Last Amendment BCCP-95-07 October 18, 1995
With the creation and adoption of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan on April 6, 1978, a general plan was established to guide development of the County's transportation systems. Anticipated limits to growth were still concepts, without specifics detailing the likely "stable" end state of development in Boulder County.
During the intervening period, when Boulder County's population increased from approximately 178,000 in 1978, to an estimated 250,000 at the end of 1994, significant changes have taken place within the County with respect to a potential "stable end state" of growth. Open space programs that been embraced by the County, and many of the cities within the County have defined certain limits to growth, as well as defined certain limits of the resulting transportation systems. The Transferable Development (TDR) program may also influence the limits of a potential "end" state for Boulder County. Additionally, many cities in Boulder County have begun to recognize potential upper limits on acceptable population and employment levels within their jurisdictions.
With this recognition comes the conclusion that planning in Boulder County has reached a new level of maturity, from a level that established general guidelines for growth, to a level that defines specific magnitudes and locations for an anticipated finite level of future growth.
The update to the Transportation Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan needs to reflect this maturation, and present a plan that speaks to the specific transportation needs of the County as it enters the first quarter of the 21st century. To that end, this update contains the transportation goals, objectives and general system map, as well as a plan for developing policies and projects that address specific transportation needs and challenges facing Boulder County, the cities within Boulder County, the Denver Metropolitan Region, and the State of Colorado.
While the policies cited below are of particular interest and pertinence to the people residing in the MEPP Planning Area, there are additional objectives and policies in the Transportation Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan that may apply as the Transportaion Department reviews and updates it's Transportation Improvements Program.
To coordinate the transportation policies with desired growth and development patterns in the County and within the regional context.
TR 1.01 Transportation planning shall be relevant to the County's social, economic, land use, and environmental policies. The plan shall be implemented through a five year capital improvement program which shall be updated annually, as well as through such other mechanisms such as site plan and development reviews. Roadway improvements shall be programmed only after appropriate studies have shown the need for repair, increased safety or carrying capacity.
TR1.02 The County shall coordinate with local residents, other town, city, county, regional, and state agencies in the development and implementation of the transportation plan.
TR1.03 All new developments shall dedicate their share of right-of-way for any highway facility shown on the transportation plan on which they abut, consistent with the right-of way widths specified on the transportation plan.
TR1.04 Special consideration shall be given to pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle and/or other uses of road rights-of-way during the design and construction of all road improvements. Short range improvements necessary to implement the trails plan shall be programmed in the County's Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
TR1.05 Development shall be encouraged to locate near appropriate transportation corridors.
TR1.06 To improve, maintain, and insure the integrity of the Transportation system, the County shall pursue, to the extent possible, alternative funding sources.
To develop an efficient, safe, and cost-effective road network which separates traffic by function.
TR2.01 Safety shall be addressed with the improvement of highway segments and by a concerted effort where possible to separate modes of transport. Safety improvements, including appropriate signing where possible, shall be made in anticipation of problems rather than reaction to them.
TR2.02 The control of access shall be implemented by discouraging driveway cuts on all classifications higher than local access, developing access control plans for classifications higher than minor arterial, and requiring new developments to minimize the number of access points to the highway system.
TR2.03 Public access roads to all proposed developments shall be designed and constructed to Boulder County Road Standards and Specifications, and shall be sufficient for ingress and egress by emergency vehicles.
TR2.04 Access in "natural hazard areas" which presents danger to life and property shall be carefully controlled or prohibited.
TR2.05 The minimum level of 500 vehicles per day, average daily traffic, shall be attained before Boulder County will participate in the paving of County-owned gravel roads.
TR2.06 All new developments shall mitigate impacts directly related to new access.
To maintain at least a Level of Service D on the County's road network, to ensure a stable flow of traffic without significant delays.
TR3.01 Roadway capacity improvements will be developed in a manner that integrates alternative modes of transportation, such as bicycles, transit, and pedestrians, in the improvement to add "people carrying" capacity to the roadway, not just vehicular capacity.
To provide for the timely input of the locally impacted and general public in the development of the facilities and services.
TR4.01 Mechanisms, including on-site signs, public notices, public meetings, and consensus building shall be employed to inform and solicit response from residents and users before action is initiated on transportation improvements.
