HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2017-06-27
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
TOWN BOARD 5:15 p.m. – 6:40 p.m.
STUDY SESSION BOARD ROOM
5:15 p.m. Dinner.
5:30 p.m. Update on the Downtown Neighborhood Plan. (Director Hunt)
5:40 p.m. Process and Procedures for Funding Outside Agencies
(Including Community Service Grants).
(Assistant Town Administrator Machalek)
6:30 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions.
6:35 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items.
(Board Discussion)
6:40 p.m. Adjourn for Town Board Meeting.
Informal discussion among Trustees concerning agenda items or other Town matters may occur before this
meeting at approximately 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 1
EXISTING CONDITIONS SUMMARY
In this Document:
1. Introduction 1
2. Urban Design and
Land Use 5
3. Parking and Access
Management 15
4. Hydrology and
Flooding 33
5. Resiliency and the
Downtown Plan 43
In 2015, the Town of Estes Park received a grant through the Colorado
Department of Local Affairs, State Energy and Mineral Impact Fund to
prepare the Estes Park Downtown Plan. The Downtown Plan (The Plan)
will be a community-driven, long-term vision for Downtown Estes Park.
The Plan will establish specific goals and strategies for public and private
improvements that will achieve that vision.
This Existing Conditions Summary is intended to provide an understanding
of Downtown Estes Park’s physical character, land use patterns, parking
and transportation facilities and hydrology. It also introduces the concept
of resiliency and discusses how resiliency may be incorporated into the
project. This summary will serve as a resource document for community
members during the project.
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(Figure 1) Downtown Plan Area 05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHBlack Canyon
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Big Thompson RiverMoraine AvenueMoraine AvenueRiverside Drive36363636343434Cleave StreetPark LaneVirginia Drive East Elkhorn AvenueMacGreg
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Big Thompson RiverMoraine AvenueMoraine AvenueRiverside Drive36363636343434Cleave StreetPark LaneVirginia Drive East Elkhorn AvenueMacGreg
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eBig Thompson AvenueMoccasin CircleDriveJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DriveKnoll-Willows Open SpaceWest Riverside DriveMap KeyPlan AreaOpen/Green SpaceTown of Estes ParkDowntown PlanFebruary 13, 2017DOWNTOWN AREA MAP05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHBlack Canyon
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Big Thompson RiverMoraine AvenueMoraine AvenueRiverside Drive36363636343434Cleave StreetPark LaneVirginia Drive East Elkhorn AvenueMacGreg
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eBig Thompson AvenueMoccasin CircleDriveJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DriveKnoll-Willows Open SpaceWest Riverside DriveMap KeyPlan AreaOpen/Green SpaceTown of Estes ParkDowntown PlanFebruary 13, 2017DOWNTOWN AREA MAP4
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 3
The Downtown Plan Area
The Estes Park Downtown Plan Area (Plan Area) includes areas along
the spines of Elkhorn and Moraine Avenues (Figure 1). The Plan Area
boundary (just under 180-acres) includes public areas and privately-owned
properties. The Plan Area is anchored by Fall River and the Big Thompson
River, both of which run generally parallel to streets in Downtown.
Top left: Looking southwest from
the intersection of Elkhorn and
Moraine Avenues.
Top right: Library signage.
Bottom left: A section of the
Riverwalk near the Fall River.
Bottom right: Commercial
buildings along Elkhorn Avenue.
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Map KeyGateway AreaMinor GatewayLandmark/FeatureActivity NodeElkhorn Avenue Building EdgePlan AreaEncroaching Landform*05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHTown of Estes ParkDowntown PlanDecember 09, 2016DOWNTOWN AREA MAP*********Stanley HotelFun CitySouther
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Northern Mountain ViewsPerformancePark DowntownCore DowntownCore Parking DowntownCore Parking Visitor Center Area Piccadilly SquareBond Park Riverwalk Plaza Front RangeAccess RMNPFall RiverEntry AreaAccessRMNPFall RiverEntry AreaAccessRMNPBeaver MeadowsEntry AreaAccessJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DriveBlack Canyo
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Big Thompson RiverMoraine AvenueMoraine AvenueRiverside Drive363636343434Cleave StreetPark LaneVirginia Drive Moccasin Circle DriveEast Elkhorn AvenueMacGreg
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eBig Thompson AvenueWest Riverside Drive(Figure 2) Urban Design Analysis
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 5
Urban Design and Land Use
This section identifies the current urban design characteristics and existing
land use patterns throughout the Plan Area.
Urban Design (Plan Area-wide)
The existing urban design framework of the Plan Area is an interconnected
group of elements. These elements, or systems, provide insight into the
existing design, function, connectivity and human experience. Some of
these elements are illustrated in the Urban Design Analysis map (Figure
2).
This section describes urban design elements in the Plan Area considering
the area as a whole:
Activity Nodes
Focal points or intersections with increased pedestrian and/or vehicular
traffic activity. Activity Nodes in the Plan Area are generally near major
points of access/connectivity, or are prominent destinations.
• The Visitor Center is located on the north side of the Big Thompson
River, at the east end of the Plan Area near the Highway 36/Highway
34 intersection. It provides a landing area for visitors, local information
and parking for nearby trails.
• Bond Park is a civic park at the intersection of Elkhorn and
MacGregor Avenues (adjacent to Town Hall). In addition to passive
uses, a variety of events occur there.
• Riverwalk Plaza is located on the north side of the confluence of the
Fall and Big Thompson Rivers. Passive uses, amphitheater programs
and access to nearby rivers, restaurants, shops, parking and trails are
easily available there.
• The Downtown Core Parking nodes provide residents, visitors,
and local merchants the most centrally located parking options for
Downtown. These parking nodes are located along Rockwell Street,
west of Moraine Avenue & south of Fall River, and also adjacent to
Town Hall.
• The Downtown Core node is at the intersection of Elkhorn Avenue
and Moraine Avenue, and is considered by many to be the center of
Downtown. This intersection experiences high volumes of pedestrian
and vehicular traffic.
• Piccadilly Square is located at the southern extent of the Plan Area.
This node appears to be less active than other nodes.
• Performance Park is located at the west end of the Plan Area. This
public park and amphitheater is used throughout the warm months for
concerts and events.
*Note: the degree of utilization/activity within the Activity Nodes varies
throughout the year.
Bond Park (top), the Riverwalk
Plaza (second), the Downtown
Core (third) and Performance Park
(bottom) are Activity Nodes in the
Plan Area that experience varying
degrees of utilization throughout the
year.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 20176
Block Form
The size, shape and alignment of city blocks. Block Form in the Plan
Area varies greatly due to the constraints of natural systems and existing
development patterns.
• Block sizes and shapes range greatly throughout Downtown.
• Block alignments and shapes are often the result of steep adjacent
landforms and intersecting river flows.
• Many blocks are organically/irregularly shaped.
• Many blocks in the center of the Plan Area are long and narrow.
Building Form
The visual aspects and physical features that comprise the appearance of
a building or group of buildings. Form elements include the overall shape
of the building footprint, the building height and the building’s relationship
to its surroundings.
• Footprint: A large variety of sizes that vary according to use and area.
Generally rectilinear in shape.
• Height: Predominantly 1-2 stories with a few 3-story buildings.
• Alignment: Buildings respond primarily to environmental patterns and
street alignments. Buildings near the center of Downtown tend to be
more consistently aligned along the street (forming a consistent street
wall) than buildings to the periphery.
Edges
Dominant natural or built boundaries such as walls, buildings or river
edges that denote a transition between areas or affect human experience.
In the Plan Area, these major edges define development extents and urban
form and, in some cases, also act as barriers to circulation.
Natural
• Waterways: Fall River, Big Thompson River and Black Canyon Creek.
• Steep Hillsides: along the southern boundary of the Plan Area and
Knoll-Willow Open Space.
• Rock Outcroppings: significant exposed sheer rock faces within the
Plan Area that impede development and flow.
Built
• Buildings: building street wall along Elkhorn Avenue and parts of
Moraine Avenue.
• Streets: North St. Vrain Avenue, West Wonderland Avenue,
MacGregor Avenue and Cleave Street.
Gateway Areas
A point along a circulation route (automobile, bicycle, pedestrian) where
one gains a sense of entering or approaching a new area, neighborhood or
landscape. Major gateway areas denote primary access points to the Plan
Area, while minor gateway areas indicate secondary access points.
Major Gateway Areas
• Eastern Town Gateway Area: Located at the Highway 36/Highway 34
intersection, this gateway area provides a formal entry to Estes Park
for visitors traveling from Colorado’s Front Range.
Waterways (top), rock outcroppings
and steep hillsides (middle) and
consistent building street walls
(bottom) are Edges that define
development extents and urban
form in the Plan Area.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 7
• Western Downtown Gateway Area: Located at the West Elkhorn and
Spruce Drive intersection, a steep landform and a change in land uses
creates a gateway area at the west end of the Plan Area.
• Southern Downtown Gateway Area: The intersection configuration
at the southern extent of the Plan Area creates a gateway area.
Minor Gateway Areas
• Pedestrian Underpass - underneath Route 36
• Riverside/Elkhorn - intersection of Riverside Drive and Elkhorn Avenue
• Riverwalk Trail and Moraine Avenue - southern entry into the Plan
Area’s center
Landmarks/Features
Readily identifiable man-made features which serve as reference points.
They are found throughout the Plan Area and help provide a visual
wayfinding reference.
• Visitor Center
• Entry/Arrival Features at Eastern Town Gateway
• Town Buildings/Area
• Park Theatre Tower
• Riverwalk Gazebo and Plaza (west)
• Water Wheel
• Fun City (outside Plan Area)
• Stanley Hotel (outside Plan Area)
Street/Public Realm Experience
The experience a user can expect while traveling along a public sidewalk
or street. Character-defining features include overall sizes of elements,
landscaping, relationship between the sidewalk and buildings, materials,
decorative amenities and features.
• 8’-12’ sidewalks constructed of concrete with brick paver accents are
present throughout the center of Downtown and on some sections of
the Riverwalk path.
• Raised planter beds along the curb edge contain street trees and
mixed landscape plantings that provide shade to seating areas and
pedestrians along Elkhorn Avenue.
