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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/28/2009 - NORTH COLLEGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT UPDATE: PHASE DATE: July 28, 2009 STAFF: Jennifer Petrik WORK SESSION ITEM Kathleen Bracke FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL Pre-taped staff presentation: available at fcgov.com/clerWagendas.php SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION North College Improvements Project Update: Phase II -Vine to Conifer. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fort Collins is in the final stages of the conceptual design phase for the North College (Corridor) Improvements Project — Phase II, from Vine Drive north to the Hickory/Conifer intersection. The project was initiated in accordance with the voter-approved Building on Basics (BOB)Capital Improvement Program. Additional project funding was secured by the City from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The original BOB funding schedule assumed incurring right-of-way and design costs in 2011,with construction planned for 2012. In response to requests from the North Fort Collins Business Association(NFCBA)and area property/business owners;the project schedule has been accelerated to begin construction in 2011. The total project funding secured is approximately$5.6 million,with an additional$600,000 pending from the North Front Range MPO. The updated engineer's estimate for the project is between$12 million and$15 million,depending on improvements. Due to funding limitations, full build out of this project is planned to be completed in phases as funding becomes available. The City continues to seek additional funding. The purpose of presenting this project update to City Council is to gain feedback on the recommended conceptual design and seek input on the proposed phasing options. Staff is also seeking Council feedback on the potential use of the remaining Truck Route funds for the North College Improvements Project budget in order to further extend the needed improvements along this state highway corridor and meet the intended construction schedule. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Is City Council supportive of the recommended conceptual design for the North College corridor? 2. Is City Council supportive of the proposed phasing options preferred by staff? 3. Is Council willing to consider incorporating the remaining Truck Route funding into the North College Improvements Project to extend improvements? 4. Is there any additional information that would be helpful for City Council to have in preparation for the September 1, 2009 regular Council meeting? This is the,date that staff will bring forward final recommendations for the design and phasing options for this segment of the North College corridor. July 28, 2009 Page 2 BACKGROUND In 2005, Fort Collins voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund capital projects — Building on Basics (BOB). One of the transportation projects funded through this package is North College Improvements Phase 11—Vine Drive to Conifer. This project is the next phase of the improvements that were initially funded through the Building Community Choices (BCC)capital plan. The prior BCC program funded improvements from Jefferson to Vine Drive (see Attachment 1 for a map of the project area). t The 2005 BOB ballot language included the following project description: "North College Avenue Improvements Phase 2 —Vine Drive to Conifer The project will provide for the re-design of North College Avenue to bring the road to current arterial standards from Vine Drive to Conifer Street and for the acquisition of right-of-way needed for construction along North College Avenue. Construction will include curb,gutter and minor street patching;redefinition and consolidation of driveway; bike lanes and sidewalks, new streetscape and other necessary improvements." The voter-approved BOB funding provides approximately $4.8 million for this phase of the North College project. In addition to the BOB funding,the City secured an additional $885,000 in federal funding from CDOT and the North Front Range MPO to help cover costs associated with the bicycle, pedestrian, streetscape, and safety improvements. The total project funding currently secured is approximately $5.6 million dollars. An additional $600,000 in funding from the North Front Range MPO is pending approval in August. The updated engineer's estimate for the total cost of.the corridor improvements from Vine to Conifer is between $12 million and $15 million, depending on improvements. Due to funding limitations,full build out of this project is planned to be done in phases as funding becomes available. The City continues to seek additional funding. Project Coordination Throughout the development of the North College/US287 design project,the City's Transportation Planning Department works closely with other City departments including Traffic Operations, Advance Planning, Current Planning, Finance, Engineering, Stormwater, Utilities, Transfort, Historic Preservation,Parks,Natural Resources,and Art in Public Places. The City also works with local and regional stakeholders including the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA), the North College Urban Renewal Authority(URA),area propertylbusiness owners,City boards and commissions, City Council, CDOT, and other interested stakeholders to develop a recommended design package that meets the many important local and regional needs of this corridor. Planned improvements for the corridor include installation of curb and gutter, consolidation of driveways, improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, new streetscape design, and other necessary improvements such as storm water facilities. The North College Improvements Project will be presented to City Council for adoption in September. This will include the staff's preferred conceptual design for the ultimate corridor improvements,as well as a prioritized list of projects that can be implemented in phases based upon current and future funding resources. July 28, 2009 Page 3 At this work session, staff seeks input from City Council regarding the preferred conceptual design and phasing options. Attachment 2 illustrates the preferred conceptual design for the project corridor; Attachment 3 illustrates the phasing options that were considered by the project team. To help extend the improvements along this section of North College, the project team is participating with the larger City staff team from Advance Planning, Transportation, and Utilities and the URA Citizen Advisory Group (URA CAG) to develop a comprehensive funding plan that outlines all of the infrastructure needs (transportation, storm drainage, utilities, etc.) and potential funding strategies for the larger North College area. This plan is referred to as the North College Infrastructure Funding Plan. Through these efforts, staff will identify additional funding resources that could be used to complete future phases of this North College corridor project. Attachment 4 illustrates the projects within the greater North College area URA boundary. Public Outreach The public outreach process during the planning phase of the project has included three public open house meetings(April, May, and July)as well as individual property and business owner meetings. At the request of the NFCBA, a special"hands-on"workshop was held in May to develop possible conceptual design alternatives for the corridor. In addition a right-of-way informational meeting was held at the request of property owners in June. Project presentations are taking place in July for various City boards and commissions. The first City Council work session for this project was held June 9 (see the attached meeting summary and meeting notes from recent board and commission meetings). Conceptual Design and Phasine The project conceptual design was developed through input from the public, NFCBA, CDOT, property and business owners, Commission on Disability, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Transportation Board, and the Planning and Zoning Board, as well as various City departments. The conceptual design supports the North College Corridor Plan and City Plan by providing a more attractive and functional corridor for all modes of transportation. The North College improvements will help provide more safe and direct linkages for motorists,cyclists,transit riders,and pedestrians to/from downtown and the greater Fort Collins community between North College area businesses, employment, and residential neighborhoods. In addition,the improvements will help set the stage for future infill and redevelopment opportunities to foster the City's economic health and sustainability goals. The conceptual design includes a reduced width median, two12-foot travel lanes, 8-foot on-street bike lanes on each side, curb and gutter, a 7.5-foot landscaped parkway and an off-street 8-foot shared use path (in lieu of sidewalk). This conceptual design received support from the various boards and commissions and from the public when presented in July. Due to funding limitations, full build-out of this project is planned to be done in phases as funding becomes available. The phasing options presented in July to the public and boards and commissions included the following options: July 28, 2009 Page 4 • Complete improvements starting from the south end of the project corridor and going north as far as possible based on project budget; • Limited improvements on outside edges to stretch improvements further north (does not include landscaping and streetscaping amenities); • Improvements on only one side of the street(west side or east side). Preferred Options Staff s preferred options were developed with input from the public, boards and commissions, property owners,NFCBA, CDOT, and various City departments. Given existing/confirmed funding sources, staff prefers Phasing Option 1 in order to move forward into engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction for the first phase of improvements. Completing the project from south to north will provide full improvements including consolidated driveways, landscaped parkways, bike lanes, shared use paths, curb, gutter, and storm water facilities up to approximately Pinon Street. In addition,the first phase of improvements will include basic safety improvements at the Hickory/Conifer intersection as required by the CDOT Hazard Elimination Safety grant funding. This first phase will not include raised,landscaped medians since these medians need to be installed in the future when parallel alleys and street connections are available to provide alternative access for businesses located along the corridor. Advantages of Phasing Option 1 include: • Supported by the public, Transportation Board, Planning and Zoning Board, NFCBA and property owners in the North College area • Number of disruptions to businesses is minimized • Provides a gateway to the North College area • Includes all elements of the BOB ballot language • Provides complete visible improvements, demonstrating what improvements would look like along the corridor further north • May help stimulate redevelopment interest in the area, which would help pay for future additional improvements • Finding funding for landscaping alone may be challenging Caveat: In the event that it is feasible and appropriate to incorporate additional Truck Route funding into the project,phasing Option 2 may be more preferable for the first phase of improvements. This would forego the landscape and streetscape elements in order to extend the basic improvements further north. Completing the basic improvements from south to north will provide consolidated driveways, erosion control native seeded parkways, bike lanes, shared use paths, curb, gutter, and storm water facilities up to approximately the JAX property line. In addition, the first phase of improvements will include basic safety