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Woodmoor Improvement Association, Aug. 23 – Board hears about possible extension of Furrow Road

By Jackie Burhans

At its Aug. 23 meeting, the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board heard about traffic-related issues and solutions and discussed moving its investments to higher interest-bearing accounts. Board directors provided updates in each of their areas of responsibility.

Furrow Road extension back on the table

The WIA board discussed area traffic issues stemming from construction projects and the start of the school year. President Brian Bush commended Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) Chief Kevin Nielsen for providing guidance about the change in WPS’ role in school traffic control.

Public Safety Director Brad Gleason reported that Highway 105 has transitioned to night work for at least another week, and the complete closure of Knollwood Drive has been delayed until early September. He also reported that the El Paso County Department of Public Works was also considering opening Furrow Road south of Highway 105 to Higby Road as soon as feasible, making traffic more efficient for emergency vehicles.

Note: Furrow Road is closed off south of Highway 105 at Lamplight Drive.

Above: At the August Woodmoor Improvement Association board meeting, Director Brad Gleason and Woodmoor Public Safety Chief Kevin Nielsen noted that the county is looking into removing the barriers at Furrow Road and Lamplight Drive to allow traffic to proceed south to Higby Road. This extension had been discussed in 2021 and tabled in February 2022. At the time, consultants and county engineers noted that the road would probably have to be opened by 2040 per the county’s Master Transportation Corridor Plan or sooner if there was an extended emergency or an increased pace of development that required traffic relief. The county had discussed plans to install traffic calming measures to address residents’ concerns. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Vice President Peter Bille asked if the county was talking about extending Furrow after they said they wouldn’t at an Aug. 17, 2022, community meeting. See photo caption in the OCN September 2022 issue at www.ocn.me/v22n9.htm#photos.

At that meeting, Stantec consultants said they did not recommend extending Furrow Road at that time, though a county engineer anticipated it might be needed by 2040 according to the Major Transportation Corridors Plan or in the case of a long-term significant emergency or if an increased pace of development required traffic relief. The road, Bille said, would not be extended without implementing the traffic calming measures discussed at that meeting.

Nielsen noted that the Monument Fire Distirct (MFD) was pushing to have Furrow extended. He said some logistical things need to happen before the county removes the barriers. Asked if they might shut it down when the construction is done, Nielsen said he wasn’t sure but noted that the road was always intended to be open, but he thought they might have to close again temporarily to complete the traffic calming measures.

Finally, Bush noted that Wildcat, the firm working on Highway 105, had 25 loads of dirt to deliver to a builder who needed it but could only do so between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., so he granted the exception to do so on behalf of the board. He said the contractor had contacted almost all the neighbors and hoped to take delivery this coming weekend.

Note: For updates on Highway 105, please see: http://EPC-Hwy105AConstruction.com/

Board moves investments, reviews finances

Bush said that WIA was converting assets into higher interest-bearing accounts. Some of the money had been locked into Certificates of Deposits (CDs), which have come or are coming due. He said that WIA was working with its financial advisor to roll that money into accounts that would yield 5% to 5.5% as compared to less than 2% for CDs. He said that WIA would invest in more liquid instruments to take advantage of future actions by the Federal Reserve.

He said expenses are generally well in hand thanks to the staff, though the $175 budget for property taxes was exceeded (a total of $900) due to taxes on The Preserve. He asked that staff work on improved projections as WIA moves into its budgeting cycle, noting that expenses for The Preserve were taken out of the prior year’s operational funds but would come into the current budget at some point.

Board highlights

  • Resident Jennifer Davis thanked the board for its July meeting with South Woodmoor residents soliciting feedback on the South Woodmoor Preserve improvements.
  • Covenants Director Per Suhr reported three covenant hearings in July and August for fireworks use, a barking dog, and a loose dog, resulting in fines.
  • Gleason reported that the new vehicles are in use, and each has pros and cons, with one having a better backup camera and visibility and the other getting 48 to 52 miles per gallon compared to 20. Bush provided feedback to the officers that taking good care of their vehicles allowed WIA to get money for selling old Jeeps to help fund these new vehicles.
  • Architectural Control Director Ed Miller reported that 62 projects had been submitted in July, with 52 approved in the office and nine approved by the Architectural Control Committee for a 98.89% approval rate year-to-date. In 2023 WIA has had 329 projects to date, which is a decrease of 15.6% over 2022.
  • Forestry Administrator Justin Gates reported 12 Firewise and forestry health visits in July, noting that the rate has been slowing down for wildfire mitigation projects. There is still money available in the 50/50 matching grant for mitigation work, he said, and agreed to send out an email blast as well as write a newsletter article encouraging residents to sign up.
  • Common Areas Director Steve Cutler reported that the parking lot by The Barn had been resealed and restriped and that common areas identified as areas of concern had been mitigated in July and August.
  • Bush reported that the Country Club at Woodmoor would be digging a trench for its new bathroom near hole 5 in the coming week and had already completed the sewer hookup for a new bathroom near hole 13. The bathrooms are not yet functional.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on Sep. 27.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/wia-calendar/. WIA board meeting minutes can be found at www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes/ once approved and posted.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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