Sprawl and Transportation Committee

Minutes

Meeting Date - September 20 2007

Present: Bill, Betsy, Eric, Alan
Minutes by Alan Streater.

Announcements.

Betsy and Bill noted that Transit Village Area Plan was passed unanimously by the planning board and by council. This is a first step for zoning changes. There is also a sustainability plan for the transit village that is being formed now.

Boulder Community Environmental Forum for Boulder City Council Candidates, Tuesday, September 25, 6:00 pm, at the Boulder Public Library, Main Auditorium. Refreshments are in the Gallery from 5:30-6:00, and there is also a Mixer in the Gallery following the event from 8:00-9:45.

Our next meeting will be in support of the larger IPG group, at the Bugle and Literature Collation Mailing Party, Thursday October 11, 6-9pm. We will help mail the IPG newsletter and collate literature for our lit drop for the weekend of October 13-14. It is at the Boulder Community Hospital, Broadway, Lower Floor, Boardroom (Room G80). Enter BCH via the The Pavilion entrance on Alpine, take the elevator to the Lower Basement Floor ("B"), turn left upon exiting the elevator, keep walking along the corridor to the corner, turn left again, walk a few more steps and the Boardroom (Room G80) is on your right. Pizzas, cookies, sodas and water will be provided.

Discussion of county election question 1B.

Some were concerned about road widening projects. Others noted that there are also many good projects that the sales tax extension would fund, including bike trails, shoulder widening, and transit improvements. Bill mentioned that a sales tax by the county (in this case an extension of a sales tax) can effectively take potential money from the city, and that the county should perhaps stick with its real estate assessment taxes (Matt Applebaum’s argument against the previous transportation proposal based on sales tax.) Alan pointed out that a sales tax is generally somewhat regressive. Several of us plan to analyze the good and bad parts of the proposal, and we plan to address the question on the email list, with the goal of either recommending to support or not support the initiative.

Discussion on the Northwest Rail Study (formerly was part of the US36 EIS).

In coming months, we hope to make a statement to the Rail Study on a variety of issues. Bill plans to speak at the upcoming public meeting (http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_44) on the issue of quiet zones—How long does it take to go through the process of becoming a quiet zone, what are the chances of success, and how much does it cost?

I70 update—CDOT will use conflict resolution (with private consultants Keystone) to re-open the I70 DEIS. They hope to come to a resolution within 9 months. Bill notes that tunnels in Switzerland (rail and other) have actually reduced traffic, and points out that I70 has similar geography of mountains.

Community/Conference Center.

Discussion started by someone nothing that many candidates support a convention/conference center, but not on this site. Others expressed regret that Sarah and Mark weren’t here. Another commented that there is probably some time on this issue, and we should continue to follow it closely.

Back to Top of Page

   get Involved

   get Connected

   get Informed

   get Outside