improvements at the Hickory/Conifer intersection and does not include raised medians. July 28, 2009 Page 5 Advantages of Phasing Option 2 (if Truck Route funding is incorporated into the project) include: • Supported by the Bicycle Advisory Committee, some members of the Planning and Zoning and Transportation Boards, and some members of City staff • Allows for right-of-way acquisition for majority of the project area • Provides some basic level of improvements for most of the corridor • Continues basic improvements such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities further north Funding Request ° The current funding gap to implement the conceptual design for the entire length of the project is approximately $6 million to $9 million, depending on improvements. To help address this budget shortfall,the NFCBA requested the project team bring forward to City Council a proposal to consider incorporating the $1.8 million in remaining Truck Route funds into the North College project. The project team reviewed the NFCBA's requests with City Management, the City Attorney's Office, as well as the Finance Department, Transportation Planning, and Engineering departments. Based on this review, staff supports this proposal and requests feedback from City Council. Incorporating this $1.8 million in funding into Option 1 would extend full edge improvements to north of Hemlock Street. With Option 2, additional funding would allow improvements to extend north to approximately the JAX property line, approximately 200 feet south of Conifer Street. Staff and key project stakeholders agree that this is an appropriate use of remaining truck route funds. The North College corridor is the existing,designated truck route along US287. These funds would be used to improve the existing truck route and pfovide safety benefits for all modes of transportation. Another benefit of adding the Truck Route funds into the North College Improvements Project is that it allows the project to meet the accelerated construction schedule desired by the community. The NFCBA's request to begin construction in 2011 presents a cash flow challenge to the project's budget. The original BOB program provided funding for right-of-way and engineering/design in 2011, leading to a construction initiation in 2012. This time line was viewed as too long by the community, based upon the urgency of the necessary safety improvements. To move the project construction schedule up to 2011, design/engineering and right-of-way acquisition needs to take place in 2010 to prepare the project for construction in 2011. Therefore, the City needs to identify funding for these key project tasks in 2010 (prior to the 2011 BOB funds). The amount needed to solve this 2010 cash flow challenge would be resolved by the use of the remaining Truck Route funds. The ability to use the remaining Truck Route funds benefits the North College Improvements Project in two aspects: (1) it extends the project improvements further to improve safety for all modes of transportation; and (2) it allows all the proposed improvements to begin construction in 2011, as desired by the community. July 28, 2009 Page 6 The project team has met with the City's Finance Department to determine if there are other options to provide funds for the right-of-way and design costs in 2009/2010. The Finance Department supports the use of the Truck Route funding for this project and indicates there are no other funding sources that would be appropriate to provide this funding bridge. Unless additional funds are incorporated into the project for 2009/2010 (i.e., Truck Route), only minor construction can begin in 2011. Construction for a majority of the North College improvements would begin in 2012 when BOB funds become available. If additional funds are not incorporated into the project,the project team can move forward with a limited construction project at the Hickory/Conifer intersection with the funds currently secured for design in 2010. The decision to incorporate the Truck Route funds into another transportation capital project located within the Northeast quadrant of the City falls under the purview of City Council and does.not require another citizen vote (see Attachment 7 for the Truck Route ballot language). Proiect Schedule The project schedule was accelerated in response to requests from the North Fort Collins Business Association and area property/business owners. The current project schedule is dependent on funding right-of-way and design costs in 2009/2010: 2009 Planning, community engagement, visioning, alternatives analysis, selection of preferred alternative,and development of prioritized phasing plan for implementation. 2009/2010 Project development, engineering, rights-of-way acquisition. 2011 Construction begins. Next Steps In August, the project team will be developing the North College Improvements Project report summarizing the overall conceptual design as well as the project scope,schedule,and budget for the first phase of improvements. On September 1,2009, Council will consider adoption of the North College Improvements Project conceptual design,phasing,and proposed funding strategies,including whether or not to incorporate the remaining Truck Route funds into the project. Staff will continue to work with the project team, including CDOT, the NFCBA, area property/business owners,and City Council to advance the project through the engineering,right-of- way, and construction phases. More detailed information regarding the North College Improvements Project is available on-line at: www.fc�,4ov.com/northcollei4e. July 28, 2009 Page 7 ATTACHMENTS 1. Map of Project Area 2. Conceptual Design 3. Phasing Options 4. Map of Projects in North College URA Boundary 5. June 9, 2009 Work Session Summary 6. Recommendations from Boards and Commissions - Bicycle Advisory Committee - Commission on Disability - Planning and Zoning Board - Transportation Board - North Fort Collins Business Association 7. Truck Route Ballot Language 8. Power Point Presentation 31 l ATTACHMENT 1 Hickory St _ Conifer St ❑ i 4 ; . t t ;� �. t � I :• co ■ Z , . R ■ v/ �9 Niem..I o c k t t?4K Pi6on t ■ z Osiander St %' •Alpine t '� in l���a•; y ,� _ ., l• a� aJetan St 0 m 0 Pascal St ■ ■ o 4!r Lee Martinez Park ■ `■ ` �' � E Vine Dr Y s �•, ` r o n / Old Town t wrt ft Collins C �egend Bus Stops o 125 2e0 500 Aso 1400 Fmt Project Area Off Street Path(Existing). ATTACHMENT North College Corridor Improvements - Phase 11 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN CROSS-SECTION HCL 110, 15, 8' 7.5' 8' 12' 12' 15. 1 12' 12' 8' 7.5' 8' 15' " SHARED USE LANDSCAPE BIKE TRAVEL LANE I TRAVEL LANE RAISED LANDSCAPED MEDIAN TRAVEL LANE TRAVEL LANE BIKE LANDSCAPE SHARED USE PATH BUFFER LANE LANE BUFFER PATH ti z � w A-v o 3i a o w O / aJ rn ti a O adW a a w. O _ I IS 6-1 2J5 e i 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER 15 CURB AND GUTTER 1.5' CURB AND GUTTER LOOKING NORTH ' 11 FOOT LEFT TURN LANE REDUCES MEDIAN TO 4 FOOT MEDIAN SECTION CHARACTERISTICS • STANDARD THROUGH LANE WIDTHS (12 FEET) • REDUCED TURN LANE WIDTHS (11 FEET) • MINIMUM MEDIAN WIDTH City of II • DETACHED SHARED USE PATH ALLOWS FOR LIMITED SHARED PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE USE Fort Collins • LANDSCAPE BUFFER TO SUSTAIN STREET TREES • PREFERRED ON STREET BIKE LANE WIDTH (8 FEET) V Q� k L a � . i. . we 0 � 40 C North College Corridor Improvements Project - Phase II _ Z _ Conceptual Design 1 of 3 AND low d � � C C 00 0. O IMMOM C .IMME Q MOM 1p..., m tit - . 1 TT !. . . C Mc 0 Ca SOME °• WINNE IL North College Corridor Improvements Project - Phase II Z _ Conceptual Design 2 of 3 t� i :T v C 17 O North College Corridor Improvements Project - Phase 11 _ Z _ Conceptual Design 3of3 ATTACHMENT3 North College Corridor Improvements - Phase II 1 F North College Corridor Phasing Options ..y. ••`^ 40-0*� ' f n Option 1 - Improvements from South to North n° 0 s ,a Water Quality Ponds Path _ !� ` -4- �^ Gateway Entry • I, � - C Future phases will be constructed as funding becomes available. Limits Oand elements of future phases will be defined to match funding sources and amounts and are not limited to the phases shown. a —mot Phase 1 - $6.2M Interim Conifer/Hickory Improvements Improvements from Vine Drive to Pinon Street excluding median and overlay - $5.4M Water quality pond - $0.15M Interim Conifer/Hickory Improvements (Striping, Signal Modifications, Curb & Gutter at southeast corner qax)) - $0.5M Interim Gateway Improvements (Path, Irrigation, Revegetation) - $0.15M Phase 2 - $1.8M ------------------ -- --- — -- — J — - -- — Complete Gateway Entry - $0.3M Improvements from Pinon Street to Hemlock Street excluding median & overlay - $1.5M Phase 3 - $4.25M Improvements from Hemlock Street to Conifer Street excluding median & overlay - $2.7M Complete Conifer/Hickory Improvements - $1.55M I Phase 4 - $1.1M Overlay - $0.5M - Median, off-street alley connections, and side street parking - $0.6M Advantages: Disadvantages: lim t_ages_: • Complete all improvements in one area (Bicycle, Pedestrian, Access Consolidation, Landscaping) • Lea of Improvements ited Fort of Visual impact of streetscape/landscape p • Minimizes disruption to individual properties 0 Provides gateway to North College District _ ,, North College Corridor Improvements - Phase II �, rtr�` _ : North College Corridor Phasing Options 1* Option 2 - Limited Lnprovements on Outside Edges Water Quality Ponds - Path Gateway Entry - - - - . _ _ _ - _ _ _ Imo' S` AP 2 M,: Future phases will be constructed as funding becomes available. Limits and elements of future phases will be defined to match funding sources and amounts and are not limited to the phases shown. Phase 1 - $6.2M interim Conifer/Hickory Improvements Improvements from Vine Drive to south of Hemlock Street excluding median, overlay, and landscaping - $5.4M Water quality pond - $0.15M Interim Conifer/Hickory Improvements (Striping, Signal Modifications, Curb & Gutter at southeast corner Oax)) - $0.5M Interim Gateway Improvements Path, Irrigation, Revegetation) - $0.15M ----- — ooi i rcv n -_, Phase 2 - $1.8M Complete Gateway Entry - $0.3M Improvements from Phase 1 to Jax driveway excluding median & overlay - $1.5M Phase 3 - $2.5M Complete Conifer/Hickory Improvements •- Y Phase 4 - $2.85M Complete landscaping on edges - $1.75M Overlay - $0.5M Disadvantages: Median, off-street alley connections, and side street parking - $0.6M Reduced gateway to North College District City of Advantages: • No landscaping Fort ` • Bicycle and pedestrian improvements provided for more length in each direction • Completion of vision plan construction requires work • Largest number of properties experiencing some level of visible improvement in front of many properties more than once North College Corridor Improvements Project - Phase II HCL 110, 8' 12' 12' 15, 12' 12' 8' 7.5' 8' ;SHAREO USE LANDSCAPE BIKE TRAVEL LANE TRAVELLANE PAINTED MEDIAN TURN LANES TRAVELLANE TRAVELLANE BIKE LANDSCAPESHA USEj PAT PATH BUFFER LANE LANE SUFFER PATH I 1 F� I ' 1 CI I 11' � KI 1 1 I I I ' 1 f � � rr-�Ti li�l=1 I f 111 �� 11 ( I I I �'I I I-III 11�1-=111�I1�1 1T1 r�� I rr_�` r� I I1=1I I-1 11- III-I -1 -MIA I I II II I II II I I it I II ;III, ,III II 1 CI I I III III III-III III III I III I_I-1� i- III-III-III=III-III=III=1 1_I =III=11 - � � lil- "I _III III=1i, 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER I 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER Phasing Option 1 LOOKING NORTH Complete edge improvements HCL 110, 8' 7.5' 8' 12' 12' 15, 12 12' 8' 7.5' 9 , ,SHARED USE(LANDSCAPE BIKE TRAVEL LANE TRAVEL LANE PAINTED MEDIAN TURN LANES TRAVEL LANE TRAVELLANE BIKE LANDSCAPESHAREDUSE1 PATH BUFFER LANE I LANE BUFFER PATH I I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I � 1 �I 3I O O � M O1 ' OI NI 1 0l OI al 1 I I I 1 � I 1 1 I 1 I 6 ' ' I I 8' 4 ,.j 1 I11-�i11� f f TI T { III 111�Il i-�I I_ M I I III I � I � IIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII II � I_ � I I ' i l-1 I I- l i l III, I I I_ I I III-III III III III, , ,III-III III III-1 I I_I I I-III III-1 I I I I-1 I I-I I I_I I ,I I I_ _- I- 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER -III III=1 2.5' CURB AND GUTTER Phasing Option 2 LOOWNG NORTH Basic edge improvements ATTACHMENT 4 C COLLEGE/WILLOX N. COLLEGE IMPROVEMENTS ti MARKETPLACE sisssass��riiyrrrrriri WILLOX LN. UNION PLACE s z o0 c� c N o m Co � y V m m c a C' C m rn o KAUFMAN & ROBINSON HICKORY SL NEW LOCATION CONIFER Sl r. i N. COLLEGE �► � 3 IMPROVEMENTS !' m VINE DR. *FUTURE LOCATION OF RMIZ C- ATTACHMENT 5 City Of Planning, Development & Transportation Fort Collins Transportation Planning&Special Projects 250 North Mason Street P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522.0580 970.224.6058 970.221.6239-fax fcgo v.com/transportation MEMORANDUM Date: June 12,2009 To: Mayor and City Council Members Through: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Diane Jones, Deputy City Manager Jeff Scheick, Planning,Development and Transportation Director Mark Jackson, Transportation Group Director Kathleen Bracke,Transportation Planning& Special Projects Director From: Jennifer Petrik,Transportation Planner&Project Manager for North College Corridor Improvements Project Re: June 9th 2009 Work Session Summary-North College Improvement Project Update: Phase II- Vine to Conifer The purpose of this memo is to provide a summary of Council's work session discussion and feedback to staff. Direction Sought from Council: • What feedback would City Council like to share with staff, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and or the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA) regarding the North College Improvements project and the alternative analysis process? • Is there additional information that City Council would like to see staff provide as part of the North College project process? Council Feedback and Key Discussion Points: • Staff is currently exploring the surplus funding from the Truck Bypass Study (approximately $1.8 Million)to determine if this funding can be incorporated into the North College Improvements project— Phase II. • The project team will provide recommendation letters from the Transportation Board and other Boards and Commissions for the July 28th City Council work session. • Pedestrian/bicycle option 92 has rated high with the evaluation criteria. This option includes an 8' on- street bike lane, a landscape buffer, and an 8' wide mixed use path to provide facilities for cyclists that are not comfortable riding on the roadway and for pedestrians. • Staff will change the reference in pedestrian/bicycle option #2 from "sidewalk" to reference a mixed use path. V • The City currently has dismount zones in sections of town where pedestrian activity is high. For the project area, the potential mixed use path will provide adequate space to balance both pedestrian needs and needs of recreational cyclists. The speeds of cyclists on the mixed use path are anticipated to be slower than on-street commuter cyclists. • Staff noted that several council members have concerns regarding the dedicated off-street bike path (bicycle/pedestrian option 93). • The project team will develop a phased implementation plan that will include improvements to be built in 2011. Remaining improvements will be phased as funding is acquired. The City has been approached Fort Collins by several property owners within the corridor with regards to donating right of way to further improvements in the corridor. • Staff will provide a diagram showing all projects in the North College area. Timing of full improvements is not known as project funding is dependent on development, economic conditions, and community and City Council decisions regarding funding options. Such options could include funding projects with debt service to expedite improvements, or repayments from those benefiting from infrastructure improvements such as property owners. • Preliminary conceptual level estimates for improvements for an enhanced streetscape corridor along North College Avenue from Vine Drive to Willox Lane (approximately 1 mile) total approximately$35 Million. • Staff will provide a symmetrical project area boundary on the project area map when used in the future. • City Council appreciated Staffs efforts to accelerate the project in response to the NFCBA's request. While the accelerated schedule is challenging, Staff is working diligently to provide all necessary opportunities for input from public, Boards and Commissions. • North College is an important area of the community and partnerships are very productive. • City Council suggested tying the Mason Corridor and North Mason Street in the North College area and to consider stimulus funds for transit. Projected Next Steps: • Open House is scheduled July 8 s to present the draft recommended preferred alternative. • Present draft phased implementation plan including draft recommended preferred alternative to Transportation Board in July. • Present draft phased implementation plan to City Council at the work session July 28`h. • Return to City Council in early September for approval of phased implementation plan. 2 a ATTACHMENT 6 city OIr Bicycle Advisory Committee Fort Collins Dan Gould, Chair Date: July 14, 2009 To: Jennifer Petrik, Transportation Planner, Project Manager for North College Avenue Corridor Improvements Project Gary Thomas, Chair, Transportation Advisory Board From: Dan Gould, Chair Bicycle Advisory Committee RE: Bicycle Advisory Committee Support for the North College Avenue Corridor Improvements Project update At our June 8, 2009 BAC meeting, Jennifer Petrik provided a description of the various design alternatives for the North College Ave Corridor Project. The discussion is summarized in the minutes for that meeting. At that time the discussion indicated a preference for on-street bike lanes with the detached, mixed-use sidewalk. At the July 13, 2009 BAC meeting Jennifer Petrik provided an update including a description of the draft recommended preferred alternative consisting of, from the center of the roadway out to each side, a median of minimum width, two 12 foot vehicle travel lanes, an on-street bike lane, curb, landscaped parkway buffer and a detached mixed-use pathway. The committee unanimously supported a recommendation for this preferred alternative. There was also discussion of whether it would be preferable to omit final landscaping and allocate those funds to extending the street and sidewalk improvements as far north as possible. The committee favored such a strategy. With regards to final landscaping, and given the bi-directional movement of pedestrians and less experienced bicyclists on the mixed-use sidewalk, it will be important to ensure that the height of plantings does not obstruct the views of travelers encountering one and other at intersections and business access locations. Our committee recognizes that there are large unmet needs for safe, efficient pedestrian and bicycle travel along the North College Corridor. We hope that the City leaders and staff can work to bring the improvements to the full length of the corridor as soon as possible. We appreciate the efforts of all those involved in planning and implementing this project. Please let me know if you have any questions. July 18, 2009 To Whom It May Concern: On behalf of the Fort Collins Commission on Disability,we would like to express our full support for the North College Improvement plan. Specifically, the option which has an on street,8' bike lane, with a landscape buffer and an 8'shared use path.The plan will allow plenty of space for use by pedestrians, bicyclist, and people in wheelchairs.This option will give bicyclist the choice of using either the bike lane or the shared use path. By having an 8' shared use path, there will be plenty of room for everyone. The landscape buffer will offer added safety considering North College is heavily used by cars and trucks of all sizes. We also see this plan as increasing access and independence for members of the community who have disabilities. Considering that this stretch of college is very dangerous and difficult to navigate in its present state, for people in wheelchairs. In sum,the North College Improvement plan is a proactive measure that will increase mobility for the general population. It will also serve as a much needed face lift for an area of town that could greatly benefit from improvements, such as those included in this project. Sincerely, Terry Schlicting Chairman Fort Collins Commission on Disability e" :�`:�a] s.''•Y` ..kiii �r., ef3 -�' -+'lt£a,.� Council Liaison: Lisa Poppaw Staff Liaison: Steve Dush Chair: Brigitte Schmidt Phone: (M224-9418 Chair Schmidt called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Roll Call: Campana, Carpenter, Lingle, RoIli hmidt, Smith, and Stockover Staff Present: Dush, Tempel, Petrik, Ravenschlag;_and:Sanchez=Sprague Agenda Review. Director Dush reviewed the agenda. Citizen participation: ` , <<•• ,.`:° None Consent Agenda: Chair Schmidt asked members of the audience and the Board if they%i;<like to pull any items from the consent agenda. Chair Schmidt requested ite n%2�North•College Corridor Improvement Project—Phase II, Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersectionsbe piilte&from the consent"genda. 1. Minutes from the June 18, 2009 Planning'&.Zoning Hearin'g.,; 3. Transit Strategic Plan.U.°;date.• Member Stockover moved to approve the consentagenda which includes item # 1 June 18, 2009 Planning and Zoning Boa d:Heanng minutes and item;#'3 Transit Strategic Plan Update. Member Compana seconded the motion.The motion was,approved \+ l Chair Schmidt noted wh�en;Plans sou hias those noted on the agenda tonight are on the consent agenda it's because the Board has already revi&v ecl them pretty thoroughly at a work session. Unless there are memljr h;the audience or'orirthe Boar&who would like a further review, they remain on consent and are approve,d'as such. Discussion 2. North Collegb>:Go* rrido Iffiprovement Project— Phase II, Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection Project: North College Corridor Improvement Project — Phase ll, Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer Intersection Project Description: This is a request for a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning board for City Council for the July 28th City Council work session. The project area includes the portion of North College Avenue/US287 from Vine Drive north to the intersection of Hickory/Conifer streets. Recommended improvements for this Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 2 project include curb, gutter and minor street patching; redefinition and consolidation of driveways; bike lanes and sidewalks, new streetscape and other necessary improvements such as storm water facilities. Due to funding limitations, full build out of this project is expected to be done in phases as funding becomes available. Recommendation: Board's recommendation to City Council to approve the recommended preferred alternative, phasing and implementation plan. Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence Transportation Planner Jennifer Petrik provided additional information asrequested by the Board at their work session on July 10" The project vision was developed through 600*flftpm the public, NFCBA, CDOT, property and business owners, Commission on Disabilities `Bicycle Advisory Committee, Transportation and Planning and Zoning boards as well as various city departments. The vision plan includes a reduced median width, two12 foot traveled lanes, 8%f66t;on-"street bike1tines in each direction, curb and gutter, a 7.5 foot landscaped parkway and an 8 foot shared use path (see'afikhed figure). This 7 ;:, vision plan continued to receive support from the public when presented as the recommended>preferred alternative in July. The phasing options presented to the public at the July 8`h OpenHouse included the following: 1. Complete improvements incrementally from South to Noith:;:. 