I'm wondering how a transit center there would impact the states new requirements for high density housing in that area. If I'm understanding HB24-1313 correctly, a transit center there would also mean that we would end up with some state madated high rise apartment building somewhere near there. Is that right? And is that potential requirement something that should be included in the consideration for a super transit center?
I'm still waiting for the city staff to report to council with an update to the changes that were made to HB 24-1313 before it passed. I know they worked with the sponsors of the bill on the changes. I am hearing they are waiting until the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) releases new maps before they update council.
The bill says zoning for up to 40 dwelling units per acre within a 1/4 mile of transit stations. But does that mean existing stations at the time the bill was written, because this station is just in the design stage. Hopefully city staff will explain.
Yes, I did a LOT of writing and calling to press for those changes too. What was left out of the bill that passed was the financial penalty to communities who did not meet their "Housing Opportunity Goal" requirements, which was originally going to be witholding of funds from the Highway Tax Users Fund, which for Lafayette is around $1M annually. It also dumped the threat of law suits against municipalities that refused to comply. My central point in trying to persuade lawmakers (at least the ones that were willing to even engage on the subject) was that these goals the state has for land use should be accomplished through incentives to these specified cities rather than mandates, because their one size fits all approach that seeks to force compliance would spell disaster for some of these cities (like Lafayette). Those arguments seemed to fall mostly on deaf ears, because in spite of the fact that the financial penalties and legal threats have been removed, we still have mandates, and Governor Polis has made it clear that he will find other ways to enforce them. So, at some point I think we will see strategies from his office that will leverage local leadership to play along and do what he is pressing for, which is why I think that plans for any transit centers need to be considered alongside what the state mandate will expect for high density development in the area, especially one like this that could come with some hefty development expectations. People need to understand that it isn't just the transit center they are agreeing to, it may also be high rise buildings and an influx of new residents that the city isn't equipped to handle. It isn't by itself a reason to say no, but the potential for what could happen there because of HB24 1313 needs to be in the minds of the decision makers and residents as plans are made. I'm skeptical that local leaders will decide to ignore or fight against HB24 1313 moving forward. I think Governor Polis plans to make that a very untenable position for any city to take. Everyone needs to start discussing the major impact this bill is going to have on the city, this transit center being among those discussions. Now that I'm thinking about it, I wish I had thought this part through when I was arguing with lawmakers to include in my position that their bill could actually thwart the development of new transit centers because cities may be unable to support the influx of new residents that the bill would mandate. Oh well, I guess hindsight is 20/20, and maybe they were also just too hell bent to care anyway.
I probably sound like a broken record by now on this bill, but I have worked really hard trying to help mitigate the enormous impact it is going to have on our city and its residents, and I’ve been surprised by how little attention it seems to have garnered by city leaders and the community given how much it stands to change all of our lives. It links to almost every move we make as a city moving forward, and if we don’t stand together to try to guide and constrain its progress, we are going to find ourselves in quite a pickle. Thanks for supporting my persistent “chiming in” about it here and on Nextdoor. I know council is working behind the scenes to understand what comes next and what our options might be. I’m just not sure if they understand how determined Polis is to push this high density development agenda, which puts them up against a pretty powerful force. It seems like it could be a key piece of his own political advancement, which would be quite a motivation for him to keep pushing these changes. Anyway, hopefully the city will all pull together to do what is best for Lafayette. Meanwhile, back to the proposed transit center…
I appreciate the work you have done to try and impact this bill. I will tell you that the post I wrote about it received the most views of any of my posts by a lot. Close to 1000 more than the average number of views my posts get. Plus the most comments and the most new subscriptions. https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/are-you-kidding-me-72000-more-housing
Pulling back to a higher view, I think the state's actions to override our home rule status is a problem and a red flag. I think our council should do something about that but at this point I have only heard Councilor Samson mention it.
Yes, and Councilor Samson is quite concerned about it. We’ll see what that yields. Governor Polis wants to be president. Home Rule Authority seems to be in his way. Now I’m in his way too 😆. Don’t you think I’ll be outstanding in that capacity?? 🤣
Awesome News! We really need an underpass on 287. Both last Friday and yesterday I was almost hit walking to cross 287 westbound at Diamond Circle, at 11:30 AM by two different cars making right turns onto Diamond Circle. Cars were southbound and going fast through the RED light to turn on Diamond Circle, without stopping. Scary. Yes, I notified Lafayette police yesterday, as I was able to get that license plate number, and the officer spoke with the driver as I found the NoStoponRed vehicle parked next to Starbucks.
Currently, I and my neighbors will not take the bus because it is too dangerous to cross 287. I try to cross 287 on foot only in non-commuting hours from 10 AM to 2 PM window - even then it’s dangerous. Some neighbors will not cross 287 on foot or on bike.
Yes, I assume at least $5 million. However, I am a big believer in bimodal and public transportation - and safely crossing the highway allows that to work. Underpasses are both an environmental and safety investment.
I'm wondering how a transit center there would impact the states new requirements for high density housing in that area. If I'm understanding HB24-1313 correctly, a transit center there would also mean that we would end up with some state madated high rise apartment building somewhere near there. Is that right? And is that potential requirement something that should be included in the consideration for a super transit center?