• Typical streetscape features such as benches, garbage cans and
traffic bollards are interspersed along Elkhorn Avenue. Inconsistencies
in style, color and size are noted.
Views
Views in the Plan Area provide a relative connection between the built
environment and the surrounding mountain landscape.
• Northern mountain views, including to MacGregor Mountain, Castle
Mountain, The Needles and the Roosevelt National Forest backdrop,
from eastern gateway area.
• Southern mountain views, including to Long’s Peak and the RMNP
range, from Moraine Avenue area.
The Town Buildings/Library (top),
Visitor Center (second) and Park
Theatre Tower (third) are easily
identifiable landmarks that assist
visitors with wayfinding in Estes
Park.
Sidewalks that include concrete and
brick paving accents with raised
planter areas help define the public
realm experience in Downtown.
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(Figure 3) Downtown Analysis Areas Town of Estes ParkDowntown PlanJanuary 04, 2017AREA ANALYSIS MAP05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHABDEFGHIJKCEast Elkhorn AvenueBlack Canyon
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Big Thompson RiverBig Thompson AvenueMacGreg
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Moraine AvenueRiverside DrivePPPPPPPPP363636343434Moraine AvenueCleave StreetJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DrivePark LaneVirginia Drive
13245Moccasin Circle DriveWest Riverside DriveMap KeyElkhorn LodgePerformance ParkPost OceBaldwin ParkPiccadilly SquareBond ParkMunicipal Oces/Library Knoll-Willows Open SpaceStanley HotelStanley VillageVisitor CenterABCDEFGHIJKPlan AreaBuildingsPublic ParkingP2Downtown Core/ Central Analysis Area3Southern Analysis Area145Western Analysis AreaDowntown Core-East Analysis AreaEastern Analysis AreaTown of Estes ParkDowntown PlanJanuary 04, 2017AREA ANALYSIS MAP05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHABDEFGHIJKCEast Elkhorn AvenueBlack Canyon
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Big Thompson RiverBig Thompson AvenueMacGreg
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Moraine AvenueRiverside DrivePPPPPPPPP363636343434Moraine AvenueCleave StreetJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DrivePark LaneVirginia Drive
13245Moccasin Circle DriveWest Riverside DriveMap KeyElkhorn LodgePerformance ParkPost OceBaldwin ParkPiccadilly SquareBond ParkMunicipal Oces/Library Knoll-Willows Open SpaceStanley HotelStanley VillageVisitor CenterABCDEFGHIJKPlan AreaBuildingsPublic ParkingP2Downtown Core/ Central Analysis Area3Southern Analysis Area145Western Analysis AreaDowntown Core-East Analysis AreaEastern Analysis AreaTown of Estes ParkDowntown PlanJanuary 04, 2017AREA ANALYSIS MAP05001001000 ft1” = 300’NORTHABDEFGHIJKCEast Elkhorn AvenueBlack Canyon
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Big Thompson RiverBig Thompson AvenueMacGreg
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Moraine AvenueRiverside DrivePPPPPPPPP363636343434Moraine AvenueCleave StreetJames StreetRock RIdge RoadRiverside DriveCrags DriveStanley Circle DrivePark LaneVirginia Drive
13245Moccasin Circle DriveWest Riverside DriveMap KeyElkhorn LodgePerformance ParkPost OceBaldwin ParkPiccadilly SquareBond ParkMunicipal Oces/Library Knoll-Willows Open SpaceStanley HotelStanley VillageVisitor CenterABCDEFGHIJKPlan AreaBuildingsPublic ParkingP2Downtown Core/ Central Analysis Area3Southern Analysis Area145Western Analysis AreaDowntown Core-East Analysis AreaEastern Analysis Area10
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 9
Land Use and Urban Design (by Analysis Area)
For the purpose of describing existing land uses and providing more detail
on unique urban design characteristics, this summary divides Downtown
into five areas as illustrated in Figure 3. For each area, the following land
use and urban form characteristics are identified and reviewed:
Land Uses:
The use or activity that takes place on a given property or group of
properties. Land use categories include:
• Retail - Commercial activities such as local shops and restaurants
• Hotel - Resorts, hospitality, temporary/short term lodging
• Residential - Long term single-family and multi-family housing
• Parks/Open Space - Green spaces, public parks or other open areas
• Community/Institutional - Public and quasi-public activities such as
libraries, Town government offices/facilities, churches, hospitals and
schools
• Office - Professional services, such as architecture firms, financial
services and similar
Urban Form:
The physical characteristics of an area or space, including blocks and
buildings. Urban form characteristics include:
• Block Form
• Building Character
• Building Placement
• Building Footprint
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201710
Area 1: West
Land Use:
Primarily: Hotel
Some: Residential (Multi-Family)
Parks/Open Space
Minimal: Retail
Community/Institutional
Urban Form:
Block Form
3 “mega-blocks” with internal private parking areas, irregular access and
internal connections. Blocks are significantly defined by the Fall River.
• Size: ~1000’+ block lengths
Varying block depths
• Shape: Irregular, organic
Building Character
• Height: Predominantly 1-2 stories with one 3-story building
• Detail: Rustic/log cabin style, 1970’s era auto-oriented
commercial, wood-frame construction with gable
roofs and stone accents
Building Placement
• 0-25’ setbacks along Elkhorn Avenue (average)
• 20’-30’ side setbacks (average)
Building Footprint
• Size: 4500 sf to 6000 sf (medium)
• Shape: Rectilinear
Public and Private Parking Areas
• Limited public parking lots.
• Limited on-street parking available along Elkhorn Avenue.
• Private parking is generally available internally on individual parcels.
Top: The Silver Moon Inn is the
only 3-story building in the Western
Analysis Area.
Second: Stage at Performance
Park.
Third: Seating and trail section
near Performance Park.
Bottom: Private parking for the
West Park Center.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 11
Area 2: Central/Downtown Core
Land Use:
Primarily: Retail
Some: Parks/Open Space
Community/Institutional
Minimal: Residential
Hotel
Urban Form:
Block Form
Semi-consistently sized, rectangular blocks that are significantly defined by
Elkhorn Avenue.
• Size: ~400’ to ~600’ block lengths
~100’ to ~250’ block depths
• Shape: Semi-consistent, rectangular with north and south irregularity
Building Character
• Height: Predominantly 2-story with some 1-story buildings
• Detail: Eclectic, rustic style with wood and stone accents.
Ground level storefronts along Elkhorn have significant
transparency/fenestration
Building Placement
• 0’ setbacks along Elkhorn and Moraine Avenues and Cleave Street.
Buildings are aligned to create a consistent street wall along Elkhorn
Avenue
• 0’ side setbacks between businesses (majority)
• Rear setbacks are highly irregular
Building Footprint
• Size: 1,000 sf to 9,000 sf, with medium variety
• Shape: Rectilinear
Public and Private Parking Areas
• Public parking lots available adjacent to Cleave Street to the north and
on the south side of Fall River.
• Limited parallel, on-street parking is available on Elkhorn Avenue,
Cleave Street and Weist Drive.
• Private parking areas are limited.
Top: Looking east down Elkhorn
Avenue.
Second: A consistent street wall
along the north side of Elkhorn
Avenue.
Third: Seating and paving in the
Riverwalk Plaza area.
Bottom: A section of the Fall River,
Riverwalk and adjacent commercial
buildings.13
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201712
Area 3: South
Land Use:
Primarily: Residential (Single-family)
Retail
Some: Parks/Open Space
Minimal: Hotel
Community/Institutional
Urban Form:
Block Form
Medium and large, irregular blocks are framed by Moraine Avenue and the
Big Thompson River/Riverside Drive.
• Size: Medium to Large
• Shape: Irregular, Organic
Building Character
• Height: Predominantly 1-story with some 2-story buildings
• Detail: Rustic/log cabin/bungalow style, 1970’s era
auto-oriented commercial, contemporary wood-frame
construction with gable roofs and stone accents
Building Placement
• 10’-20’ setbacks along Moraine Avenue (average)
• 5’-20’ setbacks along Riverside Drive and Ivy Street (average)
• 5’-10’ side setbacks (average)
Building Footprint
• Size: ~1000 sf (residential average)
~4000 sf (commercial average)
• Shape: Semi-consistent rectilinear (except for Piccadilly Square
and buildings along northern Moraine Avenue)
Public and Private Parking Areas
• Public parking lots are available adjacent to the Big Thompson River
and Moraine Avenue.
• On-street parking is available on Moraine Avenue and Ivy Street
(angled and parallel).
• Private parking lots are available off Moraine Avenue and in the
Piccadilly Square area.
Top: View north from Moraine
Avenue towards the Downtown
Core and Park Theatre Tower.
Second: Gaslight Square Shop
frontage.
Third: Vehicular bridge over the
confluence of the Fall and Big
Thompson Rivers.
Bottom: View of Longs Peak from
Moraine Avenue as it curves west.14
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 13
Area 4: Downtown Core-East
Land Use:
Primarily: Retail
Parks/Open Space
Community/Institutional
Some: Residential
None: Hotel
Urban Form:
Block Form
Large irregular blocks that generally run east to west. Large Knoll-Willows
Open Space area to the north.
• Size: Predominantly large with some smaller blocks
• Shape: Irregular, semi-organic
Building Character
• Height: Predominantly 2-story with some 1-story buildings
• Detail: Eclectic, rustic style with wood and stone accents.
Buildings form semi-consistent street wall. Ground level
storefronts along Elkhorn have medium transparency/
fenestration ratios. Newer buildings are present.
Building Placement
• 10’-80’ setbacks along Elkhorn Avenue
• 0’-15’ side setbacks (majority) with some 15’-40’
• Rear setbacks are highly irregular (respond to landform and river/
alignment)
Building Footprint
• Size: 3,000 sf to 15,000 sf, wide variety, inconsistent
• Shape: Irregular; jogged alignment creates pockets for plazas and
off-street parking along Elkhorn Avenue
Public and Private Parking Areas
• Public parking lots are available adjacent to the Town offices and at the
intersection of Elkhorn Avenue and Riverside Drive.
• On-street parking is available along Elkhorn Avenue (parallel),
MacGregor Avenue (angled) and surrounding Bond Park (angled).
