is a broad brush look at what the City generally envisions for future development in the azea. 1. Exclude residential areas north of 32"d from the Plan; they are opposed to annexation. 32"a Avenue is a logical boundary to the growth azea. It forms a logical boundazy for DRCOG to track growth area changes buy jurisdiction. Inclusion in the City's growth area DOES NOT mean the area will be annexed. Annexation is accomplished only with the consent of the landowner. 2. Need to include updated plans for services - stormwater, fire, water, and sewer. Development in the planning azea will be made to conforxn to the standazds of the City and the respective fire, water, and sanitary sewer providers during the development process. It is not possible to identify exactly what requirements may be placed on fuhue development by those districts and it is a level of detail that is not appropriate for a comprehensive plan. 3. See letter from CCVHC regarding trail connections. (Letter attached.) Many of the comments relate to a specific development proposal and should be addressed at the time the property is zoned. I:\Comdev\Comp P1an\2006 Addendum comments.doc 4. A buffer should be established between the Community Commercial area and the Clear Creek trail; designate the area between the retail area and the creek as open space, not Community Commercial. The area between the Community Coxnmercial area and the Clear Creek floodplain contains the Table Mountain Animal Shelter and the County's asphalt operation. Since it is not in the floodplain, this land could be developed in the fixture. Uses relating to the Community Commercial designation are appropriate. Language has been added to Policy 7 under trails to address buffering the Clear Creek trail from adj acent land uses. 5: Designate the open space around the lakes something else. The areas are narrow and have limited development potential. Our open space designation does not imply public ownership and the open space designation is appropriate. 6. The Community Commercial area should be the gateway to the mountains. If this is felt to be appropriate, this could be added to the future land use description of the West Area. 7. 5H58 should be the front door to development, not 32"d Avenue. Several accesses to the planning area are proposed: I-70, SH58, Youngfield, McIntyre and 32"a Avenue. Traffic will be dispersed to all of these points of access. Given the relative ease of ingress and egress from the proposed I-70 ramps and the new interchange on SH58, these aze likely to be the most-used access points, creating two front doors. 8. Traftc from the street connecting the new SH58 interchange to 44tn Avenue should be mitigated. The traffic accessing the planning area via this connection is more likely to be local traffic than regional traffic. Regional traffic would more likely use I-70, and either the proposed new ramps off I-70 or Wazd Road/I'oungfield/40ffi Avenue, and SH 58 to access the azea than 44t' Avenue. This connection might also draw traffic away from 44`h Avenue by providing easier access to SH58 and I-70, assuming the I-70/SH58 interchange missing ramps aze added. 9. Address the impacts to Prospect Park at 44Ih and Indiana. Pazk users are typically residents. No residential development is proposed in the vicinity of this park. Use of the pazk by travelers and visitors is questionable given the limited visibility of the park from the major accesses into the planning area. If someone can't see it, why would they know to go there? 10. Address the overlap of the Prospect Recreation and Park District with areas the City might annex; inclade the policy that was recommended last year. i 7:\Comdev\Comp Plan\2006 Addendum comments.doc The policy the Commission recommended last year encouraged landowners which sought annexa6on to the City to wark with the district to resolve the issue of potential loss of property tax revenue by the District. Council did not include this policy when the Addendum was adopted last year. 11. The collector connecting SH58 to 32"d Avenue should be smaller than 4lanes near 32"a Avenue to discourage its use. The traffic analysis for the area indicates that this connection needs to be four lanes to accommodate the projected traffia 12. An independent utility is being proposed to build the roads. A metropolitan district was recently approved by City Councii to provide a mechanism to finance, constnxct and maintain the infrastructure needed to serve a portion of the planning azea. The metropolitan district operates under the powers granted to special districts under state statutes. I:\Comdev\Comp Plan\2006 Addendum comments.doc ADDENDUM TO THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN URBAN GROWTH AREA ADDITION INTRODUCTION This document serves as an addendum to the City's Comprehensive Plan adopted by City Council on October 25, 1999. Amendments ~ix?