Parker officials address a long list of issues related to roads, including updating a nearly two-decade-old bike lane plan.

“The Town of Parker’s vision for the plan is to be a community where bicycling, walking and rolling are comfortable, safe and convenient and provide multimodal transportation options and a network for people of all ages and abilities,” said Jeremiah Fettig of Parker’s community development department.

Fettig’s comments came during a lengthy town council meeting on July 17 in which members unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan as part of the Town of Parker Transportation Master Plan. 

The goal is to promote what town leaders call a multi-modal approach to access, mobility and system development, wrapping all into the town’s overall transportation vision adopted in  2014. 

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan replaces a 2005 bike lane plan and supports the Town’s other transportation related policies and standards. 

At the same meeting, the council also approved revisions to the Land Development Ordinance and Chapter 10.10 of the Parker Municipal Code with the adoption of the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Streetscape Design and Construction Manual.

The manual project is a follow-up on the town’s 2019 adoption of standards

“[The project] creates a single comprehensive manual that includes new design principles, new design guidelines, amenity options, construction standards and specifications all in one document with a new name,” said Mary Munekata from the Community Development Department. 

According to Munekata, the project is a supplement to the land development ordinance requirements as well as a tool for developers, design professionals, town staff for development proposals and will provide clarity to the town’s expectations. 

Various roadway improvement details were also approved. 

This includes an ordinance to acquire certain property interests for the purpose of constructing and improving the Parker Road Sidewalk on the east side of Parker Road between Sulphur Gulch to south of Parker Square Drive. 

In a presentation by Chris Hudson from the Engineering and Public Works Department, there are seven proposed permanent sidewalk easements totaling 14,535 square feet and six proposed temporary construction easements totaling 17,379 square feet.

Another ordinance was to provide notice of the Town’s intent to acquire right-of-way and easements for proposed improvements on Lincoln Avenue between Parker Road and Keystone Drive as part of the Lincoln Avenue Widening Project. 

The project expands the roadway from four lanes to six lanes, including widening four bridges. 

According to Patrick Burke of the engineering and public works department, additional improvements include multiple dedicated right-turn lanes at certain major intersections, improving curb ramps and sidewalks as well as improving drainage infrastructure and water quality facilities. 

As part of the Dransfeldt Road Widening Project, the council approved a  Right-of-Way Purchase and Sales Agreement for the conveyance of real property from Primary Colors Land Company Inc. 

Bob Exstrom from public works said about 554 square feet of additional right-of-way is needed to relocate traffic facilities and select electrical facilities as well as install a new retaining wall. 

In addition, nearly 3,214 square feet of temporary construction easement is needed to facilitate construction and restoration of private landscaping. 

With funding from the 2023 Urban Renewal Projects fund, the total cost is estimated to be $31,766, said Exstrom. 

The town also entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town and the Mile High Flood District for the major drainageway improvements for Brandy Gulch and Looking Glass Segment 2. 

The project will include realigning the channel through the area to minimize impacts to the regional park and due to the slope of the drainageway, they will be using a rip-rap line to keep stabilization according to Alex Mestdagh from the engineering and public works department.

“The project is proposed as a DIP - a development improvement project - that will be funded 100% by the [Tanterra] developer but actually constructed by the Mile High Flood District,” said Mestdagh. 

Including construction costs, contingency, vegetation establishment and the Mile High Flood District administrative fee, the project’s budget is estimated to be nearly $846,000.