• Small private parking is available along Elkhorn Avenue and at the
eastern edge of the Analysis Area associated with retail uses.
Top: Varied setbacks and plaza
spaces along the south side of
Elkhorn Avenue.
Second: Commercial spaces along
the Riverwalk.
Third: Seating and paving in the
Riverwalk Plaza area.
Bottom: Private parking northeast
of the Elkhorn Avenue and Virginia
Drive intersection.15
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201714
Area 5: East
Land Use:
Primarily: Retail
Community/Institutional
Some: Parks/Open Space
Minimal/None: Hotel
Residential
Urban Form:
Block Form
Three irregular blocks with internal orientation and private parking areas
on the north side of Big Thompson Avenue. Two blocks separated by Big
Thompson River to the east of Highway 34 and Highway 36 intersection.
• Size: Large (1000’ block lengths with varying lengths/depths)
• Shape: Irregular, Organic
Building Character
• Height: 1-2 stories
• Detail: Rustic/log cabin/style, auto-oriented
commercial, contemporary wood-frame construction with
gable roofs and stone accents
Building Placement
• 50’+ setbacks along Big Thompson Avenue
• Irregular, wide range of side and rear setbacks
Building Footprint
• Size: 2,000 sf to 33,000 sf, wide variety, inconsistent
• Shape: Rectilinear
Public and Private Parking Areas
• Public parking lots are available adjacent to the Visitor Center.
• Private parking is available throughout Stanley Village.
Top: Stanley Village.
Second: Visitor Center.
Third: Pedestrian bridge over
the Big Thompson River from the
Visitor Center.
Bottom: Pedestrian access under
Highway 36.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 15
Parking and Access Management
The following section includes a discussion of the vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle and transit
transportation networks in and around Estes Park, as well as available and proposed parking
facilities. Although each section is discussed separately, they are all interrelated and the
Downtown Plan will consider the multimodal impacts of all recommendations.
In general, the information summarized in this review draws from existing planning documents,
primarily including:
• Estes Park Parking Study (2005)
• Downtown Circulation Study (2008)
• Transportation Visioning Committee Report: Roadmap to the Future (2012)
• Estes Park Transit and Parking Study (2013)
• Estes Park Community Assessment (2013)
• Citizens Survey (2014)
• Estes Park Downtown Parking Survey (2015)
• Trail Route Considerations Through Downtown Core (2015)
• Estes Park Transit Facility Parking Structure Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) (2015)
• 2015 Year End Review for the Estes Park Free Shuttles (2016)
• Transportation Advisory Committee: Proposed Parking Strategy (2016)
• Transportation Advisory Committee: Downtown Parking Program (2016)
• Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Downtown Estes Loop Project (2016)
• Estes Valley Master Trails Plan (2016)
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201716
WEST ELKHORN
AVENUE
EA S T EL K HORN AV
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U E (US -3 6 )BIG HORN DRIVECRAGS DRIVEMORAINE AVENUE (US-36)RIVERSIDE DRIVEEAST RIVERSIDE DRIVEWEST RIVERSIDE DRIVEROCKWELL STREET
WE I ST DRIVE
DAVIS STREET
(Figure 4) Traffic Lanes and Intersection Control, Not to Scale
NORTH
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 17
Vehicular Transportation
Network Overview
Regional and local access to Downtown is provided by both US-34 and
US-36. Through Downtown, US-36 exists as Moraine Avenue and Elkhorn
Avenue. Primary access to the Plan Area is provided by West Elkhorn
Avenue, Moraine Avenue (US-36), Riverside Drive, Big Horn Drive,
MacGregor Avenue, Virginia Drive, East Wonderview Avenue (US-34), Big
Thompson Avenue (US-34) and North St. Vrain Avenue (US-36).
Figure 4 illustrates the existing lanes and controls for the key intersections
within the Plan Area. Elkhorn Avenue (US-36) is a Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT) Highway between Moraine Avenue and the
US-34/US-36 intersection, categorized as NR-C. East of the Riverside
Drive/Virginia Drive signalized intersection, Elkhorn Avenue a five-lane
roadway providing two through lanes of travel in each direction, eastbound
and westbound. West of Riverside Drive, Elkhorn Avenue provides
two through lanes westbound and a single through lane eastbound.
Separate eastbound and westbound left turn lanes exist for the signalized
intersection of Elkhorn Avenue with Riverside Drive/Virginia Drive.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201718
At the Elkhorn Avenue and Moraine Avenue signalized intersection, the
inside westbound through lane along Elkhorn Avenue becomes a left turn
lane to southbound Moraine Avenue. The outside westbound through lane
is a shared left turn/through/right turn lane. Moraine Avenue (US-36) is a
CDOT Highway, categorized as NR-A with a 25 mile per hour speed limit.
It provides two lanes of travel each direction, northbound and southbound,
near Elkhorn Avenue. Through the southern portion of the Plan Area, at the
Crags Drive intersection, it provides a single through lane in each direction.
Riverside Drive exists as a two-lane roadway on the eastern side of the
core Downtown area and provides a single through lane in each direction.
Rockwell Street is a one-way eastbound roadway at the intersection with
Moraine Avenue and a two-way roadway at the intersection with Riverside
Drive. It provides access to several parking lots. The Rockwell Street
approach to Riverside Drive operates as the primary movement with stop
control installed along northbound and southbound Riverside Drive.
West Riverside Drive exists in the southern Plan Area that provides a
connection between Crags Drive to Riverside Drive via the Post Office; a
short east-west segment between the Post Office and Riverside Drive is
called Ivy Street.
As identified, the intersections of Elkhorn Avenue with Moraine Avenue and
Riverside Drive/Virginia Drive are signalized. The intersections of West
Drive/Moraine Avenue, Rockwell Street/Riverside Drive, Ivy Street/East
Riverside Drive, Davis Street/Moraine Avenue, Moraine Avenue/Crags
Drive, and Crags Drive/West Riverside Drive operate with stop control.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 19
Downtown Estes Loop Project
The Downtown Estes Loop is an improvement project proposed and
approved by CDOT for construction beginning in 2021. It consists of
converting Elkhorn Avenue to one-way westbound traffic between
Riverside Drive and Moraine Avenue; converting Moraine Avenue to one-
way southbound traffic between Elkhorn Avenue and Crags Drive/ West
Riverside Drive; and converting West Riverside Drive, Ivy Street, and East
Riverside Drive (north of Ivy Street) to one way northeastbound traffic
between Moraine Avenue and Elkhorn Avenue. The intersection of Moraine
Avenue/Crags Drive will be reconstructed to consist of a roundabout that
will provide a direct connection to West Riverside Drive. West Riverside
Drive is proposed to be realigned and connect to the existing East
Riverside Drive using a new bridge over the Big Thompson River. The
one-way street conversions will provide a counterclockwise flow of traffic
through and around Downtown Estes Park.
Projections show that conversion to one-way streets will improve traffic
operations by reducing traffic signal phases needed and left turn conflicts.
One-way streets also allow for improved turning movements from the
minor street approaches at unsignalized intersections. The conversion to
one-way traffic will allow for improved sidewalks and pedestrian crossings,
new shared bike lanes (along Elkhorn Avenue) and on-street bikes lanes
(along Moraine Avenue and Riverside Drive) and may allow for increased
on-street parking on Moraine Avenue.
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0270 540 810 1,080135FeetExisting RoutesExisting Path - Soft SurfaceExisting Multi-Use PathExisting RiverwalkÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊTopography ChallengeLake Estes TrailConservation EasementEstes Valley Trails PlanExisting ConditionsDowntown CoreNorthLegendParkingPoints of InterestLand UseParks and Open SpaceBIG THOMPSON AVEBIG THOMPSON AVEE ELKHORN AVEBIG HORN DRCOURTNEY LNMORAINE AVERIVERSIDE DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRCRAGS DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRSTANLEY CIRCLE DRPROSPECT AVECOMANCHE ST4TH STDUNRAVEN STHIGH STPONDEROSA DRSTANLEY AVESTANLEY AVE
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W WONDERVIEW AVEE WONDERVIEW AVEN ST VRAIN AVEN ST VRAIN AVES ST VRAIN AVETown Hall and LibraryKnoll - Willows Open SpaceVisitors CenterGolf CourseLAKE ESTESLake Estes Trail(Figure 5) Estes Valley Trails Plan - Existing Conditions Downtown Core (Source: Estes Valley
Master Trails Plan, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, October 2016)22
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 21
Active Transportation
This section describes existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the
Plan Area to determine opportunities and constraints for improved active
transportation facilities.
Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
Figure 5 shows existing trails and paths using a map from the Estes
Valley Master Trails Plan. The map includes the Plan Area and its regional
context.
Bicycle Facilities
The Riverwalk serves as the only off-street trail through Downtown.
However, due to space constraints, bicycling is prohibited on the
Riverwalk. The only option for bicycling through Downtown is on-street.
According to the 2013 Community Assessment, high traffic volumes
and the lack of bike lanes cause some community members to feel that
Downtown is unsafe for biking in the summer.
23
Moraine AvenueE. Elkhorn AvenueRock Ridge RoadCleave StreetKnoll - Willows Stanley Circle DriveMa cG regor Ave
nu eBig Thompson AvenueMoraine AvenueRiverside DriveN. St. Vrain AvenueW. Wonderview AvenueW . Elkhorn AvenueMoccasin Circle Drive James StreetSpruce DriveRockwell StreetWeist DrivePark LaneBig Horn DriveVirginia DriveOpen SpaceE. Riverside DriveW. Riverside DriveSidewalk GapRiverwalk0550 1,100275FeetNORTH(Figure 6) Downtown Sidewalk Gaps 24
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 23
Pedestrian Facilities
There are multiple pedestrian facilities through Downtown, and most
roadways have sidewalk coverage on both sides with pedestrian push
buttons at signals, cross walks and “yield to pedestrian” signs. From the
Visitor Center at the east end of the Plan Area, pedestrians have the
option to either cross Highway 36 at-grade or use the grade-separated trail
under the roadway that connects to the Riverwalk as well as the sidewalk
along Elkhorn Avenue. The 2013 Community Assessment indicated that
the Town is generally considered “walkable” with only a few challenging
at-grade crossings (such as the at-grade crossing at Elkhorn Avenue and
Highway 36).
