HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/23/2023 - Parks And Recreation Board - Agenda - Regular MeetingPage 1
Ken Christensen, Chair Park Shop
Nick Armstrong, Co-Chair 413 South Bryan Avenue
Mike Novell, Secretary
Bob Kingsbury
Marcia Richards
Paul Baker
Meghan Willis
Josh Durand
Vacancy
Fort Collins, Colorado
Hybrid Meeting
August 23rd
5:30pm
Participation for this hybrid Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be available in person,
online, or by phone.
Public Participation (In-person & online): Individuals who wish to address the Parks and Recreation
Board via remote public participation can do so through zoom at:
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Meeting ID: 929 6703 9173
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virtually, participants should try to sign in prior to the 5:30 pm start time, if possible. For public
comments, the Chair will asl participants to “Raise Hand” button to indicate if you would like to speak at
that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportu nity to
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Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
AGENDA
Page 2
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• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
o Board Members Present
▪ Ken Christensen –Chair
▪ Nick Armstrong- Co-Chair
▪ Mike Novell– Secretary
▪ Bob Kingsbury
▪ Marcia Richards-absent
▪ Paul Baker
▪ Meghan Willis
▪ Josh Durand
o Staff Members Present
▪ LeAnn Williams – Director of Recreation
▪ Mike Calhoon – Director of Parks
▪ Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development
▪ Rachel Eich – Business Support III
▪ Katie Collins – Water Conservation Specialist
▪ Kendra Boot – Sr Manager, Forestry
• INTRODUCTION
o Resignation of Jon Corley
• AGENDA REVIEW
• CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (10 minutes)
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Page 3
1. Learn to Skate Program Follow-up, Update and Overview – LeAnn Williams
2. Sustainable Funding Update – LeAnn Williams, Mike Calhoon
• NEW BUSINESS
1. Land Use Code updates-Xeriscaping, Soil Amendments, Urban Forest-Katie Collins, Kendra Boot
2. Junior Park Ranger Program – Nick Armstrong
• BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
• RECREATOR ARTICLE SCHEDULE
• OTHER BUSINESS (30 minutes)
1. RECREATION UPDATE – LeAnn Williams
2. PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Jill Wuertz
3. PARKS UPDATE – Mike Calhoon
4. 6 MONTH PLANNING CALENDAR REVIEW .
https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/files/six-month-planning-calendar.pdf?1677855905
• ADJOURNMENT
Park and Recreation Board Meeting
July 26th
413 S Bryan
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
Ken Christensen called to order at 5:30pm
2. ROLL CALL
• List of Board Members Present
Ken Christensen
Nick Armstrong
Mike Novell
Bob Kingsbury
Marcia Richards
Jon Corley
Paul Baker
Meghan Willis
• List of Board Members Absent
Josh Durand
• List of Staff Members Present
Mike Calhoon – Director, Parks
LeAnn Williams – Director, Recreation
Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development
Ginny Sawyer – Sr Project Manager, City Manager’s Office
Rachel Eich – Business Support III
• List of Guests
Learn to Skate Representatives
3. AGENDA REVIEW
• Item added by Ken Christensen to discuss the board’s response to the sustainable
funding discussion that occurred at the 7/25 council work session
• Community Services Director update removed from the agenda
4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
• Learn to Skate / Fort Collins Figure Skating Club
o Attended the meeting to address the same concerns previously brought
up at the June board meeting
o Expressed that the club is getting complaints from parents about the
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 2
Learn to Skate program; concerns with a lack of separation between
programs the City provides and the existing club
o LeAnn will continue to communicate with the club and the item will be
discussed at the August board meeting.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Nick Armstrong moved to approve the June minutes, Ken Christensen seconded, and
all members approved.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Sustainable Funding Initiative – Ginny Sawyer, Sr Project Manager
o Presentation began
▪ Shared general information on where our money comes from (base
rate + 4 dedicated taxes); taxes and fees are the main forms of
revenue
▪ The City budgets based on 7 different outcomes
▪ Over 40 years of successful renewable taxes
• The Community Capital (CCIP) and Street Maintenance will
expire in 2025
• The City is being cognizant of when a future renewable tax
would occur.
▪ The original council direction was to fund Parks and Recreation
Infrastructure from the property tax.
▪ Recreation has typically utilized the CCIP ¼ - cent sales tax for
new facilities, but this funding does not include ongoing
maintenance needs.
▪ The original council direction was to have the ¼-cent sales tax
extend to 2050 to fund “Our Climate Future.”
• Transit, Active Modes, Building Efficiency & Electrification,
Housing Affordability, Electric Vehicles, & Zero Waste
▪ The direction from council changed to drop property tax to 3 mills
and have it be dedicated to affordable housing in perpetuity.
▪ Council opted to change the ¼-cent sales tax to a ½-cent to be
split between parks, climate, and transit.
• This change would have a large impact to the Recreation
side and would bring the Parks revenue to $6.5/$7 million
(sales tax would true up to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 every 10 years)
o Presentation ended – opened for questions
▪ Ken asked if this would come as a single ballot issue.
• This will come as two ballot items (1 for property tax, 1 for
sales tax)
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 3
o Staff will now draft ballot language for the new proposal on August 15 th
▪ If the Council moves forward with the new proposal, a special
meeting could be called before the County deadline of September
5th for additional discussion.
o Bob asked what Ginny’s perspective is on the general public’s view on
sales tax versus property tax.
▪ City Council has wanted to avoid a tax that impacts our lowest
earners – a property tax is the closest thing we have to a wealth
tax.
o Ken asked what would be effective for communicating concerns with
Council.
▪ Ginny recommended sharing information with friends,
communicating directly with your council member, speaking at the
council meeting, etc.
o Nick asked what the council dictated as priority for the three items within
the sales tax.
▪ The council wanted guardrails and flexibility.
7. NEW BUSINESS
• Board response to the Sustainable Funding Initiative discussion at the Council work
session
o Options included: drafting a letter, meeting and communicating with
individual council members, speaking at council meeting
o Next opportunity to speak in front of City Council would be at the August
15th council meeting
o Mike suggested the board discuss informational points to include in a
letter as a board and give one (or two) board members the authority to
write the letter to send to the council.
o Ken expressed that if Council wants to write a ballot measure that passes,
they need to look at how it will be received.
o Marcia asked if affordable housing could be pulled back to the sales tax
and have Parks and Recreation be funded by a 5 mill levy again.
o The 5 mills would equate to roughly $18 million with the ¼ cent tax
equating to roughly $10 million.
o Mike N. pointed out the work done to date to build the partnership and
bridge the gap between the City and the school district. The change in
direction from City Council does not support the partnership.
o Ken asked to review the following talking points:
▪ These funds will be used to maintain our existing investment, which
has a natural affinity to a property tax (in perpetuity)
▪ Ask that Council go back to a 5 mill property tax – if not acceptable,
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 4
ask for a dedicated sales tax as an alternative.
▪ What Council refers to the ballot should stay consistent with the
information that has been communicated to the public.
• Ken made a motion at 7:07pm to designate himself and Nick to draft a letter per the
talking points discussed to be sent to City leaders and City Council. Additionally, he
would like the board to agree that they would use the same talking points to have
Nick present to Council at the August 15th Council Meeting (with Ken and Mike N. as
alternates). Nick seconded the motion, all in favor.
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
• FC Bikes – Marcia Richards
o The Bicycle Advisory Committee is looking at becoming an Active Modes
committee or board (Ad Hoc Committee with City Council is
recommending they become a board)
o If they became a board, the Parks & Rec Advisory Board would not be
allowed a representative, as board members can only be a part of one
board.
9. RECREATOR ARTICLE SCHEDULE
• Spring 2024 article due before October 6th
• Board discussed writing about the kickoff and potential engagement opportunities
for the Urban Forestry Strategic Plan and the Strategic Trails Plan
10. OTHER BUSINESS
• Recreation Update – LeAnn Williams
o Summer camps attendance is averaging 300 kids a week.
o Northside Aztlan Center construction is moving along again after
significant challenges with vapor mitigation system – construction
anticipated be completed late Fall.
o 70 kids participated in youth summer softball and basketball.
o Fort Collins hosted a CARA summer track meet.
o Lifeguards participated in the State Lifeguard Games.
o BFO conversations are beginning with Ops Services for potential ADA
and safety projects.
o Two new positions are being added.
▪ Ice Supervisor, Aquatics
▪ Sr Coordinator, Aquatics
o Marcia asked if there are any updates from PSD on aquatics partnership.
▪ Negotiations are ongoing
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 5
o Ken asked how we are addressing the Learn to Skate challenges.
▪ Recreation is preparing a memo that will bring information with
numerous data points; the new Sr Supervisor should address some
of the vacancy challenges.
o Nick asked for an update on any information on potential disproportionate
impacts related to Rec software and programing.
▪ That information would require surveys to be sent out.
▪ Staffing challenges in the DEI office
o Mike N. gave LeAnn a shout out for the coordination and communication
at the Fall planning meeting.
• Park Planning & Development Updates – Jill Wuertz
o PPD team attended the Art in Public Places Board meeting for initial work
on the upcoming Bacon Park
▪ The budget amount will be a combination of funding from Bacon
Park and surrounding trail projects – the project will be advertised
outside of their on-call process at a distance of 250 miles.
o PPD team put together a NE trails progress plan to map different
developments and work planned in the area
▪ Hoping to take feedback from the board and gather information for
future work with the Strategic Trails Plan.
