Chapter 39.08
COMMUNITY IMAGE

Sections:

39.08.010    Background.

39.08.020    2010 Comprehensive Plan goals and policies.

39.08.030    Orchard Mesa community image.

39.08.010 Background.

(a)    How the community is portrayed affects many things including business climate, housing values and general quality of life aspirations. The first thing most people see when entering Orchard Mesa is the U.S. Highway 50 corridor. It divides residential neighborhoods, creates a barrier for kids to get to school, and has no pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Some commercial properties along the corridor have struggled with vacancy rates running higher than other areas of Grand Junction; 16.9 percent of commercial buildings on Orchard Mesa were vacant according to a September 2013 Grand Junction vacancy survey (Appendix Map 3). Poorly maintained commercial and residential properties, weeds and junk further diminish the image of the community.

The 2010 Comprehensive Plan’s vision is “To become the most livable community west of the Rockies.”

(b)    The Comprehensive Plan envisions a community that:

(1)    Provides housing, jobs, services, health and safety for all its residents.

(2)    Values our agricultural background; enjoys open spaces and a small-town feel.

(3)    Has services and shopping close to where we live to cut down the amount of cross-town traffic and commute times to our jobs and to reduce air pollution.

(4)    Wants neighborhoods and parks to be connected and close so our children have a safe place to play.

(5)    Is willing to increase density in core areas, if that can prevent sprawl and encourage preservation of agricultural lands.

(6)    Wants a broader mix of housing for all.

(7)    Wants a community with a healthy economy and opportunities to raise families in a supportive, safe environment with good schools.

(8)    Wants a transportation system that balances possibilities for cars, trucks, transit, bicycles and pedestrians.

(9)    Wants opportunities for growth without sacrificing the quality of life that we have come to expect.

(10)    Recognizes tourism and agritourism as a significant part of the economy. Without careful planning, agriculture and the lifestyles surrounding it will disappear under the weight of urban sprawl.

(c)    Community gateways and aesthetics have been a topic of discussion for years in Grand Junction and U.S. Highway 50 that enters Orchard Mesa from the south and runs through the community is a very important gateway to Grand Junction. Beautifying the corridor continues to be a priority. A conceptual design has been done for the beautification of the interchange on the highway at B 1/2 Road (Figure 2). This section of the highway is a distinct visual cue that you have arrived for travelers entering Grand Junction from the south.

Figure 2: B 1/2 Road Interchange Beautification Concept

(d)    Neighborhoods play an important role in improving the livability and image of the community. A neighborhood can be as small as a block of houses and as big as the Orchard Mesa plan area. There are numerous neighborhoods throughout the City of Grand Junction that have registered with the City. On Orchard Mesa that number includes 17 registered neighborhoods or homeowner associations representing 1,203 dwelling units/lots. Mesa County does not track homeowner associations (HOAs) in the unincorporated area. However, State law requires all HOAs to register with the Department of Regulatory Agencies, or DORA, which maintains a searchable database; as of 2013, there were three HOAs in the unincorporated area, representing 450 dwelling units/lots, in the database.

The City of Grand Junction has a program in place to help neighbors get involved in their community. Administered through the Economic Development and Sustainability Division, the City of Grand Junction Neighborhood Program is a way of building a stronger sense of community, beginning with small groups of motivated people. The program evolved from a goal stated in City Council’s 2002-2012 Strategic Plan: “A vital, organized network of neighborhoods will exist throughout the City, linked with parks and schools and supported by City resources and active citizen volunteers.”

Often problems within a neighborhood raise residents’ interest and concern. The Neighborhood Program seeks to build a sense of community to promote proactive pride, safety, volunteering and fun within neighborhoods rather than merely a group that deals with controversy as it arises.

(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)

39.08.020 2010 Comprehensive Plan goals and policies.

(a)    Goal 8. Create attractive public spaces and enhance the visual appeal of the community through quality development.

(1)    Policies.

(i)    Design streets and walkways as attractive public spaces.

(ii)    Construct streets in the City Center, village centers, and neighborhood centers to include enhanced pedestrian amenities.

(iii)    Enhance and accentuate the City “gateways” including interstate interchanges, and other major arterial streets leading into the City.

(iv)    Use outdoor lighting that reduces glare and light spillage, without compromising safety.

(v)    Encourage the use of xeriscape landscaping.

(vi)    Encourage the revitalization of existing commercial and industrial areas.

(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)

39.08.030 Orchard Mesa community image.

(a)    Goal 1. The Orchard Mesa community has safe and attractive entrances.

(1)    Actions.

(i)    Identify key locations and create entry features and signage that identifies arrival to Grand Junction.

(ii)    Create wayfinding signage that guides visitors to area attractions.

(iii)    Create a streetscape plan for the Highway 50 corridor.

(iv)    Local governments, the Regional Transportation Planning Office and the Colorado Department of Transportation will work together to beautify the Highway 50 corridor.

(v)    Develop funding sources for public beautification and improvement projects.

(b)    Goal 2. The quality of life on Orchard Mesa is preserved and enhanced.

(1)    Actions.

(i)    Establish and support Neighborhood Watch, Safe Routes to Schools, and other programs that will make neighborhoods safer.

(ii)    Support neighborhood programs for existing neighborhoods.

(iii)    Identify view sheds/corridors that are important to the community.

(c)    Goal 3. Neighborhoods are attractive, cohesive and well-maintained.

(1)    Actions.

(i)    Assist the public by providing information on existing codes and programs.

(ii)    Work through neighborhood organizations to encourage property maintenance and junk and weed control.

(iii)    Support the enforcement of codes for weeds, junk and rubbish.

(d)    Goal 4. The rural character outside the urbanizing area of Orchard Mesa is maintained.

(1)    Actions.

(i)    Support the growth of agricultural operations outside the urbanizing area.

(ii)    Maintain and support zoning that provides for agricultural uses and a rural lifestyle outside the urbanizing area.

(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)