While the Town is generally considered walkable, there are several gaps in
the pedestrian network. These sidewalk gaps are highlighted in Figure 6,
and listed below:
• East Riverside Drive – sidewalk infrastructure missing south of Ivy
Street
• West Riverside Drive – sidewalk infrastructure missing south of the
Post Office
• Cleave Street – intermittent sidewalk infrastructure; grade challenges
• West Elkhorn Avenue – sidewalk infrastructure missing from the
Elkhorn Lodge to the east side of the West Park Center, including a
transit stop at West Park Center with no sidewalk infrastructure
• Spruce Drive – sidewalk infrastructure missing north of Cleave Street
• Big Horn Drive – intermittent sidewalk infrastructure north of Cleave
Street
• Virginia Drive – sidewalk infrastructure missing north of commercial
developments leading to the residential area
• East Wonderview Avenue – sidewalk infrastructure missing from
MacGregor Avenue to the Stanley Village Shopping Center
The south side of many Downtown streets are shaded and vulnerable to
ice, making pedestrian navigation difficult during the winter.
25
0270 540 810 1,080135FeetkjProposed Bridges in Conjunctionwith Flood MitigationPotential Routes in Downtown CoreExisting RoutesExisting Path - Soft SurfaceMulti-Use Path Requiring Further StudyOn-Street Option Requiring Further StudyRecommended On-Street Bike OptionExisting Multi-Use PathExisting RiverwalkÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊTopography ChallengeFuture Trail Corridor OpportunitiesLake Estes TrailConservation EasementEstes Valley Trails PlanFuture Trail OpportunitiesDowntown CoreNorthLegendParkingPoints of InterestLand UseParks and Open SpaceBIG THOMPSON AVEBIG THOMPSON AVEE ELKHORN AVEBIG HORN DRCOURTNEY LNMORAINE AVERIVERSIDE DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRCRAGS DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRSTANLEY CIRCLE DRPROSPECT AVECOMANCHE ST4TH STDUNRAVEN STHIGH STPONDEROSA DRSTANLEY AVESTANLEY AVE
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W WONDERVIEW AVEE WONDERVIEW AVEN ST VRAIN AVEN ST VRAIN AVES ST VRAIN AVETown Hall and LibraryKnoll - Willows Open SpaceVisitors CenterGolf CourseLAKE ESTESLake Estes Trailna1na4na33na13na13na6na25na8na12na12na19na9na12na8na80270 540 810 1,080135FeetkjProposed Bridges in Conjunctionwith Flood MitigationPotential Routes in Downtown CoreExisting RoutesExisting Path - Soft SurfaceMulti-Use Path Requiring Further StudyOn-Street Option Requiring Further StudyRecommended On-Street Bike OptionExisting Multi-Use PathExisting RiverwalkÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊTopography ChallengeFuture Trail Corridor OpportunitiesLake Estes TrailConservation EasementEstes Valley Trails PlanFuture Trail OpportunitiesDowntown CoreNorthLegendParkingPoints of InterestLand UseParks and Open SpaceBIG THOMPSON AVEBIG THOMPSON AVEE ELKHORN AVEBIG HORN DRCOURTNEY LNMORAINE AVERIVERSIDE DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRCRAGS DRMOCCASIN CIRCLE DRSTANLEY CIRCLE DRPROSPECT AVECOMANCHE ST4TH STDUNRAVEN STHIGH STPONDEROSA DRSTANLEY AVESTANLEY AVE
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Valley Master Trails Plan, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, October 2016)26
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 25
Previously Proposed Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility
Improvements
A series of improvements have been proposed to improve bicycle and
pedestrian connectivity in and around Estes Park based on extensive
public outreach and planning efforts. The Future Trail Opportunities
Downtown Core map from the Estes Valley Trails Plan is shown in Figure
7. Identified improvements include both on-street and off-street bicycling
enhancements, pedestrian improvements around the proposed performing
arts center and improved trail connectivity to Rocky Mountain National
Park and the area’s surrounding trail system.
In addition to the proposed improvements identified within the Estes Valley
Master Trails Plan, the “Loop” identifies on-street bike lanes.
27
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201726
Alternative Transportation
During the summer months, the Town of Estes Park operates a free shuttle
system that is available to everyone. The shuttles provide daily service
from late June through early September (approximately 84 days per year),
operating on a fixed schedule. Additionally, the National Park Service
(NPS) operates a free shuttle system in and around Rocky Mountain
National Park from late May through early October (approximately 136
days per year), also on a daily fixed schedule; one of the three NPS routes
stops within Estes Park. Outside of these months, there is no daily fixed
route transit service. However, for large weekend events, Estes Park will
operate a free shuttle service on select days. In 2015, the Town operated
a free shuttle on 21 days outside of the summer season, advertised in
advance on the Town’s website.
The following section provides additional route and ridership details on
each of these services.
Estes Park Free Shuttle System
Summer Service
The Town of Estes Park operates multiple free daily shuttles during the
12-week peak summer season (between June and September) from the
Visitor Center to a variety of destinations. In 2015, five shuttle routes
carried more than 84,000 riders, or around 1,070 riders per day. This is
similar to the previous two years, but down slightly (around 3 percent) from
2014.
Starting in 2017, Estes Park will be adding a sixth shuttle route (the Green
Route) to improve service between the Event Center, the expanded
parking facility at the Visitor Center and Town Hall.
The frequency, span of service and a brief selection of key destinations
served are shown in Table 1. Most destinations are not included in order to
highlight the routes serving three primary areas:
• The Visitor Center – Served by all routes
• Downtown– Served by the Gold and Green routes (and Brown route
eastbound)
• Event Center – Served by the Green and Silver Routes
Starting in 2017, those wishing to ride the free shuttle between the Visitor
Center and Downtown will need to wait approximately 15 minutes on
average in the morning and evening hours (2 trips per hour on the Gold
Route) and around 5 minutes on average during the afternoon hours (6
trips per hour on the combined Gold and Green Routes). Those wishing to
travel between the Event Center and the Visitor Center can expect similar
average wait times during the day, with the option of riding either the Silver
Route or the Green Route (during afternoon hours). The Green Route will
introduce a one-seat ride between the Event Center and Downtown during
afternoon hours, with 4 trips per hour indicating average wait times of
around 7.5 minutes.
28
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 27
Table 1: Overview of 2017 Proposed Estes Park Shuttle Service (Service Dates: June 24 - September 10, 2017)
1.
Introduction Visitor Center Town Hall/ Library Event Center Stanley Hotel Marina Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Fall River Visitor Center Frequency Hours
Daily
Trips
Gold ● ● 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 24
Green ● ● ● 15 minutes 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 20
Brown ● ●* ● 60 minutes 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 13
Silver ● ● ● 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 24
Blue ● ● 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 24
Red ● ● 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 24
*The Brown Route operates in a loop, serving downtown last and therefore does not provide a reasonable route for those looking to
ride from the Visitor Center to downtown.
Special Service
The Town also provides free trolley service for guests and residents during several events outside of the
summer shuttle season. In 2015, the special event trolley carried approximately 4,030 riders over 21
special service days. This represents around 190 riders per day during these events. Ridership is up
compared to 2014, when the trolley served 2,880 riders over 20 days (140 riders per day).
Rocky Mountain National Park Free Shuttles
Peak Season Service
The National Park Service operates three free shuttles during the peak season (typically late May to early
October) in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. While only the Hiker Shuttle directly serves Estes
Park (at the Visitor Center), visitors have access to the other two free shuttles via a transfer.
Unlike the Moraine Park Route and the Bear Lake Route, which operate daily between late May and early
October, the Hiker Shuttle only provides daily service during the same peak period as the Estes Park
Free Shuttles (June to September), reducing to weekend-only service in the fall. During the summer
season, the Hiker Shuttle primarily operates on 30-minute headways; however, before 11 a.m. and after
6:00 p.m., only hourly service is provided.
Table 2: Overview of National Park Service Shuttle Service (2016 Service Dates: May 28 - October 10, 2016)
1.
Introduction Visitor Center Beaver Meadows Visitor Center RMNP Park & Ride Moraine Park Visitor Center Bear Lake Frequency Hours
Daily
Trips
Hiker Shuttle* ● ● ● 30 - 60 minutes 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 20
Moraine Park ● ● 30 minutes 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 24
Bear Lake ● ● 15 minutes 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 48
*2016 Service Dates: June 25 - September 11, September 17-18, September 24-25, October 1-2, October 8-10, 2016
Key Considerations
Estes Park Free Shuttles
While the various routes provide coverage in all directions from the Visitor Center, ridership between the
three key areas (Downtown, Visitor Center, and the Event Center) will need to be closely monitored in the
coming years with the investment in additional parking capacity (in the form of a new parking structure) at
the Visitor Center.
National Park Service Shuttles
National Park Service Shuttles and coordination with this system should be in the Downtown Plan
process.
(Table 1) Overview of 2017 Proposed Estes Park Shuttle
Service (Service Dates: June 24 - September 10, 2017)
(Table 2) Overview of National Park Service Shuttle
Service (2016 Service Dates: May 28 - October 10,
2016)
29
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201728
Special Service
The Town also provides free trolley service for guests and residents during
several events outside of the summer shuttle season. In 2015, the special
event trolley carried approximately 4,030 riders over 21 special service
days. This represents around 190 riders per day during these events.
Ridership is up compared to 2014, when the trolley served 2,880 riders
over 20 days (140 riders per day).
Rocky Mountain National Park Free Shuttles
Peak Season Service
The National Park Service operates three free shuttles during the peak
season (typically late May to early October) in and around Rocky Mountain
National Park. While only the Hiker Shuttle directly serves Estes Park (at
the Visitor Center), visitors have access to the other two free shuttles via
one transfer.
Unlike the Moraine Park Route and the Bear Lake Route, which operate
daily between late May and early October, the Hiker Shuttle only provides
daily service during the same peak period as the Estes Park Free Shuttles
(June to September), reducing to weekend-only service in the fall. During
the summer season, the Hiker Shuttle primarily operates on 30-minute
headways; however, before 11 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m., only hourly service
is provided.