▪ Email Jill directly with any comments
o Bacon Park pre development work is likely to start in the Fall.
o Nick asked to discuss City staff coordination efforts with the County along
Country Club Rd (Sonders)
▪ Jill has been in contact with Natural Areas regarding their ongoing
coordination meetings with the County and expressed interest in
joining the coordination meetings.
• Parks Update – Mike Calhoon
o Parks was a part of hosting the Sparkler Tournament (run by Triple Crown
Sports)
o Internal staff working on Pickleball Courts
▪ Pickleball lines have been painted at Landings Park to test sound
distance.
o Fourth of July events:
▪ Morning parade and events went well with large crowds in
attendance.
▪ Had to evacuate 3 times for rain in the afternoon
o City Park frogs have been completed (east of the pool)
o Another ranger has been hired after an extensive process to fill the
position (background checks, personality profiling, etc.)
o Forestry is involved in Land Use Code updates
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid
07/26/2023 – MINUTES Page 6
▪ Bundling Xeriscaping, Soil Amendments, and tree Policy
▪ Forestry will be presenting to the board in August.
• 6-month Planning Calendar Review
https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/files/six-month-planning-
calendar.pdf?1677855905
o Land use Code Discussion in October
o Budget Appropriations in November
• Meghan announced that the Leadership Fort Collins application is open until August
5th – Chamber of Fort Collins
o Leadership PSD application is also open
11. ADJOURNMENT
Ken Christensen adjourned the meeting at 7:54pm
Code Updates:
Landscape Standards
August 2023
Kathryne Marko
Environmental Regulatory Affairs
Katie Collins, Danielle
Reimanis
Water Conservation
Kendra Boot
Forestry Division
•Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Water Conservation and Forestry staff have partnered to draft codes that
align across soil, xeriscape and tree priority areas:
•City Council Priorities (#s 14, 19, and 28)
•Municipal Code, Chapters 12 and 26
•Land Use Code 3.2.1 and 3.8.21 Landscaping and Tree Protection
•The Benefits
•Increased resiliency of landscapes
•A focus on water efficiency
•Preserving and replacing the urban canopy
•Improved stormwater quality and reduction of runoff
•Improved air quality
•Reduced air temperature and heat island effect
•Preservation of the look and feel of the community
•Equitable recreation opportunities
2INTRO
Purpose: Inform and discuss proposed landscape standards in municipal and
land use codes.
1. What general feedback do you have about the proposals?
2.Do you support the proposed draft changes?
3QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
•Lead: Kathryne Marko, Environmental Regulatory Affairs
•Key Changes
•Code updates that include best practices for soil and soil health
-Define standards for soil compaction and soil quality
-Remove barriers for considering existing soil and/or plant type
•Clarified thresholds in Code
-Residential seeking Certificate of Occupancy and >1000 ft2
-Non-residential requiring development review and > 1000 ft2
•Implement comprehensive field inspection program
-Inspect all sites (considering that thresholds were adjusted to exclude single family landscape
renovations from the requirements to begin with)
•Impacts/Resource needs
•1 FTE
•Software for inspection tracking and documentation
4SOILS
Council Priority 14. Effective soil amendment policies and compliance (water usage)
•Lead: Katie Collins, Water Conservation
•Key Changes
•Landscape and irrigation standards for new residential and nonresidential development or significant
redevelopment:
-30% irrigated turf maximum up to 1,000 or 10,000 square feet with exceptions
-Artificial turf restriction with exceptions
-Overhead irrigation restriction 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. during growing season
-Dedicated irrigation to trees
•Impacts/Resource needs
•Capacity equal to 3.5 FTEs needed – Zoning (Inspector), Building Services (Inspector), Water
Conservation (Development Review), Code Compliance (Inspector), Education (Utilities)
•Software capacity for tracking review, permits, inspections
•City sites continue to lead the way
•Education campaign
5XERISCAPE
Council Priority 19. Xeriscape –Increase rebates and education, less green lawns with
new development
•Lead: Kendra Boot, Forestry
•Key Changes
•Improved mitigation standards incentivizing tree preservation
•Creation of separate street tree escrow and timeframe for tree replacement responsibility
•Strengthened penalties for tree damage violations or healthy tree removal
•Improved tree diversity requirements
•Improved tree protection during construction
•Impacts/Resource needs
•2 FTE Zoning Landscape Inspectors funded, hired one in 2023 and one in 2024
-Original ask was for 3 FTEs, exploring remaining FTE ask for in 2025-2026
•Capital Improvement and other City Development continue to lead by example
6TREE POLICY
Council Priority 28. Improving Tree Policies
PROJECT TIMELINE 7
1. What general feedback do you have about the proposals?
2.Do you support the proposed draft changes?
8QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
THANK YOU!
Council Priorities & Engagement
•Public input & website interactions:
•929 responses and 5,878 comments on public survey
•37 comments on boosted social media posts
•166 hits on OurCity webpage
•Focus groups, discussions, forms, and workshops:
•14 virtual opportunities for input (September 2022 – April 2023)
•56 attendees
•22 internal
•34 external
•298 emails sent to 167 contacts
•Engaged groups include developers, landscape professionals, landscape architects,
realtors, property managers, nurseries and wholesalers, sod growers, and more
Public Engagement Numbers
ARTICLE 3 - GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Division 3.2 Site Planning and Design Standards and Division 3.8 Supplementary Regulations
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Division 3.2 – Site Planning and Design Standards
3.2.1 Landscaping and Tree Protection
(A) Applicability. This Section shall apply to all development (except for development on existing lots for single-
family detached dwellings) within the designated "limits of development" ("LOD") and natural habitat buffer
zones (NHBZs) established according to Section 3.4.1 (Natural Habitats and Features), except applicability of
this Section to development on existing lots for single family detached dwellings is as provided in Section
3.1.1 (Applicability) and Division 3.8 (Supplementary Regulations).
(B) Purpose. The intent of this Section is to require preparation of landscape and tree protection plans that
increase tree survival rates; protect, expand, and maintain a diverse ensure significant canopy cover is
created, diversified and maintained infrastructure; reduce unauthorized removal of trees before, during, and
after construction; support and prioritize a thriving natural habitats and features; and conserve water so that
all associated social and environmental benefits are maximized to the extent reasonably feasible. These
benefits include reduced erosion and stormwater runoff, improved water conservation, air pollution
mitigation, reduced glare and heat build-up, increased aesthetics, and improved continuity within and
between developments. Trees planted in appropriate spaces also provide screening and may mitigate
potential conflicts between activity areas and other site elements while enhancing outdoor spaces, all of
which add to a more resilient urban forest.
(C) General Standard. All developments shall submit a landscape and tree protection plan (hereinafter
“landscape plan”), and, if receiving water service from the City, an irrigation plan, that: (1) reinforces and
extends any existing patterns of outdoor spaces and vegetation where practicable;, (2) supports functional
purposes such as spatial definition, visual screening, creation of privacy, management of microclimate or
drainage;, (3) enhances the appearance of the development and neighborhood ;, (4) protects significant
trees, natural systems and habitat;, (5) enhances the pedestrian environment;, (6) identifies all landscape
areas;, (7) identifies all landscaping elements within each landscape area;, and (8) meets or exceeds the
standards of this Section. Notwithstanding the issuance of an occupancy permit under Subsections 3.2.1(I)(4)
or (J)(2) or 3.2.2(M)(2) or (3), subsequent to issuance of the occupancy permit, any redevelopment where
more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the landscape area is affected shall submit a landscape plan for the
area proposed to be redeveloped within the existing landscape plan, and if applicable an irrigation plan for
the redevelopment.
(D) Tree Planting Standards. All developments shall establish groves of trees, and belts of trees, or both, along
all city streets, in and around parking lots, and in all landscape areas of any development, building or
structure. that are located within fifty (50) feet of any building or structure in order The standard is meant to
establish useful at least a partial urban tree canopy in available and appropriate spaces. The groves and belts
may also be combined or interspersed with other landscape areas in remaining portions of the development
to accommodate views and functions such as active recreation and storm drainage.
(1) Minimum Tree Stocking RequirementsPlantings/Description. These tree standards outline the required
at least a minimum tree canopy and are in addition to requirements for preserving existing trees,
parking lot landscape requirements and required tree mitigation. These stocking requirements but are
not intended to limit additional tree plantings in any remaining portions of the development. Groves
and belts of trees shall be required as follows:
(a) pParking lot landscaping in accordance with the parking lot landscaping standards as set forth in
this Section and in Section 3.2.2. Access, Circulation and Parking;
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(b) sStreet tree planting in accordance with the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards or other
street tree planting as defined in subsection (2)(b) or (c) below;
(c) "full tree stocking"Trees shall be required in all landscape areas within fifty (50) feet of any
building or structure as further described below. Landscape areas shall be provided in adequate
numbers, locations and dimensions to allow full tree stocking to occur along all areas of high use
or high visibility sides of any building or structure. Such landscape areas shall extend at least
seven (7) feet from any building or structure wall and contain at least fifty -five (55) square feet of
nonpaved ground area, except that any planting cutouts in walkways shall contain at least sixteen
(16)thirty-two (32) square feet, except in the Downtown District where tree cutouts shall mimic
or exceed existing design or character to adjacent Street Frontage Types as outlined in Division
4.16. Planting cutouts, planters or other landscape areas for tree planting shall be provided
within any walkway that is twelve (12)ten (10) feet or greater in width adjoining a vehicle use
area that is not covered with an overhead fixture or canopy that would prev ent growth and
maturity.