To maintain the facilities at the highest level of quality, commensurate with available resources.
TR5.01 The County's investment in the existing roadway system shall be protected by emphasizing maintenance of existing facilities over the provision of new facilities. All new County facilities and developments should be designed to minimize future maintenance costs.
TR5.02 Priority shall be given to the rehabilitation of the County's arterial and collector roadways through the use of Road and Bridge Fund revenues. Local access roadways, within developed areas or roadways that serve special interests such as industrial development, shall be rehabilitated through special assessments or other funding mechanisms. Primary funding responsibilities shall be assigned to the users benefiting from these improvements.
TR5.03 A roadway management system shall be implemented and comprehensive inventories of roadways and bridges shall be maintained to assist in prioritization of projects. There shall be an ongoing overview of changes in operation practices on the roadways to assess their success during the first year after change, including the impact of changes in speed limits and truck route limitations.
To provide the necessary infrastructure improvements to accommodate alternative modes, such as transit and non-motorized methods of travel, or managing the demand for travel.
TR6.01 The County shall encourage the planning and construction of bikeways and pedestrian walkways which shall be an integral part of the transportation system. Bikeways and sidewalks shall be provided in new developments where warranted. Bikeways shall be provided to link residential and employment areas, commercial centers, recreational and open space areas, and educational facilities.
TR6.02 The County shall encourage the use of public transit, higher vehicle occupancy rates and maintenance of optimal levels of service. The County shall also encourage the use of bicycles and other energy effective means of transport to increase energy efficiency, as well as to promote improved air quality.
TR6.03 Travel diversion to the public transit system shall be encouraged by promoting higher convenience access points and by integration of transit services with other modes by incorporating such facilities as busways, bicycle facilities, fringe parking, and terminal facilities. The County shall support regional efforts to improve transit service both within Boulder County and from major Boulder County population and employment centers to major Front Range activity centers such as the Denver CBD and DIA.
TR6.04 Accessibility shall be improved through the construction or improvement of key links in the roadway and bikeway systems and by encouraging improved transit service.
TR6.05 On County owned or controlled land, the County shall maintain bike facilities in a reasonably safe condition. In all other instances, the County shall encourage a comparable level of maintenance.
TR6.06 A County-wide trails plan, serving both transportation and recreation purposes, shall be developed as part of the Comprehensive Plan. Trails shall provide for pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, and/or other uses where each is warranted. Incompatible uses shall be adequately separated. New development shall provide for designated trails which run through or adjacent to their properties.
To provide for the safe and convenient accommodation of special mobility requirements of the County's elderly and physically challenged population.
TR7.01 Viable transportation services for elderly and physically handicapped persons shall be supported.
TR7.03 "Any roads, streets, or highways constructed after July 1, 1975, by the State or any of its political subdivisions shall provide adequate and reasonable access for the safe and convenient movement of physically handicapped persons, including those in wheelchairs, across all newly constructed or replaced curbs at all pedestrian crosswalks." Section 43-2-107, CRS, revised in 1976.
To seek and support measures in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the transportation facilities to minimize air and noise pollution impacts.
TR8.01 The County shall monitor the level of automobile generated air pollutants at key areas adjacent to the County roadway system.
TR8.02 New developments shall use site planning techniques, such as setbacks, screening, berming, and landscaping to mitigate potential negative impacts.
To preserve and enhance public enjoyment of such facilities as mountain roads, bridges, scenic overlooks, and landscape plantings.
TR9.01 Every effort shall be made to preserve mature trees, landscape plantings, and other elements of the natural environment during the design and construction of road improvement projects. Where disruption of the natural environment is unavoidable, special techniques, including rounded slopes, erosion control, reseeding and re-vegetation shall be employed to return roadsides to their natural state.
TR9.02 In mountainous and other scenic areas, road, bridge and other transportation improvements shall be designed to enhance and protect the natural environment.
TR9.03 Overlooks and turnouts shall be promoted on recreational routes and in unique scenic areas.
TR9.04 A visual buffer strip should be preserved along designated federal, state, or local scenic highways, to minimize safety concerns and environmental impacts and to preserve corridors for future transportation facilities.
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