Key Considerations
Estes Park Free Shuttles
While the various routes provide coverage in all directions from the Visitor
Center, ridership between the three key areas (Downtown, Visitor Center
and the Event Center) will need to be closely monitored in the coming
years with the investment in additional parking capacity (in the form of a
new parking structure) at the Visitor Center.
National Park Service Shuttles
National Park Service Shuttles and coordination with this system should be
considered in the Downtown Plan process.
30
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 29
Parking
Overview and Deficiencies
According to previous study and outreach efforts, there is widespread
agreement among residents and business-owners that parking in
and around Downtown is a critical challenge during the peak summer
months. In a 2015 Downtown Parking Survey conducted by the Estes
Park Downtown Parking Task Force, more than 90 percent of 359 survey
respondents indicated that they felt parking is a problem that needs to be
addressed.
A comprehensive, multi-day parking occupancy study has not been
conducted since 2005. The most recent parking occupancy study was
completed in August 2012, as reported in the 2013 Transit & Parking
Study. Based on results from this limited effort, which included one
weekday, midday count of 1,082 on and off-street parking stalls in
Downtown, occupancy peaked at around 94 percent by mid-afternoon.
This is above the typical “target” occupancy rate of 85 percent, indicating
that many drivers were entering and exiting multiple lots in search of
parking. Furthermore, the 2013 study combined counts across multiple
lots and on-street stalls, suggesting that the most convenient, visible and
well-marked stalls likely had a higher occupancy rate. Additionally, it was
estimated that nearly 25 percent (250 stalls) of all Downtown stalls were
occupied by employees.
On the same day, an occupancy and turnover study was performed at
the Visitor Center. Occupancy at the 256-stall facility peaked in the mid-
afternoon at around 90 percent. Around 57 percent of vehicles were
observed parked for an hour or less, suggesting these visitors stayed on
site or very nearby. Only 16 percent stayed for three hours or more.
31
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - Admin Draft January 201730
Inventory
Based on the most recent information available (the 2013 Transit &
Parking Study), parking in Estes Park is generally served by four primary
parking areas and types. Public and private parking areas in the Plan Area
are shown in Figure 8.
Downtown Public Parking (On-Street and Off-Street)
The 2013 Transit & Parking Study monitored 1,082 stalls, including both
on and off-street stalls, identified in the following table. This is a reduced
number of stalls compared to the 2005 occupancy study, which monitored
989 off-street stalls in 14 surface lots and 377 on-street stalls on 11 streets
for a total of 1,366 downtown public parking stalls. Parking areas are
typically marked with a single “Parking” sign at the lot entrance.
Downtown Private Parking Stalls
The 2013 Transit & Parking Study conducted by the Town of Estes Park
identified approximately 480 private off-street stalls across 207 parcels.
Land uses on these parcels included retail, residential, lodging and other
uses. The Study noted that because of the reduced off-street parking
requirements for redevelopment projects in the Commercial Downtown
(CD) District, the current private off-street parking supply is significantly
lower than would be required for these uses by the Estes Valley
Development Code outside of the CD District.
Lot/Parking Area Stall Count
Big Horn Lot 41
Davis Lot 43
MacGregor Avenue On-Street 86
Moraine On-Street 31
Municipal/Town Hall Lot 281
Park Lane 81
Performance Parking Lot (Lumber Yard)81
Post Office Lot 93
Riverside Lot 91
South Elkhorn 19
Spruce Lot (Ice House)44
Tregent Lot 17
West Riverside Drive Lot 33
Wiest Lot/Moraine 141
Total 1,082
32
0550 1,100275FeetNORTHPrivate ParkingPublic ParkingMoraine AvenueE. Elkhorn AvenueRock Ridge RoadCleave StreetKnoll - Willows Stanley Circle DriveMa cG regor Ave
nu eBig Thompson AvenueMoraine AvenueW. Riverside DriveRiverside DriveE. Riverside DriveN. St. Vrain AvenueW. Wonderview AvenueW . Elkhorn AvenueMoccasin Circle Drive James StreetSpruce DriveRockwell StreetWeist DrivePark LaneBig Horn DriveVirginia DriveOpen Space(Figure 8) Downtown Public and Private Parking Areas 33
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - Admin Draft January 201732
Estes Park Visitor Center
At the time of the 2012 Occupancy Study, the Visitor Center included 256
off-street stalls including 102 stalls across the Big Thompson River. Small
“Parking” or “Free Shuttle Parking” signs are located on Highway 34 and
Highway 36.
A new parking structure is currently under construction on the south side
of the river. The four-story facility will provide a total of 412 spaces, an
increase of 310 spaces over the existing surface lot on the south side of
the river. When the parking structure opens in July 2017, the Visitor Center
will have a parking capacity of 566 off-street stalls including the existing
surface lot on the north side of the river and the new parking garage.
Event Center
The Event Center parking lot provides an additional 408 off-street
stalls connected to the Visitor Center by the Silver Route shuttle. Small
“Fairgrounds Park-n-Ride” signs on Highway 36 and Highway 7 identify
this parking lot.
34
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 33
Proposed Parking Program
In 2015, the Estes Park Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) outlined
three primary objectives for a Downtown parking strategy with the goal of
developing a parking strategy to address the continued parking concerns
of residents and business owners. The three primary objectives were:
1. Make Downtown more accessible, inviting and attractive to our
residents and visitors. Make it easy to get here, stay here and play
here.
2. Reduce congestion & pollution by reducing unnecessary vehicle
circulation.
3. Keep it simple. First time visitors should easily find parking, shops
and attractions.
Based on a nine-part parking strategy, in November 2016 the TAB
recommended developing a Downtown Parking Program with three parts,
as discussed below.
Seasonal Paid Parking Program
The 2015 parking survey suggested that most respondents support a
seasonal paid parking program for at least some part of Downtown.
Implementation of the program will aim to:
• Modify driver behavior by creating a clearly marked hierarchy of
parking choices
• Increase shuttle ridership
• Make it easier to find parking
• Reduce congestion and pollution
• Fund future transportation initiatives
Employee Parking Program
Any paid parking program will also need to address the need of Downtown
employees, who typically park Downtown for free during the peak
summer conditions. As part of the implementation process, a task force of
merchants and employees will need to identify reasonable alternatives to
parking Downtown, identify solutions to current challenges (such as park-
and-ride shuttle schedules), identify potential incentives and develop an
outreach program.
Downtown Parking Expansion Plan
Despite the recent investment in additional parking at the Visitor Center,
there is likely to be a continued desire for additional convenient parking
Downtown.
Key Considerations
By mid-2017, the additional parking at the Estes Park Visitor Center
combined with improved shuttle service between the Event Center, the
Visitor Center and Downtown will provide additional parking and access
options for residents, visitors and employees.
With the additional parking capacity at the Visitor Center and additional
shuttle service planned in 2017, an updated assessment of Downtown
parking occupancy and demand trends will be needed following (or
concurrent with) the Downtown Plan process. All new parking analyses and
recommendations should take into account previous studies and outreach
efforts and should be coordinated with other multimodal transportation
considerations. 35
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201734
Hydrology and Flooding
The studies listed below were reviewed in preparation of this existing
conditions summary for flood resiliency. The September 2013 flood
revealed that the Estes Valley is at greater risk for major flooding events
than previously thought. The studies focused on how to get Larimer
County, and specifically Estes Park, back to pre-flooding conditions, but in
a stronger and more resilient way. The 2013 flood created an opportune
moment for the residents of Estes Valley to evaluate the community’s
competitive position and establish a vision for the future, in part through
the Downtown Plan process. Economically speaking, Estes Valley is a
community at risk. The extensive flooding of September 2013 exposed the
fragile nature of the physical infrastructure (including roads, bridges, rivers,
and basic utilities), as well as the associated economic risks.
• Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan, Design Studies West, Inc.,
December 1996.
• Northern Colorado Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Fort Collins Office
of Emergency Management, February 2009.
• Northern Colorado, Estes Park, Fort Collins and Loveland, Connected
Systems, Connected Futures: Building for Resilience and Prosperity,
Urban Land Institute June 22-27, 2014.
• Estes Valley Economic Development Strategy Plan, Avalanche
Consulting, Inc., 2015.
• Town of Estes Park, Colorado, Fall River Corridor Plan for Resiliency,
Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC., December 2015.
• Larimer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Michael
Baker International, May 2016.
The following summary first provides an overview of the four studies
completed since the 2013 flood. A recommendations section highlights
some of the key recommendations developed from these studies. The
final section provides an overview of ongoing work that may provide key
information for the Downtown Plan.
36
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 35
Overview of Completed Studies
(Completed After the 2013 Flood)
Connected Systems, Connected Futures: Building for
Resilience and Prosperity
As an immediate response to the September 2013 flood, the Community
Foundation of Northern Colorado invited a panel of nine experts in land
use, development, finance, design and community engagement and
education to conduct an Advisory Services Resilience Panel over five
days in June 2014. Referred to as Connected Systems, Connected
Futures: Building for Resilience and Prosperity, the panel developed a
list of recommendations to address numerous questions provided by the
participating communities, which included the Town of Estes Park, the City
of Loveland and the City of Fort Collins. The recommendations addressed
physical planning, organizational capacity and public education and
engagement as part of a coordinated effort to recover from and adapt to
natural disasters.
Estes Valley Economic Development Strategy Plan
(EDSP)
In January 2015, the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation
(EDC) and the Town of Estes Park began updating the 2012 Strategic Plan
to guide efforts to improve the economic base and long-term economic
resiliency of the Estes Valley. As part of the outreach effort for the Estes
Valley Economic Development Strategy Plan (EDSP), residents and
business owners were asked to provide input on “the greatest challenge
resulting from the 2013 flood.” The following word cloud highlights some of
the feedback received:
This feedback emphasized the importance of resilient roads, bridges,
and access. Goal 1 of the EDSP addresses these concerns as it focuses
specifically on physical infrastructure. One of the key priorities for Estes
Valley related to this goal is to implement flood mitigation measures that
reduce the risk to lives and properties and minimize insurance premium
increases upon final floodplain designation.