2. Perform limited improvements on outiside edges ;•vs,z. 3. Improvements by side ;:.;::;:<•,::;;:• �:,;�,;�,, ,,. The project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has decided to no longer pursue phasing option 3. Below is a summary of the updated phasing options that have fieen`cleveloped by the TAC. Option 1: Cost: $5.6 Million secAi," lus $600 6.60 pending approval;: Limits: Vine to Pinon Improvements: Complete improvements:;along,edges,.i6terim improvements at gateway, and minimal im rovements aY<Hicko.:/Conifer '%::. Bike lanes,.st ared'use path,,storrri:water facilities, curb and gutter, interim improvements at the gateway area between the Poudre%'R ver and the Lake Canal, topsoil, irrigation, electric, street trees, landscaping, pedest 6a6?,Iighting, street furniture, bike`rdtk and enhanced transit stops. Cost: Additional;•$1.8 Million Limits: End of�P.l ase I to 50' nok of Hemlock Improvements: Complete improvements along edges, complete improvements at gateway, and minimal improvements at Hickory/Conifer. Bike lanes, shared usepath;storm water facilities, curb and gutter, complete improvements at the ,�. gateway area between fle`Poudre River and the Lake Canal, topsoil, irrigation, electric, street trees, landscaping, pedestrian.lighting, street furniture, bike racks and enhanced transit stops. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 3 Option 2: Cost: $5.6 Million secured plus $600,000 pending approval Limits: Vine to just shy of Hemlock (approximately 300' north of Option 1) Improvements: Basic improvements along edges, interim improvements at gateway, minimal improvements at Hickory/Conifer. Bike lanes, shared use path, storm water facilities, curb and gutter, interim improvements at the gateway , area between the Poudre River and the Lake Canal, topsoil, irrigation, electric�sstreet trees, erosion control native seeding. Cost: Additional $1.8 Million Limits: End of Phase I to 425' north of Hemlock (approximately 375porth ofztion 1) Improvements: Basic improvements along edges, complete improvements at gateway, minimal improvements at Hickory/Conifer. Bike lanes, shared use path, storm water facilities, curb ancitgutter, complete improVe'...nts at the gateway area between the Poudre River and the Lake Canal, topsoil, irrigation, electric %streettrees, erosion control native seeding. "' .;:::;<•. ,::< < Below are the details that outline the advantages and disadvanfages•of each option. Advanta es: Disadvanteios ,_ Option 1 Complete all improvements iniiore:; ..• Length of irn .rovements 300-400 area 1 :,.4. ;•.. ,..:,•; ;; ;.feet shorter tl a"option 2 • Visual impact of streets cape/landscape • Minimize disruptionto individual sa properties • Providesgateway to With College V Option 2 Bicycle and pedestrian`' ?:"; si;s:a.. ;.... Reduced gateway to North College amprgyements provided for more'=::'? District ^' lengtl ''imeach direction::. No Landscape or streetscape a: 'c e'h ` Largest numf er of prop,ties >- Completion of vision I ;s:;,•;:; .,,.,. P pan «: _z z.• experiencing+some levef'of:v[sible construction requires work in front of improvements':;;;;:: ' many properties more than once •n•.:•ti•.p i•2i}: The project schedule?has been;accelerated in response to requests from the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA).'7he total'project funding secured is approximately $5.6 million dollars, with an additional $600,000 in fedeFal funds pending issuance by the NFR MPO. The estimate for design, right of way and construction of the project is between $12 million and $15 million dollars, depending on the level of improvements. Due to funding limitations, full build out of this project will be performed in phases as funding becomes available. The City is continuing to actively seek additional funding. ' Petrik said that business owners in the area said they'd prefer the complete improvements. They feel it -)uld encourage development in the area. The Transportation Board at their meeting on July 15th pports Option 1 with full improvements. Next steps are they continue coordination with CDOT, all City departments, the Technical Advisory Committee and the NFCBA. Staff will be going to City Council's July 28thwork session and the September 1 regular city council meeting. At the July 281h work session Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 4 they will be talking about the recommended phasing Option 1 or 2 and whether the Council is supportive of the vision plan. After September 151 they will be going into preliminary and final engineering design followed by right-of-way acquisition with construction to begin in 2011. Petrik had two questions. Does the Board support and endorse the vision plan and does the Board have any recommendations or comments for the team to incorporate in the decision making process regarding Option 1 or Option 2? Board Questions: Member Campana asked what the total length of the proposed improvement1s if`everything is done. Petrik said (Option 1) is about % mile. Current Planning Director Dush;sai�d_to clarify Option 1 is complete improvements and is 300 feet less than Option 2. Campana saidit;appears with both options the median would not be put in. Petrik said correct —with the current'level of•funding it would just be stripped. •:� . �<•.: Chair Schmidt asked about the possibility of getting the truck route funding ($1.8 million),; Would that be added to current funding? Petrik said thatJs,something they'll be discussing:with City n ,-'.::. Council at their work session on the 28 It could potentially;be funding:for Phase 2 imp'rovements. tip: Chair Schmidt asked what the next phase would be if Option'1was%approved and completed. Petrik said it would be phase 3. Phase 1 is for the funding we have currently:phase 2 ($1.8 million) would expand the basic improvements an additional 375 feet; and phase 3 when'furided could be improvements all the way to the Conifer/Hickory intersection. ti;.,:,h„ �,.,.�1i•.,y;:• Member Campana asked if there are any safety';concerns,imthe 300 feete(�between Option 1 and 2). Petrik said safety concerns (accident location ("Ii6l.s OWs )fare'%atzthe;;,;Hickory/Conifer.intersection, in front of JAX, and at Vine Drive. Both_:options include intterim'improvements such as curb and gutter in front of JAX to provide a defined drive`enfrarice. Chair Schiiidt asked for'clarification—her impression is if Option 1 is selected there':would be noimprovementsifrom Pinon up to the curb and gutter that will be done in front of JAX. .Petnksaid that is correct. �..Yam:•- •:•:'• •',• Member Lingle said we keep'referririg',to Option 1;as fulhimprovements and it really isn't because it doesn't' include::the median—he•thinks it's"al ittle,misleading. Member Lingle said the current estimate for the entire;.'project`is$12;15 million :Is that a significant change from earlier estimates for the complete project?•:petrik said yes;tl a origina estimate was $8.2 in 2005 but prices have escalated since then so that'swlythe difference. Lingle.asked'wh"y;City Council placed it on the BOB ballot at only $5.6 million. He doesh t;think the general { unlit understands that the complete project will not be done. Petrik said . she has a memo that states thaYiCity Council decided to provide approximately '/z of the $8.2 million project estimate (o(, $4.8 million);with a directive to staff to continue to try to find additional sources of funding to make'up the difference' Member Carpenter said;;thatsgiven the median is not going.in with either Option 1 or 2, how disruptive is that going to be to businesses in the area. Petrik said that one thing that needs to happen before medians go in is to have�circulator alleys and streets set (some of which will come with future development). Petrik said medians were always intended in a future phase. Chair Schmidt asked when the Greeley water line would cross College Avenue. Petrik said she doesn't have that answer right now. TAC will be having a "utility" meeting on July 17 to discuss details related to the various utilities in the area. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 5 .nair Schmidt said it appears the difference between the options is the landscaping. Schmidt asked if the space people will have to walk off the main road will be available for them. Petrik said yes. Chair Schmidt said part of CDOT's North College Access Plan was to assemble driveways in some fashion to limit access. Will that happen with either option? Petrik said both options have the same short-term access management plans from the North College Access Management Plan as a safety feature. Curb and gutter will be consolidating driveways and providing access; however, in some cases if it doesn't make sense because an existing building is still there; they will make interim modification improvements. Schmidt said that worries her a little due to the fact that she,sees people driving along that center strip to get to the driveway they want. Petrik said the plan was',t oroughly reviewed with Traffic Operations, Transportation Planning and Engineering staff as well>'as Larimer County staff and CDOT staff. .':��: •:.;:.>,��. Chair Schmidt asked how many years it would be before the funding:would corriefor the medians. Petrik says there's a lot of interest in this area and she's hopeful`there'will be pottial funding sources. Member Smith asked if NFCBA endorsed Option 1. Petrik:said they;have a NFCBA representative on TAC. That liaison has been a part of this team but he hl is not made an official stance on:ei4f 'er options. She has received preference information from several members of NFCBA but not yet officially from the NFCBA. Smith said that he understand the organization has''rigt taken an official position but would like to know what member preferences have been expressed. Petrik';said Option 1 with full landscaping and streetscape improvements was preferred. Smith asked for the rationale behind those preferences. Petrik said they believe if you provide streetscape�elements such as vertical trees and landscaping & �destrian lighting that sets the stage for spurring a""bs!.,yote for futui-64unding. It would also show velopment in the area that this is "starting to happen..' ith the College`& Willox Market Place project on the north and these improvements on the south; developmentwould provide improvements outside of City funding. Member Lingle said both gptions, ascurrently funded 'say "interim improvements at the gateway area between the Poudre River and Lake Canal"; what doe'sthat,mean? Petrik said we have the water quality ponds that are required in f :eth.hoptior s;-those are our I dsi'c improvements in the gateway area. Light landscaping is planned for phase 1 ;INlen phase 2 fundi'ng ($1.8 million) is secured, that would provide more complete irnp�ovements atahe gatewayLingle asked if the extra improvements are easy to implement at that poiitz>Petrik saiit s:an additional $300,000 and it's primarily landscaping. Chair,.Schmidt asked Petrik tQ speak to ttie:whole right-of-way issue. Schmidt asked if we have any right'of-way along the road or<s<'it piecemeal. Petrik said we do not currently have right-of-way: In order %.. : ;;:. to acquire rigltof-way, final design plans must be submitted before right-of-way acquisition starts. Schmidt asked:when new businesses such as Auto Zone came in was right-of-way dedicated at that time. Petrik said'when any development comes in they are required to dedicate the right-of-way and do improvements such asrlandscaping and detached sidewalk to the Larimer County Urban and Street Standards. We do have several new businesses in the area with the required improvements. Chair Schmidt said it appears part of the cost for Option 1 is to obtain all the associated right-of-way and wait until we got additional funding to keep obtaining right-of-way as we go; with Option 2; we'd get the right-of-way at this point in time. Petrik said that is a good observation. TAC will be getting together on July 17`h with all the information they've received from the Boards & Commissions to weigh the different pros and cons for each option, and to look at strategies for which one would be best for potentially ting additional funding. Right of way acquisitions is.on the July 171h meeting agenda. