City Council Minutes 2012 05 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 1, 2012 Page 12 of 17 Mike Mulhern, the Mulhern Group, LTD 1730 Blake Street, Denver, CO stated he would present the revised proposal. He noted in the initial hearings, the key concerns were the density, height, mass and traffic. He introduced Bill Fox, Fox Tuttle Transportation Group, who would address the traffic analysis Bill Fox, Fox Tuttle Transportation Group, 5974 N. 79th Street, Boulder, CO presented an overview of the detailed traffic study, which was commissioned by the applicant. The study analyzes the near term and the 20-year impact and the accepted levels of service for this development. The levels of service were measured with and without this project. One of the conclusions of the study was the existing turn lanes on South Boulder Road will be adequate for the 20-year horizon. He explained background traffic will occur on area roads regardless of the use and will grow over time. The projection of traffic and trip generation analysis of the area demonstrates retail development generates more traffic than residential, and grocery stores have one of the highest trip generation rates. With respect to the congestion at Centennial and South Boulder Road, they propose to work with staff on improvement measures, such as possible signal timing and phasing alternatives, and to enhance pedestrian crossings. The study measured traffic assessing site driveways - trips per day for Safeway would have been 5,600 per day, while a residential mix of 195 dwelling units would be 2,150 trips per day, and 160 residential dwelling units would be 1,880 per day. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council member Jasiak asked Mr. Fox for his perspective on why there is such a discrepancy in the level of concern over traffic impacts this development would bring. Mr. Fox stated as a traffic engineer, he is looking at the roadway system for the potential to process traffic through established thresholds, guidelines and formulas. From his perspective, South Boulder Road and the adjacent intersections will be able to accommodate this development. With respect to the neighboring homeowners' perspective, he noted no one really likes traffic going by their house. Mike Mulhern, the Mulhern Group LTD, 1730 Blake Street, Ste 435, Denver, CO, presented revisions to the Loftus Development proposal. He addressed the initial proposal with respect to height and noted the two buildings on South Boulder Road will be 28' in height with first floor retail. Building C is three stories, Building A is four stories wrapped around a parking structure. They propose a high-end luxury product with a parking structure, which creates a village center. The 4' architectural enhancements will allow main level apartments with a 10' ceiling. The 4' parapet will screen all of the mechanical equipment. The height is consistent with the surrounding apartments.