37
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201736
Fall River Corridor Plan for Resiliency (FRCP)
Following the 2013 floods, flood-affected communities were guided to
create watershed coalitions and develop collaborative stream corridor
master plans with funding and technical support from the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) and the Office of Emergency Management
(OEM). The directive of the funding was to guide communities towards
prioritization and implementation of flood recovery and stream restoration
projects that protect life and property from hazards, while enhancing
riparian ecosystems for wildlife and recreation.
In Estes Park, the Fall River Corridor Plan for Resiliency (FRCP) was
completed in December 2015 and found that the primary reason for
the damage to Estes Park in the 2013 flood was the abundance of
infrastructure, homes and condos encroaching into the river corridor.
The FRCP discusses the formation of the Fall River Coalition, which has
now transitioned to the broader and permanent Estes Valley Watershed
Coalition. The FRCP philosophy is that resiliency is not achieved by
focusing only on stream health, but also by protecting assets and ensuring
safety.
Key objectives from the Fall River Corridor Plan include:
• Create a short-term and long-term implementable vision for recovery
and restoration of identified priority areas on Fall River
• Incorporate public input
• Focus on resilient solutions that consider hazards and stream health
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative risk assessment tools
• Maximize funding opportunities through defensible prioritization of
projects and programs
The following assessments were used to rank stream reaches and specific
community assets for potential of flood, geomorphic or ecological damage:
• Hydrologic data
• Community asset inventory
• Ecologic assessment using the SVAP2 protocol
• Geomorphic risk assessment, including an assessment of sediment
transport
• Erosion hazard assessment, including reach-wide geomorphic hazards
of debris flows, slope failures and bank erosion, alluvial fans, headcuts
and avulsions
• Flood risk assessment, including updating existing hydrologic data,
development of hydraulic model for 2-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-, and
500-year flows (calibration to recent flows), and floodplain mapping (2-
to 100-year).
Hydrologic modeling and hydraulics were conducted at a planning level;
modeling included the bridges through Downtown without bathymetry or
surveyed bridge geometry. Estimated discharge amounts were used and
unprocessed LiDAR mapping and split flows were not modeled in detail.
38
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 37
Larimer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan (MJHMP)
With the expressed purpose of saving lives and reducing future losses
in anticipation of future events, the Larimer Office of Emergency
Management completed the Larimer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) in May 2016 as an update to the 2010 Northern
Colorado Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan focused on hazard
identification and risk assessment for both County-wide issues and those
local to the Estes Valley. The goal of the risk assessment was to provide
information enabling communities to prioritize and focus their efforts on
those hazards of greatest concern and those structures or planning areas
facing the greatest risk(s). A key focus of the 2016 Plan was the integration
of hazard mitigation with ongoing land use and community development
activities.
The MJHMP discusses the benefits of participating in FEMA’s Community
Rating System (CRS). Within the CRS program, there are 18 activities
recognized as measures for eliminating local exposure to flooding. Credit
points are assigned to each activity, which have been organized under four
main categories:
• Public Information
• Mapping and Regulation
• Flood Damage Reduction
• Flood Preparedness
Larimer County entered the CRS in October of 1992. At the time of the
MJHMP, Larimer County was classified as a Class 10 CRS community, the
starting level within the program. Each class reduction allows communities
to reduce their flood insurance premiums. Since 1996, Larimer County has
incurred over $300,000,000 in estimated property and crop damages from
flooding. As of October 2016, Larimer County’s status within FEMA’s CRS
program has been rescinded.
The MJHMP notes that Larimer County will continue to support monitoring,
analysis, modeling and the development of decision-support systems and
geographic information applications for floodplain management activities.
Flood mitigation also includes structural and non-structural measures to
address susceptibility of existing structures. Flood mitigation measures
such as acquisition, relocation, elevation-in-place, wet/dry flood proofing
and enhanced storm drainage systems all have the potential to effectively
reduce the impact of flooding in Larimer County.
39
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201738
There are six categories of mitigation actions which Larimer County
considered in developing the MJHMP Mitigation Strategy:
• Prevention
• Property Protection
• Public Education and Awareness
• Natural Resource Protection
• Structural Project Implementation
• Emergency Services
As a foundation for local mitigation strategies, the following five mitigation
goals were identified within the Plan:
• Goal 1: Protect people, property, and natural resources
• Goal 2: Improve capability to reduce disaster losses
• Goal 3: Strengthen communication and coordination among public
agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and citizens
• Goal 4: Increase public awareness of natural hazards and mitigation
options
• Goal 5: Integrate hazard mitigation into other planning mechanisms
More specific than Goals, Mitigation Objectives serve as the fundamental
strategies prescribed by the Plan to achieve the identified Goals. The Plan
identified the following five mitigation objectives:
• Objective 1: Continue to develop and expand public awareness and
information programs
• Objective 2: Enhance training for hazard prevention and mitigation
options
• Objective 3: Incorporate risk reduction principles into policy documents
and initiatives
• Objective 4: Continue to collaborate with area partners through mutual
aid agreements and long-term planning efforts
• Objective 5: Reduce the vulnerability of local assets to the impacts of
hazards
40
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 39
Key Recommendations from Existing
Studies
Connected Systems, Connected Futures: Building for
Resilience and Prosperity
Recommendations from the five-day resiliency workshop for Estes Park,
Loveland, and Fort Collins included:
• Update floodplain maps for 100-year and 500-year floods
• Regulate development in the 100-year floodplain while adopting
stringent planning regulations where possible, or introduce additional
regulations for height of finished floors above base flood elevation
• Consider surface release planning to protect developed areas
• Undertake strategic land acquisition for river enhancement where
appropriate
• Design with, not against, the natural landscape
These recommendations served as key input into the development of
subsequent planning efforts.
41
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201740
Estes Valley Economic Development Strategy Plan
(EDSP)
Following the devastation of the 2013 flood, the Federal Emergency
Management Association (FEMA) is working to revise their regulatory
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). Prior to the 2013 flood, the Town
of Estes Park’s current FIRM was effective December 19, 2006. The
floodplain designations on these new maps will have a direct effect on
local homeowners and businesses. If properties are located within newly
drawn floodplains, they could potentially see significant increases in their
insurance premiums and limitations on renovations and new construction.
As noted in the EDSP, the new 100-year floodplain maps could significantly
raise insurance premiums on existing properties and limit the potential for
future redevelopment and new construction in the Estes Valley. Before the
new FEMA floodplain maps are finalized, there are a number of steps that
the Town, partner organizations and private property owners can take to
mitigate flood risk to lives and properties. These strategies include:
• Continue to implement the Town’s three-pronged floodplain
management system of:
»Regulation – Establishing standards for construction and other
work in the floodplain that protects properties from increased risk.
»Response & Recovery – Developing a detailed disaster response
plan for protecting properties and lives in the event of another
flood.
»Planning, Mitigation, & Resiliency – Developing and implementing
plans and projects that reduce flood risk.
• Encourage private property owners to floodproof their homes and
businesses, join the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition, and participate
in public meetings and planning processes.
• Establish regular meetings with FEMA and Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) to ensure that their assessments take
into account local mitigation measures as they finalize the new
floodplain maps.
Taking these steps will be essential to ensuring continued operations of
local businesses and building increased resiliency in the Estes Valley
moving forward.
42
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 41
Fall River Corridor Plan for Resiliency (FRCP)
As part of the recovery and restoration project recommendations from the
FRCP, three tiers of projects were recommended. The different tiers reflect
the range of hazards and risks in the Fall River corridor:
• Tier 1: Acquisition and removal of an asset (e.g., home, business, or
other infrastructure, such as road or bridge) from a high hazard area.
• Tier 2: When acquisition is not an option, the owner(s) in the high
hazard area make an informed decision to stay despite the risks.
Similarly, when relocating a road or removing a bridge from a high
hazard area is not an option, agencies and affected landowners make
an informed decision on how to proceed. To best protect assets,
stakeholders then make physical changes to improve channel stability,
reduce flood surface elevations and restore stream health. Multiple
project partners can collaborate on larger project(s) with system-wide
engineering solutions that move towards resiliency.
• Tier 3: When a larger project is not feasible, affected parties can
consider localized solutions to protect the individual assets, including
flood-proofing structures, specialized foundations, revetments, retrofits,
etc.
Larimer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan (MJHMP)
Relevant County-Wide Mitigation Strategies
Of the 22 priority action items identified within the MJHMP Action Report,
nine were specifically flood-related recommendations that will benefit Estes
Park, listed below in order of priority number:
• Priority 5: Analyze flow depth and velocity to determine if floodplain
regulations should be changed.
• Priority 6: Assess all unfinished recovery projects for possible
mitigation opportunities and implement alternatives when appropriate.
• Priority 7: Install rainfall and stream gauges throughout Larimer
County’s major watersheds, including the Big Thompson River and
connect all with a monitoring system that can provide real-time data
and early warning to citizens and emergency responders.
• Priority 8: Join FEMA’s High Water Mark Initiative and install high water
placards along the Big and Little Thompson Rivers in flood-impacted
areas to educate and inform community members about the risk from
flooding.
• Priority 10: Work with FEMA on updating current floodplain mapping
throughout Larimer County. By 2020, all Larimer County watersheds
will be mapped and adopted by FEMA.
• Priority 12: Analyze new hydrology and determine areas where
improvements to structures are needed.
• Priority 14: Provide recommendations for code changes to the Land
Use, Wildfire and Building Codes for reducing losses and mitigating
risk.
• Priority 19: Build on the high level resilient restoration guidelines
outlined in the Big Thompson River Restoration Master Plan to design
and implement river restoration projects.
• Priority 20: The county seeks to partner with all of the coalitions in
Larimer County to restore the watersheds and mitigate against future
risk. Resilient restoration techniques which focus on holistic watershed
health, including stabilizing river channel and banks, considering
how infrastructure is located in the floodplain; creating and improving
aquatic and riparian habitat.
