City Council Minutes 2011 07 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 5, 2011 Page 6 of 15 Michael Markel, Markel Homes, 5723 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite B, Boulder, CO also confirmed they are in agreement with all of the nine conditions. Mayor Sisk requested public comments. There were no comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Sackett felt the North End development and the trail connections have made this a very desirable place to live and especially with the advent of FasTracks. He did not believe a flashing pedestrian crossing at South Boulder Road would be an effective or safe measure for crossing a four lane street. He supported an underpass and felt it could be paid for by the sales tax generated from the commercial component. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella inquired whether the commercial element was a vertical mixed -use development and whether there is a commercial area along Hecla Way. Principal Planner McCartney confirmed it is a vertical mixed -use development. He noted the area along Hecla Way is proposed for multi family units and will serve as a buffer between the commercial and single family units. Councilor Muckle stated he had no problem with modifications to the GDP, the new roadway alignments and modified planning areas. He requested staff keep Council informed about the documents pertaining to Hecla Lake and the dam. He inquired about the Boulder County request to provide irrigation for the Community Gardens and whether anyone has identified the water, which will fill Hecla Lake. Planning Director Russ stated staff believes the lake can be filled 85% of the time, but not during a drought. Public Works Director Phare stated Hecla Lake can be filled by the Davidson Ditch as surface water. Also the Northern District pipeline runs adjacent (east/west) to the reservoir and could fill the lake via a new pipeline or possibly water from the Louisville Reservoir could be used. With respect to the water for the community garden the water would be provided by Boulder County and the City would allow their facilities to be used. Planning Director Russ addressed the dam and stated the City will have an obligation from a structural assessment on City property, but there is no obligation for the City to maintain the water level at Hecla Lake. Councilor Muckle stressed the importance of the phasing aspect of the development and for the commercial to come in before the residential component in order to make the fiscal analysis work. He agreed with Councilor Sackett that the one -time revenues may be a good use for building an underpass. Councilor Dalton shared Councilor Muckles' concerns and those relative to the crossing at South Boulder Road.