Full tree stocking under this paragraph shall mean formal or informal groupings of trees
planted according to the following spacing dimensions:
Tree Type Minimum/Maximum Spacing
Canopy shade trees 30'—40' spacing
Coniferous evergreens 20'—40' spacing
Ornamental trees 20'—40' spacing
Exact locations and spacings may be adjusted at the option of the applicant to support
patterns of use, views and circulation as long as the minimum tree planting requirement is
met. Canopy shade trees shall constitute at least fifty (50) percent (50%) of all tree
plantings. Trees required in subparagraphs (a) or (b) above may be used to contribute to
this standard.
(2) Street Trees. Planting of street trees shall occur in the adjoining street right-of-way, after first obtaining
a street tree permit (free of charge) from the Forestry Division as stated in the Fort Collins Municipal
Code Article 3, Sec 27-31., eExcept as described in subparagraph (b) below, the street tree plantings in
connection with the development shall occur by one (1) or more of the methods described in
subparagraphs (a) through (d) below:
(a) Wherever the sidewalk is separated from the street by a parkway, with a minimum width of eight
(8) feet in compliance with Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, canopy shade trees shall
be planted at thirty-foot to forty foot spacing (averaged along the entire front and sides of the
block face) in the center of all such parkway areas. If two (2) or more consecutive residential lots
along a street each measure between forty (40) and sixty (60) feet in street frontage width, one
(1) tree per lot may be substituted for the thirty-foot to forty foot spacing requirement. Such
street trees shall be placed at least eight (8)four (4) feet away from the edges of driveways and
alleys, and forty (40) feet away from any streetlight and to the extent reasonably feasible, be
positioned at evenly spaced intervals.
(b) Wherever the sidewalk is attached to the street in a manner that fails to comply with the Larimer
County Urban Area Street Standards, canopy shade trees shall be established in an area ranging
from three (3) to seven (7) feet behind the sidewalk at the spa cing intervals as required in
subsection (a) above. Wherever the sidewalk is attached to the street and is ten (10) feet or more
in width, or extends from the curb to the property line, canopy shade trees shall be established in
planting cutout areas of at least sixteen (16)thirty-two (32) square feet at thirty-foot to forty foot
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spacing, except in the Downtown District where tree cutouts shall mimic or exceed existing
design or character to adjacent Street Frontage Types as outlined in Division 4.16.
(c) Ornamental trees shall be planted in substitution for the canopy shade trees required in
subsection (D)(2)(a) and (b) above where overhead lines, and fixtures and underground utilities
may prevent normal growth and maturity. Ornamental trees shall be placed at least fifteen (15)
feet away from any streetlight.
(d) Wherever existing ash trees (Fraxinus species) are in the adjoining street right-of-way, the
applicant shall coordinate and obtain an onsite analysis with the City Forester to determine
replacement canopy shade trees either through shadow planting or other emerald ash borer
mitigation methods. The City Forester is available to recommend emerald ash borer mitigation
methods for existing ash trees on private property.
(e) In any multi-phase development plan, all street trees per phase shall be planted as near in time
with one another as feasible and after the irrigation is functioning and the right-of-way turf grass,
if present, is established. The City Forester, through conversations with the landscape contractor
and Developer, shall make the final decision as to what timing is feasible. Street trees shall only
be planted during shoulder seasons, March through June, and September through November, to
avoid the hottest and coldest periods of the year.
(f) Canopy Establishment Escrow. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of all street trees to be
planted within the LOD shall be posted before issuance of the Development Construction Permit
and is separate from development landscape or irrigation escrows. The fair market value fee per
tree is determined by the City Forester or a qualified landscape appraiser using the current
editions of the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers’ Guide for Plant Appraisal, the
industry’s international standard and best practice.
(g) The establishment period of three full growing seasons (March through November) begins once
all street trees in a development plan phase have been permitted and planting has been
approved by City of Fort Collins Forestry Division. Within this establishment period, the Applicant
or Developer is responsible for replacing dead, dying or damaged street trees as identified by the
Forestry Division during semi-annual spring and fall inspections. When ninety percent (90%) of
the street trees are established and in a healthy and growing condition after the end of the
establishment period, the Forestry Division will assume maintenance responsibility of the street
trees and use the amount of Canopy Establishment Escrow that is needed to replace any
remaining dead, dying, or damaged street trees and then release any remaining Canopy
Establishment Escrow back to the applicant.
(3) Minimum Species Diversity. To prevent uniform insect or disease susceptibility and eventual uniform
senescence on a development site within the LOD or in the adjacent area or the district, species
diversity is required, and extensive monocultures are prohibited. No more than three (3) consecutive
trees of the same cultivar or variety shall be planted in a row, including corners and groupings. The
following minimum requirements shall apply to any development plan.
Number of trees on site Maximum percentage of any one species
10—19 50%40%
20—39 33%30%
40—59 25%20%
60 or more 15%10%
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(4) Tree Species and Minimum Sizes. The City Forester shall provide a recommended list of trees which
shall be acceptable to satisfy the requirements for landscape plans, including approved canopy shade
trees that may be used as street trees. The following minimum sizes shall be required (except as
provided in subparagraph (5) below):
Type Minimum Size
Canopy Shade Tree 2.0" caliper balled and burlapped or equivalent
Evergreen Tree 6.0' height balled and burlapped or equivalent
Ornamental Tree 1.5" caliper balled and burlapped or equivalent
Shrubs 5 gallon or adequate size consistent with design
intent or 1 gallon may be permitted if planting
within the Critical Root Zone of existing trees
Any tree plantings that are in addition to those that are made as part of the approved landscape plan
are exempt from the foregoing size requirements.
(5) Reduced Minimum Sizes for Affordable Housing Projects. In any affordable housing project, the
following minimum sizes shall be required:
Type Minimum Size
Canopy Shade Tree 1.0" caliper container or equivalent
Evergreen Tree 4.0' height container or equivalent
Ornamental Tree 1.0" caliper container or equivalent
Shrubs 1 gallon
Canopy Shade Tree as a street tree
on a Local or Collector street only
1.25" caliper container or equivalent
(E) Landscape Standards. All development applications shall include landscape plans that meet the following
minimum standards:
(1) Buffering Between Incompatible Uses and Activities. In situations where the Director determines that
the arrangement of uses or design of buildings does not adequately mitigate conflicts reasonably
anticipated to exist between dissimilar uses, site elements or building designs, one (1) or more of the
following landscape buffering techniques shall be used to mitigate the conflicts.
(a) Separation and screening with plant material: planting dense stands of evergreen trees, canopy
shade trees, ornamental trees or shrubs;
(b) Integration with plantings: incorporating trees, vines, planters or other plantings into the
architectural theme of buildings and their outdoor spaces to subdue differences in architecture
and bulk and avoid harsh edges;
(c) Establishing privacy: establishing vertical landscape elements to screen views into or between
windows and defined outdoor spaces where privacy i s important, such as where larger buildings
are proposed next to side or rear yards of smaller buildings;
(d) Visual integration of fences or walls: providing plant material in conjunction with a screen panel,
arbor, garden wall, privacy fence or security fence to avoid the visual effect created by
unattractive screening or security fences;
(e) Landform shaping: utilizing berming or other grade changes to alter views, subdue sound, change
the sense of proximity and channel pedestrian movement.
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(2) Landscape Area Treatment. The Landscape aAreas is the total of all landscape areas in the LOD and
shall include all areas on the site that are not covered by buildings, structures, paving or impervious
surface, or other outdoor areas including but not limited to play areas, plaza spaces, or patios, and the
like (which other outdoor areas shall not be covered in artificial turf, as prohibited in Subsection (I)(11)
of this Section, but may be landscaped in addition to the landscape plan). Individual Llandscape areas
shall consist only of landscaping. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the surface of each landscape area
shall be covered with living landscape material at maturity. Tree canopy is excluded from this fifty
percent (50%) calculation. The selection and location of turf grass, ground cover( vegetation including
shrubs, grasses, perennials, flowerbeds and slope retention ), and pedestrian paving and other
landscaping elements shall be used to prevent erosion and meet the functional and visual purposes
such as defining spaces, accommodating and directing circulation patterns, managing visibility,
attracting attention to building entrances and other focal points, and visually integrating buildings with
the lLandscape aArea and with each other.