-e~were considered and adopted on January 24, 2000. The adopted Comprehensive Plan does not identify areas of potential development outside the City's boundaries. The Plan contains a general discussion of areas of potential annexation, but does not illustrate the areas on any maps or recommend any future uses in these general areas. Prior to any annexation, C.R.S. 31-12-105 requires that a municipality have in place a plan for the area, including proposed land uses. Such plan may extend up to three miles from the municipalitys boundary. There are unincorporated areas to the northeast, north, west and southwest of the current City boundaries. Areas to the northeast and north industrial or multi-family enclaves which, although eligible for annexation, present A majority of the area to the west of Ward Road north of I-70 consists of established residential neighborhoods, public uses (schools), and a cemetery. These uses provide little benefit to the City compared to the costs of providing services. A large area west of I-70 between 32"d Avenue and Clear Creek is vacant and may provide development opportunities of benefit to the City. Southwest of the City are commercial areas along Youngfield and the established residential area of Applewood. In the mid-1990's the City submitted to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) its proposed urban growth boundary as part of the preparation of the regional plan known as Metro Vision 2020. The identified urban growth area was generally bounded by I-70, W. 32nd Avenue, Mclntyre Street, and W. 52"d Avenue. Containing a little over two square miles, this area was not incorporated into the Comprehensive Pian. This Comprehensive Plan addendum addresses the potential urban growth area to the west of the City aa~e~~~€~el~is~Ont~cfexf~~fl~€the-G~~ _~~adaneat~R~almg~ni~ Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum are primarily unincorporated The . . ~ _:=A~nuemm= , Wes ..a ~n~„~+ n~~ ~c The areas subject to this addendum ne,.'..+,.,.,,-o c+.,.,,+, _ M +s are illustrated on Map 1. The+s Wst~~ea area was submitted to DRCOG as the City's urban growth boundary for the 2030 Metro Vision update T-he ~i addendum meets the requirements of C.R.S. 31-12-105 of having a plan in place should the City consider any annexations in ##+s MY areas. 1. 2. Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum "a ~ ~ ~ ~ c~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ D ~ ~ ~ y < m LAND USE Existing Land Use ~#-~;4~;ea Existing land uses in the urban growth area are varied. Along the north side of 32"a Avenue are areas of low to medium density residential development. To the west of I- 70 is industrial development along W. 44th Avenue and State Highway 58. A CDOT maintenance facility is adjacent to SH58 at I-70. The area to the west of I-70 between 32"d Avenue and 44th Avenue contains a golf course, and several old gravel pits now used for water storage. A majority of this land is vacant and undeveloped. Development Constraints YYmgom Few natural hazard areas are present in the planning area. The Clear Creek 100- and 500-year floodplains generally parallel SH58 in the center of the planning area. No other natural hazards exist in the area. I-70, SH 58, and Clear Creek present constraints to development by acting as barriers to providing road, utility and other infrastructure improvements to the central portion of the planning area. State and federal rules mandate where access can occur and the manner in which rights-of-way may be crossed for installing utilities. Responding to calls for service in the planning area is made more challenging by the restricted access these barriers present. Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum County Plans w e~~ Because the urban growth area is currently unincorporated, Jefferson County has jurisdiction over planning and zoning matters. The urban growth area lies within two subareas the County has identified for planning purposes. The North Plains Plan covers that portion of the urban growth area north of Clear Creek and the Central Plains Plan covers the area to the south of Clear Creek. Originally prepared in the late 1990's, the Central Plains Community Plan has recently been updated. The process of updating this plan included extensive public meetings. These subarea plans show recommended land uses in the urban growth area as residential in existing established residential neighborhoods. Applewood Golf Course and Clear Creek are shown as major park/recreation/open space areas. The area along W. 44'h Avenue south to Clear Creek is recommended as mixed use areas containing office, light industrial, retail, and residential (up to 15 du/ac) uses. The bulk of the large, undeveloped area to the west of I-70 is shown as industrial. ~Crpli[i~aX3~~~'ea Future Land Use Map 09cea The Future Land Use map reflects the recommended land uses for the area. The recommended land uses were matched as closely as possible to the