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Minutes are not a verbatim transcription, but rather an attempt to capture the intent of the speaker by the City Clerk.
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Lakewood Civic Center, and 480 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado.
ITEM 2 - ROLL CALL
Those present were: Mayor Bob Murphy, Presiding
Diana Allen
Doug Anderson
Cindy Baroway
Sue King
Debbie Koop
Adam Paul
Ed Peterson
Tom Quinn
Vicki Stack
Absent: Karen Kellen
Planning Commission Members:
George Brown, III
John Plotkin
Tracy Sheffield
Ray Schoch
Rich Urbanowski
Michael Rohr
Absent: Jerald Golley
Staff in attendance: Mike Rock, City Manager
Full and timely notice of this Study Session had been given and a quorum was present.
ITEM 3 - UPDATE - WADSWORTH / US 6 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Dave Baskett gave a brief update on the Wadsworth / US 6 Environmental Assessment project. He noted that no action is being requested tonight. They only want to update everyone on the progress of the project.
Seyed Kalantar, Project Manger in charge of the day-to-day operations for the
project, introduced the following members of the Team: Randy Furst, Tim Eversoll,
Mandy Whorton and Colleen Roberts.
Tim Eversoll, stated that the last update on the project to the Council was
September 2007. He noted that excellent progress has been made since that time.
The presentation outline included background information about the project,
City of Lakewood and public involvement, preferred alternatives that have been
identified for the project and some of the cooperative opportunities that will
exist between the City of Lakewood and CDOT. He also mentioned the next steps
that are planned. He noted that this is an Environmental Assessment Study that's
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which comes
into play whenever federal funds are used. Primary sponsors of this project
are CDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and mobility of traffic (automobiles, bicycles, transit, pedestrians, trucks) at the interchange of Wadsworth Boulevard and Highway 6, and the corridor of Wadsworth between 4th Avenue and 14th Avenue. The study shows that most accidents in Lakewood happen at this corridor. In an effort to educate the community, he noted that a number of meetings have been held to explain the impact of this project. From August 2007 to June 2008, there have been five "Open Houses"; 15 meetings have been held with neighborhood organizations and business organizations; and some 2000 mailings were sent about the project. There have been business surveys and property ownership meetings. Also, a website has been set up for further input.
As a result of the Committee's efforts to inform the public, valuable input was received. They learned that many are in support of the project and that something should be done, and done now. Other concerns were: reduction of traffic noise at residences along US 6, provide safer accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, address neighborhood traffic impact and cut-through traffic, accommodate future transit on Wadsworth, consider construction timing and phasing with other area projects, minimize property acquisitions and relocations. They also heard that the Committee should continue its public outreach.
In discussing the Preferred Alternatives, Mr. Eversoll showed the existing Cloverleaf style interchange. The Team's preferred change is the Tight Diamond with a Loop. He noted that a local example of this exchange is at I-25 and Colorado Boulevard. They feel that this alternative will meet the needs of the City of Lakewood residents. Additional benefits are: it will improve safety, eliminate weaving, accommodate future traffic and it supports multi-modal connections. Additionally, the Preferred Alternative scored well in the top four priorities of the differentials-i.e., interchange capacity, bike/pedestrian crossing, corridor travel time, and cost. Other improvements in regards to the Preferred Alternative include six through-travel lanes for Wadsworth (three north bound and three south bound), a raised median and detached sidewalks, that will produce safer situations.
Mr. Eversoll spoke briefly about the cooperative opportunities that may exist between the City of Lakewood and CDOT. Some technical issues that may come up, but will also provide opportunities for future improvement are in the areas of aesthetics, flood improvements, funding cooperation, landscaping, maintenance, noise walls, non-conforming properties, water quality and utilities. Some will require intergovernmental agreements.
Included in the next steps the Committee will take are completing the environmental assessment by Spring 2009, which will encompass finalizing the preliminary design (footprint), and making a decision by the Summer 2009. If all goes well and funding is available, they hope to begin construction by 2010, at the earliest.
Mayor Murphy commended the team for an excellent presentation.
There were no comments from the Planning Commission.
Councilman Quinn said the presentation included good information and the team did an excellent job with public outreach.
Councilwoman Stack mentioned that this was a good open process. She's received no calls or complaints.
Councilman Anderson also noted that the team did a good job. He had concerns about graffiti, etc. He asked that the team remember and give consideration of what could happen 10 years after the project is completed-will it still look good, (maintenance, etc.) He said the team did a great job regarding public comments.
ITEM 4 - REVIEW - AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - DENVER FEDERAL CENTER
Mayor Murphy mentioned that the Federal Center was annexed to the City of Lakewood
in 2007.
Advisory Committee Members for the Federal Center Master Plan, Lakewood Comprehensive Plan Amendment are: City Council Members Karen Kellen, Sue King, and Adam Paul; Planning Commission Members-Jerry Golley and John Plotkin; General Services Administration-Scott Connor and Lisa Wild; Neighborhood Representatives-Ken Abramovitz, Bernie Goldman, and Jim Halderman, and St. Anthony West- Beth Elland and Bob Wallace.
Roger Wadnal stated that the presentation shows the Advisory Committee's suggestion on how to integrate the Denver Federal Center Master Plan into the Master Plan for the City of Lakewood. The Denver Federal Center is a 640-acre facility that was acquired in 1941 and has been managed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). As Mayor Murphy noted, it was annexed into the City of Lakewood in 2007. A new Master Plan was adopted in 2008.
Mr. Wadnal noted that this has been an 18-month process and they are still adding other components. This property was a "gated community", and the overall vision of the Master Plan is to remove that "gate", in an effort to integrate it with the rest of the community.