(a) Irrigated tTurf grass. Irrigated turf grass areas shall be planted according to planned use. Locating
irrigated turf grass with a high water requirement in areas of hHigh use, such as areas that will
experience heavy foot traffic from events or athletics programming, shall be prioritized over
locating such turf grass in lower-use areas. Such turf is not favored in areas other than areas of
high use. areas shall be planted with irrigated turf grass. Nonirrigated shortgrass prairie grasses
or other adapted grasses that have been certified as Xeriscape landscap ing may be established in
remote, low-use, low visibility areas. Irrigated turf-type grass species with a lower water
requirement may be located elsewhere on a site as appropriate for the species and planned
activity. Any landscape plan that includes irrigated turf grass shall indicate the intended use of all
turf grass areas. As used in this section:
1. “Area of high use” or “high-traffic area” shall mean an area where intense foot traffic
occurs due to the layout and functionality of the property, of whic h irrigated turf grass would be
most ideal compared to alternatives such as pavers or mulch for the environmental and aesthetic
integrity of the property;
2. “Irrigated turf grass with a high water requirement” shall mean high-hydrozone sod
forming grasses including species such as Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), and turf-type tall
fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and their varieties and cultivars.
(b) Planting beds. Shrub and ground cover planting beds shall be separated from turf grass with
edging or other physical divider and shall have the majority of exposed soil open surface areas
covered with mulch.
(c) Living landscape material. All living landscape material shall be installed:
1. To limit irrigated turf grass to cover not more than thirty percent (30%) of the total
landscaped area of a nonresidential property and to cover not more than thirty percent (30%) of
the front yard of a residential property with four (4) or fewer bedrooms;
2. Not to exceed a maximum of ten thousand (10,000) square feet of irrigated turf grass on
the entire lot or parcel of a nonresidential property or residential property with more than four
(4) bedrooms; and not to exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet of the front yard of a
residential property with four (4) or fewer bedrooms;
3. To comply with the tree diversity requirements in Subsection (D)(3) of this Section and
trees planted in compliance with Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards;
4. Except these requirements shall not be imposed on living landscape material installed
pursuant to a landscape plan approved before January 1, 2025.
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(c)(d) Slopes. Retaining walls, slope revetment or other acceptable devices integrated with plantings
shall be used to stabilize slopes that are steeper than 3:1. If soil tests performed on the subject
soils indicate steeper slopes are stable without the above required protection, then the
maximum slope allowed without the above required protection may be increased to the
maximum stated in the soils report or 2:1, whichever is less steep.
(d)(e) Foundation Plantings. Exposed sections of building walls that are in high -use or high-visibility
areas of the building exterior shall have planting beds at least five (5) seven (7) feet wide placed
directly along at least fifty (50) percent (50%) of such walls, except where pedestrian paving
abuts a commercial building with trees and/or other landscaping in cutouts or planting beds
along the outer portion of the pedestrian space away from the building.
(e)(f) Parkways. All adjoining street parkways shall be landscaped in connection with the development
in accordance with the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
(f)(g) Exceptions.
1. Agricultural Use. If outdoor space is maintained in active agricultural use, the landscape
surfaces and ground cover standards above shall not apply.
2. Streetscapes attached to a property are subject to Larimer County Urban Area Street
Standards and are not considered as part of the total landscape area of a property for computing
percentages under subparagraph (c)1. of this paragraph;
3. Sod-forming turf grass species that have a low or very-low water requirement according
to hydrozones in the Fort Collins Recommended Plant List and well-maintained regionally
adapted or native grass species are not subject to irrigated turf grass limits in Subsection (E)(2).
4. The Director may approve an exception to allow more than ten thousand (10,000)
square feet and/or to exceed thirty percent (30%) installation of irrigated turf grass for a property
planned for programmable athletic fields or otherwise high-traffic areas provided the irrigated
turf grass proposed for the property is limited to those areas identified as areas of high use.
(3) Water Conservation. Landscape plans shall be designed to incorporate water-efficient techniques.
(a) Landscape designs shall be designed according to the xeriscape landscaping principles described
as follows:
1. Plan and design. Plan for how people will use and interact with the landscape. Group
landscape materials accordingly based upon hydrozone.
2. Landscape arrangement. Provide a cohesive arrangement of turf, plants, mulch, boulders
and other landscape elements that support the criteria in Sectio n 3.2.1(H). Landscape
elements shall be arranged to provide appropriate plant spacing and grouping and to avoid
a disproportionate and excessive use of mulch areas.
3. Appropriate use of turf. Limit irrigated turf grass with a high water requirementhigh water-
use turf to high-traffic areas where turf is functional and utilized. To avoid water waste that
occurs through overspray on small areas, irrigated turf shall not be installed in contiguous
areas smaller than three hundred (300) square feet.
4. Appropriate plant selection. Selected plants shall be well-adapted to the Fort Collins
climate and site conditions. Plants shall be grouped according to water and light
requirements.
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5. Efficient irrigation. Design, operate and maintain an efficient irrigation system. Select
equipment appropriate to the hydrozone. Water deeply and infrequently to develop
greater drought tolerance.
6. Soil preparation. Incorporate soil amendments appropriate to the soil and the plant
material. Soil preparation must be in accordance with City of Fort Collins Municipal Code
3.8.2112-130 through 12-134.
7. Mulch. Maintain a minimum depth of three inches of mulch in planting beds to conserve
soil moisture and control weeds, with careful placement and adjustment of depth near
plant stems as needed to allow unimpeded plant establishment and vigorous growth.
Mulch shall also be installed in accordance with Subsection (I)(10) of this Section.
8. Maintenance. Provide regular maintenance including but not limited to weeding, pruning,
mowing to an appropriate height, deadheading, replacement of dead plant material, and
replenishment of mulch surfaces.
9. Xeriscape principles do not include or allow artificial turf or plants; paving of areas not used
for walkways, patios or parking; excessive bare ground or mulch; weed infestations; or any
landscaping that does not comply with the standards of this section.
(b) Landscape plans shall also include:
1. A water budget chart that shows the total annual water use, which shall not exceed an
average of fifteen (15) gallons/square foot/year for each water tap.
2. A hydrozone plan with a hydrozone plan view diagram that identifies each hydrozone
category assigned per planted area and that sums the total area of each category per each
hydrozone. The hydrozone plan view diagram shall provide an accurate and clear visual
identification of all planting area hydrozones using easily distinguished symbols, labeling,
hatch patterns, and relationships of plan elements. The hydrozone plan view diagram shall
also depict watering areas broken down by hydrozone, the location/point of irrigation tap
connections with the water system, the proposed peak gallons per minute and tap size for
each tap, and the layout of irrigation main lines proposed.
a. AThe accurate and clear identification of all applicable hydrozones shall be according to
using the following categories:
High Hydrozone 18 gallons/square
feet/year
Moderate
Hydrozone
14 gallons/square
feet/year
Low Hydrozone 8 gallons/square
feet/year
Very Low Hydrozone 3 gallons/square
feet/year
Trees planted
outside of irrigated
turf grass
Gallons per tree
(4) Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping. Parking lot perimeter landscaping (in the minimum setback areas
required by Section 3.2.2(J) (Access, Circulation and Parking) shall meet the following minimum
standards:
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(a) Trees shall be provided at a ratio of one (1) tree per twenty-five (25) lineal feet along a public
street and one (1) tree per forty (40) lineal feet along a side lot line parking setback area. Trees
may be spaced irregularly in informal groupings or be uniformly spaced, as consistent with larger
overall planting patterns and organization. Perimeter landscaping along a street may be located
in and should be integrated with the streetscape in the street right-of-way.
(b) Screening. Parking lots with six (6) or more spaces shall be screened from abutting uses and from
the street. Screening from residential uses shall consist of a fence or wall six (6) feet in height in
combination with plant material and of sufficient opacity to block at least seventy -five (75)
percent (75%) of light from vehicle headlights. Screening from the street and all nonresidential
uses shall consist of a wall, fence, planter, earthen berm, plant material or a combination of such
elements, each of which shall have a minimum height of thirty (30) inches. Such screening shall
extend a minimum of seventy (70) percent (70%) of the length of the street frontage of the
parking lot and also seventy (70) percent (70%) of the length of any boundary of the parking lot
that abuts any nonresidential use. Openings in the required screening shall be permitted for such
features as access ways or drainage ways. Where screening from the street is required, plans
submitted for review shall include a graphic depiction of the parking lot screening as seen from
the street. Plant material used for the required screening shall achieve required opacity in its
winter seasonal condition within three (3) years of construction of the vehicular use area to be
screened.
(5) Parking Lot Interior Landscaping. As required in Section 3.2.2(M)(1) Access, Circulation and Parking, six
(6) percent (6%) of the interior space of all parking lots with less than one hundred (100) spaces, and
ten (10) percent (10%) of the interior space of all parking lots with one hundred (100) spaces or more
shall be landscape areas. (See Figure 1). All parking lot islands, connecting walkways through parking
lots and driveways through or to parking lots shall be landscaped according to the following standards:
(a) Visibility. To avoid landscape material blocking driver sight distance at driveway-street
intersections, no plant material greater than twenty-four (24) inches in height shall be located
within fifteen (15) feet of a curbcut. Trees are excluded from this requirement.
(b) Maximized Area of Shading. Landscaped islands shall be evenly distributed to the maximum
extent feasible. At a minimum, trees shall be planted at a ratio of at least one (1) canopy shade
tree per one hundred fifty (150) square feet of internal landscaped area with a landscaped
surface of turf, ground cover perennials or mulched shrub plantings.
(c) Landscaped Islands. In addition to any pedestrian refuge areas, each landscaped island shall
include one (1) or more canopy shade trees, be of length greater than eight (8) feet in its small est
dimension, include at least eighty (80) square feet of ground area per tree to allow for root
aeration, and have raised concrete curbs.
