City Council Minutes 2003 03 12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Louisville City Council Special Meeting March 12, 2003 Page 5 Shiela Whitman, representing Monarch High School, voiced their concern for the build-out of Storage Tek and the road design between 88th ~ 96th Streets. She stated there are advantages of Monarch High School's closed campus and voiced her concern development in the area would be a distraction for the students. She also expressed concern for the expansion of roads, and the widening of 88th and Dillon Road. She noted a mixed-use would also affect the traffic around the school. PUBLIC COMMENT Tom Mayer, 580 W. Wildrose Way, Louisville, CO, stated the area should be more than a wish list for landowners to develop their land. He voiced his belief the STK plan combines negative impacts to the City services and creates city sprawl. He stated the plan maximizes sales tax leaks to the City, creates significant impacts to the Recreation Center, Library and water resources, which are not compensated by impact fees. He compared the STK proposal with the Gunbarrel development where residents are not connected to the city. He reported the STK proposal is grossly overbuilt and the benefits of mixed uses are vastly over sold. He did not believe the additional retail would be significant enough to draw people to an area to spend sales tax dollars. He stated STK is settling on what is in the best interest for their shareholders and their analysis suggests the development will pay for itself. He noted errors in their calculations and asked Council go back to the planning process. He stressed the City's services; Library and Recreation Center are at capacity. He suggested development of a plan that better reflects the welfare of Louisville's citizens with broader public issues. He commended Bill Simmons for focusing on the broad planning principles. Margaret Hornbostel, 655 W. Hawthorne Street, Louisville voiced her concern over the development at 96th Street and asked Council to remember their obligation is to the Louisville residents, and that the City is currently in a drought She asked Council to look at the open space opportunities and to remember Louisville has very little congestion. She reminded Council of past experiences where growth has not paid for itself and stated houses will cost the City money, and annexing property will promise water. She asked Council to continue the sound fiscal management that they have exercised in the past. Susan Morris, 939 W. Maple Court, Louisville, CO, voiced her concern with STK's proposal impact on Louisville. She addressed the St. Louis Parish proposal, stating the church and school could be built without any zoning changes. She asked Council to reevaluate the issue of permitting retail on the church property, stating once rezoned it will likely be sold to a developer. She stated Louisville should not compete with Broomfield, and noted Louisville values its distinct character. She stated the City and County should purchase the 80-acre for open space. She opposed adding 1000 residential units to the City; stating residential growth does not pay for itself. She noted it took decades to decide on a size for Louisville and further development would further strain the City's services. Addressing the school issue, Morris stated as the population changes the school boundaries will change and the schools will be beyond capacity. She noted the development also threatens the Louisville downtown area. She shared her vision for the area: open space,