HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.04.2015 BJAD Joint Minutes
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES FORM
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: BOULDER JUNCTION ACCESS DISTRICT
NAME/TELEPHONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Ruth Weiss – 303-413-7318
NAMES OF MEMBERS, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS: KOVAL, SHANAHAN, PEDERSEN, OSBORNE, PAWLOWSKI (absent),
SUTHERLAND
STAFF: WINTER, MATTHEWS, WEISS, HAGELIN, HADDOCK, ROBERTS, ASSEFA
GUESTS: SCOTT HOLTON
TYPE OF MEETING Regular February 4, 2015
:
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Roll Call:
Meeting called to order at 9:10 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Approval of the January 7, 2015 Joint Meeting Minutes (Action Item Below)
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Disclosure of Conflict of Interest:
Completed.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – Public Participation:
None
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Update on Form-Based Code Pilot in Boulder Junction- Sam Assefa:
Assefa gave a brief
overview of the Design Initiative/Form-Based Code, specifically for Boulder Junction. The Design Excellence Initiative was
discussed in the Planning Department last year to have a boarder scope with why design matters. Issues began to arise with
some feeling that development was too fast, too tall, too much. Four developments were selected to examine and all were
built in the last few years. Assefa said it led to unpredictable design review outcomes. The necessary tools to direct
developers were not available, nor do the decision makers have the right tools to make good decisions on design. Victor
Dover was contracted to provide recommendations. His recommendations were to be more prescriptive in certain areas,
create visual interest, and define this issue. It was clear from Dover’s observations that the right tools are needed for a more
predictable outcome. Form based code is a possible tool which prescribes form: building envelop, scale height, materials.
Dover suggested doing a quick pilot and learning from the process and starting in an area that has an approved plan with
approved density and height. He suggested North Boulder or Boulder Junction as possibilities. Boulder Junction was
selected. If there is very prescriptive form based code, there would be no need to go to Planning Board for site review An
RFP was sent out, due in this Friday and Assefa would like to select the consultant by March. S’Park developers agreed to
work with the chosen consultant, realizing that the project is already in the pipeline and shouldn’t be unnecessarily delayed.
Assefa will outline the public engagement process, and have a task force or advisory board overseeing the work.. The
schedule is to have the code completed in the next 6 months. There is no timeline for area plans currently. The East
Arapahoe plan is on hold and may be the next pilot after Boulder Junction. Sutherland asked if the pilot will complicate the
site review process, Assefa said that’s not the intention, however, it may delay some since it’s not sure what form it will take.
Assefa said that as the pilot progresses, there is immediate and natural progression going east and could it lead to the next
logical site. Koval said that focusing on Pollard site is a good idea. He’s all for better design, and make it more collaborative;
likes the idea of focusing on a particular site and able to get it done. Sutherland said there is a problem with a moving target,
S’Park tried to address the many concerns, encourages staff to be wary on the S’Park project that they tried to fit the criteria.
Pedersen asked if there was consideration of a moratorium for future site review. Pedersen asked if Victor Dover has
responded to the RFP. Assefa said he thought so, that there’s been a lot of inquiries but only one submittal. There is a need
for better predictability. Osborne added that she was part of the group that worked on the Drive-In Theatre site; it was
smooth once the form of the development was determined. Pederson and Osborne volunteered to serve on the selection
committee for the form-based code consultant.
AGENDA ITEM 6–Update on S’Park Development Plans – Scott Holton:
Scott Holton, Element Properties, is the
developer for at 3390 Valmont, S’Park (Southerland Park). Holton is looking for outreach and direction to meet community
goals. Holton continued that he started with TVAP, TMP, Burlington Northern, RTD, Boulder Revised Code, wellness
standards, uses, inclusionary housing and focused on place making. TVAP meets a lot of community needs and the result is
a mixed use/mixed income project development, transit oriented place to create a neighborhood center. There will be
restaurants, retail, Community Cycles. There will be townhouses, affordable rental housing, market rate flats, with 32%
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permanent affordable housing. Two acres will be dedicated for rights of way; possibly contributing to Rail Quiet Zone and
parks and public use areas. Holton provided to the commission a handout that displayed parking supply and bike parking.
Osborne questioned the Platinum LEED definition. Holton said it’s a new LEED category - LEED for neighborhood design
has so the energy envelope actually applies, with holistic and healthy living on the site, access to healthy food, bike paths
and housing, not just energy issues. Pedersen questioned the Leeds designation for the Platinum building. Holton replied that
one building needs to be Platinum and the community needs addressed. Pedersen said that Boulder Junction is a Leeds
designation community. Holton said that Leeds has guided their decisions on development. Holton said 247 residential units,
32 % as permanently affordable, 18,000 sq ft of commercial space and as Boulder Junction seasons; it will grow organically
and will create some street level traditional retail. Commercial aspect was discussed. Timing was questioned by Pedersen.
