Mobility and Transportation Advisory Board Regular Meeting – August 27, 2026

The Mobility and Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) held its regular meeting on August 27, 2026, at 911 10th Street, Golden. The board approved the agenda and minutes from July 23, 2026, heard two public comments, and then adjourned to a study session focused on the Clayworks development. The study session included updates on the construction progress, a transportation demand management (TDM) plan, and a request for six official development plan (ODP) amendments, including a new shared district parking model. The board also received project updates from staff and discussed several new business items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda (motion by B. Palmintier, second by C. Brown, unanimously approved).
• Approved the minutes of July 23, 2026 (motion by R. Grubin, second by A. Zimmerman, unanimously approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Phillipson (North Ford neighborhood) expressed gratitude for the double yellow striping on Iowa Drive between Washington and North Ford, noting it helps prevent drifting into oncoming traffic. He also raised concerns about eastbound vehicles making U-turns at US6/Johnson Road prior to the signal (staff noted planned CDOT upgrades should preclude this) and commented that existing signage on Water Street/Jackson Street is ineffective.
• Katie Macarelli (sp?) expressed appreciation for the new flexible delineators on Ford Street, which improve awareness of the bike lane.

Discussion Items

Clayworks Development Update (Study Session)

• Presenters: Sarah My Vez (AC Development Company), Sarah Compa (Placemaker Studio), and Amy Johnson (Alta Planning + Design).
• Campus Update: The Clayworks district received LEED for Neighborhood Development v4 Silver Certification (2026) and is pursuing WELL Community certification. Building B3 (“The Pottery”) is nearing completion; construction fence removal is scheduled after Labor Day to open 8th and 9th Streets. AC Development will occupy space in early September (7 employees), CoorsTek global headquarters will occupy in late September (+/-150 employees), and first retail tenant (Sweet Bloom Coffee) is under construction with an anticipated Q4 2026 opening. Strong leasing interest exists for the remaining +/-60,000 square feet of office space.
• Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Update: The first draft TDM report, prepared by Alta Planning + Design, projects an 18.1% reduction in drive-alone commute trips, resulting in a projected 81.9% single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) rate, below the ODP target of 88%. The plan focuses on employee commute trips (not residents, visitors, customers, hotel guests, or deliveries). Near-term emphasis is on the CoorsTek building (B3), with practical initial strategies: commute information, carpool matching, preferred carpool parking, bike facilities, hybrid work for eligible non-CoorsTek office employees, and Ore Cart/RTD information. The plan will be responsive, using employee surveys, monitoring reports, and parking utilization data to confirm compliance and identify corrective actions if needed.
• ODP Amendment Requests: Six amendments were presented. MTAB’s focus was on Amendment #6, which proposes a Clayworks shared district parking model to replace the existing three options (base Golden Code, mixed-use shared parking, and TDM-based reductions). The proposed dynamic mixed-use shared parking program uses Urban Land Institute (ULI) data to calculate minimum parking requirements based on the actual mix of uses (office, retail, hotel, residential, etc.) and adjusts as the district develops over time. The board discussed several concerns: the model's accuracy and need for third-party peer review, protection for residents if a tenant change reduces available parking, the lack of a built-in plan for future parking expansion, and how the district’s parking will interact with visitor parking from the Golden Mill and surrounding areas. Presenters noted that a district parking manager would monitor the shared pool and that changes of use would trigger a new evaluation.
• Board Questions: The board was asked to identify pain points related to parking near Clayworks (e.g., north-south bike connectivity on Ford Street and Washington Avenue), lessons learned from the Water Street/Jackson Street parking discussion, and opportunities to strengthen coordination between MTAB and Clayworks (e.g., improving bike lanes on Ford and addressing Clear Creek Trail connectivity).

Project Updates (Staff)

• North Ford: Entering final design phase (≈90% plans), not yet funded for construction.
• Lena Gulch: Heavy design work due to grant deadlines; staff commended City’s direct FHWA grant management.
• Highway 93: Awaiting CDOT approval before next public engagement phase.
• Colfax: Environmental review flagged visual impacts from tree removal; working with CDOT.
• Hawk Signals (19th Street at School of Mines): Experienced operational issues (wrong controller, incorrect programming, short delays, confusing flash patterns). Staff reported that the contractor is replacing equipment and re-programming; corrected signage was installed, and adjustments are expected to be complete by early September. The board discussed the complexity of the signal and potential for supplementary signage.
• Protective Delineators (Ford Street): Construction nearly complete; next phase is milling and overlay. Coordination with Google Fiber installation is pending.

New Business

• E-motos on Trails: A board member noted that signs at Normandy Park about motorized vehicles are ineffective and requested enforcement. Staff mentioned the police department’s Community Engagement Group will discuss this topic in September.
• Water Street Parking Enforcement: A resident reported that 10th Street West residents are requesting permit-only parking between Maple and Illinois because parked vehicles block driveways. Staff noted an online reporting system for parking violations.
• New School Zone Law (HB 24-1318? referenced as “1318”): Requires school zone signage within 1,000 feet of school property, conflicting with MUTCD standards and imposing significant costs. Staff are assessing impacts.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on the Clayworks ODP amendments or other substantive items. The board expressed a desire to review the proposed shared parking model in detail, possibly with a third-party peer review, and to develop a recommendation to Planning Commission before the amendment goes to City Council. Staff will coordinate with Planning Commission to allow MTAB input during the review process.
• The Hawk signal on 19th Street will be corrected by the contractor by early September; supplementary signage for drivers will be explored.
• Upcoming meeting: September 24, 2026, at 911 10th Street.