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Council tables one‑way 1200 West access for Auckland Nature Center, requests public hearing
Summary
Council delayed a decision on a proposed one‑way, gated entrance from 1200 West to the Auckland Nature Center after residents raised concerns; the center says the access would improve emergency response and generate event revenue, but council wants a public hearing and traffic engineering review.
The Marriott‑Slaterville City Council voted to table consideration of a one‑way, gated entrance from 1200 West to the Auckland Nature Center and asked staff to advertise a city‑level public hearing and secure traffic engineering review.
Bill introduced the item and said the transportation committee supported a one‑way entrance to limit neighborhood impacts and that the nature center has a ramp grant intended to fund construction. He also said residents along 1200 West had been consulted and provided mixed feedback.
Caitlin, representing the Auckland Nature Center, described the nonprofit's programs and said the driveway would primarily support seasonal events and improve emergency access. "The Nature center welcomed 52,000 visitors, and that included 7,000 school children," she said, summarizing the center's role in local programming. Caitlin said events would be seasonal, the driveway would be gated and locked, and staff would enforce parking plans and music curfews (music would end by 10 p.m.).
Council members asked how parking and overflow would be handled, whether buses would use the new entrance (Caitlin said they would not), and what the gate hours would be for summer camps and events. Staff and council members also noted the center's ramp grant requires completion by June 30; staff offered to help seek an extension if the timeline requires it.
Because of resident concerns and the need for technical traffic review, the council voted to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing so neighbors can provide formal comment. Staff was directed to notice the hearing and return an updated staff report that includes any traffic‑engineer input.