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Holton hopes to be in front of Planning in the 3 quarter with a five year phase, pursing vested property rights and wants to
respond to community demands as it seasons. Pedersen asked if could accommodate additional parking and Holton replied
affirmatively, with additional parking as potential. Winter said that she was pleased the variety of architecture, found it
exciting and different. Koval asked about the parking and is the idea to come up with 100 spaces and is it part of this
process? Winter replied that this area has demonstrated how being proactive is necessary and look out for the interest of the
district. Winter continued that an agreement is needed and it needs to be more formalized. Holton said all parking with be
Shared and Unbundled. Koval asked if the 400 spaces inclusive of the 100 temporary and will entertain a future development
of a parking structure. Winter said the district goal is to own 100 spaces in partnership with the project to immortalize the
SUMP Principles. Winter said that adding Community Cycles as part of the TDM is attractive.
AGENDA ITEM 7–Matters from the Commissioners:
Depot Square update by Shanahan included that the hotel will be
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done on April 1 and apartments complete in early May; restaurant in June. RTD is set for an August opening for the bus
box. Koval said Nickel Flats framing done by the end of this month; the infrastructure is great and the connections are well
executed by the city. Koval mentioned some residential owner benefits and that tenant finish going on in the Steelyards.
Winter mentioned the Steelyards parking and would they like to join the TDM?
AMPS Joint District Board Workshop feedback – Pedersen said format was good, facilitator at each table taking notes was
great, two hour block was good, what happens after the meeting with the notes taken? Winter replied that there is a draft of
the notes for review and will send them back out to the boards for their feedback. Koval thought it was good to be in a group
format, too much time spent on how to meet; an hour for an icebreaker was too much. Shanahan commented on the feeling
of being rushed at the end of the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 8– Matters from the Staff:
Haddock acknowledged there are concerns by some commissioners about
the two different BJAD boards, TDM and Parking. Haddock continued that there is an overlap of membership, TDM
members can only vote on TDM issues and Parking members can only vote on Parking issues. This is the legal requirement
for the two commissions. Osborne said the problem is one of clarity, there is continued confusion about membership
expiration on the two boards and it seems ‘goofy’ the way meetings are conducted. Osborne continued that it’s complicated
and doesn’t need to be, conduct meetings as one board and then reconvene as the other board. Haddock said that in the
foreseeable future, there will need to be voting by parking district or TDM district.. Osborne mentioned the confusion about
recruitment from last year, looking for simplicity. Pedersen asked if there is a path to merge as one board. Haddock said that
both districts would have to have the same boundaries and the same mil levies.
Winter said that this meeting format had happened in the past; the Parking board voted on an issue and felt it could be done.
Winter said there is an opportunity with the one opening on the TDM and one opening on Parking, have recruits serve on
both boards and it will take some time to transition to that scenario. Haddock described the model for city council and agreed
with Winter that commissioner appointments could be for both boards. Koval felt the current meeting set up worked well.
Future agendas will list roll call by commission.
Hagelin – the master contract for the business EcoPass at Boulder Junction has been executed, discussed the RTD web
portal, Susie Keating at the Hyatt has some coupon books, provided welcome kits for employees on alt modes; she has talked
with Eco Car Share and placement of vehicles in Boulder Junction. A joint grant with the City and County for funding for a
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bus and bike shelter in Boulder Junction similar to the one at 14 Street is planned.. The next step is to look at locations.
Hagelin meet with Google about Planning Board issues with parking, they said at the meeting they would like to join the
TDM district, but there are complications to work out. Google has a long term association with B-Cycle; has a national
contract with Enterprise for car pooling and car sharing. Winter asked if there were board members that would like to go to
the initial meeting with Google. Winter asked for board participation; Osborne, Sutherland and Koval responded; Winter
will set up the meeting and get in touch only two commissioners to avoid public notice.
Pedersen asked if REVE is moving forward. Board recruitment was discussed and both openings were for Citizen at Large.
Osborne would like to see a Quiet Zone update.
A BJAD retreat was discussed. Koval said that form based code should be tracked but the commission should not get in too
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deeply into the process. Koval is open to the retreat, in April or May. Osborne suggested having an informal happy hour at
a hotel. Pedersen suggested a quarterly meeting out at the district. Koval would like the format to change and do an
informal walk around. Retreat timing was discussed, perhaps at the Hyatt in May,
Meeting adjourned at 10:53 a.m.
ACTION ITEMS:
MOTION: Koval motioned to approve the January 7, 2015 meeting minutes with corrections as requested
by Koval. Osborne seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 4 -0.
FUTURE MEETINGS:
March 4, 2015 Council Chambers Regular Meeting
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