HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2009City of
W heat Ridge
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
November 19, 2009
Notice is hereby given of a Public Meeting to be held before the City of Wheat Ridge Planning
Commission on October 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal
Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City
of Wheat Ridge. Call Heather Geyer, Public Information Officer at 303-235-2826 at least one week in
advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance.
CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA (Items of new and old business may be
recommended for placement on the agenda.)
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 1, 2009
6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not
appearing on the agenda. Public comments may be limited to 3 minutes.)
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Case No. WPA-08-02: A resolution adopting an addendum, "3-Mile Plan", to the City of
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan.
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. OTHER ITEMS
10. ADJOURNMENT
4~ City of
Wheat R~idge
PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
October 1, 2009
1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair REINHART at 7:00 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29`x' Avenue, Wheat
Ridge, Colorado.
2.
3
4
5.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Commission Members Present
Anne Brinkman (arrived 7:05 p.m.)
Jim Chilvers
John Dwyer
Henry Hollender
Dick Matthews
Davis Reinhart
Steve Timms
Commission Members Absent
Staff Members Present:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Marc Dietrick
Ken Johnstone, Community
Development Director
Sally Payne, Senior Planner
Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary
APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by
Commissioner HOLLENDER to approve the order of the agenda. The
motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 17, 2009
It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by
Commissioner DWYER to approve the minutes of September 17, 2009 as
presented. The motion carried 6-0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and
DIETRICK absent.
Planning Commission Minutes 1 October 1, 2009
6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not
appearing on the agenda.)
There was no one present to address the Commission.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Case No. WPA-08-03: A resolution adopting the Wheat Ridge
Comprehensive Plan, Envision Wheat Ridge.
(Commissioner BRINKMAN arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
The case was presented by Sally Payne. She entered all pertinent documents into
the record and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case.
She gave a brief overview of the process leading up to the formulation of the Plan.
City Council directed staff to initiate an update to the Comprehensive Plan in the
summer of 2008. Clarion Associates, a consulting firm specializing in
comprehensive plan development, was chosen to assist the City in the planning
process. Ms. Payne then introduced the consultant.
Ben Herman
Clarion Associates
On September 21, 2009, City Council and Planning Commission met jointly to
study the proposed Envision Wheat Ridge Draft Comprehensive Plan (September
4, 2009 version). Several changes were suggested to enhance and clarify the plan.
Those suggestions were included in a separate memo to Planning Commission
dated September 23. Mr. Herman reviewed the Plan.
Commissioner DWYER offered two amendments to language in the plan. Page 2,
paragraph 2, "should shall" be changed to "shall." Page 71 should be changed to
reflect that the railroad line is owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe rather than
Union Pacific.
Denise Balkas
Wheat Ridge 2020
3798 Marshall Street
Ms. Balkas stated that the WR2020 Board and staff have participated closely in
development of the Plan. She commended the City for taking steps to position
itself in a post-recession economy which sets the stage for Wheat Ridge to
prosper. Real estate and city planning Journals indicate that inner ring suburbs
and close-in locations, such as Wheat Ridge, will prosper in a post recession
economy.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 October 1, 2009
Drew Filchak
Mr. Filchak represented Wheat Ridge Manor Nursing Home and businesses along
the 2900 block of Fenton Street. He expressed concern about the effect of the
Plan on the businesses there. He wondered if the area would remain mixed use.
Ken Johnstone stated that the land use map is intended to be a strategic plan rather
than a parcel-based plan and is not a zoning map. He explained that Mr. Filchak's
neighborhood is defined in the structure plan as a neighborhood area, but within
these neighborhood areas, there can be commercial and mixed uses. There is also
a process to establish a revitalization area if a neighborhood wishes to pursue
more mixed uses.
