Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:04/14/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:35 PM to 03:05 PM
Kopp
X
Renfroe
X
Place:SCR 352
Romer
X
Spence
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Veiga
X
Senator Gibbs
Williams
X
Gibbs
X
This Report was prepared by
Geoff Johnson
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB09-1284Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

01:36 PM

Senator Gibbs, Chair, called the meeting to order.

01:36 PM -- House Bill 09-1284

Senator Williams, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1284, concerning corridor capacity strategic planning to foster transportation efficiency. She said that House Bill 09-1284 will create a system for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to work with local governments to address future traffic congestion. She noted that the bill requires CDOT to identify and prioritize corridors in order to make future recommendations for transportation planning.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1284:

01:56 PM -- Bob Moody, representing the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, opposed House Bill 09-1284. He said that he opposes the impact fee provision that was in place in the original bill. He said that House Bill 09-1284 will preempt local land use planning and create additional costs and delays in development projects. He said that CDOT is already involved in the development approval process.

02:01 PM -- Tim Leonard, Evergreen, representing himself, opposed House Bill 09-1284. He said that the bill will involve CDOT in local land use planning.

02:07 PM -- Mark Goldberg, representing Goldberg Properties Inc., said that he has been a real estate developer in Colorado for 30 years. He said that House Bill 09-1284 adds a layer of government that is unnecessary. He added that traffic studies are already required under Colorado law. He expressed concern with the time constraints in the bill, and noted that the development community was not involved in the creation of the bill. He said that the bill will require the state to bear part of the burden of reviewing development proposals.

02:14 PM -- Ted Leighty, representing the Colorado Association of Realtors, opposed House Bill 09-1284, and said that the bill will create uncertainty in land development.

02:16 PM -- Greg Moran, representing Miller Weingarten, opposed House Bill 09-1284, and reiterated concerns with time constraints in the bill. He expressed concern with the ability of CDOT to review development projects as required by the bill. He said that the bill will slow down the development process and that there is currently sufficient review of traffic impacts.

02:22 PM -- Dennis McCloskey, representing the City and County of Broomfield, said that House Bill 09-1284 has improved since its introduction. He said that the City and County of Broomfield has not yet taken a position on the bill. He added that there is already much collaboration among levels of government in considering development plans.

02:27 PM -- Britt Nelson, representing the International Council of Shopping Centers, opposed House Bill 09-1284. He expressed concern with enactment of the bill during the recession. He said that CDOT currently collaborates in regard to traffic impact studies

02:29 PM -- Patrick Quinn, Broomfield, representing himself, supported House Bill 09-1284, and said that he is involved in planning for redevelopment of State Highway 36. He commented on the potential for creation of planning groups to coordinate land use.

02:31 PM -- Harry Dale, representing Clear Creek County, said that House Bill 09-1284 originated in modeling that was conducted by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to examine the impact of outlying growth on urban transportation infrastructure. He said that aspects of the bill are important to the future of the state. He said that he expects population growth of 80 percent in the Denver area by 2035, and that this growth will stress the transportation infrastructure. He said that the cost of adding capacity to transportation systems is exponentially more expensive after the development has occurred.

02:40 PM -- Stephanie Thomas, representing the Colorado Environmental Coalition, said that Colorado is growing quickly and supported House Bill 09-1284. She noted that CDOT is responsible for constructing roads in the state and that highway capacity has not kept up with demand. She said that there is a disconnect between CDOT's responsibility for the state's transportation system and the role of local governments in approving development. She said that there is currently no mechanism for collaboration between CDOT and local governments in relation to transportation system planning. She said that the bill is not a "growth management bill," and simply addresses congested corridors. She added that the bill does not give CDOT veto power over development and that the bill does not affect the time frames for development to occur.

02:48 PM -- Rich McClintock, representing the Sonoran Institute, said that House Bill 09-1284 will save the state money over time and bring about regional cooperation. He said that the state cannot currently afford to meet its transportation infrastructure needs. He added that the manner in which development occurs drives transportation infrastructure costs, and noted that growth also impacts water resources and sewer system needs.

03:02 PM

Senator Williams said that House Bill 09-1284 provides a vision of planned growth for the state. She requested that the bill be laid over. Senator Gibbs laid the bill over.

03:05 PM

The committee meeting adjourned.