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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Committee 2013-7-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 17, 2013 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Aspen Room 202 of Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 17th day of July, 2013. Committee: Kimberly Campbell, Gregg Rounds, Ann Finley, Stan Black, Bryon Holmes, Tom Widawski, Belle Morris Also Attending: Director of Public Works Scott Zurn, Public Works Civil Engineer II Kevin Ash, Administrative Services Secretary Barbara Jo Limmiatis Absent: Cory LaBianca, Town Board Liaison John Ericson Committee Chair Kimberly Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. MEETING MINUTES AND BY-LAWS It was moved and seconded (Widawski/Holmes) to approve the minutes from ____ and passed it unanimously. It was moved and seconded (Widawski/Holmes) to approve the Town of Estes Park Transportation Advisory Committee By-Laws and it passed unanimously. COMMITTEE EFFECTIVENESS Chair Campbell asked the committee to brainstorm ideas they would like to see changed or improved upon within the community that Public Works staff may not be working on. Member Widawski would like to see the Riverwalk improved upon to include walkways and bikeways from the tunnel under Highway 36 through town on the south side of the Big Thompson River. Chair Campbell would like to address the evacuation procedure for Highway 66 residents and visitors, modifications to downtown parking to incentivize use of the Visitor Center Parking Structure, and the shortage of handicap parking spaces and bike racks in the downtown area. Member Morris would like to expand the shuttle routes to outlying areas. Member Black would like to address employee parking downtown. Member Holmes would like to address school safety. TVC STUDY SESSION Chair Campbell stated she and Committee Member Stan Black were unable to address this issue prior to today’s meeting. They would meet after today’s meeting but before the next scheduled meeting to discuss further action plans. She would email members to make them aware of the developments. NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER RECRUITMENT This item was not discussed. Tree Board – June 17, 2013 – Page 2 FLAP GRANT Director Zurn discussed the developments of the FLAP Grant in detail with the committee. He stated the recent meeting with CDOT and the Federal Lands Access Program went very well as the one way couplet project remains one of the top contenders for the grant monies. Director Zurn also explained the NEPA process. ESTES PARK TRANSIT FACILITY PARKING STRUCTURE Members expressed the concerns they have been hearing from the community, such as lack of public involvement and disbelief that this location will relieve any of the parking congestion in the downtown area. Director Zurn asked members to utilize their role on the Transportation Advisory Committee to make citizens aware of the developments and create a healthy dialog about the project. Director Zurn described the experimental, streamlined procedure under which the developmental review process of this project will take place. The Board of Trustees will review the project at the same time as the . PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES FOR DRY GULCH ROAD Director Zurn expressed the need for help with the reconstruction of Dry Gulch Road. There have been many requests for unfunded sidewalks to be installed on this upcoming project from the Salud Family Health Center and the Good Samaritan Society Village. Director Zurn expressed concern that installing sidewalks could create a hazard by building a sidewalk that goes nowhere as CDOT would not allow a crosswalk on Highway 34. Several members expressed the need for a bike lane and Director Zurn confirmed there would be an on-street bike lane installed. Member Widawski stated it would be too expensive and could not foresee enough use to justify the maintenance of sidewalks. Member Black concurred that there are higher priorities. Director Zurn asked the board to consider this topic and bring ideas to the next meeting. Chair Campbell requested estimated statistics of how many people are walking this route. Director Zurn stated it could become a liability to encourage people to cross the highway. ROADWAY STANDARDS UPDATE Director Zurn discussed how private proposals to build public infrastructure must meet development standards.Generic development standards are in place that defer to Larimer County standards, which differ hugely from Estes Park’s development standards. These standards are not properly conveying to the private sector what is required of them during development. Director Zurn asked the committee if they would prefer to model Fort Collins and Loveland by adopting Larimer County development standards with local amendments. Director Zurn requested the committee members read over the current development standards. Public Works Civil Engineer Ash is to email the committee members a link to the specific standards regarding curbs, gutters, sidewalks and off street parking. Director Zurn stated the development standards should not be too expensive to hinder development. SPEED BUMPS Director Zurn stated the community has been expressing concerns for the need for more speed bumps. He informed the committee that speed bumps can be expensive and are not always effective. Chair Campbell asked the committee if they preferred to make a blanket opinion or address this issue on a case by case scenario. Member Black offered the idea of installing Tree Board – June 17, 2013 – Page 3 cameras similar to those used in Boulder. Chair Campbell offered the idea of using speed signs that collect data. Director Zurn described the engineering perspective of posted versus designated speed limits and how design standards are changing towards longer reaction times. NEPA Director Zurn stated the NEPA report was completed and currently awaiting review. PROJECT UPDATES Public Works Civil Engineer Ash discussed the developments of the Moraine Avenue project. He stated the cross walk across from Molly B’s will be converted into bump outs which will allow pedestrians and drivers a better vantage point, the signage will be updated to meet CDOT’s current standards, and the asphalt repair will allow for better drainage. This project is anticipating an early August completion date. There being no further business, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:12 p.m. Barbara Jo Limmiatis, Recording Secretary