Kim Calomino
4070 Dover Street
Ms. Calomino was appearing as a citizen and a WR2020 Board member. She
read the following resolution unanimously adopted by the Board in support of the
adoption of the Comprehensive Plan:
Resolved that Wheat Ridge 2020 supports the passage and implennentation of the
proposed Comprehensive Plan, connnends the City of`WheatRidge, elected
officials, city staff, Planning Commission and citizens for participating in a
thorough process and creating a visionary plan inclusive of the kcy principles of
the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. Purther, this Board encourages the
development ofspecifie timelines and measures of sncccss to mark the
implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
Chair REINHART asked if there were others present who wished to address the
Commission. Hearing no response, he closed the public hearing.
Commissioner CHILVERS stated that lie was very pleased with the process
involved in formulating the Comprehensive Plan. He believed it is a good
document and the best he has seen in a long time. The plan should help to attract
families and shoppers to Wheat Ridge.
Commissioner HOLLENDER commented that he appreciated the flexibility
allowed by the Plan.
Commissioner MATTHEWS commented that former comprehensive plans have
established boundaries and borders. This plan establishes criteria about where
lines would be drawn.
Commissioner DYWER commented that this process went much better than the
last Comprehensive Plan. There was more public involvement with staff
incorporating suggestions received from the public. He expressed appreciation to
city staff, consultants, citizens, the Citizens Advisory Committee and fellow
Planning Commission Minutes 3 October 1, 2009
Planning Commissioners for the efforts rnade in formulating this plan. He was
pleased with the Plan that not only has vision but is useable.
Commissioner BRINKMAN commended city staff, the consultants and citizens in
formulating the Plan. She commented that the last Comprehensive Plan process
was more isolated while this process was very open. She was pleased with the
outcome. Her concerns were alleviated when she read the implementation plan.
Connnissioner TIMMS expressed appreciation to the citizens who took time to be
involved. He also thanked the staff for the great amount of work involved in
overseeing a project like this one. He believed that the Plan recognizes the
strengths of the City, addresses exterior boundaries as well as the interior of the
City and sets a good framework for the future.
In response to a question from Commissioner REINHART, Sally Payne stated
that this Plan does supersede the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. There are
some minor conflicts with sub-area plans and those plans will be amended
accordingly.
Commissioner REINHART stated that he is very supportive of the Plan that he
believes is a step forward in how we look at land use in the City. He stated that
he was astounded at how much time the city staff spent in efforts to make good
planning decisions while working with the previous Comprehensive Plan. The
fact that there was not a single person speaking in opposition to the Plan speaks
highly of the involvement of the community and the vision of the document.
It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by
Commissioner DWYER to adopt Resolution 03-2009, a resolution
recommending adoption of the Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan,
and forwarding this recommendation along with the Resolution to the City
Council for their consideration. The motion carried 7-0 with Commissioner
Dietrick absent.
8. NEW BUSINESS
Ken Johnstone informed the Commission that the Planner II position in the
Community Development Department has been filled.
9. OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items to come before the Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes 4 October 1, 2009
10. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner CHILVERS and seconded by Commissioner
DWYER to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously.
Davis Reinhart, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes 5 October 1, 2009
City of
W heat fd~e
COMMUNITY Dr-vFL0PMENT
Memorandum
TO: Planning Commission
THROUGH: Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director
FROM: Sally Payne, Senior Planner
DATE: November 12, 2009
SUBJECT: Three-Mile Plan
State statutes require municipalities to adopt a "Three-Mile Plan' for their communities.
This plan is to indicate in a general way how a City envisions areas outside of their
boundaries developing in the future. Such a plan is required prior to a municipality
annexing any land. State statues indicate that prior to any annexation within the three-
mile area, the municipality shall have in place a plan for that area that generally describes
the location, character, extent of streets, other public ways, parks, open spaces, public
utilities and the proposed land uses.
