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Planning commission unanimously backs 'Connecting Aurora' multimodal plan, sends recommendation to council
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Summary
The Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend adoption of Connecting Aurora, a citywide multimodal transportation master plan that adds policies, programs and nearly 900 project elements and estimates $45–$65 million per year in additional investment over the next decade.
The Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on March 25 to recommend that City Council adopt Connecting Aurora, a citywide multimodal transportation master plan proposed as an amendment to the Aurora Places comprehensive plan.
City consultant Keith Borsheim told commissioners the plan is intended to “guide Aurora’s transportation investments, policies, programs and projects over the next few decades” and aims to create a network of pedestrian, bicycle, transit and auto/freight improvements configured around a complete‑streets approach. Borsheim said staff and consultants identified five new or updated policies (including a complete streets policy), about a dozen program changes and nearly 900 distinct project elements across the city.
The commission’s recommendation follows a multi‑year outreach effort staff described as reaching roughly 1,000,000 “touch points,” more than 10,000 website visits and thousands of survey responses. The plan’s short‑term and long‑term portfolios include intersection and crossing upgrades, bikeways and sidewalk gap projects, and a focus on high‑frequency transit corridors. Staff reported a planning estimate of roughly $45 million to $65 million per year for the next decade to implement the plan’s recommended capital program, exclusive of ongoing maintenance spending.
Daniel Krasinowski, the city’s interim long‑range planning manager, reminded the commission of the approval procedure and threshold: comprehensive plan amendments require a two‑thirds favorable recommendation from the commission in order to forward a formal recommendation to council.
Commissioners pressed staff on details during question and answer. Commissioner Riley asked for clarification of “microtransit”; staff defined it as subsidized on‑demand shuttle services run by a public agency or partner, not personal ride‑hail, and said the city already operates two on‑demand services. Staff also described an RTD partnership program that would provide $10 million per year for the Southeast subregion for multiple years; staff said those funds are cash, require a competitive application, and likely require a local match (staff referenced a minimum match on the order of 20 percent).
Several commissioners praised the outreach and the product’s clarity. After discussion, Commissioner Jechek moved to recommend approval and the commission adopted the motion on a 7–0 roll call. Chair Walz said the recommendation will proceed to the City Council TAPS committee the next day with a projected council study session in April and possible council adoption in May.
Why it matters: The Connecting Aurora amendment frames how the city will prioritize multimodal transportation spending and policy over the coming decades. If council adopts the plan, it will shape capital budgets, grant requests and design guidelines that influence street design, transit investments and development review standards.
Next steps: The matter will be presented to the City Council TAPS committee, advance to a council study session in April, and is tentatively scheduled for full council consideration in May.