43
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201742
Town of Estes Park Recommendations
The MJHMP also included recommendations specific to the Town of Estes
Park. As part of a Capabilities Assessment, the mitigation plan identifies
key local personnel in the Town that are important for implementing
mitigation strategies. These key personnel in Estes Park include:
• Emergency Manager (Part Time)
• Floodplain Administrator (Part Time)
• Community Planner (Full Time)
• GIS Specialist (Part Time)
• Grant Writer (Part Time)
Local mitigation capabilities are also dependent on local land use policy
and building codes. The Town of Estes Park possesses the following:
• A zoning ordinance
• A hazard-specific ordinance
• Local building codes
• A Comprehensive Plan/Master Plan
• A Capital Improvements Plan
• An Emergency Operations Plan
• A Long-Term Recovery Plan
• Participates in the NFIP
The Town is also in the process of creating a Stormwater Master Plan.
The MJHMP listed specific recommended mitigation actions in the Town of
Estes Park, including the following:
• Annual maintenance and inspection of culverts and mitigation planning
for ground water management.
• Improve emergency preparedness of Town Hall by relocating critical
electrical and communications infrastructure from the basement of the
building, and also improving emergency response/alert equipment.
• Replacement of bridges and widening of river channels to
accommodate flood flows.
• Add a dispatch console to the Estes Park Communications Center.
• Explore and promote flood proofing strategies for Downtown buildings.
Additional General Recommendations
Recommendations used for other jurisdictions in the MJHMP that could
apply to Estes Park include:
• Implementation of flood warning systems, including staff gauges
• Installing detention ponds to reduce peak flow rates
• Implement resiliency measures, including those pertained in Senate
Bill 40 to wildlife habitat and riparian area, into construction design,
means and methods in an effort to prevent future flood events from
causing similar destruction (as recommended for the Estes Valley
Recreation and Park District).
Non-structural recommendations are to become more involved with the
Community Rating System and the National Flood Insurance Program
to meet the goals as set out in the study to eliminate local exposure to
flooding by increasing public information, mapping and regulation, flood
damage reduction and flood preparedness.
44
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 43
Overview of Ongoing Work
In addition to the recently completed plans and studies, there are a number
of ongoing projects that will provide key input to the Downtown Plan.
Floodplain Mapping
Floodplain mapping is being conducted by AECOM on behalf of the
state and a preliminary map of Estes Valley should be available in late
spring/early summer of 2017. The FEMA map adoption process will take
approximately three years and will include an opportunity for review and
comment by the Town officials and public. The maps should be ready for
publication in 2020. Once published, the maps will become the new basis
for flood insurance.
Estes Valley Hydrology Study
A hydrology study is currently being prepared for the Estes Valley. The
study is in peer review and the Town is expecting to have a final report in
early 2017. This report was not available for review for this summary of
existing conditions.
Building Assessments
The US Army Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets Program conducted
building assessments of the Downtown corridor to create floodproofing
recommendations. The report will be available in early 2017.
Big Thompson River Restoration Master Plan
Estes Park is looking at flood resiliency projects from the Big Thompson
River Restoration Master Plan. The plan primarily covers areas upstream
of downtown and identifies projects that could help reduce flood risk on the
Big Thompson through Estes Park.
Stormwater Master Plan
A stormwater master plan and stormwater utility feasibility study are
currently being developed for the Estes Valley. The project will be
completed by September 2017. The goal of the master plan is to identify
drainage needs, identify and prioritize capital improvement projects,
improve stormwater runoff quality, improve public health and safety,
and help guide development within the Estes Vally Development Code
boundary. The feasibility study will identify funding opportunities, including
gathering information on the potential for establishment of a stormwater
utility, to implement identified improvements.
45
Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201744
Resiliency and the
Downtown Plan
Resiliency is a critical consideration to planning for Downtown Estes Park,
and the concept should be incorporated throughout the plan process and
the Downtown Plan itself. This section includes the following:
• Definition of resiliency
• Overview of opportunities to address resiliency in the Downtown Plan
• Inventory of economic, social, and environmental assets and
vulnerabilities
Definition and Background
Resilience is achieved over time and in stages, and relies on the ability to:
• Prepare
• Mitigate
• Withstand
• Recover
• Adapt
In the context of the Downtown Plan, resiliency refers to the ability
of the Plan Area to withstand disruptions to its economic, social and
environmental systems.
• Economic: The ability of an economy to survive and adapt to acute
shocks and long term shifts by having well-maintained public finances,
a diverse economic base, an attractive business environment and
strong integration with regional and global economies.
• Social: The capability of a community to respond to and cope with
disruptions and long-term changes. Socially resilient communities
typically have the capacity to maintain human well-being including
safe and affordable housing, effective sanitation, access to food,
robust public health systems, emergency response services and a
collective community identity with high levels of social cohesion/strong
community networks.
• Environmental/Physical: The capacity of environmental/ecological
systems and physical infrastructure to absorb changes and disruption
including “fast disasters” such as fires, floods and accidents; and “slow
disasters” such as climate change causing drought, spread of invasive
species and fragile critical infrastructure.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 45
Addressing Resiliency in the Downtown
Plan Process
Resiliency is an inherently interdisciplinary concept. Thus, resiliency must
receive careful consideration throughout the planning process, and it must
also be addressed within particular topics in the eventual Plan document.
The Downtown Plan process should be an integrated effort for resiliency
that:
• Has ongoing community engagement and empowerment
• Explores issues with the community
• Establishes a policy direction
• Documents a vision
• Identifies a set of comprehensive strategies to achieve environmental
targets and implement policies
• Implements resiliency policies with appropriate regulatory and finance
tools
• Considers feasibility/achievability
Specifically, the Downtown Plan should consider resiliency as it relates to
the following topics:
• Land use planning. In general, the locations of different land uses
should be carefully considered to promote long-term viability and
flexibility to adapt to changing demand.
• Urban form. The Plan Area’s urban form should be resilient to negative
shocks such as natural hazards, and also be sustainable and durable
over time.
• Redevelopment concepts. Because economic trends and land use
demands change over time, the Plan should promote flexible and
adaptive reuse and redevelopment concepts.
• Circulation and parking. Circulation and parking systems should be
designed to function reliably in times of inclement conditions, and also
to accommodate long-term changes in demand.
• Flood mitigation concepts. Strategies should be presented for
incorporating mitigation concepts throughout the Plan. These could
include land use and floodplain regulations, flood-proofing options,
floodway improvements, etc.
• Utility needs. Utility systems must adequately and reliably serve the
demands of the Plan Area, and remain functional during times of crisis.
Utility systems should also be prepared to adapt to future changes in
demand/technology.
• Public space. Public spaces are integral to social resiliency and should
be designed to be long-lived and adaptable.
• Economic development. Economic development recommendations
in the Plan should consider long-term viability and should focus on
creating a durable and resilient local economy.
• Implementation. The key vision of the Downtown Plan should be
flexible and adaptable, in order to ensure successful implementation
regardless of an uncertain future.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201746
Inventory of Assets
The Plan Area possesses many economic, social and environmental
assets that are intertwined with the character of the Town. The Downtown
Plan must carefully consider the ways in which the Plan Area’s assets are
maintained and enhanced. The Plan should address ways in which the
health of these assets is monitored, and also ways in which assets should
be expanded and improved.
Key Plan Area assets include:
Economic
• Well-maintained public finances
• Healthy economic base
»Lodging
»Retail (year-round)
»Retail (seasonal)
»Entertainment (recreational, etc.)
»Government
»Health
• Attractive business environment
»Tourist stop/destination
»Existing business base
»Natural amenities
»Walkability
• Strong integration with regional and global economies.
»Gateway to/exit from RMNP
The Plan Area’s diverse economic base is an asset.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 2017 47
Social
• Community wellbeing
»Safe and affordable
housing
»Effective sanitation
»Access to food
»Robust public health
systems
»Emergency response
services
»High levels of social
cohesion/strong community
networks.
• Community identity
»Gathering spaces
»Baldwin Park
»Performance Park
»Bond Park
»Riverside Plaza
• Community facilities
»Estes Valley Library
»Town Hall
»Portions of the Golf Course
»Estes Park Visitors Center
• Accessibility/multi-modal
connectivity
»Sidewalks
»Trails
-Creek Walk
-Portions of the Lake
Estes Trail
-Trails within the Knoll –
Williams Open Space
-The multi-use path that
runs parallel to Big
Thompson Avenue
»Accessibility by bike, car,
pedestrians, transit, etc.
»ADA accessible amenities
»Etc.
Environmental/Physical/
Natural
• Critical Infrastructure
»Regional access and
transportation
»Public safety facilities
»Public utilities
• Natural Open Spaces
»Knoll - Willows Open Space
»Rocky Mountain National
Park
• Rivers/Creeks
»Fall River
»Big Thompson River
»Black Canyon Creek
• Wildlife and Plant Habitat
»Elk
»Mule Deer
»Aspen
»Colorado blue spruce
»Ponderosa
»Etc.
Community identity assets include
Performance Park.
Trails and paths enhance
accessibility and connectivity.
Environmental assets in the Plan
Area include numerous species of
plants and animals.
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Estes Park Downtown Plan - Existing Conditions Summary - February 22 201748
Inventory of Vulnerabilities
The Plan Area also possesses numerous economic, social and
environmental vulnerabilities. In particular, the Plan Area’s close proximity
to natural amenities can also pose risks the built environment. The Plan
should carefully consider how to reduce vulnerabilities in order to improve
resiliency.
Key Plan Area vulnerabilities include:
Economic
• Limited business diversity
• Lack of diversity in labor force
• Seasonal tourism dependence
• Jobs-housing imbalance
• Uncertainty about housing development risks
Social
• Lack of housing availability
• Limited diversity in housing types
• Lack of affordability
• Connectivity barriers/limitations in transportation facilities
Environmental/Physical/Natural
• Wildland Fire
• Riverine and Flash Flooding
• Winter Storm Conditions
• Utility Disruption
• Other Hazards
»Severe Thunderstorms
»Landslide/Rockslide
»Drought
»Invasive Species
The Plan Area is vulnerable to
wildland fire.
The Plan Area is vulnerable to flash
flooding.
