HomeMy WebLinkAbout20041255.tiff C IE
CORRESPONDENCE RESPONSA MAR 4 2004
DEPARTMENT OF „ GL il hwc)A-C/Fi�/9A34-
WELD COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPT
* * * PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN THREE DAYS.* * *
IF RESPONSE WILL BE DELAYED,
PLEASE NOTIFY"CTB GROUP" BY E-MAIL
OF EXPECTED DATE FOR RESPONSE.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Narrative: ,Et „ee o_ k oC/ 5 /04
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BOARD ACTION: (Initial by Approval) MG RM BJ DL GV
Agree with Recommedation 1�
Worksession
METHOD OF RESPONSE:
Board Action
Work Session
Letter(Attached)
Telephone Call
No Response (explain)
7,01/
Departme Head Signature
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2004-1255
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OFFICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PHONE (970)356-4000, Ext. 4200
FAX: (970)352-0242
' WEBSITE: www.co.weld.co.us
910 10th Street, P.O. Box 758
CGreeley, Colorado 80632
COLORADO April 26, 2004
Mr. Denton K. Farnsworth
Meadow Vale Farm Homeowners Association
2180 Meadow Vale Road
Longmont, CO 80504
Dear Mr. Farnsworth,
This letter is written in response to your letter dated February 19, 2004, concerning a lack of response to
your issues. First, I would like to apologize to you for the length of time it has taken to respond to your issues.
I can assure you that this not normal practice in Weld County. Second, I would like to explain how we
internally process these types of signing or safety issues so if you have future issues, they will be handled
by the appropriate staff.
All concerns about existing or new traffic signing, road safety issues or general questions regarding road
signing should be turned into the Weld County Public Works Department. Public Works will log this service
call into a computer tracking system and the appropriate staff within the department will receive the
information within a day or two from the log. Staff personnel will usually respond to the service call within 24
hours. Some issues require a field investigation or traffic study which can take up to 30 days.
Questions or concerns about traffic enforcement should be directed to the Weld County Sheriff's
Department. That information will be given to the appropriate Sheriff Department staff for response. The
Public Works Department and the Sheriff Department work closely together to resolve these types of issues
whether it be signing related or enforcement of regulations. Any further questions that you may have can be
directed to Wayne Howard, P.E., Public Works Department at 970-356-4000, ext. 3788 or Dave Tuttle,
Sheriff's Office, 970-356-4000, ext 2810.
The Weld County Public Works Department has looked into the matter of the parking practices on WCR
5.5, north of SH 119. Attached is a memorandum from Public Works addressing the issue.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RD
Glenn e r �Vaad�/4
aad
Weld County Commissioner
M:\—Active Projects\Misc Projects\Traffic Studies\WCR 5.5,N.SH119\Famsworth Letter.doc
MEMORANDUM
I(tett ,D TO: Keith Meyer, P.E., Engineering Manager DATE: 4/8/2004
O FROM: Wayne Howard, P.E., Project Manager
Co SUBJECT: Parking on WCR 5.5, N. of SH 119
COLORADO
Glenn Vaad received a letter on February 19,2004(See attached)from Mr. Denton Farnsworth. Mr.
Farnsworth is concerned with the parking of vehicles along the northwest side of the intersection of
WCR 5.5 and SH 119.
I made a site visit on March 18, 2004. The tee intersection geometry consists of WCR 5.5 stopping
at SH 119 with three lanes of travel on WCR 5.5, one northbound, one southbound, and one right-
hand turn onto SH 119. Records show that Weld County has 100' of ROW along this stretch of
roadway. No vehicles were parked there at the time of the site visit, but it was apparent that
vehicles have been using the west edge of ROW for parking as stated in the letter. The area of use
appeared to be off the shoulder where it would not impede the flow of traffic.
Mr. Farnsworth would like to have "No Parking" signs placed along the west side of WCR 5.5 to
prevent vehicles from parking in the area. It is noted that during the site visit private "No Parking"
signs have been installed along the western ROW line. I have reviewed the Manual of Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD)and have asked legal staff for council on the matter. The MUTCD does
not offer guidance on regulations for use of"No Parking"signs but rather the design of the signs. I
have received information from legal council which references Colorado Revised State Statute 42-4-
1202, Parking or abandonment of vehicles. The first sentence of the statute states that"No person
shall stop, park,or leave standing any vehicle, either attended or unattended, outside of a business
or a residential district, upon the paved or improved and main-traveled part of the highway."
Considering the vehicles do not appear to be parking within the area defined by the statute and
therefore are not a safety or hazard, I do not believe the vehicles are in violation of any codes or
regulations. Therefore, Public Works does not recommend placing "No Parking" signs at this
location. This may become an issue if the vehicle does not move for an extended period of time, is
not licensed, or is in derelict condition, then they could be considered abandoned and the Sheriff's
Office should be notified for removal of the vehicle. Also, if the vehicles are parked on private
property outside of County ROW,the property owner could place their own signs regarding allowed
or disallowed uses of their property.
Regarding this installation of road base in the public right-of-way, Public Works does not oppose this
solution to address the rutting issue. However, it may increase the parking problem along the
shoulder of the roadway.
Approved Initial: (111
Keith Meyer,P.E.,Engineering Division Manager
Approved O Initial:
Frank B.Hempen,Jr.,P.E.,Director of Public Works/County Engineer
Comments :
Meadow Vale Farm Homeowners Association
2180 Meadow Vale Road
Longmont, CO 80504
February 19, 2004
Glen Vaad
Weld County Commissioner
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
Dear Mr. Vaad:
As a resident of Weld County, I have several concerns about the lack of responsiveness of County
government and the attitude of County employees toward resident concerns. Here are specific
examples:
Our property borders Weld County Road 5 1/2 north of Highway 119.We contacted the Weld County
Planning Department to see if the installation of"No Parking" signs on the west side of the road
would be possible. We find that individuals pull off the road to park,and even leave vehicles posted
as "For Sale" in that area.The result is that the area has become rutted and very unsightly.We were
told that the county would investigate and provide us with a response. That was over eighteen months
ago and no response was ever provided.
We also contacted the Sheriffs Department twice about assistance with speeding and other traffic
problems in the neighborhood. One contact was made by talking with a Deputy in the area and the
other by calling the Sheriffs Department. The call was never returned and the Deputy never followed
through with information as to whether any assistance was possible.
Since we never received a response concerning the unsightly appearance of Road 5 1/2,we asked our
property manager, Mr. Bob Reed of Greenbriar Management Company,to see if there were any
alternatives for improving the appearance of that area that were financially possible for us.The
solution we came up with was to dig out a ten foot wide section of the rutted area,and replace it with
road base, shaped to improve the drainage. Mr. Reed called the County repeatedly in an attempt to
explain our plan and gain approval. Most of the phone calls went unanswered, but when he was
finally able to get through,the answer was that the only acceptable solution was for us to install curb
and gutter.No rationale for that decision was given, although it was requested. Curb and gutter is not
a solution that we can afford and I find it disturbing that there is no willingness to work with citizens
who are trying to improve the appearance of a County road at their own expense.
I, along with my fellow Board members,am frustrated with the lack of response that we have
received from Weld County government. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in addressing and
hopefully resolving these issues.
Sincer ly,
/U�Gt�/�JA�GGI%e!ZT2J
Denton K. Farnsworth
Meadow Vale Farm Homeowners Association
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