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 6 Member Stocker said it might be beneficial to discuss which element inflates faster—property or materials. He said they are likely to go up an equal percentage over time. Member Lingle said with Option 2 we get an extra 300 feet (without landscaping). Does that 300 feel also end at a logical place like the north side of Pinon in Option 1? Petrik said in the conceptual phase in order to show people how far the limits could go they needed to show in those increments; however, in the preliminary and final design, it'll be in a logical place. Public Input: None >; :•;:::.. Board Questions: ;;,�;• ..ti;;.,;,;;, Chair Schmidt asked Petrik how she's like the Board to proceed. Petrik said;she's like to have an endorsement (or not) of the vision plan. Secondly, she'd like to know;.if the 138" ..tl;prefllers recommending Option 1 or 2; or would they provide comments she would take to<the TAC on July17.-. Member Lingle asked to confirm the vision plan is the ultimate build out of the entire length„everything in her PowerPoint presentation. Petrik said yes. . ^ a,��. •??:.� •;;�;:.:; Member Campana made a motion to recommend approv61W tRe vision plan for the North College Corridor Improvement Project— Phase II, Vine Drive to the HickorylConifer Intersection as presented. Member Smith seconded the4botion. .;;. Motion Discussion :>;::•:>.>•:. �;: Chair Schmidt asked if the vision plan would ql&'as far aslNillox;when funding becomes available. Petrik said she'd assume so -- it would be looked at again once?we'get the.;additionaI funding. Member Carpenter asked fo-clarification—the visioh;;plan is the whole length of College is that correct? Petrik said the vision plan`iis for the`project area (Vinesto Hickory/Conifer Intersection.) Carpenter asked if there'd be another visio6"3plan depending on which oition,is selected. Petrik said she would think the same general vision woulft4i:continued north but that would be up for discussion at the next phase of planning/funding. %< . :::<`:::.:•.;: Member Lingle asked if the wsion would thematically be a continuation of phase 1 improvements done from Jefferson to the River.-J is erms 6f�street lighting styles and amenities or is it potentially completely different; Petrik said, in fact ;asa part of;fhe;:outreach different streetscape themes were presented to :: the publici They had cultural'and historic"dustrial, and outdoors (natural) themes. The industrial and :..,;:. outdoors themes showed favorvith the public so the streetscape improvements will be along those lines. Member Campana,said when h: ferred to vision plan he was speaking to what was shown in the handouts—a plannedwiew an section view of the project area. Is that the plan staff is referring to and seeking Board.recommendation? Petrik said the cross section is what she's really referring to with regard to vision plan. Member Lingle said that's not the same thing he thought he heard when we asked about the PowerPoint presentation—it has all the themes in it. Lingle said we're not recommending any of the project elements such as streetscape themes; is that correct. Petrik said not the themes. The themes are the type of materials for benches or transit stops and the artistic flair that come in later stages. The request is just the cross section—the median width,' the bicycle lane width, the width of the landscaped parkway and the width of the shared use path. Lingle said the only comment is that when he hears the term vision plan, he assumes it would,include all those things that we're not including. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 7 Chair Schmidt said we could certainly entertain the idea of changing the motion and adding some specifics —that our recommendation is to go with a preferred alternative of the road cross-section. Member Carpenter asked when will the themes be determined and by who. Petrik said that would all be determined in preliminary and final engineering depending on if the streetscape and landscaping element is part of the scope—at a later phase if not. Schmidt said that makes sense because if Option 2 is selected there would not be any discussion of design elements. Petrik said if Option 1 is selected than Arts in Public Places would be on board using the public preferences to moveforward with a design. .1y:1• Director Dush said to clarify the first recommendation is a recommendaton.tti,on the vision which is simply J�. ::•ti the cross section, not the themes relative to design, for the project area l<5'(Hickory to Vine). The second recommendation is the option relative the improvements within thaQ0'rea bas on the identified funding. Petrik said that's correct. Member Rollins, said she's a little confused because typically what the Board would>determine is if the vision meets a higher level plan adopted by the City andif,it's in line:.with it Plan. It would end there and we wouldn't get into financing or some of the othe'r'details. She'i:confused as to wfi"yiwe're not just . saying this looks like this is supportive of a higher level plan�in:which Planning &Zoning Board would have been more intimately involved. Schmidt said she doegn?t:want`to speak for Jennifer (Petrik) but she thinks this is probably tied into and meets the goals of the NortKCollege Corridor Plan starting with BOB and moving forward to develop the whole area:Within that Plan there':are some guidelines with regard to streetscapes. Carpenter said yes, but usually when we have that, its:atpart of the recommendation `acts, findings and conclusions in a staff report),sotheyd know if yes, hide-'a, this does meet those ajectives. Carpenter agrees that it's confusing•: Schrrii`dt<says this is a little different because this whole North College project is a bit different. This is a little unigie=�':tleyre;:seeking more feedback rather than a specific recommendation. Are we in agreement for,, ng forward<fi'ecause we'll be looking at development proposals on this"'co'i id'o.r and this will''dlready be in.place? Member Campana said=t e;d,like to revise his motion. ::,;, Member Campana made'a;motion to:make a recommeniiation to approve the vision plan in the framework of the cross section thathas'been,presen`ted in the project area boundaries (from Vine Drive to intersection of Hickory'& Conifer) Member Smith seconded the motion. Member.;Rollins said she's:ngt,going-tosupport the motion because what she needs to see is a vision plan thatsupports the components of a h ghee level plan. She's certainly not opposed to it—it looks wonderfi l hut:she just feels she would have to say no. Schmidt said that's certainly what might need to be taken infoconsideration as it`�'moves forward to City Council because there might be some City Council membe'rsthat are also looking for that kind of connection to the North College Corridor Plan Member Lingle s"aidc'there just could be a finding (that the design as its progress to this point) is consistent with the North. College Corridor Plan. Petrik said they have been working with Clark Mapes (author of the North College Corridor Plan) on the Technical Advisory Committee JAC). Petrik said the Larimer County Urban A�r'"Street Standard has the elements for this type of arterial. They are modified—the median width is narrowed, the landscaped parkway has been narrowed to 7 '/2 feet from 10 feet, and the sidewalk has been expanded by 2 feet to 8 feet. Member Smith said that besides being an obvious health and safety improvement in a technically plighted area; he does recall City Plan calls for focused, economic redevelopment activities in certain ckets throughout town. He doesn't know how it addresses North College but he does remember that it goes. He understands Rollins' concern but the vision statement is linked to statements contained within City Plan. He's comfortable with it for that reason. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 8 Member Schmidt said the people that have been working on the different phases—Clark Mapes and others-- are very familiar with those plans and NFCBA has certainly been very assertive in trying to help get funding and really pushing this through. That might be why it's on an accelerated timeline. Maybe not all the 'T s have been crossed but it's something that can be improved. Clark Mapes may need to be a part of the discussion on how it all ties in with the appropriate plans. Member Carpenter said she thinks the need for safety and improvement is this area is so great that while she shares some of Rollins' concerns she thinks she can stretch it--put it uncl&:City Plan and the basic North College Improvements project. This is important enough and a big;enougli'`improvement in a place that so badly needs it that she will be supporting it. The motion passed 6:1 with Rollins dissenting. Chair Schmidt asked the Board how they'd like to proceed with`th'e.:,options; do they Want a motion recommending one or the other or would they just like to make comments pro or con;;; Member Campana said the thinks they should make,a motron for one:option or the other?sdRetrik will , have a concrete recommendation. Member Stockover would agree with that because it is a recommendation—we're voicing what the Board prefers then City Council will look at that aloi g�with all the other recommendations. Member.Smith said a lot of the financial issues3(althdogh,,he's interested'':are_'not relevant to the Board's purview. He thinks from a planning perspective :;perhapsieven?an economic development perspective; he's pretty close to being able to recommend Option 1 aft'er'fieai:n,g%NFCBA member preferences. He said you'd be extending the vitality,of downtown to'thenorth and'`ou'can show potential developers what y„ p P the full flavor will be. When*,96V600k.in" with what`will occur at th`e North College Market Place (King Soopers) property, he thinks you h64:a great opportunity to really stimulate redevelopment through the assistance of the North�Gollege UrbanRenewal Authority. He said the disruption of business is significant so if you can minimize that:and set the tone for.>the full length of development, he thinks it would be pretty powerful and`it>would,,`probably. achieve;some results pretty quickly. Chair Schmidt'-said`if<tl •at<:is_.the motion:,,she won't be supporting it. She certainly understands the feeling of the NF„CBA and the idea;Qf,�having*a;gateway—we already have that as you come towards the bridge. It's god&fo,say more fundirig�is:igoing to�coine'and we'll go further but in her mind the safety features are mosf important for citizens aridi:tl a furthest we can go with that the better. There are going to be other disruptions Jtl :redevelopment,so trees and other features can be put in at the time of redevelopment. She would su ?'`?`'ppgrtOption Member Carpenter`says she's..,been going back and forth as well. She would agree with Schmidt if it were going enough furtY'e'r.,tomake a difference. With just 300 feet (they're not even getting to another intersection), the chances:;of getting the funding and having the redevelopment actually happen are better. You can see that vitality coming into the North College area much more than you can with Option 2. She'll be supporting Option 1. Member Stockover said he could go either way also but the thing that's "tipping" him is the sooner you get the trees planted, the bigger they get. He thinks its curb appeal that spurs development and without the landscaping, he feels it would look like a project that's incomplete. Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 9 _chmidt said she doesn't know that curb appeal will be the answer or the Albertson project would have spurred more redevelopment than it has. Schmidt said the work of the NFCBA and hopefully the King Soopers project will make the. difference. She agrees with Carpenter's point that 300 feet is not a whole lot. She's hoping the truck route money will come in and they will be able to do more but she just worries they'll have these segments (like Albertson's) but they'll be there by themselves with "no where" lands in between. Member Stockover says he rides his bike the full length of North College from Country Club Road to Cherry two to three times per week. He said it's not as unsafe as you would;;tlink. It is a little rough but it is plenty wide except for a couple of narrow spots. In his opinion, 300 feef'wo61'' not change anything. You're going to have nice sidewalk to nowhere until you get to King Soo;pers and Albertsons. No matter what, you're going to have a big gap in the middle. He thinks if you s.tait's..,thing, finish it. He doesn't think it's as big a safety issue from the bike and pedestrian perspeetve. It nice, smooth or clean but it is plenty wide. Crossing the driveways is more of an issue..but�you're g 'ing to have that anyway. Member Campana said with either option we're addressing-..'.the "hot spots . He likes'Option 1 more because we just need to finish it as complete as posslbte�:(short of the center median)-'He,.just.can't Ix image putting in that improvement and not landscaping it;k-%, oesn't make sense for ab6ut}T2%o more length of walk and curb. Member Smith said to show a completed section is important especia::lly in this economy. It provides . . some vision in the contrast between the two:><,He.,understands some�:.ofthe other opinions but he thinks to be able to make a bold design statement ancl4o�'how the business owners and developers is the better 'iy to go. To say this is what we're going to doand (an the`long term vJeehg'oing to take it all the way rth) would accelerate some of the redevelopment ideashbetween King,Sbopers and Vine. Chair Schmidt said she could,certainly support Opt i oa:1: She'd lik'e''either option to have the note the intent is to go further as soomasNwe.,Xan. If we could:'add that to tl'e language, maybe it'll spur additional discussions. She can support Option,l;so long as staff believes that the team will carry that goal forward. Petrik said;tle`•feam is certainly looking for additional funding consistently and constantly to provide the funding gap for'sfl"efull vision. ;,,��.•• Member Rollins;asked in the NortYi'College -brndor,,Plan was there priority given to pedestrians and bicyclists overla"ridscapir)g; Petrik said she'd have io get back to her on that as Clark Mapes is the expert an&she's been mo[e;:focused''on this particular part of the project. She's not as familiar with it as Clark_vvould be. Schmidt doesn::;t recall`ffae.PIan had that kind of priorities. There may have been state ments0at they were all important. Member Lingl'.e bid he's definitely:in the Option 1 camp for all the reasons already mentioned. Member Campana"iffi-ade a motion to recommend Option 1 for the North College Corridor Improvement Project,fomVine Drive to Hickory/Conifer. Member Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed 7:0' �>, Chair Schmidt said is sounds as if staff is still working through a lot of different facets and that options could technically change. Petrik said it that would depend on what would be more strategic to getting additional funding. What we hear from you is you want to see complete improvements, however, if it's more strategic to pull one section out for a year because we might get additional funding source; we ild definitely modify things. Schmidt asked if you varied from the option, you would always opt for „lore completeness not less. Lingle agreed. He understands there are other things associated with why the medians are not being done right now (access and.all those issues) but that would be his Planning & Zoning Board July 16, 2009 Page 10 preference—as opposed to extending interim improvements. Member Campana and Member Smith agree. Chair Schmidt said that would be another take-away comment—the direction would be towards more completeness. Member Carpenter said another thing she'd like staff to take away is what Member Smith said. We have done projects in the City in the past that have put businesses out of business and she thinks its really important with street improvements where people can get in and can't shop. She thinks its' very important that we pay close attention to disrupting the businesses as little as possible so they can continue to be there. Member Rollins wanted to thank Petrik for all her hard work. Member Smith agreed. This is important work, it's tough work, and is work for; n area which for a generation or longer has needed drastic improvements. This isathe'right direction;.;_ He's proud of being a part of getting this going—recreating some vibrancy and better,,health & safety`on North College. Chair Schmidt also wanted to thank Petrik and the whole team that has been working`omthis,project. Other Business: None Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. '.• XX 1\ Steve Dush, Current Planning Director; Brigitte Schmidt, Chair ti... ;1•;1•VA• •;1ti;% City of Transportation Board Fort Collins Gary Thomas, Chair July 21, 2009 Mayor Hutchinson and Council Members: By unanimous vote of the eight members present at our July meeting, the Transportation Board makes the following recommendations for improvements to the North College corridor. Hopefully these thoughts will arrive in time for your consideration at the July 281h study session. There are several aspects to the plan for this stretch of road and our recommendations on each follow. Also, attached to this letter is the first official recommendation from the newly formed Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). The Transportation Board opens each session with an update from the BAC and is pleased to share its thoughts with Council through our minutes and official statements like the attached. In the case at hand, the T-Board supports the BAC's position on the design of the street and bicycle lanes. We do differ on the phasing concepts as described below. The Transportation Board sees several elements to this plan and recommends as follows: 1). Design of medians, traffic lanes, bike paths, side landscaping, and multi-use paths. The Transportation Board endorses the version that has now come be known as "The Vision Plan." This puts high speed bike lanes next to the traffic lanes, and puts a multi-use trail behind the side landscaping for pedestrians and bicyclists who are not comfortable out next to fast traffic. The T-Board is persuaded by the Bicycle Advisory Committee that this is the safest configuration for both the high-speed "commuter" and the slower recreational or novice cyclist as well as pedestrians. 2). Striping in light of the new Colorado law on providing three-foot clearance for bikes. This is the first streetscape plan we have considered since the new law went into effect. The T-Board would like to recommend that staff research and recommend whether any additional lane markings are needed to comply with the new requirements. Is the normal six-inch white line enough to demark the bicycle path, or should some form of hashing be used to remind motorists of the three-foot requirement? 3). Use of the previously designated truck by-pass study funds. Council will recall that the voters recently withdrew the earlier restrictions on these funds allowing them to be used for other northeast Fort Collins transportation needs. Approximately $1.8 million are available and the Transportation Board believes that the North College project is an excellent use of those funds since it provides both transportation improvements and economic development benefits. Those funds added to revenue from the Building On Basics tax imitative and other CDOT funds give the project a total of$8 million in hand against its final $12 to $15 million in needs. City of Fort Collins 4). Phasing of the work in light of economic restraints. The options presented by staff were to provide a compete rework with landscaping for as long a distance as the available funds can go, or leave out the landscaping and change the street configuration for a slightly longer distance. As you can see in the attached, the Bicycle Advisory Committee recommends the latter with safety taking preference over ascetics. The Transportation Board takes a different position: With the addition of the truck by-pass funds discussed above; and with roadway construction costs down considerably (30% according to one source); and with the potential for a return to higher fuel and constructions costs in the not too distant future; the T-Board strongly recommends that Council and staff consider some form of bonding or other innovative funding to allow the project to be completed all at one time. While the T-Board does not have the information to make a complete study, when we factor in the avoidance of future inflationary pressures and the costs of multiple mobilization/ demobilizations in the construction work, we think there would be at least a wash and perhaps a net savings even after taking bonding costs and interest into account. One source of the revenue needed to bond might be a special improvement district and the truck by-pass and other funds could be used to start the design and right of way work while the district was being organized. If an immediate financial solution cannot be found to complete the project and realize it's full potential to our community then the Transportation Board feels that the work undertaken should complete each section including landscaping. While we support the safety concerns of the BAC, we also understand that only a few hundred feet is gained by holding off on landscaping. In the opinion of the Transportation Board, getting the full visual benefit of completing each section will enhance the non-transportation benefits and will help build community value for supporting future funding to complete the project. One member did speak in favor of the BAC recommendation but voted to support the rest of this recommendation as outlined above. As usual, I would be pleased to provide more thoughts and discussion on this recommendation at your convenience. Best regards, Gary D. Thomas, Chair Home: 482-7125 Work: 223-8604 Cell: 218-8379 ***DRAFT*** MEETING MINUTES of the TRANSPORTATION BOARD July 15,2009 6:00 p.m. Fort Collins/Loveland Airport 4900 Earhart Drive Loveland, CO 80538 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Gary Thomas 482-7125 Vice Chair: Ed Robert 224-4864 Staff Liaison: Mark Jackson 416-2029 Administrative Support: Polly Bennett 224-6058 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Olga Duvall Mark Jackson, o lion Gr p Director/Board Liaison, 416.2029 John Lund Polly Bennett,PDT cutive Administrative Assistant, 221.6601 Kip McCauley Jennifer Transp . t' n Planner, 416-2471 Ed Robert Kurt Rave c sst en. Mgr, Transfort, Garry Steen Mike Freem i mancial Officer, 416.2259 Gary Thomas Sara Frazier ABSENT: RS IN ATTENDANCE Shane Miller une Kember Ben Manvel, bmanvel gov.com- Sid Simonson Scott VanTatenhove 1. CALL TO ORD Chair Thomas*,,1d*meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with orum present. 2. AG AEW Kurt Ra i ag is bringing the Transit Strategi an for recommendation to Council.lt 1 3. MINUTES REVIEW Frazier moved to accept the June min s. Steen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 5. COUNCIL LI ON REPORT—Council Member Manvel did not attend. 6. BICYCL ADVISORY COMMITTEE—Bill Jenkins, adjunct member Appoi d someone to take minutes. Jen Petrik, Transportation Planner brought the North College Project for eir review. Option I has a bike lane on the street. Questioned whether landscaping could be -DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 June 17, 2009 / sacrificed in order to have improved infrastructure.The Committee liked that. A subcommittee was appointed to work on the Bike Plan and bring recommendations to T-Board. 