land use categories contained in the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan. The Future Land Use Map (Map 2) illustrates recommended land uses for the urban growth area. The categories used and the definitions, desired character, and attributes of the various land use categories shown are the same as defined in Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plan and are hereby incorporated as a part of this Addendum. Future land uses for the planning area are shown on the Future Land Use Map on the following page. The Plan establishes the following recommended land uses: Existing residential neighborhoods at the approximate density shown in the County subarea plan, SF (4) Existing golf course parks, and the Clear Creek floodplain as parks and open space ` Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum • Planned Business Park along W. 44th Avenue and south of SH58 to Clear Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum Creek • The large, vacant area west of I-70 between 32nd Avenue and Clear Creek as Community Commercial d a Mclntyre St. y ~ ~ Sf S ~ N W T ~ Indiana St. ~ Eldridge St. cn ' o m y m ° m (O q j T 1 ~ a ~ • n D 0 c C 0 'O T ~~~et7 M,~u \ Future Land Use Map 3 ~ R79e Rd. 00 CD U) ~ n Y W. 50th Ave. 170 W. 170 Right-of way ~ Area Boundary Business Park (IN.T.S. Last Update: March 2006 TRANSPORTATION The existing street network consists of the major north-south connectors of Youngfield on the eastern border of the planning area and Mclntyre Street on the western border. East-west connectors are W. 44ih Avenue at the north and W. 32"d Avenue to the south. I-70 and State Highway 58 provide regional, limited access highway connections in the area. The I-70/SH58 interchange is currently a partial interchange with only limited movements provided. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has prepared plans for the completion of the movements at this interchange, making it a full-movement interchange. This entails relocating the current eastbound on-ramp at 38`h Avenue to the south and relocating the eastbound on-off ramps at Ward Road to the east. Timing of the construction of these improvements is currently uncertain. Trails currently exist along Clear Creek from I-70 west to Golden and along 32"a Avenue from I-70 west to Maple Grove Park. Future Street Network The future street network in the area will build upon the existing grid system of north- south and east-west streets. The roadway classifications in this plan are based upon the recommendations of the Countywide Transportation Plan. The proposed street network for the area is shown on the Roadway Classification Map (Map 4). Improvements to complete the I-70/SH58 interchange movements are needed to improve not only access to the area, but to increase mobility for the region. Because of minimum spacing requirements, no new interchanges are proposed for I-70 and SH 58. Improvements to the I-70/32"d Avenue interchange to increase capacity wiil be needed. I-70 and SH58 will continue to serve the dual roles of providing access to the area and carrying regional traffic. Major east-west streets included in the future street network 32nd Avenue and 44th Avenue. Streets providing north-south connections are Ward Road, Youngfield Street, and Mcintyre Street. A new connection from nn,.'„+.,.o c*Fo,.+ s,.,,+ti „f cutia the Younafield Service Road at 32"d Avenue -~is proposed. Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum to-~1t1-ffi--x-ty&e=St-r&e-An additional collector is proposed to connect Youngfield to this Mclntyre/32'd Avenue collector with an underpass at I-70. This will provide an additional access to the Community Commercial area. Future Trails ~lAsrea The County community plans for the area show potential trails extending along W. 32"d Avenue from Maple Grove Park to Mclntyre and on Mclntyre from W. 32"a Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail. A trail connection is proposed from 32nd Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail in an alignment to be determined at the time of development of the area. Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum r m e C a m Z m y E ~o m i~ s 0 0 rn ~ E SS o>~ n ~ N O d (/1 N fD y y i ♦40 ~o a p~ N N 411 T N d 0 p Q QJ ~ _ ~ C A d J (p 3 m ~ -O ,2 m 'D ~ O -a O U) CD 0- ~ C ' J N ' - Youngfield ~ Q ~ O A A 3 D < m ~ ~ ~ 0 O 3 (D ~ (D ~ C Mcintyre St. Indiana St. Eldridge St. ~ ~ ~ ~m ~o ~A Q T C W ~ ~ N y ~ 0 ~ cs e COMMUNITY AMENITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Commuriity Services l1%s_f--=Ar~a Services in the qnr[tGOr~~~o planning area are currently provided by Jefferson County and several special districts. Jefferson County currently provides general governmental services and law enforcement. Portions of the area are included in the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District ~l t.. Special districts serving the O~;":A~e~a afea are listed