The last update to this addendum to the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2007. This
was before the annexation of land along Highway 58 related to the proposed Cabela's
development. Land was annexed south of Highway 58 and west of 1-70 to accommodate
Cabela's and related development, and to bring land for the proposed Cabela"s Drive
interchange on Highway 58 into the City's Jurisdiction. In addition, the City adopted the
Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan last month. The Three-Mile Plan should
generally be consistent with a municipality's comprehensive plan. With adoption of the
new comprehensive plan, some revisions needed to be made to language in the Three-
Mile Plan to make it consistent with the Envision Wheat Ridge Plan.
A copy of the addendum to the City of Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan of the Three-
Mile Plan is included in your packet. At the November 19, 2009 public hearing, Planning
Commission will be asked to recommend adoption of the Three-Mile Plan to City
Council. If you have any questions, please contact Ken Johnstone, Community
Development Director at 303-235-2844 or kjohnstone(ici.wheatridge.co.us. or Sally
Payne, Senior Planner at 303-235-2852 or s)aiviie((i ci.wheatridge_co.us.
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 12, 2009.
The adopted Comprehensive Plan identifies the area of potential development outside
the City's boundaries. The Plan does not recommend any future uses in the 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 municipality's boundary.
There are unincorporated areas to the northeast, north, west and southwest of the
current City boundaries. Areas to the northeast and north are primarily unincorporated
industrial or multi-family enclaves which, although eligible for annexation, present
questionable economic benefit to the City versus the costs of providing services
A majority of the area to the west of Ward Road north of 1-70 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 1-70 between 32nd 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 2030. The identified urban growth area was
generally bounded by 1-70, W. 32nd Avenue, McIntyre Street, and W. 52nd Avenue.
Containing a little over two square miles, this area was not incorporated into the
Comprehensive Plan.
This Comprehensive Plan addendum addresses the potential urban growth area to the
west of the City. The areas subject to this addendum is illustrated on Map 1. The West
Area was submitted to DRCOG as the City's urban growth boundary for the 2030
Metro Vision update.
This addendum meets the requirement of C.R.S. 31-12-105 of having a plan in place
should the City consider any annexations in these areas.
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
The following sections of this addendum address the following growth area as
identified below:
• West Area (that area generally west of the City bounded by 1-70, W.
32"d Avenue, McIntyre Street, and W. 44th Avenue). A portion of this
area has been annexed by the City.
The portion of the West Area of the Urban Growth Area that has been annexed by the
City is included in the 2006 and 2007 addendums and now retains the "Regional
Commercial" or "Employment" land use designations for the annexed property.
2
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
LAND USE
Existing Land Use
West Area
Existing land uses in the urban growth area are varied. Along the north side of 32nd
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 1-70. The area to the west of 1-70 between
32nd 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
West Area
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.
1-70, 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.
County Plans
West Area
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.
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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. 44th 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 1-70 is shown as industrial.
Future Land Use Map
West Area
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 on the
Structure Plan 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 Structure Plan 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
• Employment along W. 44th Avenue and south of SH58 to Clear Creek to include
light industrial, storage, warehouse
• The large, vacant area west of 1-70 between 32nd Avenue and Clear Creek as
Regional Commercial to include retail, employment, restaurants, hotel
The designation of "open space" is a designation to indicate the land should not be
developed. This designation does not mean that the property so depicted necessarily
will be owned by a public entity.
4
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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TRANSPORTATION
The existing street network consists of the major north-south connectors of Youngfield
on the eastern border of the planning area and McIntyre Street on the western border.
East-west connectors are W. 44th Avenue at the north and W. 32nd Avenue to the
south.
1-70 and State Highway 58 provide regional, limited access highway connections in
the area. The 1-70/SH58 interchange was recently updated with additional ramps to
create a full-movement interchange. This work entailed relocating the current
eastbound on-ramp at 38th Avenue to the south.
Trails currently exist along Clear Creek from 1-70 west to Golden and along 32nd
Avenue from 1-70 west to Maple Grove Park.
Future Street Network
West Area
The future street network in the area will build upon the existing grid system of north-
south and east-west streets. 1-70 and SH58 will continue to serve the dual roles of
providing access to the area and carrying regional traffic. 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 3).