Figure 1
Interior Landscaping for Vehicular Use Areas
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(d) Walkways and Driveways. Connecting walkways through parking lots, as required in subsection
3.2.2(B)(5)(a) (Walkways) shall have one (1) canopy shade tree per forty (40) thirty (30) lineal feet
of such walkway planted in landscape areas within five (5) feet of such walkway. Driveways
through or to parking lots shall have one (1) canopy shade tree per forty (40) lineal feet of and
along each side of such driveway, in landscape areas within five (5) feet of such driveway.
(e) Parking bays shall extend no more than fifteen (15) parking spaces without an intervening tree,
landscape island or landscape peninsula.
(f) Engineering. Detailed specifications concerning parking lot surfacing material and parking lot
drainage detention are available from the City Engineer.
(6) Screening. Landscape and building elements shall be used to screen areas of low visual interest or
visually intrusive site elements (such as trash collection, open storage, service areas, loading docks and
blank walls) from off-site view. Such screening shall be established on all sides of such elements except
where an opening is required for access. If access is possible only on a side that is visible from a public
street, a removable or operable screen shall be required. The screen shall be designed and established
so that the area or element being screened is no more than twenty (20) percent (20%) visible through
the screen.
(a) Screening Materials. Required screening shall be provided in the form of new or existing
plantings, walls, fences, screen panels, topographic changes, buildings, horizontal separation or a
combination of these techniques.
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(7) Landscaping of Vehicle Display Lots. Vehicle display lots for vehicle sales and leasing (as those terms
are defined in Article 5) that abut an arterial or collector street shall feature landscaped islands along
the street at an interval not to exceed every fifteen (15) vehicles or one hundred thirty -five (135) feet,
whichever is less. Each landscaped island shall comply with the requirements of Section 3.2.1(E)(5)(c).
(F) Tree Inventory, Preservation and Mitigation. All eExisting trees two (2) inches in diameter and greater
significant trees (six (6) inches and greater in diameter) within the LOD and within natural habitat buffer
zones NHBZs shall be recorded in a tree inventory and preserved to the extent reasonably feasible and may
help satisfy the landscaping requirements of this Section as set forth above. Such trees shall be considered
"protected" trees within the meaning of this Section, subject to the exceptions contained in subsection (2)
below. Streets, buildings and lot layouts shall be designed to minimize the disturbance to significant all
existing trees. All required landscape plans, demolition plans, building plans, engineering plans and utility
plans shall accurately identify the locations, species, size, and condition of all significant trees, each labeled
showing the applicant's intent to either remove, transplant , or preserve and protect.
When it is determined that an existing tree, or trees, cannot feasibly be protected and preserved, or
successfully transplanted on-site, the trees to be removed must be mitigated by the applicant. Mitigation of
removed trees shall be in addition to the required canopy shade and tree diversity requirements in
Subsection (D) Where it is not feasible to protect and retain significant existing tree(s) or to transplant them
to another on-site location, the applicant shall replace such tree(s) according to the following requirements
and shall satisfy the tree planting standards of this Section Subsection. To the extent reasonably feasible,
replacementmitigation trees shall be planted on the development site. or, iIf it is not reasonably feasible to
plant any or all of the mitigation trees onsite, in the closest available and suitable planting site on public or
private property the applicant shall submit a payment in lieu to the City of Fort Collins Forestry Division to be
used to plant mitigation trees as close to the development site as feasible within City right-of-way. The
closest available and suitable planting site shall be selected within one-half (½) mile (2,640 feet) of the
development site, subject to the following exceptions. If suitable planting sites for all of the replacement
trees are not available within one-half (½) mile (2,640 feet) of the development, then the City Forester shall
determine the most suitable planting location within the City's boundaries as close to the development site
as feasible. If locations for planting replacement trees cannot be located within one-half (½) mile of the
development site, the applicant may, instead of planting such replacement trees, submit a payment in lieu to
the City of Fort Collins Forestry Division to be used to plant replacement trees to plant replacement trees as
close to the development site as possible. The payment in lieu mitigation fair market value fee per tree is
determined by the City Forester or a qualified landscape appraiser using the current editions of the Council
of Tree and Landscape Appraisers’ Guide for Plant Appraisal, the industry’s international standard and best
practice and may be adjusted annually based on market rates . Payment must be submitted prior to the
Development Construction Permit issuance or other required permits.
(1) A significant An existing tree that is removed shall be replaced with the mitigation values listed in the
Tree Mitigation Requirements table below. The purpose is not less than one (1) or more than six (6)
replacement trees sufficient to mitigate the value and contribution losses due to the removal of
existing trees. loss of contribution and value of the removed significant tree(s). The applicant shall
coordinate with the City Forester to determine such losses based upon an onsite tree assessment and
tree inventory as early as Conceptual Review, including, but not limited to, shade, canopy, condition,
size, aesthetic, environmental and ecological value of the tree(s) to be removed. Replacement
Mitigation trees shall meet the following minimum size requirements in Section D(4) unless otherwise
determined by the City Forester:. Full appraised fair market value(s) for trees thirteen (13) inches or
greater will be conducted by the Forestry Division or a qualified landscape appraiser using the
resources listed in the above paragraph of Subsection (F).
(a) Canopy Shade Trees: 2.0" caliper balled and burlap or equivalent.
(b) Ornamental Trees: 2.0" caliper balled and burlap or equivalent.
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(c) Evergreen Trees: 8' height balled and burlap or equivalent.
Tree Mitigation Requirements
Tree Size Mitigation Value
2-4-inch 2 trees
5-6-inch 3 trees
7-8-inch 4 trees
9-10-inch 5 trees
11-12-inch 6 trees
≥13-inches Full appraised dollar value
(2) Trees that meet one (1) or more of the following removal criteria shall be exempt from the
requirements of this subsection unless they meet mitigation requirements provided in paragraph
3.4.1(E)(1) of this Code:
(a) dDead, dying or naturally fallen trees, or trees found to be a threat to public health, safety or
welfare;
(b) tTrees that are determined by the City to substantially obstruct clear visibility at driveways and
intersections;
(c) Siberian elm less than eleven (11) inches DBH and Russian-olive or ash (Fraxinus species) less
than eight (8) inches DBH;
(d) Russian-olive, Siberian elm, and ash (all Fraxinus species) of wild or volunteer origin, such as
those that have sprouted from seed along fence lines, near structures or in other unsuitable
locations;
(3) All existing street trees that are located on city rights-of-way abutting the development shall be
accurately identified by species, size, location and condition on required landscape plans, and shall be
preserved and protected in accordance with the standards of subsection (G).
(G) Tree Protection SpecificationsDuring Construction. The following tree protection specifications shall be
followed to the maximum extent feasible for all projects with protected existing trees. Tree protection
methods shall be delineated on the demolition plans and development plans. To cease any development
activity that may cause injury to the City’s existing trees, enforcement pursuant to Section 2.14.1 of the tree
protection provisions under this subsection shall rely on inspection and removal of violations under
Subsection 2.14.1(C) and injunction or abatement proceedings under Subsection 2.14.1(E) to ensure
protection measures under this subsection are in place.
(1) The landscape plan must be submitted to, and the tree protection portion of the plan approved by, the
City Forester before any development occurring on the development site and shall be physically on sit e
and adhered to at all times.
(2) Tree protection methods identified in the landscape plan shall be delineated on the demolition plans,
other development plans and permits and shall be submitted and erected prior to any site changes,
including but not limited to, Demolition Permit, Stockpiling Permit, Asbestos abatement, Development
Construction Permit, overlot grading or other site preparations.
(3)(1) Within the drip line of any protected existing tree, there shall be no cut or fill over a four -inch depth
unless a qualified arborist or forester has evaluated and approved the disturbance.
(4)(2) All protected existing trees shall be pruned to the City o f Fort Collins Forestry Division standards.
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(5)(3) Prior to and during construction, barriers shall be erected around all protected existing trees with such
barriers to be of orange construction or chain link or approved equivalent fencing a minimum of four
(4) six (6) feet in height, secured with metal T-postsor weighted to the ground, placed at the dripline of
the tree or no closer than six (6) feet from the trunk if the tree is surrounded by impervious surfaces. or
one-half (½) of the drip line, whichever is greater. Concrete blankets, or equivalent padding material,
wrapped around the tree trunk(s) is recommended and adequate required to provide added and
adequate protection during construction.
(6) There shall be no placement, storage or movement of equipment, material, debris or fill within the
fenced tree protection zone. A tree protection plan must be submitted to and approved by the City
Forester prior to any development occurring on the development site.
(7) Tree Protection Signage. All tree protection areas shall be posted with a Tree Protection Zone sign
approved by the City Forester.
(8)(4) During the construction stage of development, the applicant shall prevent the cleaning of equipment
or material or the storage and disposal of waste material such as paints, oils, solvents, asphalt,
concrete, motor oil or any other material harmful to the life of a tree within the drip line of any
protected tree or group of trees.
(9)(5) No damaging attachment, wires, signs or permits may be fastened to any protected tree.
(10)(6) Large property areas containing protected trees and separated from construction or land clearing
areas, road rights-of-way and utility easements may be "ribboned off," rather than erecting protective
fencing around each tree as required in subsection (G)(3)(5) above. This may be accomplished by
placing metal t-post stakes a maximum of fifty (50) feet apart and tying ribbon or rope from stake-to-
stake along the outside perimeters of such areas being clearedprotected.
