City Council Study Session Summary 2009 05 12

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City Council Study Session Summary May 12, 2009 Page 4 of 5 Boulder County Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive plan evaluates how we do transportation plans in the county. This plan incorporates conservation, climate change, cost of fuel, and energy issues. Transportation infrastructure and options have a huge impact on minimum wage earners and the county. How do we move people with growth in the counties? The City Staff initiated a look on what is going on - speaking with counties and boards for public input. The Staff would like feedback; what is the county missing, are we on the right or wrong track? Overview presented of the County comprehensive plan with a power point presentation. County Staff asked the following: How do you enable movement between urban areas and encourage interaction between county and municipalities with policy integration. There needs to be a job and housing balance although there might not be inter-regional travel. Most people do not live and work in the same community. The maps do not show that Louisville has significant pass thru traffic from several communities on four different main streets; this issue needs to be shown. How do we address through traffic that does not divide the community? Hwy 42 could be designed in a way that would not divide the community. This is not an issue for Boulder, as it is a terminus city. Boulder's main routes are McCaslin and S. Boulder road. Northwest Rail and transitory development in town should also be addressed and recognized by Boulder County, and the parking management associated with this development. Separating the identities of the communities might impact the overall big picture of transportation needs. FasTracks will be a unique commuter rail due to the open spaces. The value and preservation of open space should be considered. The comprehensive plan is critical from a land use perspective. Developing a county network is needed to coordinate with what happens within city boundaries. Staff questions and comments to Boulder County representatives: What is your perception of closer ties between land use and transportation? Sometimes an IGA can become an issue when trying to address transportation. Consider taking a look at the land use within IGA's. Where does the development take place, and how do we work together? In the urban areas this is a great challenge in the comprehensive plan. Land use and sustainability may conflict. Boulder County needs to be flexible and open for future opportunities. Council member commented that the comprehensive plan needs to be a total county plan, and not solely based on the needs of the City of Boulder. Ideas propagated by larger cities may not have the same perspective as the other smaller communities.