Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

Niwot Community Association board members agreed at their June 5 meeting to try a different approach with Boulder County Commissioners to find a solution for fixing subdivision roads.

County officials are in the process of adding a public health element to the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed element includes a goal of “transportation pathways that are safe and accessible for all residents regardless of geography or transportation mode….”

“I think we can approach transportation safety and our crumbling streets from a public health mindset,” suggested area representative Liz Marr of Lake Valley.

In a draft letter to commissioners and land use staff assigned to update the comprehensive plan, NCA board members pointed out that health and safety concerns exist for the first and last mile for residents of unincorporated subdivisions in Boulder County. They are asking that the county adopt a policy approach of “complete streets”, which signifies that streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

“Our crumbling streets are a blight on the concept of having complete streets,” Marr said.

The letter goes on to state that crumbling road edges and damaged streets have caused cyclists to fall and require motorists to navigate around damaged sections. The road conditions also might affect subdivision response times for fire, police and ambulance services, according to the letter.

“I think we should send this letter from the NCA for the county to consider,” said area representative Mark Brigham. “This is a new approach.”

“If we are not at the table, we will not have our views represented,” added Marr.

“We have survey after survey saying this is an issue for our community,” said NCA President David Limbach. “I think we are on solid ground here to express an opinion on behalf of our community.”

Clean Up Day

NCA’s annual Niwot Clean Up Day was a rousing success again this year, reported event co-chairs Tom Sesnic and John Barto. More than 45 volunteers helped at the May 18 event including many from Boy Scout Troop 161. “Our Scout volunteers are invaluable,” Sesnic said.

The clean-up event brought in five dumpsters of trash, three dumpsters of slash, eight containers of Styrofoam for recycling, three-and-a-half pallets of paint for recycling, one dumpster of scrap metal for recycling, 24 mattresses and box springs, and 3,400 pounds of electronics for recycling. Nearly half of NCA members took advantage of the clean-up event, which is free for NCA members.