HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Visioning Committee 2011-04-06RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 6, 2011
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION VISIONING
COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on
the 6' day of April, 2011.
Members:
Attending:
Stan Black, Kimberly Campbell, Peggy Campbell, Charley
Dickey, John Ericson, Larry Gamble, Wayne Groome,
Jacquie Halburnt, John Hannon, Cory La Bianca, Fred
Mares, Jerry Miller, Rex Poggenpohl, Greg Rosener, Frank
Theis, Annika Van der Werf, Gary Van Horn
Stan Black, Kimberly Campbell, Wayne Groome, John
Hannon, Cory La Bianca, Fred Mares, Jerry Miller, Rex
Poggenpohl, Greg Rosener, Frank Theis, and Annika Van
der Werf, Gary Van Horn
Also Attending: Dir. Zurn, Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Absent: Peggy Campbell, Charley Dickey, John Ericson, Larry
Gamble, and Jacquie Halburnt
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m., and introduced Gary Van Horn who
will be representing the YMCA of the Rockies on the Transportation Visioning
Committee.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held March 2, 2011, were approved.
WORK GROUP REPORTS.
1. BYPASSES/ROAD RECONFIGURATION:
Discussion at the work group meeting held on March 9, 2011, focused on
reducing traffic in the core downtown area by utilizing a bypass. Those in
attendance used maps to brainstorm possible bypass locations, and considered
new road construction and/or the use of existing roads. Creating a new,
permanent bypass appears unrealistic and controversial when the existing
bypass is currently underused. The group discussed temporary solutions
including signage to reroute traffic, but had concerns that may create new
bottlenecks along existing routes. Those in attendance recommended utilizing
existing roadways, for example diverting traffic off Elkhorn Avenue at Riverside
Drive, to create a permanent bypass that could be used as an optional path
around the downtown area. Traffic would not be excluded from using Elkhorn
Avenue, but the bypass would provide an alternate route to destinations such as
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) or the YMCA. Discussion at the next
meeting will include coordinating with the other work groups, signage, street
markings, parking, and phasing.
2. PARKING/SHUTTLES:
The work group meeting held on March 16th primarily discussed parking lots,
parking structures, and metered parking. Attendees generally supported the
concept of parking structures, and discussed ideas that would simplify parking
which may include eliminating smaller parking Tots, and utilizing new information
technologies to identify where parking is available. Moderator Campbell
presented an overview of a parking and trolley service utilized in San Luis
Obispo, California. Discussion at the April meeting will center on shuttle
services.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Transportation Visioning Committee — April 6, 2011 — Page 2
3. INFORMATION/TECHNOLOGY:
The March 23`d work group began with a review and discussion of objectives.
Simple fixes related to signage were discussed, and it was noted that when
driving around the Estes Valley, there is no obvious, identifiable signage that
directs visitors to major attractions such as RMNP, the YMCA, the Stanley, and
the downtown area. A bus tour to get a first-hand look at what visitors see as
they drive into the area was suggested. Wayne Groome organized the tour for
March 30th, and eight members attended. Attendees made notes during the tour
as they drove the major routes in and out of town. Moderator Mares will compile
and organize the notes and comments taken during the tour to produce a list of
recommendations related to signage that could be implemented within the next
year or two. Moderator Mares will be out of town in April so the next work group
meeting may be postponed.
GROUP DISCUSSION.
Rex Poggenpohl commented that signage problems and short-term implementation
problems are not a function of the TVC, noting that the Town's Public Works department
staff should be involved. Although short-term implementation may not be within the
TVC's purview, the Committee agreed to provide a list of signage improvements to the
Public Works department as recommendations. Mr. Poggenpohl expressed concerns
related to pedestrian issues if a downtown bypass was created. Dir. Zurn said the
bypass discussed is similar to an alternate route already included in the Town's
transportation plan and noted that a bypass would need to meet all CDOT standards
and regulations.
Greg Rosener voiced opposition to the concept of paid or metered parking downtown,
and to outlying parking Tots, noting that studies indicate there is a maximum distance
that people are willing to walk from their parked car in order to reach their destination.
He said outlying parking and shuttles may address congestion during peak times, but in
the off-season, public transportation would not be available to and from the outlying
parking. Fred Mares said topics being discussed are conceptual and that
recommendations will be paired and packaged together to achieve beneficial results.
Cory LaBianca said documents being produced by the TVC work groups are working
documents resulting from brainstorming and not approved recommendations.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT DISCUSSION.
Fred Mares and Kimberly Campbell drafted a process and schedule for the TVC to
utilize in order to receive public input which included meetings to collect ideas from the
public, evaluation of the comments and ideas, combining public input and TVC ideas,
and making recommendations to the Town Board. Chair Miller said that since the last
meeting, the TVC has been requested to provide a report to the Town Board, and said
he would find out more information as to the type of presentation or report that is
desired. The presentation to the Board will be made prior to starting the public input
meetings to ensure the TVC is following the desired structure and process. In the
meantime, work groups and regular meetings will continue to be held. Fred Mares
proposed four steps to follow to keep the Committee moving forward until the report to
the Board can be completed:
1. Determine what the Trustees want.
2. Create report providing update to the Board.
3. Continue Work Group and monthly meetings to come up with ideas and put
packages together.
4. Utilize feedback from the Trustees to assess direction of the Committee and
make corrections if needed.
The Committee unanimously agreed to follow the four steps outlined above for the next
four to six weeks.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Transportation Visioning Committee — April 6, 2011 — Page 3
There being no further business, Co -Chair Miller adjourned the regular meeting at 4:54
p.m.
Cyn '�, Deputy Town Clerk