Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of the Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission of the City of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado Held on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Vice-Chair Tory Leviton called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Tory Leviton, Commissioners Fred Wolfe, Kate Murphy and Chelsea Scott. Also present were Emily Black, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, Jeff Roberts, Parks Operations Supervisor and Pamela Broyles, Administrative Assistant. Commissioner Rob Eber joined the meeting at 5:58 p.m. Absent: Chair Stephanie DahI, Commissioner Aron Grodinsky PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The PTRC conducted the Pledge of Allegiance. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Howard Sherr 210 Summit Boulevard Mr. Sherr shared that he has a passion for cycling. He pointed out the increased popularity in cycling including an increase in children riding their bikes to and from school and people commuting on bikes. He noted that there is not one dedicated bike trail in the Village and he believes the Village can do more for bike safety. He said the major trail is the Quincy multi-use trail that is not fun to ride on and is not safe from a cyclist’s standpoint. He said he has been harassed when riding his bike on the road and he is requesting that a sign be installed “Share the Road” as there is not one sign in the Village. Mr. Sherr noted that the aspects of cycling have changed in that they are going faster and going farther and there is more expertise on how to develop a bike trail. He shared the following comments for the Quincy Trail: • The dip for stormwater in front of Kent Denver School should be covered with a grate • Install a sign at the High Line Canal crossing stating that cyclists can take the full lane • The trail is on the wrong side of the street because the shade creates icc buildup and more maintenance. • It is difficult to get from the southeast section of trail on Quincy to the northwest section at the University Boulevard intersection • Form a subcommittee for the Master Plan study to look at the multiuse trails in the Village from a cyclist’s standpoint • Hire an engineer who is a specialist in the area to critique and come up with suggestions Commissioner Wolfe suggested that Mr. Sherr present some specifics such as photographs, maps and designs. He believes the City is more likely to respond to concerns if there is credibility in numbers versus one individual. He said it would be helpful to determine how many cyclists are using Quincy on business days versus Saturday and Sunday. Parks & Trails Commission 05/12/2022 - 1 -  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Murphy said other cities have dedicated a cycling lane within the street using dotted lines and suggested this is something that could be done on Quincy. Coordinator Black pointed out that one of the questions in the Master Plan survey was asking the public what types of trails they are most comfortable with including cyclists. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Chelsea Scott moved, seconded by Commissioner Fred Wolfe to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: a. Approval of Minutes — April 14, 2022 The motion passed unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Master Plan Update — Presentation by Paul Workman, Planning Manager Planning Manager Paul Workman provided an update on the Master Planning process. He noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is in charge of the Master Plan process and they have chosen several tools for input including open houses, surveys, the Citizen Advisory Task Force (CAT), and a technical advisory group. Mr. Workman outlined some of the highlights based on results from the survey: • Support for tree and tree canopy preservation. • Preserving views from public streets, parks, trails and open space • Support for enhancements for trail users such as more stop signs, enhanced crossings and design modifications to trails to make them safer including more separation. • Natural separation boundaries for trails were preferred as opposed to a manicured landscaped separation. • Majority of residents are not in favor of a universal speed limit in the Village • Underground utilities using the existing 1% fUnds as opposed to a new tax or taking money from the general fund Mr. Workman showed a slide comparing the 2008 Master Plan outline to the proposed 2022 Master Plan and stressed that the new plan is an update to the existing plan. He described the hierarchy of the plan as having a planning vision and within each individual chapter there are principles, goals, and actions. The Commission asked if increasing cell service is a goal in the new Master Plan. Mr. Workman responded that the topic was discussed but the City installing towers was not a popular option. The consensus was more for letting the market dictate and provide incentives. He explained that the cell companies have reported that the City’s population density is low and they can get bigger returns in other parts of the metro area. He said until there is different technology it will be difficult to entice cell providers into the Village and the feedback from the survey is that there are other ways to use City funds. Commissioner Eber clarified that it is not that the City does not care about cell service but it may not be government’s primary responsibility to use City funds to provide cell service for the Community versus the private business community responding to a need. The Commission voiced their disappointment with the lack of cell service and questioned what it is going to take to get a cell tower to address this issue. Parks & Trails Commission 05/12/2022 -2-  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Coordinator Black noted that City Council did meet with a company that constructs the towers and held a study session. She said she will send Commission members the information that was discussed. She recommended that Commission members reach out to their City Council members for further discussion. Mr. Workman reported that the following three chapters are ready for consumption: • Community Character • Parks, Trails and Open Space • Prescrvation of open space, trails, and scenic views Mr. Workman reported on the next steps: • Planning and Zoning will have a study session at its next meeting • CAT will meet in July • Final round of Community input in September Mr. Workman reported that the results from the second survey are on the City’s website or at chvillagcvision.com. Commissioner Eber reported that CAT is working on goals and action items and he encouraged PTRC to provide comments to Mr. Workman. He said the goal is to present the draft Master Plan to City Council in late fall. Commissioner Wolfe asked if there are policies in place to make sure that the tree cutting that happened at the corner of Quincy and Franklin will never happen again. Mr. Workman responded that it is ultimately up to City Council whether they want to change the current Tree Preservation Ordinance. He confirmed that there is a study session scheduled for this summer with City Council on the proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance. Coordinator Black will inform the Commission when the study session is scheduled. Commissioner Eber encouraged the Commission to attend the City Council study session if they want to see changes to the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Commissioner Wolfe asserted that the language needs to be changed to specify that trees can only be removed within the footprint of the new home or the setbacks within 30 days of breaking ground on the home. Commissioner Wolfe also expressed concern about two properties in the Village that are completely overgrown that have been reported to code enforcement with no action. He said neighbors are concerned why property owners are not being required to clean their property as it is a code violation. Mr. Workman responded that it is a code enforcement issue. NEW BUSINESS There was nothing to report. REPORTS a. Chair Report Parks & Trails Commission 05/12/2022 - 3 -  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS There was nothing to report. b. Commissioners Vice-Chair Leviton shared that he will be a contestant on Jeopardy and it will air on June 20t1. c. Staff Report i. Quincy Farm Coordinator Black reported that staff met with the Cherry Hills Land Preserve and they are working on the annual plan for 2023. She shared that the Land Preserve has scheduled several events that can be viewed at quincyfarm.org. ii. High Line Canal Stormwater Study Coordinator Black reported that staff met with Icon Engineering and they will give a preliminary report to PTRC in August about stormwater in the High Line Canal. iii. John Meade Park Permanent Sculpture Coordinator Black reported that the John Meade Park sculpture is currently paused as the Art Commission will not meet again until the end of June. iv. John Meade Park Reading Garden Coordinator Black announced that the Ralph Mason Reading Garden in John Meade Park is complete. She said a plaque has been ordered and will be installed in the near future. v. Movie Night Coordinator Black reported that the Annual Outdoor Movie Night event is scheduled for Saturday, August 20th and staff is considering a throwback movie. Ms. Black announced that John Meade Park is being heavily used for events. The Commission discussed the event permitting process for John Meade Park and cleanup responsibilities. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The next m g is sched d for June 9th at 5:30 p.m. - ir ‘Fey-Je rtnn /5 CtJ1JJ2 Emily B1,tk Parks and Recreation Coordinator Parks & Trails Commission 05/12/2022 -4-