I'm still waiting for the city staff to report to council with an update to the changes that were made to HB 24-1313 before it passed. I know they worked with the sponsors of the bill on the changes. I am hearing they are waiting until the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) releases new maps before they update council.
The bill says zoning for up to 40 dwelling units per acre within a 1/4 mile of transit stations. But does that mean existing stations at the time the bill was written, because this station is just in the design stage. Hopefully city staff will explain.
Yes, I did a LOT of writing and calling to press for those changes too. What was left out of the bill that passed was the financial penalty to communities who did not meet their "Housing Opportunity Goal" requirements, which was originally going to be witholding of funds from the Highway Tax Users Fund, which for Lafayette is around $1M annually. It also dumped the threat of law suits against municipalities that refused to comply. My central point in trying to persuade lawmakers (at least the ones that were willing to even engage on the subject) was that these goals the state has for land use should be accomplished through incentives to these specified cities rather than mandates, because their one size fits all approach that seeks to force compliance would spell disaster for some of these cities (like Lafayette). Those arguments seemed to fall mostly on deaf ears, because in spite of the fact that the financial penalties and legal threats have been removed, we still have mandates, and Governor Polis has made it clear that he will find other ways to enforce them. So, at some point I think we will see strategies from his office that will leverage local leadership to play along and do what he is pressing for, which is why I think that plans for any transit centers need to be considered alongside what the state mandate will expect for high density development in the area, especially one like this that could come with some hefty development expectations. People need to understand that it isn't just the transit center they are agreeing to, it may also be high rise buildings and an influx of new residents that the city isn't equipped to handle. It isn't by itself a reason to say no, but the potential for what could happen there because of HB24 1313 needs to be in the minds of the decision makers and residents as plans are made. I'm skeptical that local leaders will decide to ignore or fight against HB24 1313 moving forward. I think Governor Polis plans to make that a very untenable position for any city to take. Everyone needs to start discussing the major impact this bill is going to have on the city, this transit center being among those discussions. Now that I'm thinking about it, I wish I had thought this part through when I was arguing with lawmakers to include in my position that their bill could actually thwart the development of new transit centers because cities may be unable to support the influx of new residents that the bill would mandate. Oh well, I guess hindsight is 20/20, and maybe they were also just too hell bent to care anyway.
You make some great points! Everything development/growth related now needs to be viewed through this lens.
I probably sound like a broken record by now on this bill, but I have worked really hard trying to help mitigate the enormous impact it is going to have on our city and its residents, and I’ve been surprised by how little attention it seems to have garnered by city leaders and the community given how much it stands to change all of our lives. It links to almost every move we make as a city moving forward, and if we don’t stand together to try to guide and constrain its progress, we are going to find ourselves in quite a pickle. Thanks for supporting my persistent “chiming in” about it here and on Nextdoor. I know council is working behind the scenes to understand what comes next and what our options might be. I’m just not sure if they understand how determined Polis is to push this high density development agenda, which puts them up against a pretty powerful force. It seems like it could be a key piece of his own political advancement, which would be quite a motivation for him to keep pushing these changes. Anyway, hopefully the city will all pull together to do what is best for Lafayette. Meanwhile, back to the proposed transit center…
I appreciate the work you have done to try and impact this bill. I will tell you that the post I wrote about it received the most views of any of my posts by a lot. Close to 1000 more than the average number of views my posts get. Plus the most comments and the most new subscriptions. https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/are-you-kidding-me-72000-more-housing
Pulling back to a higher view, I think the state's actions to override our home rule status is a problem and a red flag. I think our council should do something about that but at this point I have only heard Councilor Samson mention it.
Also, thanks for letting me know about the community response to your post… very heartening.
Yes, and Councilor Samson is quite concerned about it. We’ll see what that yields. Governor Polis wants to be president. Home Rule Authority seems to be in his way. Now I’m in his way too 😆. Don’t you think I’ll be outstanding in that capacity?? 🤣
Awesome News! We really need an underpass on 287. Both last Friday and yesterday I was almost hit walking to cross 287 westbound at Diamond Circle, at 11:30 AM by two different cars making right turns onto Diamond Circle. Cars were southbound and going fast through the RED light to turn on Diamond Circle, without stopping. Scary. Yes, I notified Lafayette police yesterday, as I was able to get that license plate number, and the officer spoke with the driver as I found the NoStoponRed vehicle parked next to Starbucks.
Currently, I and my neighbors will not take the bus because it is too dangerous to cross 287. I try to cross 287 on foot only in non-commuting hours from 10 AM to 2 PM window - even then it’s dangerous. Some neighbors will not cross 287 on foot or on bike.
This design study will determine if an underpass is possible. I imagine the cost would be eye popping.
Yes, I assume at least $5 million. However, I am a big believer in bimodal and public transportation - and safely crossing the highway allows that to work. Underpasses are both an environmental and safety investment.
This from the staff memo in the council packet concerns me:
"Next Steps
The preliminary design process is anticipated to take 2-3 years. Once the design is
completed, Council will be asked to consider funding for final design, right-of-way
acquisition, and construction as part of a future budget process."
That sounds like Lafayette has to fund the whole project. I think 5 mill is on the low side. But we'll see what this design study shows us.