Hazel Street Vehicle Barrier (Bollards)

Broomfield residents have shared concerns about the vehicle barrier (bollards) located on Hazel Street between the parking areas for Columbine Meadows Parks. Due to safety issues related to motorists and pedestrians, North Metro Fire Rescue District and the Broomfield Public Works department have requested resident input about removing the bollards permanently. Safety issues include:

• Automobiles using the sidewalk to go around the bollards.
• The importance of neighborhood vehicular connectivity for emergency response.

The removal of the bollards would make this area Second Priority status for snow and ice removal. Traffic control measures will be implemented and a traffic study will be conducted after removal for future improvement efforts.

Residents of Crofton Park and Columbine Meadows may complete the short (4 question) survey below indicating their support or opposition of the potential vehicle barrier (bollards) removal. This survey will close on July 16, 2023. Thank you for providing your feedback!

Status:

On June 9, 2023, staff communicated with Council regarding an effort to gather community feedback regarding the existing vehicle barrier (bollards) installed in Hazel Street between the Crofton Park and Columbine Meadows neighborhoods. These bollards were noted on the site development plan for Crofton Park and therefore an amendment to the site plan would be needed prior to their removal. A community survey was conducted because staff had received a few comments from area residents about their concerns with the bollards. Prior to considering whether an amendment to the site plan should be brought forward to remove the bollards permanently, staff wanted to gather additional input from area residents. Residents in the area were asked to complete a short survey regarding the future of the bollards which closed on July 16, 2023 after a month of being active.

• A total of 106 responses were received
• 44.3% of responses were in favor of removing the bollards
• 55.7% of the responses did not support removal

The potential for increased traffic in their neighborhood if the traffic barrier was removed was a common reason cited for those who responded in support of keeping the barrier in place. Based on the resident feedback, Planning staff determined there was not adequate support from the neighborhood to consider bringing forward a site plan amendment at this time. The traffic barrier will continue to be repaired and replaced. Based on community comments regarding improving emergency response while respecting the desire of many residents to continue to prohibit public traffic through this area as well as addressing the inadequacy of the bollards in fully deterring cut-through traffic, Public Works and North Metro Fire Rescue are planning to replace the bollards with an emergency gate system. This will be communicated on the BroomfieldVoice page with residents. If at some point in the future there is an interest in removing the traffic barrier, additional public engagement will be conducted prior to consideration of the change through a public hearing process.