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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2017-6-21Bob Holcomb, Town Board Trustee Liaison Greg Muhonen, Estes Park Public Works Staff Liaison Transportation Advisory Board Agenda June 21, 2017 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Room 202 & 203 Estes Park Town Hall 170 MacGregor Ave Current Members: Stan Black (03/31/20) Kimberly Campbell (03/31/18) Ann Finley (03/31/20) Amy Hamrick (03/31/19) Belle Morris (03/31/20) Gregg Rounds (03/31/18) Gordon Slack (03/31/18) Tom Street (03/31/19) Ken Zornes (03/31/19) The Town Hall Elevator is undergoing repairs. Access to the second floor is available by stairs only. The Town of Estes Park will make reasonable accommodations for access to Town services, programs, activities, and special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please give 24-hour notice by calling (970) 577-3587. Public Comment Approval of April Meeting Minutes Shuttle Updates FTA Lo-No Grant Letter of Support Review Draft Support Letter CDOT Update: Highway 7 Work Project Updates Project Updates TAB Initiatives Downtown Parking Strategy – Community Outreach Downtown Plan – Overarching Principles Other Business Adjourn Chair, Kimberly Campbell Sandy Osterman Chair, Kimberly Campbell Keith Wakefield, CDOT Manager, Kevin Ash Director, Greg Muhonen Chair, Kimberly Campbell Chair, Kimberly Campbell The mission of the Town of Estes Park Transportation Advisory Board is to advise the Board of Trustees and the Public Works staff on Local and Regional Comprehensive Transportation Planning Policies; Maintenance, Operation and Expansion Programs; and Transportation Capital Projects. Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 17, 2017 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall on the 17th day of May, 2017. Present: Kimberly Campbell Tom Street Gordon Slack Stan Black Ken Zornes Amy Hamrick Belle Morris Also Present: Bob Holcomb, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Larry Gamble, Rocky Mountain National Park Tom Dougherty, Downtown Plan Steering Committee Absent: Ann Finley Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. It was moved and seconded (Slack/Street) to approve the April meeting minutes with corrections and the motion passed unanimously. SHUTTLE UPDATE, Sandy Osterman Green route will start at noon at the Estes Park fairgrounds. This is estimated to be a 15- minute route. Routes will run June 24 – September 10. Special weekends include the following: Scottish Festival, Autumn Gold, July 4th, Elk Fest, Fall Back Beer Festival, & Catch the Glow. PROJECT UPDATES, Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Trolley: Public Works met with Town officials to receive approval for submitting a grant application to replace the current Gold Route trolley with an electric trolley. The application will be due in June. Further budget talks will take place to see where the local share funds would come from if the Town’s grant application is accepted. Transportation Advisory Board – May 17, 2017 – Page 2 Transit Facility Parking Structure: The construction crew poured the last ground level interior slab as of mid-May. This project is on schedule and set for substantial completion by June 30th with full completion by July 14th. The western stairs are being painted. Pulled temporary stairs and started erecting permanent western stairs next week. East stairs still in fabrication. After Memorial Day, the construction crew will begin stair erection on the east side. DMS Signs: Public Works received approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to enter into an installation contract. If all proceeds as planned, officials hope to have the signs installed and running on June 30th. Moraine Avenue Bridge Replacement: Public Works to put 60% design plans on website for citizens to review. The project team would continue their work on hydraulics to meet the final design submittal of June 28th. The TAB and Director Muhonen engaged in a detailed discussion on the detour route and its efficiency due to traffic concerns. DOWNTOWN PLAN PARKING – COMMUNITY OUTREACH, Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works, & Chair Campbell TAB began discussing the downtown parking plan outreach. They restated the goals of this initiative which are to educate the public on more transportation options and make downtown more attractive/inviting while also reducing pollution and congestion. TAB members discussed holding information meetings around Town to promote public involvement in the downtown parking plans. Ideally, groups would be 10-15 people to facilitate an intimate setting in which citizens can openly give their input and bring ideas to Town officials. Plans were set up to hold meetings hosted by TAB members Amy Hamrick, Belle Morris, Ken Zornes, and Stan Black. Dates and details are TBD. There would also be downtown parking outreach at the Farmer’s Market. TAB recruited members to be a presence at these weekly events while discussing handouts such as a business card that directs citizens to the websites, parking map, etc. Director Muhonen suggested that the TAB continue holding meetings and staying engaged in the community con versations until November 2017. TAB emphasized the importance of the downtown parking plan being a representation of the community’s desires. Transportation Advisory Board – May 17, 2017 – Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Member Slack suggested putting a static sign on US 36 to inform visitors of the Event Center. Currently, signs are set up seasonally to signal towards that area. This sparked the wayfinding signage discussion that the TAB has touched on previously. The TAB briefly held discussion about costs associated with this and the possibility of a year-round sign with hopes of increasing business to the Event Center. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 1:46 p.m. Transportation Division Brian Wells Transit Program Manager Transportation Advisory Board C/O Public Works Department Town of Estes Park PO Box 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 June 5, 2017 Greetings, The Town of Estes Park, through the Transportation Division, is applying for a Federal Transportation Administration Lo-No Emissions grant in an effort to acquire grant funding to help purchase a fully electric trolley for use by the Estes Park Free Shuttles. A 22/26 passenger, ADA equipped, fully electric trolley will serve the Green Route (Estes Park Events Complex Park-n-Ride, Estes Park Visitor Center at the new parking structure, and Bond Park) and the largest to public parking areas in Estes Park. Formed in 2006, the Estes Park Shuttles have helped reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions by allowing guests, residents and summer workers to leave their cars behind and ride the free shuttle around the Estes valley and the Hiker Shuttle into Rocky Mountain National Park. Ridership on the Town’s shuttles eclipsed 101,000 riders in 2016. With an estimate of three passengers per car, that is over 33,600 cars off of the road! The electric trolley would further lower vehicle emissions and protect the environment. The success of the Town’s current trolley (gasoline) passenger count means further success in transporting people with less impact on the environment. The FTA grant will pay up to 90% of the purchase price for a vehicle of this type with the Town portion being 10% or about $71,250. We are seeking support from local groups and entities for the Lo-No Grant process. Would you be willing to write a letter of support for the Town of Estes Park in its quest for purchasing a no emission fully electric trolley? If so, please send a letter of support to the contact information below. We need your letter of support by Friday, June 23, 2017. Please contact me directly with any questions. Sincerely, Brian Wells, Transportation Program Manager 970-577-3963 bwells@estes.org estes.org/shuttles ESTES PARK, CO 80517 www.estes.org 500 BIG THOMPSON AVE. P.O. BOX 1200 Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 1 ESTES PARK, CO - DOWNTOWN PLAN OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES AND PLANNING SYSTEMS The Estes Park Downtown Plan will be organized by a series of Overarching Principles and Planning Systems. These reflect a collaborative planning and public engagement process that has included public workshops, focus groups and an online survey. Input received during the engagement process focuses on a variety of topics including connectivity and access, community character, flood management, economic vitality and land use. Based on that input, this draft set of Overarching Principles and Planning Systems provides the Downtown Plan Steering Committee (DPSC) and Town with a preliminary set of working principles to guide discussions with community members while soliciting feedback on topics of resiliency and development in the Downtown area. DRAFT DOCUME N T Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 2 I. Economic Vitality These ideas address the way in which Downtown responds to regional trends and how it supports the economic well being of the town. Downtown will have a strong year-round economy. A mix of businesses will serve local residents and workers as well as visitors. It will provide a stable source of jobs. Downtown will have a diverse economic base. It will extend beyond tourism, with a strong segment of regionally serving businesses as well as professionals who work nationally and choose to live and work in Estes Park because of its quality of life. It will be a place in which existing businesses can thrive and new ones will be successful. Library parking lot infill concept sketch Part 1: Overarching Principles Estes Park will thrive as a resilient community, responding to changing conditions in ways that maintain its cultural, economic and environmental components. These are overarching ideas for the future of Downtown. Many are aspirational, in that they look to the future, while others affirm aspects of Downtown that exist today. They are organized into five categories. DRAFT Businesses will benefit from the strong growth along the Front Range. This provides opportunities for regional businesses to locate here. In addition, with the growing population, more people from the region will visit Estes Park for dining and entertainment as well as the Rocky Mountain experience. This will expand visitor activity in spring, fall and winter seasons. Downtown will have a high level of quality in goods and services. Estes Park will be known for excellence in the products and services that it provides. This contributes to a sense of pride and community identity. Downtown will serve residents, businesses and employees as well as visitors. It will be a place that locals enjoy and share with visitors. Improvements for businesses include faster and more reliable data coverage, transaction efficiency and the ability to telecommute. Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 3 II. Community Character These ideas relate to the way in which Downtown contributes to the desired look and feel of the community and the way in which it is perceived. Downtown’s character will remain “distinctly Estes Park.” The eclectic nature of buildings, open spaces, goods and activities will continue. The sense of discovery that comes from walking Downtown will remain exciting and interesting. Waterways will be signature assets. Residents and visitors will enjoy enhanced river edges, trails and overlooks. Flood mitigation measures will be designed as amenities that enhance the quality of life Downtown. Wildlife will remain a unique feature. The everyday encounter with animals, wildflowers and other regional flora and fauna will continue to be distinctive experiences in the Downtown. Downtown will convey its history. The heritage of Estes Park as an early gateway to the Rockies will be told through active cultural programs, interpretive exhibits and historic buildings. West Elkhorn parklet/green infrastructure concept sketchDRAFTDRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 4 III. Community Identity These ideas relate to the type of development and activities that occur Downtown, including the mix of uses and their density in both the public and private realms. Downtown will continue to