7. ACTION ITEMS a. North College Improvement Project—Jennifer Petrik Boundary Vine to Conifer. Roadway improvements. Updated estimate$12— 15 million. Top ranked project in_line for additional $600,000 in funding from the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, pending approval in August 2009. Funding gap for completed vision is $6—9m. July 8 Open House gained a lot of support. Improvements do not include any reconstruction or overlay work in the roadway. Improvements with phase I are to the edges including bike and pedestrian lanes, parkway and storm water only. Draft preferred alternative vision plan narrows right- of-way as much as possible, narrow median, 12' travel lanes, 7.5' landscape buff, ike lanes, wider 8' shared-use paths. Hickory Conifer intersection will be done in 3 phases. undabout option was not preferred by the public.No changes to road capacity. Phasing options: Option I —South to North as far as funding lasts. Includes all street ements to Pinon Street. Minimal safety improvements at Hickory & Conifer. Advantage: all i ements are complete in one area; provides a gateway to the North College District. Option 2— Start at curb and work outwards. Same as opti except no pedestrian lighting, no street furniture, no street trees or landscaping, and no enhanc tra ' stops. This would take improvements 300 feet further than Option 1. Advantage: Basic h ibv ment ch as bicycle lanes and sidewalks would be extended 300 ft. Disadvantage: no land pin no gate, Option 3 —Complete one side at a time(fell out o d is,no onger a consideration) McCauley I prefer Option##2 because it gi fety ad ges to bicyclists for a greater length. Lund: What is the timing from Phase 1 —Ph e Petrik: It depends on funding. Lund: Is there Utility infrastruc et is goin to be put in during that time? Petrik: There is a regional W tf : ro"ect armed in the area. Thomas: Is there any thou a is istrict to help add funds to the project? Petrik: Clark Mapes, o va a la Wis investigating funding options. Thomas: Option 2 is, utilitar . Qp ion I provides a more attractive frontage for businesses. Petrik: We are looking a th opt ns to see which provides a better product. Jackson: If you build a com to oject, it gives people a view of what the corridor will eventually look like. WA m short o uilding the entire project. Robert: Whi i on was the most cost effective?None. It is very expensive because it has to be phase Id we encourage the Council to study optional funding sources for the $6m shortfall?I'd like uV- u n record asking them to look at that. kre in line with the North Fort Collins Business District. ley: If you break it into phases it could cost$17 million or more. P r : It will be more expensive if we chop it up. Thomas: You get ahead on bonds because of the inflation factor. You are borrowing money at 2009/2010 value and repaying it at inflated values in 2015 and beyond. Thomas: If we found a revenue stream to bond against, it would take the incentive away for the business owners to pay for it through a special improvement district. Petrik: We are going to Council on July28, 2009. Construction is planned for 2011. Jackson: The City made a verbal commitment to the NFCBA that construction will begin in 2011. Petrik: We have to use the Federal funds now. Jackson: CDOT is more flexible. Enhancement dollars have a tight turn-around as well. One thing we will approach Council with is to use the remaining $1.8m from the Truck Bypass effort. We have to spend money in 2010 for final design and right-of-way acquisition. We need $1.6m. Since there is no -DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 June 17, 2009 political traction in relocating a truck bypass out of Fort Collins and we are improving safety and making improvements to the current truck route it could be a good plan. Use of the funds can be a City Council decision without sending it to vote. Darin gave Lis approval to approach Council with the idea. Lund: New bicycle safety law? Petrik: The law takes effect August 5, 2009. It says that motorists must give cyclists 3' of space when passing. Cars are allowed to cross the lane line to give the room. Jenkins: The concern with Option 3 is diminished visibility because of the trees in the landscape. Petrik: Idaho and New York decided not to put something like that in place if there were more than 8 drive cuts per mile. We were planning on 25—30 per mile. Robert: What calls for the 8' wide bike lane? Petrik: The Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards call for that. McCauley: Do we currently have 12' lanes? Jackson: We have 12' lanes now. CDOT requirement. Petrik: This is the vision. Any redevelopment would install the vision. Petrik: 1 would like your recommendation to include if you support*eisi"op In, if you support using Truck Bypass funds, and which option you prefer. AcCauley: 1 prefer Option 2 because the landscaping there is disma Lund: The distance between the vehicle lane and bike lane is (" stripe. Something needs to be done about the new law that was just passed because you won' able to give a cyclist 3' if two cars are side-by-side. Steen moved that the Transportation Board reco end e North ege Improvements plan to City Council with the following provisions: • That the design option called "The Vision Pla s the preferred design alternative. • That the former truck by-pass fund tly re ed by the voters be dedicated to this project. • That the Council consider ding pr ision such as bonding so that the project can be done all at one time to avoid diti I futur c sts. • However, if the project all at one time, that the funding option that completes each s c xig an caping be chosen. • And, that staf a reque to stigate if additional striping is appropriate to meet the new state law on obile v is cle separation. McCauley se ed. The Bo ted unanimously on point 1 —3 and favored point 4 seven to one with MCCauj f�hig no. What i Continu' coordination with City Departments, CDOT, NFCBA, TAC. I work session on July 28, 2009 b. T ansit Strategic Plan—Kurt Ravenschlag Ravenschlag: We provided presentations to you on the Plan development. T-Board wrote a recommendation after our last presentation approving the direction oft n. Our Executive Summary is provided tonight. The entire report is finalized e posted on our project website tomorrow fcgov.com/tsp. We developed 6 goals to guide velopment of the Plan. 1. Develop an expan ansit system focused on productivity and performance to meet the Transporta aster Plan and City Plan Policies. 2. Me exceed the 2008 Climate Action Plan Goal for Transportation CO2 reductions by 2020. -DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 June 17, 2009 3. Provide enhanced mobility for seniors, youth, disabled, and transit dependent. 4. Develop a public transportation system that reduces roadway related costs for maintenance, right- of-way acquisition, and construction. 5. Provide funding recommendations to fully implement the"Transit Strategic Plan. 6.. Stimulate the local economy through investment in public transportation infrastruc e and operations. We conducted over 30 stakeholder meetings, 7 open houses, written input, and rtizen advisory committee that worked for 6 months. We developed the service plan in 3 phas . A Downtown Circulator Route was added since you last saw the presentation. O&M Shortfall —projected to 2015: $1 1,258,100 shortfall. Capital funding required—projected to 2015: $15.3 million shortfal Funding recommendation would have to be in place during Pha I. e ve a used for capital purchases in Phase 2 and 3. Action requested: Approval of operational plans (3 phas pursuing the action items outlined on Page 22 of the Executive Summary. Discussion on wording of Future Action Items: • Change#4 to read "Identify potential future din ources t ill be sought for plan implementation." • Reorder the wording of 48 to read "D e p new ormance standards and a formalized transit system performance monitoring progra Robert: I would add a goal about g sa and nvenient bus stops. Ravenschlog: We received a gr o 8k to b it a stop for Foothills Gateway with a sidewalk connector. McCauley moved to re mmen' C 'l that they adopt the Transfort Strategic Operating Plan Update and Future A Ite s o in in the Executive Summary, Page 22. As recommended in the past, we again recorm, d tha afe and convenient bus stops be a priority of the City.Jenkins seconded. Th tion pa e Lund voted no because the Board didn't have a chance to read the entire plan p he Lion. 8. DISCUSS EM a. et- ike eeman—Chief Financial Officer, City of Fort Collins Sal dg" s down er 4%for the year. It translates into $2.2 million dollar reduction. Use to ( /o on nstruction materials, computers, vehicles, etc.)down 30.8%. Building fees e down significantly. Property tax holding its own. General nd revenue shortfall is projected at $6 million. That does not include the Transportation shortf Ro rt: The City has reserves. Has it tapped into them? E eman: General Fund no, Transportation yes. There is approximately $40 million in reserves. $8—9 illion is liquid reserves. North Fort Collins Business Association 1<� g Positively Impacting Fort Collins' Northern Gateway 1475 N. College Ave. Ff. Collins, CO 80524 (970) 484-5384 July 20, 2009 City of Ft. Collins Attention: Mayor Hutchinson, Mayor Pro Tern Ohlson, City Manager Darin Atteberry, and Council Members Roy, Monvel, Troxell, Poppaw, and Kottwitz City Hall West 300 LaPorte Avenue P. O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80521 Dear Mayor, Council Members, and City Manager: We appreciate all the hard work that you and City Staff have done to come up with the necessary improvements that need to happen in North Ft. Collins, specifically in regards to the North College Avenue BOB improvement project. As it stands now, there are two preferred options on the table for these improvements. Although these options -ictor in monies that are currently available to complete a portion of the BOB project, the North Ft. Collins Business Association feels that now is the time to step up to the plate and make this project whole. The NFCBA would request that full improvements be made all the way from Vine to Conifer. According to the information we have seen, it is estimated that the cost to complete the entire stretch is approximately $10 Million. We strongly urge City Council to move monies that were originally slated for a truck-by-pass into this North College Project. With the current base money of $6.2 million, the addition of these truck bypass monies would bring us to a total of $8 million in current funding. That only leaves the City $2 million short of a completed project. We would request and urge City Council to completely close the $2 million gap with monies from surplus of the general fund. We would request and suggest that this additional $2 million would be in the form of a loan and that it would be paid back to the City from URA funds as development progresses within the URA boundaries. This would enable the City to complete a full project on North College, giving this portion of the corridor sidewalks, gutters, bike lanes, landscaping and storm water improvements that are so much needed in the area. What a great beginning to jump starting many more great things that can happen to this neglected area. The NFCBA strongly urges City Council to designate the funding for the complete North College BOB project. Without this additional funding, it literally leaves the project in bits and pieces with no funding guarantees for the foreseeable future. Regards, R Dean R. Hoag President North Ft. Collins Business Association NORTH Fort Collins Business Association D Positively Impacting Fort Collins' Northern Gateway North Fort Collins Business Association Meeting Minutes 7/22/09 Dean Hoag called the meeting to order at 7:08 a.m. Treasurer's Report: $7,000 +(I missed the exact#) Member Updates: Loveland Commercial had a few hiccups getting final approval for their King S per's project. They