Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Special Meeting 2015-04-15Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 15, 2015 Minutes of a Special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Event Center, 1125 Rooftop Way in said Town of Estes Park on the 15th day of April 2015. Present: Also Present: William C. Pinkham, Mayor Wendy Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees John Ericson Bob Holcomb Ward Nelson Ron Norris John Phipps Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator Greg White, Town Attorney Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk Absent: None Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ACTION ITEMS: 1. CONSIDERATION OF CONTINUING THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) PROCESS FOR THE DOWNTOWN LOOP PROJECT. Administrator Lancaster outlined the purpose of the meeting was to take public comment on the Loop project to determine whether or not to proceed with the NEPA process for the two remaining alternatives; one-way couplet or no action, or to terminate the contract for the grant and reimburse Central Federal Lands for the cost incurred to date and discontinue the project. The Town received grant funding through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) after an extensive public outreach process was conducted and a grant application was submitted in the spring of 2013 for a one-way couplet with $13 million awarded by FLAP and an additional $4.2 million in matching CDOT RAMP program funding. No Town funds would be used to complete the project. A number of alternative were considered including five options that were ranked: Construction of a transit hub/parking structure downtown; construction of a one-way loop traffic pattern downtown; construction of a two- way four -lane Riverside route through downtown; construction of a multi -use trail along the Big Thompson River connecting the River Walk to Rocky Mountain National Park; and, "no action." The first choice of the public was the transit hub/parking structure. Second was the one-way couplet option. Third was the two-way, four -lane Riverside Drive option. Third was the multi -use trail. Last was "no action." Based on the criteria for the grant, it was determined that a transit/hub parking structure project, alone, would not be competitive for the grant, therefore the grant application was submitted for the one-way couplet. As Federal funds are involved, the project is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires an analysis of the project to see if other alternative may have fewer environmental, social and cultural impacts while providing the same benefits outlined in the scope of the project. NEPA requires extensive public input and technical analysis. The NEPA process has been ongoing since fall of 2014, with various alternatives being examined including several proposed by the participating public. Based on analysis to date, the NEPA team has reduced the viable options to the one-way loop, as contained in the original application, and the "no action" alternative. On March 9, 2015 the Town received a letter from Central Federal Lands (CFL) on Board of Trustees — April 15, 2015 — Page 2 behalf of the FLAP program Colorado Programming Committee notifying the Town that only the original scope of work (the one-way couplet) would be considered for funding and asking for the Town to indicate its intent to continue with the project as originally contained in the application, by April 16, 2015. Since that time, CFL has clarified that the NEPA process won't be complete until later this summer and therefore they are requesting the Town indicate its intent to continue with the NEPA process, analyzing the only viable construction option remaining - the one-way couplet, and the "no action" alternative. Should the Town decide to not proceed, it must terminate the contract and reimburse CFL for all study expenditures to date, tentatively estimated by CFL to be roughly $200,000 - $300,000. Director Muhonen provided an overview of the current traffic situation and problem, who is responsible to fix the issue, why the loop project is the preferred alternative, affects of choosing no action alternative and unanticipated benefits. The traffic congestion downtown continues to increase each year which negatively impacts the guest experience, compromises the sense of safety, and increases frustration, noise and air pollution. Traffic was identified in both the 2011 and 2014 citizen surveys as a top concern. The Town has taken the lead in addressing the issue through the identification of grant funding and a collaborative effort involving all parties, including federal, state and local government. The Transportation Visioning Committee reviewed transportation concerns and developed a report in 2012 outlining solutions that involved both low-cost and expensive implementation solutions which included reviewing traffic patterns. Through the NEPA process the one-way couplet was identified as the alternative that would best balance congestion relief, provide minimal property