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City of Lakewood
Policy Report 2003-3
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
THRU: Frank Gray, Director of Community Planning and Development
Roger Wadnal, Manager, Strategic Planning
FROM: Kate Erickson, Senior Planner
DATE: February 24, 2003
City Council Study Session Date: March 3, 2003
SUBJECT: Approval of the Alameda Cornerstone Plan, Case No. PL-03-001, as an Amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
A. Approve the Alameda Cornerstone Plan as an amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan.
B. Direct staff to prepare a resolution to be brought forward at City Council's regular meeting on March 24, 2003, approve the Alameda Cornerstone Plan as an amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND
West Alameda Avenue was originally developed as the Metro area's gateway to Red Rocks Park and the Front Range mountains. More than any other street, Alameda embodies Lakewood's identity with its gracious appearance and its spectacular views to Green Mountain. Additionally, Alameda Avenue provides access to the heart, or downtown, of Lakewood by providing residents and visitors with connections to major employment areas - the Denver Federal Center and Union Boulevard office district, and shopping areas - Lakewood City Commons and the upcoming Belmar District.
In the last several years, Alameda Avenue has been experiencing an exciting level of creative development including Lakewood City Commons and the Belmar District. While the City has many plans in place in this area, these plans have not specifically been tied together with a unified vision. Additionally, the Alameda Avenue Corridor Plan was adopted in 1995 and only covers the area between Sheridan Boulevard and Carr Street. This Plan was adopted well before the work of the Southwest Quadrant Committee and the Villa Advisory Committee and implementation of the Lakewood City Commons project and the Belmar project.
Recognizing that new developments will have significant impacts on Alameda Avenue between Sheridan Boulevard and Union Boulevard, an innovative partnership was formed to develop the Alameda Cornerstone Plan. This partnership included the Alameda Gateway Community Association, the Denver Federal Center/General Services Administration, the Regional Transportation District, and the City of Lakewood. All partners in the planning effort have contributed to the total cost of $180,000 to prepare the Plan. The plan is being termed the "Alameda Cornerstone Plan" because the Plan builds upon past plans with an eye to the future that addresses land use, urban design, economic analysis, and transportation.
KEY ELEMENTS
The Alameda Cornerstone Plan was developed through a community-based planning process that included a week-long charrette, and four open houses. A community survey of 14,000 businesses and residents was completed and a 15 percent response rate was achieved. This survey asked respondents to rate the key elements of the Plan. Overwhelmingly, the respondents supported the key elements of the Plan.
The Plan is based upon Seven Guiding Principles and articulates future actions to achieve the community's vision for Alameda Avenue and identifies the future responsibilities of each partner to the planning process. The Seven Guiding Principles include:
Think Green
Unify the corridor with landscape, urban design to create a "Grand Parkway
to the Mountains".
The Cornerstone Plan identifies the need for consistent and water-wise landscaping along the corridor. Action steps call for the implementation of drought tolerant landscaping materials in medians and landscaped areas along the sides of the roadway. By using consistent landscape materials, Alameda Avenue will be visually connected from Sheridan Boulevard to Union Avenue. Ensuring that landscaping is implemented in a water-wise manner will allow Alameda Avenue to serve as a regional model in responsible and water-wise landscaping practices.
Balance and Choice
Provide for motoring, walking, biking and transit.
The Cornerstone Plan recognizes that Alameda Avenue is a major transportation
corridor. As such, it is important that regional traffic be accommodated along
with local traffic.
The Cornerstone Plan identifies strategies to improve the operation of Alameda Avenue for all modes of travel. Action steps include roadway improvements, transit improvements, and effective management of access points along Alameda Avenue. The Plan specifically identifies the need to analyze the development of a circulator bus service that would connect Union Boulevard, the Federal Center, downtown Lakewood, and the proposed light rail transit system on 13th Avenue.
Make it Walkable
Make a distinctive, continuous pedestrian realm part of the Avenue.
The Cornerstone Plan recognizes the importance of Alameda Avenue as a pedestrian
environment and community amenity. Action steps include ensuring the provision
of a continuous pedestrian path the length of the corridor, providing well-defined
transit areas, and recognizing the different roles of Alameda Avenue in serving
pedestrian needs.
Think Big and Small
Create a real, urbane downtown and intimate neighborhood centers.
The heart of the Cornerstone Plan is the establishment of a hierarchy of centers along Alameda Avenue. "Downtown" Lakewood is located at Wadsworth Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. Smaller neighborhood serving centers would continue to grow at Harlan Street, Garrison Street, and Oak Street. These neighborhood centers would continue to include uses such as coffee shops, small retail shops, and small service shops. Action steps include development of design standards and zoning tools to encourage the continued viability of neighborhood centers and protect the integrity of the adjacent neighborhoods.
Create Character
Transform the major intersections with smart design and civic art.
The Cornerstone Plan recognizes the importance of the major intersections along Alameda Avenue in not only moving traffic but also in providing residents and visitors with a view of Lakewood's identity. Action steps call for the continued coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation, implementing distinctive pedestrian crossings, and implementing distinctive architecture at major intersections.
Face Front
Develop buildings that relate to streets; doors and windows face the street.
The Cornerstone Plan calls for the extension of the Alameda Overlay Zone District to Union boulevard. The Alameda Overlay Zone District sets forth standards for new construction so that an identifiable image is created for the City of Lakewood along Alameda Avenue. The standards specify architecture details, materials, building placement, and for parking lots to be located to the rear and sides of buildings.
Catalyze
Keep working with investors; actively encourage and participate in redevelopment.
The Cornerstone Plan recognizes that the successes that have occurred along Alameda Avenue have been the result of creative partnerships and creatively working with developers and business owners. As the Cornerstone Plan is implemented, the relationships will remain important. A key action step is the creation of a business improvement district, which the Alameda Gateway Community Association is currently undertaking.
SUMMARY
It is requested that City Council direct staff to prepare a resolution to be brought forward at City Council's regular meeting on March 24, 2003 to approve the Alameda Cornerstone Plan as an amendment to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan.
Submitted by:
Kate Erickson, Senior Planner
Roger Wadnal, Strategic Planning
Frank Gray, Director Community Planning and Development
Reviewed by:
Joni Inman, Director Mayor and City Manager's Office
Michael J. Rock, City Manager
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