be the civic center of the community. Key governmental institutions will remain Downtown and other civic institutions will continue to locate here as well. Land will be used efficiently. A moderate increase in density and intensity of land use will help to make best use of available land. Improvements in flood mitigation, circulation and access will enhance development opportunities. Views to natural features will continue to be highlights. Downtown will maintain its sense of connection with the outdoors. Views to rivers, the mountains and other natural assets will continue to abound. Solar access will also be maintained. Downtown will include a mix of housing and lodging types. A range of building types and price levels will be available, including workforce housing. Downtown will be resilient to flooding. A series of coordinated mitigation efforts will help to reduce risk. Some of these actions will be coordinated at a regional level. Others will be in the public realm within Downtown itself. Individual properties also will follow best practices in mitigation and hardening. Outdoor places will be active year-round. Outdoor plazas, parks, and other public and private spaces will be designed for continuing use with a variety of activities year-round. This sense of connection with the outdoors will remain a signature aspect of community identity. Downtown will be known as a series of different “character areas.” These will highlight the distinct identity of the individual parts of Downtown. They will reflect differences in physical design as well as the businesses and activities that occur in each character area. Streetscape designs will help reinforce the unique identity of each character area. Activated Cleave Street concept sketch DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 5 IV. Culture These ideas focus on the role that Downtown plays in civic celebrations, the arts and social interaction. Downtown will be a noteworthy regional center for the arts. This will include public and private arts facilities (including theater, music, written and visual arts). The arts will be widely embraced. Local residents and workers will support the arts as a part of the quality of life of the community. Many venues will support the arts. This will include indoor and outdoor places for presentation of art. Galleries and shops will feature art. Formal concerts will be enhanced with other, more impromptu events throughout the year.Fall River bike/pedestrian pathways concept sketch Downtown is a lively place to encounter people and share ideas. In addition to the more formal arts scene, Downtown will be known as a place for people to meet and engage in conversations that enhance the cultural experience. This may occur in a park, a coffee house, or a wide range of other venues.DRAFT DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 6 V. Connectivity These ideas address how people, including residents, workers and visitors, move through Downtown and gain access to the goods, services and activities they seek. Downtown is linked to abutting neighborhoods. A network of streets, walkways and trails provides alternative modes of access to Downtown from nearby neighborhoods. This helps make Downtown accessible to residents and those who stay nearby. Downtown takes advantage of convenient access into Rocky Mountain National Park. Public transit, trail access, civic spaces and parking facilities are designed to accommodate seasonal (and even daily) changes in visitor volumes to the park. Downtown is leveraged to reduce congestion and enhance the user experience. State-of-the art telecommunications systems support alternative modes of transportation through improved directions for driving, parking and the ability to quickly download Town information. Effective wayfinding systems guide users throughout Downtown. Informational signs help identify the location of Downtown assets, and guide users to them. Spaces are visually connected through thoughtful planning and design. New technologies facilitate quick updates to wayfinding information. Public art and other unique structures in parks and along trails also help to give distinct identity to different areas of Downtown. Coordinated parking and transit facilities will be easily accessible. Public transit will be the preferred means of transport for many people. Parking facilities will support access to transit and to pedestrian walkways and bike routes. West Elkhorn Avenue sidewalk expansion concept sketch DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 7 I. Land Use and Design These ideas focus on promoting new and diversified land uses that support the overarching principles for Downtown. They also address rehabilitation and redevelopment strategies. • Public facilities »Reinforce major corridors by locating key civic destinations and uses, plazas, public art and wayfinding along major streets and pathways. »Provide convenient access public restrooms throughout Downtown. • Housing and lodging »Promote Downtown living with new options that include mixed-use, multi-family and workforce housing. »Promote housing for the arts. »Promote lodging Downtown. • General development systems »Use creative new development to reinforce the eclectic character and quaint mountain town heritage of Estes Park. »Capitalize on public works projects that may create development opportunities. »Use incentives and regulations, including zoning and design guidelines, to promote compatible development. »Improve the character of existing development by updating storefronts and deteriorated areas. »Support new development opportunities with increased density and building height limits. »Develop high quality building standards that provide clear direction for the adaptive reuse of existing structures. »Provide guidelines on building form, materials, architecture and use. »Encourage a mix of uses to provide an active street environment along key pedestrian- oriented streets during daytime and evening hours. Part 2: Community Planning Systems Estes Park will be a connected, active and artistic mountain destination that encourages residents and visitors to return, explore and enjoy the