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REDSTONE • REVIEW
MARCH 16 / APRIL 13, 2022
LYONS Mayor and Trustees Elect answer a few questions about Lyons LYONS – The new Mayor and Trustees, who will be sworn in next month, were each asked to answer three questions. The questions were: what is the most serious issue facing Lyons today; what is a solution to the ongoing parking problem in Lyons; how can Lyons attract new businesses in the face of high rents and/or high prices for commercial space in Lyons. The new board members were instructed to keep their answers brief. These are their answers. Hollie Rogin, Mayor Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: Natural disaster mitigation and preparedness is by far the most serious issue facing Lyons today; the best time to act was ten years ago. The second-best time to act is now. Parking: I think we need to look at where we can create “micro lots” to relieve some of the pressure on our streets, as well as encourage partnerships between property owners that have excess parking and those who require more parking. Attracting businesses: I created the foundation for what is now the City of Boulder’s affordable commercial space program, based on studies by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I haven’t seen any data to show that commercial rents in Lyons are a barrier to entry, but if that’s the case, there are a number of policy levers that can help bring those costs down without detriment to property owners. There’s no question that running a business in Lyons is challenging, particularly in the winter. We should clearly communicate the requirements for getting one up and running, and continue to advertise our fabulous downtown offerings across the region. Tanya Daty, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: With the price of housing skyrocketing in Boulder County, I am concerned with the issue of affordable housing in Lyons. The Summit Housing project (in Lyons Valley Park) seems promising. According to the Housing and Human Resources Commission’s 2021 report, the planned affordable housing will have 24 single-family and 16 multi-family units. Those units will be restricted to those making 60 percent of the Boulder County average mean income. Economic diversity is a key aspect of our small town character. Let’s help locals stay in Lyons. Parking: According to the 2018 Downtown Lyons Parking Study, there are 197 Marked Spaces, 103 Unmarked Spaces and 51 Seasonal Spaces in Lyons. There are another 200 parking spots at the 2nd Avenue lot (by recycling center). Another 50 park-
ing spaces are planned to come from CDOT’s Hwy 36/Broadway project. There will be a total of 601 parking spots in Lyons. The study outlines several recommendations. In the short-term, signage and enforcing two-hour parking restrictions on Main Street from May to September should be considered. In the long term, a parking garage could be an option although it is not my preferred solution. I prefer something more fun and in character with Lyons like a seasonal golf cart shuttle to ferry visitors to and from their cars, parked in the 2nd Avenue lot. Parking should be a shared responsibility between the town of Lyons and the business community. I believe a special committee should be set up with members from both the town and local businesses so that the 2018 Downtown Lyons Parking Study might be revisited. Attracting businesses: I would collaborate with existing partners such as the Lyons Main Street Manager (Brianna Hoyt) and the Economic Vitality Commission to come up with solutions for attracting new businesses. I realize that property taxes have been steadily increasing in relation to the property value in Boulder County. Many communities offer incentives to new businesses. I would look to other Main Street communities via the Main Street program to share successes and ideas. I think supporting our existing businesses is key to retaining a vibrant community. We might also want to consider revisiting existing design guidelines to ensure that town regulations are comprehensible and easy to implement. Glen Delman, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: Affordable housing Parking: Turn the 2nd Avenue dirt lot across from Bohn Park into a pay lot and have a shuttle service on busy weekends. Attracting businesses: We need to have more things to bring in business so the businesses can afford it. Work with Planet Bluegrass to encourage festival goers to come to town. The new hotel will be a great place to start, bringing in new people throughout the year, especially in winter when the summer tourists are not around. Ted Elson, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: This is a very good question. I am not sure that I see one particular issue or problem facing Lyons. The question I see is what will the impacts be to the town due to any new decisions made by the board. We need to not only look at the short-term impacts or benefits but also the long-term impacts to all aspects of the town. We must be rational and really look at how all the pieces will fit together, not just now but also in the future. Parking: As far as parking is concerned
it looks like the improvements planned on Broadway will be a huge improvement. Will this solve the parking issues, we will see. Attracting businesses: While we have no control over the rental costs for business in town. I see our role as figuring out ways to make the town as inviting as possible to bring traffic to the local businesses year round. The key is finding that happy medium keeping our small town charm we know and love and having the ability for business to thrive. Jocelyn Farrell, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: The natural beauty and location of Lyons is one of the most important qualities that makes our town unique. It also puts us directly in the middle of an urban wildfire interface (WUI). I believe wildfire is the largest vulnerability and most serious issue facing Lyons. Our town needs to work directly with the Lyons Fire Protection District, surrounding fire districts, communities, Boulder County, the State and the Left Hand Watershed Center. The last agency is critical because fire will have devastating impacts on the quality and quantity of our water source from the North and South St. Vain Rivers. It is time to mitigate town own properties, enlist our volunteer groups to help homeowners clear properties, seek funding to help residents harden their homes, and decide what WUI codes need to be adopt to protect Lyons and our water sources. These are just a few examples. The timing and responsibility to address this issue is now. Parking: The Lyons Planning and Community Development Commission (PCDC) has offered to add parking to its agenda to study our land uses and parking solutions. It’s going to take coordination with Parks and Recreation to mitigate parking during the peak summer season. I would like to work with the Economic Vitality Commission and local businesses to create a shuttle system to help tourists and employees move through town and minimize car congestion downtown. Attracting businesses: One of my responsibilities on the PCDC is to create the next Comprehensive Plan. From the community survey and discussions with local business owners, it is clear that there is a desire for expanding a thriving year-round economy. Adding opportunities for expansion of services and employment diversification will help local businesses and start-ups afford to stay in Lyons. With this also comes the re-
sponsibility to mitigate the impacts on the town’s infrastructure and business development process. While this is only one example, it is an ongoing process to improve the costs of doing business in Lyons. Gregg Oetting, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: First, fire mitigation and safety, and after that parking, more complete services (pharmacy and doctor’s office) and the Eastern Corridor. I hope all of these issues are prioritized in the next Lyons Comprehensive Plan. As an “unelected” Trustee I will push for the priorities in the Comp Plan as determined by public input. (Please get involved in the Comp Plan meetings!) Parking: We close off the town and only allow bikes and golf carts. See, this is why everyone should go to the Comp Plan meetings. You don’t want the Trustees (me especially) to do anything stupid. For now, all I’ll say is everything is on the table and it’s a major priority. Attracting businesses: I believe the solution lies in improving the “business value” of the commercial real estate in Lyons. Businesses need more people walking in the doors as opposed to driving by. (This was very clear in the public hearings for the hotel). This goes back to the need for parking, creating a better critical mass of businesses (the hotel) and growing and maintaining Lyon’s charm and character. Paula Williams, Trustee Elect Most serious issue facing Lyons: As a new oncoming member of the Board of Trustees, I am hesitant to speak definitively about the needs of Lyons, because there is so much I have yet to learn. There are some issues, however, that seem obvious. First, Lyons cannot continue to exist on FEMA grants. The town must develop additional revenue streams going forward if it is to thrive. Parking: I do understand concerns about parking not being adequate in town, and I believe that is a problem the town must solve, not the businesses coming into town. I do not feel I have an adequate understanding of the specifics related to parking to be able to suggest a workable and cost-effective solution. Attracting businesses: I believe one of the critical issues facing businesses coming into Lyons is the lack of adequate foot traffic in town. Until Lyons can be seen as more of a destination, as opposed to a community you drive through on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park, this will continue to be an issue. I believe the proposed hotel can have a major impact. A continuing healthy relationship with Planet Bluegrass is also essential. And of course, ample parking certainly doesn’t hurt.
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