below Fire Protection Districts • Fairmount • West Metro Water and Sanitation Districts • North Table Mountain W& S • Consolidated Mutual Water Park and Recreation Districts • Prospect A large area in the central portion of the planning area is not currently seroed by a sanitation provider. A small parcel of land is not provided with fire protection. opec[af Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum w- otfierspe~a is r c#~ra~r~any_ot~ erv~ces~r~ fh~s area; Future Service Provision The City will provide general governmental services and areas annexed by the Citv. ~ for any Fire protection will continue to be provided by existing districts currently providing services. Water and sanitation services will continue to be provided by districts currently providing services within their respective boundaries. Within the area currently not served by water or sanitation districts, there are three options to consider: • Inclusion into existing water or sanitation districts. • Formation of a new water and sanitation district, or metropolitan district, with provision of services by the new district. • Formation of a new water and sanitation district, or metropolitan district, with provision of services by another district or districts by contract with the new district. Provision of services by an existing or new district will depend upon the capacity of that district to provide treated water or sewage plant capacity and the financial ability to construct improvements. It is likely a developer will need to pay for any infrastructure improvements, upgrades, or expansions. Any new sewage treatment plants or expansions must be included in the Regional Clean Water Plan and be approved by the State Department of Public Health and Environment. Parks and Open Space Park and open space areas in the urban growth area are currently acquired_and managed by Jefferson County and the Prospect 1-'ark-and Recreation aiffliRark District. Two parks located just outside the growth area, Maple Grove Park and Arapahoe Park, are provided by the Prospect ~^r,--a:,a Recreation aDistrict Policies: Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum At the time of rezoning, the following items should be requested of a developer, if applicable: a. Access easements across private property to public land; b. Dedication of private land; c. Open space required with the development if located adjacent to public land; 2. Open space purchases should be based on regional demand for recreation in the area and on the goal of preserving an open character and significant natural features. 3. The growth area is currently served by the Prospect Recreation and Park District and the Jefferson County Open Space Department. There should be improved communication among the district, governmental agencies, and private organizations responsible for buying and managing public land in the area. Improved communication among these groups could result in more efficient management of public lands and a higher level of use. Coordination among these public entities and the planning departments of the City and the county should facilitate more effective siting of private open space to: a. secure access easements across private property to public land; b. encourage dedication of private land by providing information about open space incentive programs, and c. suggest, where appropriate, that the open space required in a development be located to augment adjacent public land. 4. The acquisition of undeveloped land should be related to the following planning objectives: a. Maintenance of important visual resources; b. Maintenance of open spaces between developments; c. Provision of needed recreational opportunities; d. Protection of significant wildlife habitats and wildlife corridors; e. Protection of areas subject to significant natural hazards, (e.g. floodplains); f. Protection of areas having cultural and historical significance; g. Provision of connecting trail systems; h. Retention of unique or relict flora, (i.e., tall-grass prairie, sites with rare and endangered plants, and sites with high quality riparian vegetation); i. Protection of ecologically sensitive areas; j. Prevention of soil erosion; and k. Protection and conservation of vegetation. 10 Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum While these areas are desirable as open space, development should not be precluded if sensitive site planning accommodates these concerns. 5. Public acquisition, management agreements between owners, and private dedication of land to public entities, i.e., conservation easements, are only three of the methods that could be used to increase the amount of land which remains undeveloped. 