impacts, minimal environmental impacts and could be constructed with the available funds. Beyond congestion relief the alternative would provide shortened emergency response times, improve safety for pedestrians, create new bicycle lanes for future connectivity, and establish a foundational Riverside Drive corridor for future parking and congestion mitigation projects. No action would maintain the current travel patterns and lead to an increase in the number of gridlock months from approximately 4 to 6 months during the year by 2040. Staff has begun working on the parking issue with a new intercept parking garage to be built in 2016 and the Transportation Advisory Board to produce parking policy objectives for the Town Board's consideration in 2015. Staff has also been working with CDOT to produce RMNP guide signage and downtown wayfinding signage to direct park visitors to the north entrance and reduce congestion downtown. The barnes dance would be reinstated for a period of time this summer to study the effects on traffic movement. Staff noted the City of Loveland and Town of Lyons have one-way couplets that do not negatively impact the character or viability of the business community. The Town would gain the replacement of three new bridges through the completion of the one-way couplet project which would positively impact flood mitigation. Floodplain Manager Birchfield reviewed the floodplain concerns that followed the 2013 flood. He stated the floodplain may grow considerably in the future as it has been determined the town's flows may be under stated. The replacement of three bridges in the downtown core with the loop project would help to reduce the flow rates in town and perhaps make significant improvements to the flood plain, thereby decreasing flood insurance rates in the downtown core. Kimberly Campbell/Transportation Advisory Board member stated the Board held a special meeting on March 30, 2015 to provide a recommendation to the Town Board on whether or not to proceed with the NEPA study. The Board recommended support to complete the NEPA study and continue to review the one-way couplet. Adam Shake/Estes Valley Partners for Commerce Board member stated he was not advocating for either position but encouraged the sharing of Board of Trustees — April 15, 2015 — Page 3 information to help inform the citizens. The Board wants to work with the business and citizens to address the issues regardless of the outcome. Those speaking against moving forward with the NEPA study included Jeff Carpenter/county citizen, Holly Moore/town citizen and business owner, Scott Davis/town citizen, Gordon Slack/town citizen, Leslie Peterson, Elaine Sparks/town citizen and business owner; John Meissner/town citizen, Tom Street/county citizen, Ron Wilcocks/county citizen and business owner, Mary Simon/town citizen, Todd and Karen Jirsa/town citizen and business owner, Krisi Nielsen, Ed Grueff/county citizen and business owner, Ellen Reinertsen/town citizen and business owner, John and Wini Spahnle, Mark Newman/town citizen, Lynn Ciolli/town citizen, Mark Igel/town citizen and business owner, Carissa Streib/county citizen, Craig Conley/county citizen, Rick Grigsby/Town citizen, Durango Steele, Jerri Paulson/town citizen and business owner, Alice Schwartz/county citizen, Norma Blackwell/town citizen, Donny Yeager, Norman Lee/county citizen, Lee Lasson/town citizen, Stanley Atkison/town citizen, Jeremy Plume/business owner, Doug Warner, Jennifer Lusch/county citizen, Susan Wolf/county citizen, Mark Hewitt/county citizen, Maureen Marsh/town citizen and business owner, and Lawrence Replogle/county citizen. Comments were heard and summarized: altering the traffic patterns downtown would negatively affect the businesses that collect sales tax for the Town; the Town should focus their efforts on producing more parking downtown; traffic congestion during the summer months could be addressed through proper signage, reestablishing the barnes dance and proper transportation alternatives; data used by CDOT is flawed and cannot accurately predict future traffic conditions; the traffic improvements would not be significant compared to the impact on businesses downtown; the loop would allow visitors to speed through downtown and the Town should find ways to keep visitors downtown; the Town should use the approximately $4 million from the devolution of Business 34 to fix the West Moraine and Water Wheel bridges; a Downtown Development Authority could be established to help the downtown businesses make decisions for their future; the Board should do no harm and should consider the quality of life of its citizens living along Riverside; the Town should establish a plan before implementing a significant change; Alternative 1 would negatively impact the environment; and direct visitors to use the north entrance of the park to help address congestion. Those speaking for continuing the NEPA study included Dick Spielman/town citizen, Brian Berg/town citizen, Diane Muno/town citizen and business owner, Bill Almond/town citizen and Visit Estes Park Board President, Elizabeth