had all their documents completed correctly, it just seems to be ing longer than anticipated to get final approval. They should have final approv next week. Donna Merten: Closed on their loan last week for Union Place. The ould be doing the final drawing in August and plan to break ground in Septembe onna is also working with CSU students in the new sustainability school on s project and is excited about their new partnership with CSU. Mike Jensen: RMI2 is moving along slowly but fairly s oothly. He will keep us updated on his progress. Joe Frank: Advanced Planning is working on apital campaign for North College Improvements. They will take their report to ouncil at their work session on 7/28. Police Update: Monica thanked Office en Kirchoff for the increase in police presence on N. College and stated that the off rs parking in our area to do paperwork is helping. She also asked him to clarify Tres ssing since many NFCBA members are having trouble with the homeless pop tion. Ken said if a person is on your private or business property without your conse , he/she is trespassing. If that person is on open space or public land he/she can be ere legally unless there is a no trespassing sign on the space. Charlie stated that he s been finding bed rolls, empty alcohol bottles and vomit in and around his trucks. an instructed members to call and report any incidents to the police so they have rec of it. Officer Kirchoff encouraged the NFCBA to talk to the Executive Dir or of the Murphy Center to address these issues. Coats & oots: Don B er started the Coats & Boots drive and passed around a sign up to gather don ons. $50 will provide a new coat and a pair of boots for one student at Irish. We try to provide Coats and Boots to students at Putnam too. Our fundraising goal is 20,000. We will try to have coats and boots ready to distribute by late October/early November. I School Supply Drive: Craig Secher—Realities For Children is hosting a school supply drive for at-ris s_ and victims of child abuse in Larimer County. Donations, monetary o y, can be dropped of at any Great Western Bank location or Realities F dren, 1610 S. College Ave. by August 91n Partners Mentoring Youth: Greg Sothe- Partners is servin rox. 300 youth ages 7-17 in Larimer County. They provide opportunities f ults to mentor youth in our community. Commitment for a senior partner i urs per week. Wait for a child to get a mentor/partner is 5 months for girls year for boys. Partners needs more senior partners, especially men. There ar opportunities to volunteer on a every-other-month basis at an established event or o get your entire company involved. Partners Superstars is August 22"d. There are 4 team spots left. Please contact Greg Sothe for more information. North College Improvements: 1. Jennifer Petrik presented Option 1 and Option 2 of the North College Improvement Plan. Option 1 would include curb & gutter, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, landscaping and streetscaping and would go as far as $6.2 million will take us from south to north. Option 2 would have the same curb and gutter improvements with bike lanes and pedestrian facilities, but no landscaping or streetscaping. Those would come later when more funds were available. Option 2 construction would stretch a little further north with the $6.2 million than Option 1. 2. Dean Hoag stated that he sent a letter to City Council asking for them to find the money to get the whole job done with all the funding instead of"putting a band-aid on the project."NFCBA members agreed that they would like to see this happen. Monica also stated, and many agreed, that the project seemed extremely expensive and wondered if there was any way to do the road improvements in a less costly manner. 3. Jennifer stated that a big chunk of the cost was the drainage system—there is currently no storm water drainage system at all on North College, so it is a huge expense to have to go in and build one before repaving the road and adding sidewalks. 4. Neil asked if Advanced Planning has looked in to a Mill Levy for financing. Joe Frank said, from what they have researched so far, Mill Levy would only bring in about $250,000, but yes, they are considering it as a funding source. 5. Members agreed that they would like to first and foremost push for further funding to get the entire improvement funded. Secondly, after much discussion, business owners on College stated that they wanted as little disruption to their businesses as possible, and did not like the idea of Option 2 disrupting their business and its access more than once. The group agreed that those with businesses directly on N. College should have the highest weighted opinion on N. College Improvements because their businesses would be affected the most by the construction. Overall the group agreed that Option 1 would be the best for N. College businesses. Outcome: NFCBA favors Option 1 of North College Improvements Project. There was no recommendation of support or lack of support for conceptual design at this meeting. Meeting adjourned 8:37 a.m. a ATTACHMENT 7 RESOLUTION 2006-090 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUBMITTING TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY AT A SPECIAL CITY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEM13ER 7, 2006, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER CITIZEN-INITIATED ORDINANCE NO. 142, 1999, PERTAINING TO THE RELOCATION OF THE COLORADO HIGHWAY 14 TRUCK ROUTE, SHOULD BE REPEALED WHEREAS,in 1997,the voters ofe City approved the imposition ofthree separate quarter- cent sales and use taxes to fund the 'Building Community Choices"('BCC")Capital Improvement Program(the "Program"); and WHEREAS,the Program included three groups of capital projects,each of which was to be funded by revenues derived from one of the quarter-cent taxes; and WHEREAS, the BCC "Community Enhancement" projects included the Northeast Truck Route Project, the purpose of which project was to provide for the planning, design,right-of-way acquisition and/or other project costs associated with road improvements for an alternative truck route in the northeast quadrant of the City; and WHEREAS, in 1999, the voters of the City approved citizen-initiated Ordinance No. 142, 1999,(the"Ordinance")which re-directed the funds remaining in the BCC Community Enhancement fund that had been earmarked for the Northeast Truck Route Project and provided that they be used instead to fund an effort to relocate Colorado Highway 14 Truck Route ("the Truck Route") to a location outside the boundaries of the City's then-current Urban Growth Area, which is currently known as the Growth Management Area("GMA"); and WHEREAS, the Ordinance further stated that the City was to: (1) work with appropriate federal,state and county entities to pursue the relocation of the Truck Route;(2)encourage all truck traffic without local business in the City to use the existing U.S. Highway System rather than proceeding through the City en route to other destinations; (3) pursue the implementation of a funding plan for the relocation of the Truck Route,which plan would involve a combination of City, county,state and/or federal funding sources;and(4)permanently abandon the idea of relocating the Truck Route in the vicinity of East Vine Drive or locating a new Truck Route between the currently. existing Truck Route and two miles north of Douglas Road(the "Prohibited Routes"); and WHEREAS, since the enactment of the Ordinance,the City has expended substantial sums to encourage truck traffic without local business in the City to use the existing U.S.Highway System, with only limited success; and WHEREAS, the fact that the City cannot consider the Prohibited Routes in its efforts to pursue the relocation of the Truck Route to a location outside the GMA have made it difficult,if not impossible, to reach agreement with Larimer County(the "County") and the Colorado Department of Transportation("CDOT") about pursuing the relocation of the Truck Route; and I Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the of the City of Fort Colli this 15th day of August, A.D. 2006. CoMay ATTEST: City Clerk I North College Improvements — Phase fl Vine Drive to Hickory/Conifer Street City Council work session July 28, 2009 Jennifer Petrik Transportation Planner I_ i� 1— Project Origin • Building Community Choices - Phase I � r z- •' � Building On Basics z J F R d 1 N Meson SI i S 4 � North Cdlege US 2B7 0 a F' Aa • � a Poudre River JaX 4 es3 n Project Area North Oty of - . for Project Gateway from North Y -N High pedestrian and bicycle usage • High accident a" Storm• Chy of -%-rt Collins 2 f Project Goals. • Begin Construction 2011 • Safety for all modes • Upgrade image of North College k' • Compatibility with �;9 previous planning efforts • Phased Implementation 5 Stakeholders • North Fort Collins Business Association • City Council and Boards and Commissions • Property/Business owners and General Public • Technical Advisory Committee • Colorado Department of Transportation • Consultant Team lead by Stolfus & Associates � of �f ns 6 • Public Outreach • Three Public Open Houses • One Community Design Workshop • NFCBA monthly meetings • Property and Business Owner i meetings • Board and Commissions • City Council �rtr 7 Project Updates • Commission on Disabilities July 9th • Planning and Zoning board July 10th • Bicycle Advisory Committee July 13th • Transportation Board July 15th • Planning and Zoning July 16t", • Local Legislative Affairs Committee July 17th • NFCBA July 22nd • City Council July 28ts �b 8 i Conceptual Design «riaf 6rt Collins 9 • Phasing Options • Option 1 South to North '`a • Option 2 ^+ Start at curb and work outwards -` = • Option 3 One side at a time 10 • „e e rr r _ �r �r ,x �r �x • rn e Phasing Option ne R of Oki 12 r rz �r ix F ? q7 • • •• ' Improvemen 13 Phasing Option 1 Full Landscape and Streetscape c s - - _ z 7 Phasing Option 2 No Landscape or Streetscape C f �a a1q Funding BOB $4.8 Million CDOT/NFR MPO $885,000 Total $5.6 Million CDOT/NFR MPO $600,000* (`Pending final approval August 2009) $6.2 Million Updated Engineer's $12 to $15 Million Estimate (Total Project) Gap $6 to $9 Million ��,f 5 15 North College Development Projects of �l�ns 16 Potential Future Funding Sources • Federal and State Grants • CDOT Surface • Tax Increment Financing Treatment Program contribution • General Improvement District Mil Levy 7r- • Truck Route funds City af 17 Truck Route Funds -Truck Route funds available $1.8 Million -Special Election November 7, 2006 -Ballot Language: ...used either to further pursue the relocation of the Colorado Highway 14 Truck Route or to fund transportation capital improvements projects in the northeast quadrant of the city or for both such purposes" 18 . . ., • Impact to project with, Additional Truck Route Fuimds BOB $4.8 Million CDOT/NFR MPO $0.885 Million Total $5.6 Million CDOT/NFR MPO $0.6 Million' ('Pending final approval August 2009) $6.2 Million Truck Route Funds $1.8 Million $8 Million �.F.�oGrtrtr r`ts 19 Phasing Option 1 Full Landscape and Streetscape $6.2 $1.8 Phasing Option 2 No Landscape or Streetscape � = T $6.2 �r 20 Cash, flow 2011 BOB funding scheduled 2010 Right of Way and Design expenses • Funds needed approximately $1.6 Million • Without additional funding incorporated, only minor construction can begin in 2011 21 Schedule -Conceptual Design Mar 2009-Aug 2009 -Preliminary and Final Aug/Sep 2009-Mar Design 2010 -Right of Way Mar 2010 — Dec 2010 -Begin Construction 2011 of �f 22 Summary • Conceptual Design • Phasing Options • Truck Route Funding IT k1 - - ofCollins 23 Next Steps City Council September 1 1� North College Report Begin Preliminary Engineering 24 Questions 1. Is Council supportive of the conceptual design? 2. Does Council have any feedback regarding preferred phasing options? 3. Is Council willing to consider incorporating the remaining Truck Route funding into the project? Website: www.fcgov.com/northcollege City of Ron Couiris f� 25 •