6. Plantings in open space areas shouid be native or naturalized species and should be varieties that require minimal maintenance, are drought tolerant, and benefit desirable wildlife needs. Trails Existing trails have been constructed along W. 32"d Avenue and Clear Creek by Jefferson County. Future trails planned for the area include the extension of the W. 32"d Avenue trail from Maple Grove Park to Mclntyre and a trail along Mcintyre from 32"d Avenue to the Clear Creek trail. A connection between 32"d Avenue and the Clear Creek trail is proposed. These trail alignments are shown on Map 5. The provision of trails in the urban growth area should be based on the following policies Policies: An expanded trails network should be developed that provides additional trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use, and that precludes motorized vehicles. These trails should: A. vary in length, ascent and nature experience; B. traverse diverse landscape; C. access views and vistas; D. intersect to allow the traveler a choice of paths to a destination; E. avoid damaging or impairing areas containing endangered species, fragile environments, or high hazard areas; and F. Link communities and other Plan areas, and link these areas to adjacent cities and open space lands along the foothills to the west. 11 Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum 2. Accessible trails should be provided for all citizens, including barrier-free trails where possible, recognizing that trail users have different levels of ability and seek different levels of challenge. 3. New trail systems in critical wildlife habitat areas, i.e. nesting and calving areas, and wintering grounds, should be routed in a sensitive fashion, and/or have seasonal closures to minimize stress to the wildlife. 4. Trail corridors should be negotiated which utilize floodplains, public rights- of-way, leased private property, parks, and public open space. 5. Liability releases should be used to remove this obstacle to the creation of trails across private land. 6. Areas of development should have trail connections to areas of natural open space. 7. Trails should be separated and buffered with landscaping from tqe streets, aRd roads. 96W. 6'&rffifflofs when possible. L: 8. Roadway projects should provide equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle crossings; (e.g., equestrian tunnels and grade separated bike crossings at railroads). 9. The Jefferson County Open Space Department should be requested to assist in funding the Clear Creek regional trail corridor. 10. Local trails could be jointly funded through the Jefferson County Open Space Joint Venture Grants Program. This is a joint venture program with adjacent cities and park and recreation districts. 11. Equestrian and jogging trails should be unpaved and marked 12. Parking areas should be provided at trailheads to facilitate trail usage by equestrians, hikers, bicyclists, etc. 13. Public facilities, e.g. restrooms and telephones, should be provided at major trail intersections and significant open space sites where feasible. 14. The local park and recreation agencies should be consulted to determine potential trail connections. 15. Developers should coordinate with public entities to provide trails and public access along flood plains and/or easements such as ditches, roads, power ; lines, etc., whenever possible. 12 Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum 16. Developers should provide trail connections to adjacent open space areas, trails, schools, bus stations, Regional Transportation District park-n-rides, and light rail stations. This includes providing a safe crossing at roads whenever possible. Trail Design Criteria A variety of trail systems should be provided with appropriate fencing and signage to minimize trespassing. Trails should connect with others in the City and surrounding jurisdictions to provide opportunities for commuting to other jurisdictions and to provide multiple recreational alternatives. The trails should intersect at strategic points to allow travelers a number of choices to reach a desired location. 4. Areas containing endangered species orfragile environments should be avoided. Intersections between paths should be defined with a good visual warning of an intersection as it is approached. Trails should take advantage of the diversity of the landscape through which trails pass. As the landscape changes, its dominant features should be clearly seen from the paths, i.e., good observation points for views and vistas that feature landmarks. Bicycle paths should be designed for safety and be clearly marked. Safe bicycle paths can be provided in the following ways: A. Providing wider roadways with paved shoulders. B. Providing off-road paths for multiple users. C. Utilizing road, rail, ditch or power line rights-of-way or easements. 