POSAC Questions:
Q: Regarding the motorized water access, did the public have a clear understanding of which bodies of water they would have access to?
Staff response: We did try to make that clear that public water access would not include water from East Boulder Creek and Coal Creek and we were investigating the stacked ponds.
Q: Why was Kenosha Ponds being designated a Critical Wildlife Habitat in the Comprehensive Plan?
Staff response: This habitat was so labeled because of the diversity and level of diversity, which is uncommon in this area. BCPOS staff have worked to make it so from the depleted area it was previously.
Q: Is there flexibility to adjust the trail placement so it is not so potentially disruptive to wildlife?
Staff response: We whittled it down to this. We may need to occasionally need to close that section of trail.
Q: Adaptive management is the key. Is there a way to put that into the plan that would give people more confidence?
Staff response: We built monitoring into the plan. We already changed some trail alignments to reduce the impacts to wildlife.
Q: Will monitoring have a threshold to take action if needed? What is the process?
Staff response: There will be a conversation about what targets and what is an acceptable limit. We may not retain every one of the species of concern. They show up for different reasons, sometimes seasonally.
Q: Have you considered seasonal closures?
Staff response: We've had that discussion and I think it's possible on this property. We have pulled public activity away from the southern area, which is rich with wildlife.
Q: Is the $8 million commitment for one year or is it funded every year?
Staff response: It is spread out over those years and it will need to be approved by the BOCC every year.
Q; There is no alternative to the trailhead location?
Staff response: No, the floodplain limits the options.
Q: To get to the trailhead, how do you access it? Should it be from 109th or do you widen Jasper Rd.?
Staff response: We need to hear concerns from the community. Widening Jasper Rd. is a pretty extreme option to get to the trailhead. Jasper is 50 mph, and we would prefer to have access from a quieter road.
Q: Heidi mentioned retainability to investigate regarding nonmotorized recreation on stacked ponds. Can we amend it?
Staff response: We can always go back to amend the plan. It would need to be approved by the BOCC.
Q: Is it possible to put the trailhead in the floodplain and just design it for resilience during flooding events?
Staff response: Any trailheads will need to have to have a county floodplain permit.
Q: Which areas will allow dogs on leash?
Staff response: We're proposing dogs on leash on the trail.
Public Comments:
Catherine Arnold, N. 109th St. She spoke about her quiet neighborhood. She doesn't think staff took enough time to consider how it will impact the community near the property. She believes a parking lot will be dangerous and have a negative impact. She asked for more time before approving the plan.
Catherine Smith, Louisville. She spoke about the value of habitat and she believes more research is needed.
Suzanne Bhatt, Boulder. She spoke about he importance of the habitat on the property and that the plans for trails and shelters should be eliminated.
Bill Arnold, N. 109th St. He has concerns with the location of the parking lot and he thinks it too close to homes and not hidden by trees. He also mentioned the dust from additional cars traveling on the road.
Donald Hain, N. 109th St. He does not want to see a parking lot near his home and he fears a park it will have a negative impact on the ecosystem in the area. He thinks allowing dogs in the area will impact wildlife. Walkers
Meleah Spencer, N. 109th St., She and her neighbors live in the area because of the peace and quiet. She claimed she received no notification of the plan. She doesn't think their narrow road is appropriate for the plan.
Jim Crowder, N. 109th St. He doesn't think a parking lot is appropriate on 109th and he would like to see other plans proposed.
Dana Shield, N. 109th St. She and so many of her neighbors didn't understand what the postcard was about. She doesn't want to see a parking lot on 109th.
Colleen Elliott, N. 109th St. She doesn't want to see a parking lot from her home instead of the view she currently has. She stated that backups on Hwy 287 already impacts their road.
Chris Hanna, N. 109th St. He wished the neighbors had more input as the plan was created. His neighborhood already has a lot of traffic. He would like to see the parking lot relocated.
Marie Hanna, N. 109th St. She doesn't think the plan survey allowed for opposing ideas. She said the road is too dusty and additional traffic will only make it worse.
John Cooney, N. 109th St. He would like to see the parking lot moved to Jasper Rd. He has an Air B&B and holds weddings on his property. He would hate to see his view impacted.
Tonni Faber, N. 109th St. She like the current rural feel of her neighborhood and she would not like to see a parking lot on 109th or have it made smaller.
Deborah Ma, N. 109th St. She stated her road is a very quiet and safe area. She said her road is very narrow and will not accommodate two lanes of traffic. The road can become difficult to get out of the neighborhood when traffic is detoured from Hwy 287. She would like to see the parking lot relocated.
Reed McRoberts, N. 109th. He would like to see the parking lot relocated to Jasper Rd.
Don Dimig, N. 109th St. He owns a stable on 109th. He stated people frequently walk and ride horses on 109th. He generally likes the idea of the trail but he doesn't like the proposed parking lot. He's seen the number of parking spaces increase overtime and he thinks the BERT could require even more parking.
Courtney Rella, N. 109th. She worries about the ecosystem in the area.
Cherry Landon, 109th St. She worries about future flooding in that area that was damaged during the 2013 flood.
Dennis Tracy, He lives on the first house on Dobbins Run near the EBC property. He thinks that drivers who aren't local on 109th drive too fast already. He also worries about future flooding taking out the amenities.
Jennifer, N. 109th St. She questioned if there was enough information in the plan. She worries about allowing dogs on the EBC property.
Brad Elliot, N. 109th St., at the corner at Jasper Road. He thinks it would be devastating to have the parking lot put in the proposed area.
*POSAC took a 6-minute break
Dana Bove, Boulder County, Front Range Eagle Studies. He stated the eagle monitoring claims by staff are untrue. He stated that BCPOS staff interpretation of Critical Wildlife Habitat, aside from being much narrower that it’s full definition in the Comp Plan, only emphasizes or includes one of these listed natural resources that shall be protected.
Carol McCasland, Louisville. She spoke to advocate for the wildlife habitat on the EBC property.
Wendy Sweet, Boulder, Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. BMA is in support of the East Boulder Creek Management Plan.
Holly Anderson, She believes staff are dismissing the nesting bald eagles' foraging area and she asked that more time be spent considering the impact of human presence in the EBC area.
Diane Kristoff, Loveland, Foothills Audubon Club. FAC doesn't think the EBC plan adequately protects wildlife. Dogs disturb and kill wildlife and FAC thinks dogs should not be allowed.
Bev Baker, Louisville, Boulder County Audubon Society. They appreciate the recent changes to the plan. They hope BCPOS will work to protect nesting raptors and herons, including limiting access by humans and dogs.
Donna Sichko, Boulder. She wants to be sure staff understand the number of people might access the area, especially once the trails are linked. She also has a concern that how many animals will be impacted by the ongoing restoration work and she would like to see BCPOS show the data.
Mia Glover, She believes the plan poses a significant risk to the local ecosystems, especially related to the negative impact on raptors.
Chelsea Lees, She believes there is a lack of information as to how the plan will address aquatic nuisance species and water quality. She stated nonmotorized water craft use can cause the presence of ANS to spread.
Jeff Percell, He would like to see the water recreation and allowance of dogs removed.
Rhonda Howe, N. 109th. She spoke about the wildlife in the area and she hopes more time is taken in considering the plan. She would like to see the parking lot relocated to a better area.
POSAC Deliberations:
Janet George moved to approve the plan and Derek Turner seconded.
POSAC members asked for additional information from staff, including alternative parking options, the impact of dogs on the property, impacts on wildlife, and the process of notifying neighbors.
A decision was made to table this item. Staff will look into the possibility of having a second meeting to decide this matter in December.