The recent completion of the 1-70/SH58 interchange movements will improve access
to the area and increase mobility for the region. A new interchange on SH58 at
Cabela Drive has been approved to provide additional access to the area as well as a
pair of "hook ramps" that will connect 1-70 to the collector which provides access to
individual development parcels. Improvements to the 1-70/32nd Avenue interchange to
increase capacity have also been approved.
Major east-west streets included in the future street network are 32nd Avenue and 44th
Avenue. Streets providing north-south connections are Ward Road, Youngfield Street,
and McIntyre Street. The new SH58/Cabela Drive interchange has been approved
approximately one mile west of the SH58/1-70 interchange and to the east of the
existing McIntyre interchange. Cabela Drive will connect 32nd Ave. to 44th Ave. with
an interchange at SH58. Cabela Drive will also connect to the new 40th Ave.
underpass of 1-70 which provides access to Youngfield St. The new 40th Ave.
underpass will provide an additional access to the Regional Commercial area.
6
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
7
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
Future Trails
West Area
The County community plans for the area show potential trails extending along W.
32nd Avenue from Maple Grove Park to McIntyre and on McIntyre from W. 32nd
Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail. A portion of the Clear Creek Trail has been re-
located west of approximately Eldridge Street extended. A trail connection is
proposed from 32nd Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail along Cabela Drive.
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
COMMUNITY AMENITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Services
West Area
Services in the unincorporated portions of the 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 (UDFCD).
A large area in the central portion of the planning area is not currently served by a
sanitation provider. A small parcel of land is not provided with fire protection.
Special districts serving the West Area 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
The City, Prospect Recreation and Park District, and the Long's Peak Metropolitan
District have entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The IGA provides
that the boundaries of the Prospect Recreation and Park District will not be affected by
the formation of the Long's Peak Metropolitan District, any future inclusions into the
metro district, and any future annexations by the City. Coordination will be needed
among these entities to provide park and recreation services and facilities in the
growth area.
Future Service Provision
The City will provide general governmental services and police protection for any
areas annexed by the City. Because the City is not a full service City, water,
sanitation, and fire services will need to be provided by special districts in the future if
9
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
any areas are annexed. The Long's Peak Metropolitan District has been formed to
provide financing, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure within a portion of
the growth area. The Service Plan for the District sets out the services to be provided,
which include streets, water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, parks and recreation,
parking, and TV and fiber optic. The District is required to include within its
boundaries any areas within its service area that are annexed by the City.
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.
Stormwater facilities will need to be provided by developers as required by City and
UDFCD standards. Facilities will need to conform to any drainage basin master plans
prepared and adopted by UDFCD.
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 Recreation and Park District. Two
parks located just outside the growth area, Maple Grove Park and Arapahoe Park, are
provided by the Prospect Recreation and Park District.
Policies:
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;
10
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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);
11
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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.
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 should 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. 32nd Avenue and Clear Creek by
Jefferson County. Future trails planned for the area include the extension of the W.
32nd Avenue trail from Maple Grove Park to McIntyre and a trail along McIntyre from
32nd Avenue to the Clear Creek trail. A connection between 32nd Avenue and the
Clear Creek trail is proposed. These trail alignments are shown on Map 4.
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;
13
Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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.
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 impacts 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 streets,
roads, and parking lots when possible. Landscaped buffers should be
established between the Clear Creek trail and adjacent land uses.
8. Roadway projects should provide equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle
crossings; (e.g., equestrian tunnels and grade separated bike crossings at
railroads).
9. The Clear Creek regional trail is outlined in the Jefferson County Trails
Master Plan and is complete to Golden.
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 per the City's request
depending on priorities.
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.
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Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum
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.
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.
2. 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.
3. The trails should intersect at strategic points to allow travelers a number of
choices to reach a desired location.
4. Areas containing endangered species or fragile environments should be
avoided.
5. Intersections between paths should be defined with a good visual warning of
an intersection as it is approached.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan - Urban Growth Area Addendum