The Lakewood Comprehensive Plan--an advisory document that sets policies for a range of community issues, including land use, transportation, and open space-looks 10 to 15 years into the future. The most recent plan was adopted in 2003. The plan encompasses neighborhood plans, special area plans and corridor plans.
He stated several reasons for amending the Comprehensive Plan: (1) the Denver Federal Center is not addressed in the Comprehensive Plan; (2) the amendment would support long-term partnership with Lakewood and GSA; and (3) it also sets the framework for future development. The Advisory Committee feels that now is the time to bring forth this proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Therefore, they would like to move forward to a public hearing by August 2008.
In giving the history of The Denver Federal Center, Jim Halderman, Neighborhood Representative on the Advisory Committee, stated that the property was called "Down Dale" from 1869 to 1913. It was then called "Hayden Ranch from 1913 to 1941, and the Denver Ordnance Plant from 1941 to 1945. The process for this proposed amendment began in October 2005, and since that time scoping and draft public meetings, draft master plans, and environmental impact statements have been completed culminating in the filing of Record of Decision in May 2008.
The Denver Federal Center Roundtable Committee was a joint effort and partnership that consisted of many individuals and organizations from the federal and local governments, neighborhood groups and business representatives.
He showed an aerial view of the Final Master Plan, and summarized what's proposed for the 640 acres of land. The plan notes that 25 acres (8%) of the property will be a mixed used district; 44 acres (13%) will be an office center district; 35 acres (10%) will be research and development district; 182 acres (54%) for a secured federal campus district; 31 acres (9%) unsecured federal quad district; 18 acres (6%) neighborhood retail district; 227 acres for open space, perimeter space /irrigation/drainage; 13 acres for roads/infrastructure; 65 acres for RTD/Hospital land sale. The plan also includes 1400 residential units.
After briefly noting the implementation steps, Mr. Halderman said the recommendation of the Advisory Committee is to move the Federal Center Comprehensive Plan Amendment forward to the Planning Commission for public hearing and approval, then to the City Council for public hearing and adoption.
Suggested recommendations from members of Planning Commission included moving the "bulleted" items on Page 19, (under General Land Use) mentioned earlier on in the document-- it should not be in the last statement. Also, the word "leed" should be replaced with a more generic term because that term may not be used in five or ten years.
Words of commendation were extended to The Advisory Committee for a job well done, and in building diversity into the plan. It was very impressive. It was noted that much work was done before the Advisory Committee received the plan, and although the plan looks great, more time is needed to "chew on it" for more details.
Councilman Anderson questioned the mixed-use/residential section. He wanted to know what destination sites are included. Also, he wanted to know what type of residential housing is planned for the 1400 units, i.e., income range.
Mr. Halderman said it would include restaurants, movie theaters, art venues and residential units. No "big box" destination centers.
Lisa Wild, GSA Representative on the Advisory Committee, said in regards to the residential units, they did not get that far into the final plan. Fourteen hundred is what they ended up with and it's more on the conservative end as to what this site could support, residentially. Part of the residential housing will be included in the office center district - some 850 multi-family units (condos, town-homes, etc.) The remaining 550 units are planned for the mixed-use center (same type of multi-family housing). At this point, she's not sure of the income range for the units, but she imagines it will be a mixed-use of income as well.
Councilman Anderson said he is concerned about how the plan integrates with the existing neighborhoods, and how all forms of transportation (walking, biking, etc.) will be affected. Also, he's skeptical of the 20/30 Traffic Plan, which is a very salient document. He wonders if we can solve the traffic problems that will be created at the Federal Center. He wants to see a solution in hand before adding more homes and office space --concentrating more traffic problems to the Union / Alameda Corridor. He appreciated the presentation.
Councilman Quinn asked if the 81 acres for perimeter open space would remain passive open space. He asked, too, that one of the implementation steps to be considered in the plan include some restoration work in the disturbed vegetation areas.
Mike Rock, City Manager, stated that a large portion of the space would remain passive. Some earlier discussions with GSA many years ago, noted that the space would be available for a variety of uses for the community. The southeast corner still lends itself to an analysis to see if it would support community recreation, and it is not specifically identified, but is the best opportunity for cooperative effort between the Federal Government and the City of Lakewood for a recreation area.
Councilman Peterson extended congratulations and praises to all who worked on this plan. It's a respectful Master Plan and he likes the open space issue.
Councilwoman Koop wanted to know if ward boundaries have been drawn.
Margy Greer, City Clerk, said the proposed project is in Ward 1, and the Ward boundary changes had been adopted by City Council.
Councilwoman King asked about the flags in the southeast corner.
Ms. Wild explained that the flags indicate continuation of the environmental study.
After all comments were made, Mayor Murphy said this is a good example of local and federal government, and how residential and business neighborhoods collaborate on a worthwhile project. He extended thanks to all involved. It is his recommendation that action be taken to move this project forward.
Council Members Murphy, Allen, Baroway, King, Koop, Paul, Peterson, Quinn, and Stack indicated that this project should move forward for public hearing at the Planning Commission on August 6, 2008.
Councilman Anderson said nay.
Councilwoman Kellen was absent.
ITEM 5 - REPORTS
Mayor Murphy reminded everyone about the Parade of Homes in Lakewood scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Council Members Allen and Quinn said Ward 5 meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Carmody Center. Also, August 23 marks the 25th Anniversary of Bear Creek Lake Park, and at this meeting, a presentation will be given by Animal Control on "Living with Wildlife" in Lakewood.
Councilman Anderson acknowledged passing of Mrs. Marie Onkerman, a good citizen and great person. She preceded Jim Halderman as President of the Glenn Heights Neighborhood Association. She will be missed very much.
ITEM 6 - ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council; Mayor Murphy adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Submitted by,
Margy Greer, City Clerk
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