Fogarty/county citizen and Visit Estes Park CEO, Charley Dickey/town citizen and business owner, Amy Hamrick/town citizen and business owner, Kirby Hazelton/town citizen, Paul Fishman/town citizen, Lindsay Lamson/county citizen and business owner, Teresa Maria Widawski/property and business owner ,and Kent and Judi Smith/town citizens and business owner. Comments were heard and summarized: the congestion downtown in the middle of the summer should be mitigated and the Town should take advantage of the grant funds to address the issue; choosing to move forward with Alternative 1 would allow three bridges to be fixed and mitigate flooding in the future; the Town Board has gone through a substantial process and it should continue to gather further information and complete the NEPA process; the congestion affects the visitor experience; the loop project would positively affect the community, improve safety and economic viability of the community; the project would be the first improvement that future projects would build from and would not fix all the traffic issues; the CVB commissioned a study in 2010-2011 and found guest were least satisfied in the summer for several reasons with one being the traffic congestion; congestion downtown causes guest to spend less money; the FLAP project is the beginning and not an ending to addressing the congestion issues; and thanked the Board for the vision to seek out resources to address the issue of congestion and failing infrastructure. Board of Trustees — April 15, 2015 — Page 4 Board comments followed the public hearing with the Board acknowledging their appreciation of the public comment received: Trustee Ericson stated the Town has reviewed all aspects of the issues including parking, shuttles, roads, floodplain, signage and technology which are all inter -related. The Town commissioned a traffic study in 2003 that led to the shuttle system that has improved each year. The Transportation Visioning Committee reviewed the issues and developed a report outlining solutions such as traffic patterns. Trustee Nelson commented the Board and staff have done significant outreach to gain public input. The Town does not have all the information to know if the one-way couplet would be a viable option until the NEPA study has been completed. Trustee Phipps reminded the public he voted "no" at the March 2013 meeting to apply for the grant as there was no master plan for the downtown including Riverside, possible condemnation and the lack of involvement by the National Park. He stated some improvements are necessary and bridge work is needed; flood insurance continues to be a concern; the Town has a grant to complete a downtown master plan; vehicle traffic in the park may be restricted in the future and increase the use of the shuttle system; and outlying parking areas would capture vehicle traffic before it enters downtown to ease the traffic. All of these items need to be considered as well as the economic impact of moving forward with the loop. He has not been convinced the one-way couplet would solve the congestion problem and a master plan should be developed first. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig concurred with Trustee Phipps. The environmental impact study once completed would likely not allow the one-way couplet to be constructed due to a significant impact on the environment. A master plan needs to be completed for the area and the issue needs to be looked at further before moving forward. Trustee Holcomb stated the comments received throughout the process have been equally for and against the project. He stated the objective continues to be what is best for the community moving forward. The evaluation process should consider all entities involved, the need for access to the park to sustain the town, and the continued degradation of the Town's market share by other mountain communities are all significant issues to consider. The one-way couplet would only be one piece of the solution in addressing the congestion issue and the Town would continue to address master planning, parking, pedestrian movement, flood insurance rates, and other pressing issues. Stopping the process now would lead to many unanswered questions and concerns. The Town needs the economic and social concerns answered in order to make an informed decision. Trustee Norris commented the large complex project requires additional information the NEPA study can provide before a decision can be made. The Town needs to understand the economic, safety, and environment costs to make an objective decision that would come from the completion of the NEPA study. The Board does not do the project justice without the completion of the NEPA process. It was moved and seconded (Ericson/Holcomb) to continue forward with the NEPA process for further review of Alternative 1 - one-way couplet and the "no action" Alternative, and it passed with Mayor Pro Tem Koenig and Trustee Phipps voting "No". Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the rp etirti11:33 illiam C. Pinkham, Mayor 10_z e Williamson, Town Clerk