City Council Minutes 2013 01 22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2013 Page 11 of 15 access to a residential home. He stated there have been a number of accidents in the area as a result of the high rates of speed. Brad Peterson, 1201 Spruce Street, Louisville, CO voiced his belief in the project. He noted he would be inconvenienced, but none-the-less could see the larger picture and trusted the professionals. Steve Poppitz, 1036 Walnut Street, Louisville, CO stated the neighbors use Lee Avenue for safety reasons and felt the connection would be a mistake. He liked living in a pedestrian friendly environment. Bill Statton, 2296 McKinely Avenue, Louisville, CO voiced his concern for the safety of the children playing at Miner's Field. He felt emergency vehicles can get to the area using Spruce Street. He suggested the Council pass the plan without the Lee Avenue connection. COUNCIL COMMENT Mayor Muckle stated there is not any question the Council trusts and believes in their planning staff. He stated there were promises made by previous Council's and noted whatever this Council chooses to do, a future Council could decide to change. He explained the Council can imply their consent but cannot bind future Councils to agree. He asked if emergency vehicles get through the underpass. Planning Director Russ stated they could get to the underpass, but not through it in any acceptable condition. Mayor Muckle asked about widening the road by Miner's field as described by Ms. Morgan. Planning Director Russ explained currently Highway 42 is six feet above Miner's field and due to its vertical nature, in order to add a right turn lane it would require taking out the ball field. He explained the Lee Avenue connection provides pedestrian access to the Pine Street Plaza, Lucky Pie, Sweet Cow and downtown, where the pedestrian gateway does not. Other streets bordering parks carry more traffic than Lee Street, such as Heritage, Community and Memory Square Parks. He stated Main Street is the same width of Lee Avenue, thirty eight feet. The connection proposes to reduce the width to twenty feet to reduce the speed of traffic. Mayor Pro Tern Dalton supported going forward with the plan as is with the 30% design and directing staff to notify CDOT and the design team to proceed. Council member Yarnell stated she was leaning toward events, which could trigger the Lee Avenue connection. She suggested when either Pine Street redevelops or when Highway 42 reaches the saturation point. She asked what the Pine Street redevelopment entails. Planning Director Russ explained the timing of the road would be when the parcel that provides the connection comes forward.