Downtown area. A series of interconnected planning systems including land use and design, natural resource planning, circulation and access, parks and outdoor places, and funding, operations and management, will help the town respond to changing needs. DRAFT DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 8 • Commercial and mixed use development »Promote mixed use development that is compatible with Downtown. »Encourage development that includes work space for the arts. »Encourage development that provides working spaces for community and regional-serving businesses. »Foster a diverse commercial environment that supports a range of affordability and businesses. »Encourage local craft industries and small businesses through development of flexible spaces and live/work units. II. Natural Resources These ideas focus on the ability of the built environment to support and protect natural features, such as watersheds, and wildlife habitats. • Systems for flood mitigation »Implement engineered solutions that improve the capture and conveyance of storm flows. »Investigate opportunities for sites to function as dual-purpose retention/detention spaces and as amenities. »Develop a multi-tier approach (at regional, Downtown and individual property levels) to flood identification, response and recovery. • Urban design improvements that mitigate flood hazards »Design sites and buildings to armor, capture and redirect storm flows. »Protect buildings with hardening systems. »Use landscape and streetscape design to capture and convey storm flows. • Preservation of Downtown wildlife »Identify and protect natural wildlife movement patterns and sensitive areas. »Provide public education and awareness to encourage healthy engagement. DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 9 III. Circulation and Access These ideas focus on circulation networks for all travel modes. • Wayfinding system »Implement a coordinated wayfinding information system for all modes of circulation. »Develop iconic entry areas to celebrate and identify the character of Downtown Estes Park. »Use streetscape design to reinforce and identify the street hierarchy of primary boulevards, side streets and alleys. • General circulation »Create convenient access across Downtown, from Elkhorn Lodge to the Visitor Center and Piccadilly Square. »Investigate independent routes for bicycle and pedestrian circulation. »Investigate opportunities to expand the street and pedestrian grid. »Implement new and enhanced grade-separated crossings. • Bicycle circulation »Develop a continuous bicycle circulation network throughout Downtown. »Create convenient access in Downtown to regional trails. »Provide bike rental and bike parking facilities throughout Downtown. • Pedestrian circulation »Develop a continuous enhanced streetscape to invite walking. »Create a continuous pedestrian network. »Enhance the pedestrian experience along rivers and major roadways. • Auto circulation and parking »Expand the street grid to provide alternative access routes and activate side streets. »Investigate the potential for a network of Downtown parking facilities. »Actively manage existing on- and off-street parking assets. »Educate residents and visitors about all options and how to make the right parking choice for their trip. • Public transit »Implement an expanded shuttle service to more effectively service Downtown. »Link local shuttle routes to a transit center that is coordinated with regional transit. DRAFT DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 10 IV. Parks and Outdoor Places These ideas focus on outdoor amenities to gather, recreate and socialize. They include the public and private realm. • Public and private outdoor places »Provide public spaces, parks and plazas throughout the Plan Area, with emphasis on active places along designated pedestrian-oriented street frontages and waterways. »Ensure that public spaces are framed by active uses - encourage restaurants to provide outdoor dining along streets, public plazas and open spaces. »Increase programing and venues for all art forms throughout Downtown. • Connected access to parks and open space »Create safe access to local and regional outdoor amenities. »Develop multi-use trail connections to support a wide range of users. »Clearly identify parks and open spaces with wayfinding and signage. V. Funding, Operations & Management These ideas focus on initiatives to fund, manage and market Downtown in an organized manner. They address the way in which human and financial resources are shared to achieve the goals of the plan. These ideas include options to investigate or consider if they are appropriate • Prioritization and implementation strategies »Develop strategies for incremental growth and phasing for key opportunity sites. »Develop a bilateral approach for recommendations in the Downtown Plan that includes proactive and responsive strategies. • Coordinated management program »Revisit current organizational structures and identify opportunities for collaboration and expansion of services. »Establish Downtown Estes Park as an arts district. »Coordination, partnerships between the Town, County, and other existing associations.DRAFT Estes Park Downtown Plan - DRAFT Overarching Principles and Planning Systems - May 2017 11 • Coordinated maintenance program »Capital Improvement Project Fund »Storefront Improvement Program • Sustainable funding sources for improvements »Tax Increment Financing (Downtown Development Authority) »Business Improvement District »Consolidated districts through Metropolitan District »Other special districts such as a Parks and Recreation District »Association/membership dues through central downtown district or association »Exploration of local option taxes • Incentives for private development »Density Bonuses from the Town »Tax abatements »Community Development Corporation »Expedited permitting and fee reductions »Special Assessment Districts »Private Activity Bonds • Potential funding sources »Special Improvement District (public) »Bonds (public) »Grants (public) »Community Development Financial Institution (private) »Tax credits (private) »Private funds (private)DRAFT DRAFT