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1
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Designing a Resilient Estes Park
Downtown Plan
Bruce Race, PHD, FAIA, FAICP
RACESTUDIO
1
Best Practice:
To Be Resilient
Resilient Cities
Defining Resilience
Networks and Best Practice
2
Case studies:
Policy and Action
Colorado Cities
Tahoe Basin
Values and Theory
3
Challenges and
Potential Strategies
Fast and Slow Disasters
Motivation
Strategies
4
Potential Adaptive
Planning Actions
Mitigation
Adaptive Planning
Fiscal and Economic
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Every Community is Unique - - Sacred, Safe and Busy
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2
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Slow and Fast Moving Disasters
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Multi-Disasters and Hazard Mapping
“The northern Colorado Front
Range area was hit with flooding
and hundreds of landslides that
were triggered by record rains
that fell throughout this area
from September 9 through 13,
2013. U.S.” (GeoPosMngs, 2013). Geologic Hazards
Protected Ridge Lines
Flood Map
Fire Hazards
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3
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Critical Infrastructure
Town Hall/Police Station
Fire Station
Hospital
Schools
Campus
Power Station
EP Sanitation Plant
EP Sanitation Dist.
Upper Thompson
Sanitation Dist.
Visitor Center/Transit
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Base Camp for Rocky Mountain National Park - - Emergency Planning
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4
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Defining Sustainability
• Survival of the species
– Humankind has the ability to achieve sustainable development--to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (World Commission on Environment and Development, the “Brundtland
Report”, 1987)
• Ecology of place
– Sustainable communities evolve their pattern of living over time in continual interaction with other living systems, both human and nonhuman. (The Hidden Connections: A Science for
Sustainable Living, by Fritjof Capra)
• Net gain
– Planning regions where community and natural systems evolve together
– Reinvestment mends the environment
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Best Practice: Designing at the Scale of a System
• Sustainability and Mitigation Strategies
– Defining sustainability and desired outcomes
– Identifying strategies and implementation actions that reduce environmental impacts
• Resilience and Adaptation Strategies
– Defining natural and urban systems mutual supporting features
– Identifying strategies and implementation actions that
enhance ecological and urban systems’ performance under stress and capacity for recovery
– Co-benefit of sustainable practices
– Are practical solutions
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Defining Resilience
• In ecology, resilience is the capacity of an
ecosystem to respond to a perturbation or
disturbance by resisting damage and recovering
quickly.
• Resilient City–“A Resilient City is one that has
developed capacities to help absorb future shocks
and stresses to its social, economic, and technical
systems and infrastructures so as to still be able to
maintain essentially the same functions, structures,
systems, and identity.”
(www.resilientcity.org)
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Theoretical Framework
To understand how:
• TheoreMcal, sustainable, and poliMcal drivers influence the design of ciMes;
• To put urban design theory into pracMce; and
• To use the language of urban design to describe projects and places.
Vision
and Values
Strategy
Theory
design
acMons
policies
Resilience
plan
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Building Cities with Aspirations
RestoraMon
Tax Credits
and Façade
RestoraMon
Program
LRT System
Regional Plan and
$25M
Redevelopment
Commitment
Park Design
CompeMMon
and
RenovaMon
First PBID in
California and
Downtown
Partnership
Management
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Resilience Best Practice: C40 and R100 Cities
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Colorado Networks
Frank Lancaster, Town
Administrator, Town of
Estes Park
42 “overarching
statements” ACTIONS: Assessing, Planning, and
Managing for Resilience
That Colorado local governments
assess their local climate-related risks
and undertake preparedness planning
and management acMons to improve
resilience in their communiMes.
EXAMPLE FROM DENVER’S
ADAPTATION PLAN–COMPREHENSIVE
PREPAREDNESS PLANNING
Building and energy
Health and services
Land use and transportaMon
Water consumpMon
Food and agriculture
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Resilience and Sustainable Practices: Lessons from Far and Near
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
15
Regenerative Planning: Natural and Urban Systems
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Regenerative Planning Framework and Triple Bottom Line Metric
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9
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Integrated Strategies
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
18
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Regenerative approach
to the future - -
defining “net gain”
• Redevelopment as
an environmental
strategy
• Public-public-
private
partnerships
• Thinking outside
the lot line
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Community Enhancement Program–Net gain Example
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Climate Mitigation and Adaptation - - Climate Action Plans
• Mitigation strategies to reduce environmental impacts
• Adaptation strategies to increase resilience
• Metric - - Triple Bottom Line (social, environmental,
economic ROI)
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Boulder: Integration into Planning Systems
Resilience
Framework:
Leadership & Strategy
Health & Wellbeing
Economy & Society
Infrastructure &
Environment
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Common Resilience Strategies
From 100R Cities
Reflective:
Using past experience to inform future decisions
Resourceful:
Recognizing alternative ways to use resources
Robust:
Well-conceived, constructed, and managed systems
Redundant:
Spare capacity purposively created to accommodate
disruption
Flexible:
Willingness and ability to adopt alternative strategies in
response to changing circumstances
Inclusive:
Prioritize broad consultation to create a sense of shared
ownership in decision-making
Integrated:
Bring together a range of distinct systems and
institutions
From ResilientCity.org
Diversity:
Reduces impact to the whole due to weakness of an
individual system
Modularity and Independent System Components:
Damage or failure of one part of the system does not
induce failure in the entire system
Feedback Sensitivity:
Ability to detect and respond
Capacity for Adaptation:
Ability to adapt to changing conditions
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
DescripDon of
Systems
Natural Systems
CriMcal Infrastructure
Social-Demographic
Health Indicators
Exploring External
Shocks
AlternaMve
Policies
Exploring
Visions
Befer Integrated
Strategies
Policy and Management
AcMons
Step1: Defining
Systems
Step 2: Risk
scenarios and
potenMal
strategies
Step 3:
Resilience–
Systems analysis
Step 4:
Recommended
policy and
management
acMons
Outcomes
Scenarios
Stakeholder EvaluaMon
Resilience: Natural, Urban, and Social Systems
Analysis
Resilience Scenarios
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Resilient Estes Park: Challenges and Potential Strategies
Fast and slow disasters - - natural setting and events
Discussion:
1. Why should Estes Park be concerned about being resilient? What is our motivation?
2. How might resilient and adaptive planning best practice be applied to Estes Park’s vulnerabilities?
• Integrated
• Diverse
• Flexible
• Redundant
• Modular
3. How can resilience strategies meet multiple objectives?
• Economic vitality
• Community character and identity
• Community culture
• Connectivity
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Potential Adaptive Planning Actions
• Mitigation strategies and related actions
• Adaptation strategies and related actions
• Fiscal and economic development
resilience actions
• Other
Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Summary
• Every community has a unique set of
values, aspirations, and ecological
settings
• Slow and fast moving disasters
• Multi-disasters
• Theoretical framework to communicate
values
• Learn from the network and best practice
• RESILIENCE is practical
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6/14/17
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Bruce Race, PhD ,FAIA, FAICP
Next Steps
• Planning team review and discussion of
Downtown Plan Steering Committee meeting
– Motivation
– Priorities
– Ideas
• Downtown systems level exploration of:
– Risk scenarios
– Resilience system analysis
– Potential policy and management actions
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6/23/2017
1
TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION
Philosophy and Policy on Funding
Support to Outside Entities
Agenda
Desire
Program Type
Budget
Event Sponsorships/Partnerships
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6/23/2017
2
Desire
Does the Town Board still philosophically support
funding outside entities?
If so, are the focus areas still appropriate?
Arts and Education
Human Services
Housing
Transportation
Youth
Program Type
Why change?
Ability for Board to review all submissions
Simplify for applicants
Standardize process for all outside entities
Currently fund two distinct request types
Base funding (overhead support)
E.g. EVICS, Crossroads, Salud
Project funding (project-specific support)
E.g. Community Garden and Estes Arts District Calendar
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6/23/2017
3
Program Type
How does the Board want to distribute the allocated
money?
1)Simplify/standardize existing process
2)Three-fund solution
Base funding
Community Project funding
Event Sponsorship funding
3)One/two-fund solution
Only provide one/two of the funding sources listed in section 2
1) Simplify/Standardize Existing Process
Streamline application form
Require all outside agencies to use process
Economic Development Corporation
Estes Valley Crisis Advocates
Via
Applications reviewed and ranked by full board
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6/23/2017
4
2) Three-Fund Solution
Base Funding
Identify organizations to support
Process request as a Departmental budget request
Community Project Funding
Determine allocation
Call for projects
Projects rated and ranked by full Board
Event Sponsorship Funding
Discretionary line-item (with a per-event $ cap)
Leadership team decision with criteria in place
3) One/Two-Fund Solution
Fund outside entities using one or two of the
preceding mechanisms:
Base funding
Community projects funding
Event sponsorship funding
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6/23/2017
5
Budget
How does the Board want to determine the initial total
allocation amount?
Percentage of GF budget
Flat amount
Flat amount with growth factor
Discretionary Outside Agency Funding in 2017
CSG: $128,500 (.76% of 2017 of GF Budget)
CSG + Other Discretionary Funding: $215,750 (1.27% of 2017 GF Budget)
Via ($30,000)
Economic Development Corporation ($44,250)
Estes Valley Crisis Advocates ($13,000)
Non-Financial Event Sponsorships
Town frequently receives requests for event sponsorships
Some requests are financial
Others request social media/email exposure
Events in Town facilities
The Events division is working on policy and procedures to process
requests from events occurring in town facilities
Community Events Outside of Town Facilities
The Town does receive requests to provide information through the
Town’s channels
Staff has traditionally not used email blasts for this purpose
Social media has been used on a case-by-case basis
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July 11, 2017
• Review of Governance Policies.
• Presentation on Boys and Girls Facility
at Stanley
July 25, 2017
• Review of Policy Governance Policies.
August 8, 2017
• Draft Stormwater Master Plan report.
September 12, 2017
• Making Board e-mails available to the
public – follow up.
December 12, 2017
• Final Review of 2017 Strategic Plan
Items Approved – Unscheduled:
• Discussion of Housing Needs Report
recommendation for a Town Housing
Coordinator
• Building Code Changes to Facilitate
Redevelopment
• 3rd Party Building Inspections
Study Session Items for Board
Consideration:
• Alternative for Time-Limited
‘Placeholder’ Vacation Home
Registration
• Discussion of possible housing
partnership
Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items
June 27, 2017
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