(11)(7) The installation of utilities, irrigation lines, soil loosening or amending, or any underground
fixture requiring excavation deeper than six (6) inches shall be accomplished by boring under the root
system of protected existing trees at a minimum depth of twenty -four (24) inches and not directly
under the trunks of trees. The auger distance is established from the face of the tree (outer bark) and is
scaled from tree diameter at breast height as described in the chart below, Tree Diameter to Soil
Disturbance (Loosening/Auger/Bore Pit/etc.) Distance. Low pressure hydro excavation, air spading or
hand digging are additional tools/practices that will help reduce impact to the tree(s) root system
when excavating at depths of twenty-four (24) inches or less. Refer to the Critical Root Zone (CRZ)
diagram, Figure 2, for root protection guidelines. The CRZ shall be incorporated into and shown on
development plans for all existing trees to be preserved.
Tree Diameter to Soil Disturbance (Loosening / Auger / Bore Pit, etc.) Distance
Above table is new and replaces below table.
Tree Diameter at Breast Height (inches) Auger Distance From Face of Tree (feet)
0-2 1
3-4 2
5-9 5
10-14 10
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15-19 12
Over 19 15
Figure 2
Critical Root Zone Diagram
Above diagram is better quality (no yellow line down the right side) and replaces below diagram.
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..
(12) All existing trees within the LOD shall be watered using irrigation or hauled water sources throughout
the duration of the development process and all development activities to sustain and improve tree
health and survivability, under the following schedule: watered weekly at a minimum of forty (40)
gallons per week March through October, and monthly at a minimum of forty (40) gallons per month
November through April when temperatures are above forty degrees (40°).
(H) Placement and Interrelationship of Required Landscape Plan Elements. In approving the required landscape
plan, the decision maker shall have the authority to determine the optimum placement and interrelationship
of required landscape plan elements such as trees, vegetation, turf, irrigation, screening, buffering and
fencing, based on the following criteriaobjectives:
(1) pProtecting existing trees, natural areas and features;
(2) eEnhancing visual continuity within and between neighborhoods;
(3) pProviding a diverse and resilient tree canopy cover;
(4) cCreating visual interest year-round;
(5) cComplementing the architecture of a development;
(6) pProviding screening of areas of low visual interest or visually intrusive site elements;
(7) eEstablishing an urban context within mixed-use developments;
(8) pProviding privacy to residents and users;
(9) cConserving water;
(10) aAvoiding reliance on excessive maintenance;
(11) pPromoting compatibility and buffering between and among dissimilar land uses;
(12) eEstablishing spatial definition;.
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(13) Requiring specific consideration and approval of turf grasses, including perennial non-native species,
before use in or adjacent to ecologically sensitive areas (such as NHBZs) or requiring physical separation
from the ecologically sensitive area, such as by a trail.
(I) Landscape Materials, Maintenance and Replacement.
(1) Topsoil. To the maximum extent feasible, topsoil that is removed during construction activity shall be
conserved for later use on areas requiring revegetation and landscaping. Organic soil amend ments
shall also be incorporated in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.8.21.
(2) Plant Materials. Plant material shall be selected from the City of Fort Collins Plant List created by Fort
Collins Utilities Customer Connections Department and adopted by the Director. The Plant List contains
plants determined by local resources to be appropriate for local conditions. The Director may approve
plants not included on the list upon a determination that such plants are well suited for the local
climate.
(3) Plant Quality. All plants shall be A-Grade or No. 1 Grade, free of any defects, of normal health, height,
leaf density and spread appropriate to the species as defined by American Association of Nurserymen
standards.
(4) Installation. All landscaping and irrigation shall be installed according to sound horticultural practices in
a manner designed to encourage quick establishment and healthy growth. All landscaping in each
phase shall either be installed or the installation shall be secured with a letter of credit, escrow or
performance bond for one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the value of the landscaping prior to
the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any building in such phase. Except as provided herein, and
administered separately from the canopy establishment escrow under paragraph (D)(2)(f) of this
Section, no certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any building on any portion of a property
required by this Article to have a landscape plan, unless all landscaping has been installed according to
an approved landscape plan for the property, all irrigation has been installed according to an approved
irrigation plan for the property, and both have been maintained as required under this Section for a
period of two years. If such landscaping and irrigation installations have not been completed, a
certificate of occupancy may be issued upon the receipt by the City of a bond, cash deposit or
equivalent conditioned on and guaranteeing the installation of the entire landscaping shown on the
approved landscaping plan and the irrigation system shown on the approved irrigation plan . Such
bond, cash deposit or equivalent shall be in the amount of one hundred twenty -five percent (125%) of
the estimated cost of the landscaping installation, irrigation installation, or both as applicable,
determined by an executed contract to install the landscaping, irrigation, or both, or by adequate
appraisals of the cost. Such bond, cash deposit or equivalent shall further guarantee the continued
maintenance and replacement of the landscaping for a period of two (2) years after installation, but
the amount of the same shall be reduced after installation is completed to twenty -five percent (25%) of
the actual cost of such landscaping. Any bond, cash deposit or equivalent deposited pursuant to this
requirement shall be released upon certification by the Building Permits and Inspections Director that
the required landscaping program and irrigation system have been completed and maintained in
accordance with the requirements of the bond.
(5) Maintenance. Trees and vegetation, irrigation systems, fences, walls and other landscape elements
shall be considered as elements and infrastructure of the project in the same manner as parking,
building materials and other site details. Large healthy and structurally stable trees removed post
development is a violation of the approved landscape plan, where healthy trees shall be protected in
perpetuity. The applicant, landowner or successors in interest shall be jointly and severally responsible
for the regular maintenance of all landscaping elements in good condition. All landscaping shall be
maintained free from disease, pests, weeds and litter, and all landscape structures such as fences and
walls shall be repaired and replaced periodically to maintain a structurally sound condition.
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(a) Required maintenance includes preserving and protecting trees and the CRZ designated for
preservation. Preserving and protection includes but is not limited to avoiding damage to the tree and
CRZ. Damaging actions include but are not limited to backing into a tree, excavating or trenching in the
CRZ, storing heavy equipment on the CRZ, and overpruning.
(b) Damage to a tree or CRZ that interferes with the longterm health of the tree shall require
mitigation according to the Tree Mitigation Requirements under Subsection (F)(1) of this Section.
(c) Naturally fallen trees or trees found to be a threat to pu blic health, safety or welfare are exempt.
(6) Replacement. Any landscape element that dies, or is otherwise removed, shall be promptly replaced
based on the requirements of this Section.
(7) Mitigation. Healthy, mature trees that are removed by the applicant or by anyone acting on behalf of
or with the approval of the applicant shall be replaced per Subsection (F)(1) with not less than one (1)
or more than six (6) replacement trees sufficient to mitigate the loss of value of the removed
treeexisting canopy. The applicant shall select either the City Forester or a qualified landscape
appraiser to determine such loss based upon ana fair market value appraisal of the removed tree, using
the most recent published methods established by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraiser s
resources listed in Subsection (F) of this Section. Larger than minimum sizes (as set forth in subsection
(D)(4) above) shall be required for such replacement trees.
(8) Restricted Species. City Forestry Division shall provide a list of specified tree species that shall not be
planted within the limits of development LOD and adjoining street right-of-way. For example, no ash
trees (Fraxinus species) shall be planted due to the anticipated impacts of the emerald ash borer.
(9) Prohibited species. For prohibited species reference Chapter 27, Article II, Division 1, Sec. 27-18 of the
Fort Collins Municipal Code.
(10) Mulch.
(a) All trees planted within the LOD shall have a minimum of a six (6) foot radius mulch ring or a full
covering of the permeable area under a tree grate with wood chip mulch at a depth of 2 to 4 inches.
(b) Mulch shall be placed and replenished as needed to maintain complete coverage of the soil surface
with a depth of 2 to4 inches.
c The total coverage area of any single type of inorganic mulch shall not exceed 50% of the total
landscape. Tree mulch is excluded from this fifty percent (50%) calculation.
(11) Artificial turf. – No artificial turf or artificial plants shall be installed on any lot or parcel. The Director
may approve an exception to allow artificial turf to be installed if the Director determines the use is
appropriate and alternatives are not reasonable. Any exception to allow artificial turf shall be included
and shown in the landscape plan.
(J) Irrigation.
(1) Provision shall be made for permanent, automatic irrigation of all plant material, with the following
exceptions:
(a) pPlantings that do not require any irrigation beyond establishment.
(b) tTrees and other plants used to landscape a residential local street parkway abutting lots for
single-family detached dwellings, which are installed on a separate irrigation system in
accordance with subparagraph (J)(3)(a)3 of this Section.
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(2) For any development provided water within the City, a final irrigation plan shall be submitted to and
approved by the Director prior to the issuance of the building permit, or if no building permit is
required, then prior to commencement of construction. Any major deviation from an approved
irrigation plan, resulting from construction, shall require an as-built amendment to the irrigation plan.
