Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2016 10 05

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Page 2 of 3 pages The development is well situated to take advantage of Louisville's many amenities, including its parks and trail systems, and downtown shopping and dining. To enhance the pedestrian connections, the development proposes to extend the public sidewalks and tree lawns along East Street and Lock Street adjacent to the property. Residents would then have access to our vibrant downtown via Pine Street to the north by the sidewalk on the west side of East Street. Beyond the extension of sidewalks adjacent to the property, as an additional community benefit, the development proposes to connect the southern termination of the sidewalk on East Street with intersection at Lock Street and 96th Street (Highway 42) via a new sidewalk extension along the north side of Lock Street. This would provide safe access at the signalized intersection to the Coal Creek Trail system, and Community Park for Louisville residents on the east side of the railroad right of way. Directly east of the development, across East Street, there is an undeveloped City - owned parcel which we see as an opportunity for the Applicant to provide a significant public benefit on land that otherwise sits vacant and does not enhance this southern gateway into Louisville. We met with representatives from Planning and the Parks and Recreation Department on 10 August 2016 to discuss the City's current and future plans for this parcel. It was noted by Staff that this parcel does not provide a service to the community as it is a left over parcel created by the extension of Courtesy Rd./96th Street to the south. It is currently designated as "Parks: Other" by the City, and Staff could not find a comprehensive plan or other documentation that indicated any improvements were to take place on this parcel. At the northwest corner of Lock Street. and 96th Street intersection, this triangular shaped City owned parcel is prominent to those traveling north or south along 96th St. and west on Highway 42. This parcel represents a great opportunity for the City to create pleasing gateway to Louisville along this major travel corridor. This could easily be accomplished by enhanced landscaping in this area, including the creation of a slight berm with a retaining wall and landscape improvements. This could be similar to the gateway improvements at the southeast corner of South Boulder Road and McCaslin Blvd. There is also an opportunity for City gateway signage at this location. The developer has proposed to provide enhanced landscaping in this area to improve the gateway as part of the development of this subdivision. In addition to creating a gateway opportunity for the City, we see an opportunity for a meandering paved or crusher fines trail through this parcel that would provide a connection to the Coal Creek Regional Trail to the south if this type of connection is desirable. We have discussed with staff that future Highway 42 gateway improvements shown in this area include a roundabout and attached bike lanes between Lock Street and Pine Street. It may be more desirable to have a detached multi -use path, similar to the concept depicted in our submittal. The City would need to investigate completion of such a connection from the north end of the Clementine subdivision to Pine Street, depending on available ROW width to see if this is a viable concept. During our aforementioned meeting, Staff expressed interest in the proposed plan and further exploration with Open Space and Parks Advisory Boards was discussed. We look forward to continuing this discussion with the advisory boards as part of this development review. The Applicant is proposing to provide for the grading of the parcel as required to create the berm on the southeast corner, possibly providing the multi-purpose trail, and providing enhanced landscaping on this parcel. As was discussed in meeting with Staff, any signage or other enhancements as part of the gateway identification would be accomplished by the City as part of a