Council discusses gate and access-control options to limit heavy traffic on Cottonwood Drive

Far West City Council spent significant time on December 5 discussing how to protect Cottonwood Drive from construction and heavy-through traffic created by the new development. The development agreement’s red line currently obliges the developer to install "reasonable traffic calming measures" at the Cottonwood Drive connection when requested by the city; council members urged replacing that term with specific access-control language.

Several council members said a gate or other access-control device at the northwest corner would more reliably prevent truck traffic and construction vehicles from using Cottonwood Drive. One council member proposed that the gate be installed "the minute any development on this project breaks ground" to keep construction vehicles off the residential road. Others suggested the trigger could be when the new roads become connected to neighboring city roadways or when a full approved road connection is constructed. Councilors and staff agreed the obligation should not bind the developer indefinitely — for example, the developer should not be required to upgrade the adjacent city road 20 years in the future — but that the developer has a reasonable obligation to fund and install access control tied to construction and to connectivity.

The council asked staff to reword the provision so the trigger is clear (construction start or road connectivity) and to specify what access control means in practice (gate, temporary gate during construction, or concrete measures) while preserving emergency service access requirements. Staff and at least one council member also noted coordination with the fire marshal and other emergency services will be required to ensure any gate complies with emergency access codes.

No final agreement was adopted on Dec. 5; staff will return language that replaces "traffic calming" with a defined access-control trigger and a description of acceptable measures.