As determined by the Director, minor redevelopment or change of use projects may not be required to
submitrequire an irrigation plan; in such cases, a written statement shall be submitted describing the
type of irrigation system proposed. The irrigation plan shall incorporate the City of Fort Collins
Irrigation System Standards for Water Conservation set forth in Paragraph (J)(3) below. The irrigation
plan shall include a water use table organized by irrigation zone for each irrigation tap, corresponding
to the hydrozone plan and aligning with the water budget chart in the landscape plan (Subsection
(E)(3)(b)), and showing the total annual water use, which shall not exceed an average of fifteen (15)
gallons per square foot for the landscape. In addition, as provided in Subsection (I)(4) of this section,
the irrigation system must be inspected for compliance with the approved irrigation plan before the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
(3) The City of Fort Collins Irrigation System Standards for Water Conservation are as follows:
(a) Irrigation Methods and Layout.
1. The irrigation system shall be designed according to the hydrozones shown on the
landscape hydrozone plan in Subsection (E)(3)(b)2 and shall perform as provided in the
water budget chart in Subsection (E)(3)(b)1.
2. Each zone shall irrigate a landscape with similar site, soil conditions and plant material
having similar water needs. To the extent reasonably feasible, areas with sign ificantly
different solar exposures shall be zoned separately.
3. Trees, including street trees, tTurf and non-turf areas shall be irrigated on separate zones.
Dedicated non-overhead, surface or subsurface irrigation shall be installed for all new trees
and existing trees within the LOD.
4. On steep grades, an irrigation method with a lower precipitation rate shall be used in order
to minimize runoff, and, to the extent reasonably feasible, these areas shall be zoned
separately.
5. No combination of dDrip, micro-sprays, sprayheads and or rotors shall be used together or
not be combined on the same zone.
6. The irrigation method shall be selected to correlate with the plant density. Drip irrigation or
bubblers shall be used for sparsely planted trees and shrubs, and rotors, sprayheads and
multi-jet rotary nozzles shall be used for turfgrass.
(b) Equipment Selection.
1. In order to reduce leakage of water from the irrigation system, a master shut -off valve shall
be installed downstream of the backflow device to shut off water to the system when not
operating.
2. For irrigation systems that are on a combined-use tap, with a water meter installed
upstream to measure total water use, the installation of an irrigation-only submeter should
be considered. The purpose of the submeter would be to enable the owner and landscape
maintenance contractor to monitor water use for irrigation. The submeter would not be
used for billing purposes. The cost of installation and maintenance of a submeter, if used,
would be borne by the owner of the property and not by the City. All such submeters
would have to be installed in accordance with the specifications established by the City.
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3. Irrigation controllers shall be "smart" controllers, using climate-based or soil moisture-
based technology, selected from the WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers list issued by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency from time-to-time and available at the
City of Fort Collins Utilities Water Conservation Department. Controllers shall be installed
and programmed according to manufacturer's specifications.
a. A data input chart for the Smart Controller, including the precipitation rate
from the audit, shall be posted at each irrigation controller.
b. Within six (6) weeks of the installation of new landscaping, the irrigation system
Smart Controllers shall be reset to the normal seasonal watering schedule.
4. An evapotranspiration (ET) sensor or weather monitor shall be installed on each irrigation
controller and installed according to manufacturer's specifications in a location to receive
accurate weather conditions.
5. Sprinklers and nozzles shall meet the following requirements:
a. The type of sprinkler and associated nozzles shall be selected to correlate with
the size and geometry of the zone being irrigated.
b. Sprinklers shall be spaced no closer than seventy-five (75) percent (75%) of the
maximum radius of throw for the given sprinkler and nozzle. Maximum spacing
shall be head-to-head coverage.
c. Coverage arcs and radius of throw for turf areas shall be selected and adjusted
to water only turf areas and minimize overspray onto vegetated areas, hard
surfaces, buildings, fences or other non-landscaped surfaces.
d. Sprinklers, bubblers or emitters on a zone shall be of the same manufacturer.
e. Sprayheads in turf areas shall have a minimum three-and-one-half-inch pop-up
riser height.
f. Sprayheads on a zone shall have matched precipitation nozzles. Variable Arc
Nozzles (VAN) are not acceptable for ninety degree (90°), one hundred eighty
degree (180°) and three hundred sixty degree (360°) degree applications. High-
Efficiency Variable Arc Nozzles (HE-VAN) are acceptable only in odd shaped
areas where ninety degree (90°), one hundred eighty degree (180°) and three
hundred sixty degree (360°) are not applicable.
g. Nozzles for rotors shall be selected to achieve an approximate uniform
precipitation rate throughout the zone.
h. All sprayheads and rotors shall be equipped with check valves. Sprayheads shall
also have pressure-regulating stems.
6. Pressure-compensating emitters shall be used for drip irrigation. For sloped areas, a check
valve shall be installed, and the drip line shall be parallel to the slope.
7. Remote controlo valves shall have flow control.
8. A backflow prevention assembly shall be installed in accordance with local codes. All
backflow assemblies shall be equipped with adequately sized winterization ports
downstream of the backflow assembly.
9. Properties with single or combined point of connection flows of two hundred (200) gpm or
greater shall have a control system capable of providing real-time flow monitoring and the
ability to shut down the system in the event of a high-flow condition.
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(c) Sleeving.
1. Separate sleeves shall be installed beneath paved areas to route each run of irrigation pipe
or wiring bundle. The diameter of sleeving shall be twice that of the pipe or wiring bundle.
2. The sleeving material beneath sidewalks, drives and streets shall be PVC Class 200 pipe
with solvent welded joints.
(d) Water Pressure.
1. The irrigation system designer shall verify the existing available water pressure.
2. The irrigation system shall be designed such that the point-of-connection design pressure,
minus the possible system pressure losses, is greater than or equal to the design sprinkler
operating pressure.
3. All pop-up spray sprinkler bodies equipped with spray nozzles shall operate at no less than
twenty (20) psi and no more than thirty (30) psi.
4. All rotary sprinklers and multi-stream rotary nozzles on pop-up spray bodies shall operate
at the manufacturer's specified optimum performance pressure.
5. If the operating pressure exceeds the manufacturer's specified maximum operating
pressure for any sprinkler body, pressure shall be regulated at the zone valve or sprinkler
heads.
6. Booster pumps shall be installed on systems where supply pressure does not meet the
manufacturer's minimum recommended operating pressure for efficient water
distribution.
(e) Sprinkler Performance Audit.
1. A sprinkler performance audit shall be performed by a landscape irrigation auditor who is
independent of the installation contractor, and who is certified by the Irrigation Association
(a nonprofit industry organization dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation). Sprinkler
systems that are designed and installed without turf areas are exempt from this
requirement.
2. The audit shall include measurement of distribution uniformity. Minimum acceptable
distribution uniformities shall be sixty (60) percent (60%) for spray head zones and seventy
(70) percent (70%) for rotor zones. Sprinkler heads equipped with multi-stream rotary
nozzles are considered rotors.
3. Audit results below the minimum acceptable distribution uniformity as set for the
subsection (e)2. above require adjustments and/or repairs to the irrigation system. These
corrections will be noted on the irrigation as-builts and the test area re-audited until
acceptable efficiency/results.
4. The audit shall measure the operating pressure for one (1) sprinkler on each zone to
determine whether the zone meets the above pressure requirements.
5. A copy of the sprinkler performance audit shall be submitted to and approved by the City
before issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(K) Utilities and Traffic. Landscape, utility and traffic plans shall be coordinated. The following list sets forth
minimum dimension requirements for the most common tree/utility and traffic control device separations.
Exceptions to these requirements may occur where utilities or traffic control devices are not located in their
standard designated locations, as approved by the Director. Tree/utility and traffic control device separ ations
shall not be used as a means of avoiding the planting of required street trees.
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(1) Forty (40) feet between shade trees and streetlights. Fifteen (15) feet between ornamental trees and
streetlights. (See Figure 3.)
Figure 3
Tree/Streetlight Separations
(2) Twenty (20) feet between shade and/or ornamental trees and traffic control signs and devices.
(3) Ten (10) feet between trees and water or sewer mains.
(4) Six (6) feet between trees and water or sewer service lines.
(5) Four (4) feet between trees and gas lines.
(6) Street trees on local streets planted within the eight-foot-wide utility easement may conflict with
utilities. Additional conduit may be required to protect underground electric lines.
(L) Visual Clearance or Sight Distance Triangle. Except as provided in subparagraphs (1) and (2) below, a visual
clearance triangle, free of any structures or landscape elements over twenty-four (24) inches in height, shall
be maintained at street intersections and driveways in conformance with the standards contained in the
Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
(1) Fences shall not exceed forty -two (42) inches in height and shall be of an open design.
(2) Deciduous trees may be permitted to encroach into the clearance triangle provided that the lowest
branch of any such tree shall be at least six (6) feet from grade.
(M) Revegetation. When the development causes any disturbance within any natural area buffer zone,
revegetation shall occur as required in paragraph 3.4.1(E)(2) (Development Activities Within the Buffer Zone)
and subsection 3.2.1(F) (Tree Protection and Replacement).
(N) Alternative Compliance. Upon request by an applicant, the decision maker may approve an alternative
landscape and tree protection plan that may be substituted in whole or in part for a landscape plan meeting
the standards of this Section.