13 Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum J~ r N ~ C a v z iu -i m ~ ~ N O O W ❑ 4 D : -o m o x m > j -i ~ m ~ / / D O ~p a m ~ W cl) o .o c d m ~ 12 F'- u't„ ~ Q' i ~ pa~s~3 I ~ J ~ w N Q D m fa . ~ \ ~ ~ 7~ ' I 7 7 y % Youngfield St. lll~ Q V\ ~ Mcl ndiana ~ ( ~ I cO ~ (D CO) ~ w 0 cD ~ ~ Q Z ~ N I I c~ CLEAR CREEK VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCII. February 16, 2006 Ms. Pam Hutton, P.E. Region 6 Director Colorado Department of Tiansportation 2000 S. Holly Street Denver, CO 80222 Mr. Alan White Director, Community Development City of Wheat Ridge 7500 W 29 Avemxe Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Re: Cabela's Project Environmental Assessment - Comments to Proposed Trail Plan Dear Ms. Hutton and Mr. White We again wish to thank you for giving CCVNC the opportunity to provide further input to CDOT as it conrinues the analysis of the proposed Cabela's project under the Environmental Assessment process. Consistent with our past discussions, the foliowing are our comments regarding the trail plan that CDOT has provided, a copy of which is attached to tltis letter: General Comments We believe that this part of the EA should provide a wmprehensive analysis of non-vehicular movement within the study area and from the study area to the outlying viciniry. We urge CDOT to use this development as an opportunity to facilitate creative designs that will enhance connectivity throughout the area. CCVNC asks that it be included in any such discussions so that, as representatives of the residems most directly impacted by this developmern, we can fulfill our obligations to keep our residents informed and provide neighborhood input back to the decisionmakers as plans are refined. We also trust that refined trail plans (together with conclusions and recommendations regazding other environmental issues under the EA) will be subject to further public comment as CDOT's work progresses. That said, the community is anxious to have routes for non-motorized traffic constructed wi#h an emphasis on safety, connectivity, convenience, and aesthetics. Specifically, CCVNC has the foilowing comments regarding these issues: Safetv - Routes should follow the minimum standards for "trails" including concrete surfaces witfi a minimum width of 10' to allow for multi-use. - There should be minimal road and driveway crossings and reasonable sepazation ; from tratFic, such as via berms and other landscaping. Ms. Pam Hutton, P.E. Mr. Alan White February 16, 2006 Page 2 of 5 - Where irrterface with traffic is unavoidable, adequate traffic controls such as pushbutton signals shouid be implemented with realistic timing to a(low for safe non-motorized crossing. Connectivity and convenience Routes for non-motorized traffic should connect in a comprehensive fashion to allow mobility within the study azea as well as to facilitate non-motorized movement from the study area to its surroundings. This includes reasonably convenient access for both recreational users and commuters and, for example, woutd provide for connections to schools and major 7effco employers such as the proposed retail developmem, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, the Federal Center, and Denver West, as well as to parks and recreational sites within the county. Aesthetics - Trails for non-motorized traffic should be landscaped to provide a buffer between trail users and commercial development and roadways and to mitigate the environmental impacts of the acres of hardscaping proposed for the development site. Specific Comments Regardinia the Attached Proposed Trait Plan Connection between 32"d Avenue and Cleaz Creek Trail The attached map contemplates a new trail to connect 32nd Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail as a replacement for the existing dead-end road wtrich currentty serves ttris function. CCVNC would like to see the new connection posirioned within the mapped area as far west of Cabela Drive as possible - ideally paralleling the relative open space of the Applewood Goif Course. However, if the three trails reflected in the plan prove to be the most feasible, then our preference is for the route marked in green. - If trails pass along the backs of buildings, landscaping should be provided to create a more pleasing view. Existingportions of Cleaz Creek Trail - Looking at the attached map, it is uncleaz whether the portion of the existing Clear Creek Traii defineated in purple will be disturbed by the construction of Cabela Drive or ather aspects of the development. It is our understanding that the i Drive is planned as a four lane roadway between the I-70 hook ramps and the new Ms. Pam Hutton, P.E. Mr. Alan White February 16, 2006 Page 3 of 5 Hwy 58/40 Avenue diamoad interchange. It is our view that this road capacity is essential to accommodate projected traffic which will be directed to this "from dooe' to the development. Again, a trail pazalleling a road of this expected capacity is unsafe and unaesthetic unless substantial measures aze taken to mitigate its proximity to this busy roadway. Moreover, we question whether the existing railroad bridge can accommodate Cabela Drive and the trail. Consequently, we would