City staff are seeking public opinion on the future of the area surrounding Mineral Station.

To view the Mineral Station Framework Draft, visit http://littletonplans.org/mineral-light-rail-station-framework.

The Mineral Station Area Framework provides background and direction for the city’s efforts to improve South Santa Fe Drive (US 85) and the South Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue intersection. More broadly, it will help guide future planning and decision-making for this area of the city, which in-turn has the potential to enhance the fiscal health and sustainability of the city as a whole and to further strengthen the city’s sense of community and its livability.

The term “framework” is used in recognition that the information contained in the document provides a broad overview of current issues and topics, and can be adapted to change over time as those issues and topics evolve.

The framework is structured as a reference guide; each chapter conveys information on a particular category. These categories are interconnected, and the chapters, both individually and collectively, are important to consider in future decision-making. Specifically, the Framework:

• Outlines the intent and process of a City-initiated Planning Environmental Linkage (PEL) study, which will identify and address issues and constraints along the South Santa Fe Drive corridor. This study will identify and analyze issues and constraints related to the intersection of South Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue and those associated with light rail and buses, including parking.
• Identifies existing conditions (both assets and challenges) in this area of the city.
• Articulates the community’s goals for the area, with actionable steps. Both the goals and the action steps are based on comments recorded during the 2015-2016 community engagement process for the Mineral Station planning process.  The goals and action steps sort themselves into four categories: 1) Transportation; 2) Recreation, Open Space, Parks and Trails; 3) Character and Design; and 4) Land Use.
   

EXISTING STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES
 

In reviewing the existing conditions and the ideas gathered during the 2016 community engagement process, the following appear to be the primary strengths and challenges of the study area:
 

STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STUDY AREA

1.         RIVER, PARK AND TRAILS – Unique access to the river, open space, nature center, and regional trails

2.         LOCATION – Southwestern gateway to the city

3.         NEIGHBORHOODS – Desirable, well established residential neighborhoods

4.         VIEWS – Views of the river valley, park, and mountains

5.         ACCESS – Convenient multi-modal regional access

6.         ASPEN GROVE – Aspen Grove shopping center and apartments

7.         CHARACTER – Established, unique design character and adopted design guidelines

8.         DEVELOPMENT – Future development on the 110-acre site south of Mineral Avenue

CHALLENGES IN THE STUDY AREA

1.         TRAFFIC – Existing and projected traffic congestion and noise

2.         PARKING – Existing and projected parking shortages

3.         TECHNOLOGY – Unknown impacts of autonomous vehicles and other technological advances

4.         MARKET – Unknown future of retail

5.         OVER-USE – Use of the nature center, parks, and trails beyond their carrying capacity

6.         BARRIERS – Barriers created by the railroad/light rail/South Santa Fe corridor

7.         CONNECTIVITY – Limited, indirect, uninviting, and unsafe pedestrian and bicycle connections

8.         SAFETY – Safety of transit riders who park in the lots, drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists

9.         BUFFERING – Possible impacts of future development on South Platte Park and the natural area

10.       FLOODPLAIN CONSTRAINTS – The location of the floodplain in the study area