Wellington Board of Trustees 2/11/25

Main Topics

Roadway improvements to intersections of Hwy 1 with County Rds. 9 and 62E have been redesigned. The final draft still needs approval.

Matrix Design Group completed its Housing Needs and Affordability Assessment for Wellington, including recommendations and strategies for the town.

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Public Works Director Gowing and Project Engineer, Gina Fox, from The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), presented a new draft design for the Highway 1 project. In 2018, the planning department presented a design to CDOT for a roundabout at the intersection of County Rd. 9 and County Rd. 62E. The roundabout was originally planned to accommodate increased traffic from the new middle and high school. When CDOT began working on the roundabout design, they realized that their originally approved $4M grant would not be sufficient to complete the project. So, the Wellington Public Works staff, other town staff, and CDOT engineers started revising their design for multiple intersections off Hwy 1. The new draft includes some of the following:

1. All lanes on Hwy 1 will be widened around the County Rd. 9 and 62E intersections, and at the Jefferson Ave. intersection.
2. An acceleration lane will be added at the southbound intersection of County Rd. 9 and Hwy 1 making it easier for traffic to merge onto Hwy 1.
3. A left turn lane will be added to the Jefferson Ave. and Hwy 1 intersection on the east side.

CDOT said they will no longer need the full $4M grant and will return any excess monies at the completion of the project that can be used on other transportation projects around Wellington. The full presentation and draft design are in the packet.

Sr. Research Analyst, Dr Caron and Sr. Planner Corey with The Matrix Design Group completed the first draft of their Housing Needs and Affordability Assessment for Wellington, including recommendations and strategies for the town. Key findings of a survey conducted between 2018 and 2022 can be found on pages 23-25 of the packet in the Executive Summary. Below are a few highlights:

1. Wellington’s demographics and socioeconomic status:
   1. Substantial income inequality with a median income of $101,259.
   2. According to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), poverty is when household earnings are $30,000 per year or less. Wellington has a 7.4% poverty rate.
2. Affordability for renters:
   1. In 2024, the median asking rent was $2,395/month in Wellington. This would require an annual income of approximately $113,800. This study shows that 41% of Wellington renters and homeowners are housing insecure and cost burdened. Compared to Larimer County in its entirety, Wellington is about 43% more expensive for renters (page 24 of the packet).
3. Affordability for homeowners:
   1. In 2024, the median home price was $475,000 in Wellington. A family would need to earn at least $160,000 to afford this purchase price.
   2. The town needs more housing diversity. Ninety percent of current housing units in Wellington are single family homes.
4. Strategies to pursue:
   1. Support development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s)
   2. Amend design review process and introduce inclusionary zoning to incentivize affordability
   3. Create affordable housing inventory
   4. Modify standards and regulations to increase housing diversity
   5. Increase senior housing options
   6. Pursue funding opportunities through HUD and DOLA

The Consent Agenda was unanimously approved. Details of the items below are provided in the packet.

1. January 28, 2025, Meeting Minutes
2. Resolution No. 06-2025: Approving a third amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the town of Berthoud and the town of Timnath concerning a joint agreement for animal control services with NOCO Humane.
3. Resolution No. 07-2025: Authorization for the temporary closure of portions of State Highway 1/Cleveland Avenue, First Street, Second Street, Third Street, Fourth Street, and Fifth Street during the Inaugural St. Paddy’s Day Parade & Festival on March 15, 2025.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Documenter Nanci Wendland

Next Meeting: Fe. 25, 2025, 6:30 p.m. online Zoom, or in-person at The Leeper Center, 3800 Wilson Avenue, Wellington, CO

Members’ Present

Mayor Calar Chaussee, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Mason and Trustees: Rebekka Daily, David Wiegand, and Shirrell Tietz. Trustees Ed Cannon and Lowrey Moyer were absent.

Others Present to Note: Town Attorney Dan Sapienza; Town Clerk Hannah Hill; Deputy Town Administrator Kelly Houghteling; Planning Director Cody Bird; Public Works Director Bob Gowing; The Matrix Group representatives, Sr. Research Analyst Dr. Christian Caron and Sr. Planner Laney Corey.

Documents

Meeting agenda and packet

Recorded Meeting

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