like to see more detailed plans that reflect four lanes of traffic at the same time that accommodation is made for the trail. Other Designated Sidewalk Improvements We appreciate designation of additional sidewalks at key intersections and critical access points to facilitate safe pedestrian traffic. However, rather than construct narrow sidewalks on both sides of a roadway, we question whether a wider sidewalk on only one side of the road would better serve non-motorized traffic. We suggest the following modifications to the plan: o A trail width sidewalk connectin$ 40 Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail along only one side of the new roadway, instead of sidewalks on both sides of the connecting roadway as shown on the map o A trail width sidewalk only on the south side of 32°d Avenus from Zinnia to Youngfield St. This would confine non-motorized traffic where it is the most visible to velricles heading south on Youngfield St. and turning right under I-70 o A uail width sidewalk along the south side of the 401h Avenue underpass, for the same safety reasons as stated regarding the 32d Avenue underpass. This underpass will also serve as a likely connection for bicycle and pedestrian traffic accessing busses at the Walmart pazking lot depot. Renlacement of 2& Avenue Bridee As part of a comprehensive system-wide evaluation of movement within and around the study area, improved connections of the two halves of the Applewood community, bifurcated by I-70, should be created. This could include, but should not necessarily be limited to, reconstruction of the 26" Avenue pedestrian bridge in the evetrt road improvements impact the exristing bridge. We recognize that many of these commeirts relate to issues commonly addressed in the ODP process. Aowever, we believe that CDOT must have binding commitments from the developer and Wheat Ridge regarding specific mitigation of environmental impacts caused by the project if it is to reach a finding of "no significant impact" under the EA. ~ Ms. Pam Hutton, P.E. Mr. Alan White February 16, 2006 Page 4 of 5 We also recognize that this process requires a balance of competing interests. We remain hopeful that the balance will be struck to produce a vibrant development that is integrated well within its surroundings. Positioned at the gateway to the mountains, it is in everyone's interest to ensure that this development becomes a source of pride for its owners, the City of Wheat Ridge and the neighboring communities. We thank you in advance for your careful consideration of these comments and look forwazd to receiving revised plans. Sincerely, Jack Hoopes, President Applewood Property Owners Association !s/ Edna Miklos, President Applewood Business Association ~ /s/ Flora Andrus, President Fairmount Iznprovement Association ~ ; ~ !s/ Bazbaza Bazry, Pres'~nt Applewood Valley Association ~ (,/s/ Jean Osborne, President Daniels-Welchester Homeowner's Association cc: Senator Wayne Allard Mayor Chazles J. Bazoch, Golden Beriy Boyd, State Representative, Dist. 26 Mike Catlahan, Cabela's Jefferson Gounty Commissioner Jim Congrove Chris Fasching, FHU Mike Gaughan, MGA Communications Gwyn Ctteen, State Representative, Dist. 23 Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver Neil Jacquet, Coors/Molson Dave Kuehn, District Manager, Prospect Recreation and Pazk District Jim Moore, County Administrator Jefferson County Commissioner Dave Auburn Congressman Bob Beauprez Mayor Steve Burkholder, Lakewood Cluis Chamberiin, MGA Communications Mayor Jerry Di Tullio, Wheat Ridge Mayor Ken Fellxnan, Arvada Preston Gibson, President, Jefferson Economic Council Cheri Jahn, State Representative, Dist. 24 Moe Keller, State Senate, Dist. 20 Jefferson County Commissioner J. Kevin McCasky ` Nanette Neelan, Jefferson County Ms. Pam Hutton, P.E. Mr. Alan White February 16, 2006 Page 5 of 5 Mark Neinhueser, Cabela's Tom Norton, Executive Director, CDOT Governor Bill Owens Mayor Robert Prewitt, Edgewater Senator Ken Salazar Govemor's Aide Bill Skewes Greg Stevinson, President, Denver West Metropolitan District Randy Young, Wheat Ridge Transportation Commissioners Wheat Ridge Board and Commission Members David Nicol, P.E., FHWA Mr. Rick O'Donnell Ed Perlmutter, Esq. Mike Rock, City of Lakewood Jennifer Schaufele, Executive Director, DRCOG Ron Speral, Program Delivery Engineer, FHWA Congressman Mark Udall Mayor Betty Van Harte, Mountain View Lakewood City Council Wheat Ridge City Council j 3 _ Z S ` z i m I F f i xV OmOOVa"a OmnaOT ~ OlN ~S~~IVI`7W mm ~f?om -`mm i m~ g= =o1O„~ =ma'= n i ~ p 'mo o~mo3 3 ~ , A o ~ g 41 ~ , ~n' - an ~ 4mn ` I - - - ' ~aFo m m oq <"; nmu ~ , q q OmOao3 n' m - ' I Nti ~ m mm m~ C A N A w ~ D ¢ Q np m W k ; 11 ~ ;r ig a6puP(3 • , 7S a6PuP/3 ~ k N ~ e~ - ✓ a a ap une.rg e~ y ~ 4 ge- W 0 ' ~n (7 0.9 Z 4 p~ k (C O p 6 ~ li ~ ~ '7S NINIV a _ G . . 7g eiuQIZ - 7S Alay6unoti jg uouax a ~ "P21 WeM \ m f Y z ~ _ -3 ~ ,