(1) Procedure. Alternative landscape plans shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with submittal
requirements for landscape plans. Each such plan shall clearly identify and discuss the modifications
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and alternatives proposed and the ways in which the plan will better accomplish the purposes of this
Section than would a plan which complies with the standards of this Section.
(2) Review Criteria. To approve an alternative plan, the decision maker must first find that the proposed
alternative plan accomplishes the purposes of this Section equally well or better than would a plan
which complies with the standards of this Section.
In reviewing the proposed alternative plan for purposes of determining whether it accomplishes the
purposes of this Section as required above, the decision maker shall take into account whether the
alternative accomplishes the functions listed in Subsection (C)(1) through (7) and Subsection (H) of this
Section 3.2.1 and demonstrates innovative design and use of plant materials and o ther landscape elements.
(Ord. No. 90, 1998, 5/19/98; Ord. No. 228, 1998 §92, 12/15/98; Ord. No. 165, 1999 §14, 11/16/99; Ord. No. 59,
2000 §§12, 13, 6/6/00; Ord. No. 186, 2000 §2, 1/2/01; Ord. No. 107, 2001 §§17, 18, 6/19/01; Ord. No. 177, 2002
§7, 12/17/02; Ord. No. 091, 2004 §§6—8, 6/15/04; Ord. No. 104, 2006 §6, 7/18/06; Ord. No. 073, 2008 §4, 7/1/08;
Ord. No. 066, 2009 §§5—9, 7/7/09; Ord. No. 080, 2011 , §2, 9/6/2011; Ord. No. 051, 2012 §8, 7/17/12; Ord. No.
014, 2013 §§1,2, 2/19/13; Ord. No. 041, 2013 §1, 3/19/13; Ord. No. 092, 2013 §6, 7/16/13; Ord. No. 086, 2014
§31, 7/1/14; Ord. No. 063, 2018 , §§7—13, 6/5/18; Ord. No. 077, 2019 , §6, 7/16/19; Ord. No. 161, 2020 , §4,
1/5/21; Ord. No. 120, 2021 , §§ 2, 3, 10/5/21)
Division 3.8 – Supplementary Regulations
3.8.21 - Soil Amendments, Tree Protection and Landscaping
For any development project, prior to installation of any plant materials, including but not limited to grass, seed,
flowers, shrubs or trees:,
(A) Tthe soil in the area to be planted shall be loosened and amended in a manner consistent with the
requirements of City Code Section 12-132(a), regardless of whether a building permit is required for
the specific lot, tract or parcel in which the area is located. A certification consistent with the
requirements of City Code Section 12-132(b)12-133 shall be required for the area to be planted. A
variance to modify the soil loosening standards of Section 12 -132(b); the soil amendment standards
of Section 12-132(c); or the compliance deadline of Section 12-133(a) may be applied for asThis
requirement may be temporarily suspended or waived for the reasons and in the manner set forth in
City Code Sections 12-132(c) and (d)12-134.
(B) Trees, including trees’ critical root zones, shall be protected during construction according to Land
Use Code 3.2.1(G), and soil loosening shall be according to Section 12-132(b)(2).
(C) A landscape and tree protection plan (landscape plan), and an irrigation plan if applicable, under Land
Use Code 3.2.1 shall be approved and all installations shall be according to the plans, except that for a
single unit detached dwelling with four (4) or fewer bedrooms, the landscape and irrigation plans
need only be approved for the front yard, and an irrigation plan shall be designed and installed as
reasonably feasible for the site.
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ORDINANCE NO. , 2023
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO REVISE SOIL LOOSENING AND AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the City has historically imposed certain requirements related to the
loosening of soil areas and incorporation of appropriate soil amendments in areas to be
planted in order to, among other things, enhance soil water storage capacity, improve soil
conditions for plant growth, increase water infiltration, and reduce water runoff; and
WHEREAS, such requirements are located in Chapter 12, Division 2 of City Code;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Council priority 14 (Effective soil amendment
policies and compliance (water usage)) and direction form City Council at a January 10,
2023 work session, and City staff completed a review of such existing requirements; and
WHEREAS, City staff have proposed revisions to such requirements as set forth
below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations
and findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Chapter 12, Article VII., Division 2 of the Code of the City of
Fort Collins is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Division 2 Soil Amendment
Sec. 12-130. Purpose.
The provisions of this Section are intended to enhance soil water storage capacity, improve
conditions for plant growth and reduce water runoff.
Sec. 12-131. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Section, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this Section:
Certificate of occupancy shall mean a certificate of occupancy as described in the building
code of the City as adopted in Chapter 5, Article II, Division 2, or any other document
issued by the City to authorize occupation of new improvements constructed pursuant to a
building permit.
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Soil amendments shall mean compost, peat, aged manure or such other organic or inorganic
material as may be approved by the Utilities Executive Director as appropriate to meet the
objectives of this Section.
Top soil shall mean a friable mixture of sand, silt and clay particles, each within the
following limits:
Sand (0.05- 2.00 mm) Maximum 75% Minimum 20%
Silt (0.002-0.05 mm) Maximum 60% Minimum 5%
Clay (less than 0.002 mm) Maximum 30% Minimum 5%
Top soil shall have an organic matter content of greater than five (5) percent and a pH
between 6.0 and 8.0, and shall be free from noxious weeds and roots, salts, clay lumps, any
nonsoil materials such as rock, concrete, brick chips, or building materials, foreign matter,
and any chemical, biological or radiological contaminants.
Sec. 12-132. Regulations.
(a) Except as otherwise provided below, the holder of any building permit shall, as a
condition of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, prepare any area in which any
plant materials, including but not limited to grass, seed, flowers, shrubs or trees, are
expected or intended to be installed, prior to installation of any plant materials in that
area, as follows:
(1) The soil in such areas shall be thoroughly loosened to a depth of not less than
eight (8) inches; and
(2) Soil amendments shall be thoroughly incorporated into the soil of such areas to
a depth of at least six (6) inches by tilling, discing or other suitable method, at a
rate of at least three (3) cubic yards of soil amendment per one thousand (1,000)
square feet of area to be planted, unless at least four (4) inches of loose top soil
has been placed on the area after completion of construction activity on top of
not less than four (4) inches of loosened subgrade soils. Documentation of the
content and quantity of the soil amendments and top soil placed in an area,
prepared by the commercial source of the material or a qualified soils testing
laboratory, shall be submitted in connection with the certification required in
Subsection 12-132(b) below.
(b) Prior to the issuance of any certificate of occupancy, the prospective recipient of such
certificate of occupancy shall submit written certification to the Utilities Executive
Director that all planted areas, or areas to be planted, have been thoroughly loosened
and the soil amended, consistent with the requirements set forth in this Section.
(c) In the event that the Utilities Executive Director determines that compliance with this
Section is rendered unreasonably difficult by weather or seasonal conditions, the
Utilities Executive Director may temporarily suspend the application of this
requirement, contingent upon the provision by the prospective recipient of such
arrangements, guaranties or assurances as the Utilities Executive Director determines
to be adequate to ensure compliance.
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(d) In the event that the Utilities Executive Director determines that compliance with this
Section in a specific area is unreasonably difficult as a result of site conditions such
as, for example, an excessively steep gradient or a very narrow side lot, the Utilities
Executive Director may waive the application of this requirement for such area.
(e) The Utilities Executive Director or City Manager may inspect any property in order
to determine compliance with the requirements of this Section as a condition of
issuance of any certificate of occupancy.
(f) Payment of any administrative fee established by the City Manager for the purpose of
recovering the costs of administering and enforcing the requirements of this Section
shall be required as a condition of issuance of any building permit, excluding any
building permit where it can be shown that no areas within the project limits will be
disturbed by construction activities and planted with vegetation.
Division 2 - Soil Loosening and Amendment
Sec. 12-130. - Purpose.
The provisions of this Section are intended to enhance soil water storage capacity, improve
soil conditions for plant growth, increase water infiltration, and reduce water runoff.
Sec. 12-131. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Section, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this Section:
Certificate of occupancy shall mean a certificate of occupancy as described in the building
code of the City as adopted in Chapter 5, Article II, Division 2, or any other document
issued by the City to authorize occupation of new improvements constructed pursuant to a
building permit.
Plant materials shall mean living vegetation.
Soil amendments shall mean materials added to soil to improve soil properties for the
purpose of optimal plant growth. Soil amendments may include: gypsum, limestone, sulfur,
aluminum sulfates, humates, organic matter, mulches, compost, soil conditioners,
mycorrhizal inoculum, or bio-stimulants or such other as appropriate to meet the objectives
of this Division.
Soil testing shall mean technical analysis by a professional soil testing lab to determine
composition and characteristics of soil.
Top soil shall mean a friable mixture of sand, silt and clay particles, each within the
following limits:
Sand (0.05- 2.00 mm) Maximum 75% Minimum 20%
Silt (0.002-0.05 mm) Maximum 60% Minimum 5%
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Clay (less than 0.002 mm) Maximum 30% Minimum 5%
Topsoil shall be free from building, construction, or other foreign materials, and any
chemical, biological or radiological contaminants. Topsoil shall also be within the
following limits:
Organic Material
(Organic Material /
Sample)
Minimum 3% Maximum 10%
pH 6 8
Electrical Conductivity
(millimhos / cm)
0 2.0
Topsoil Stockpiling Practices shall mean those practices to preserve the quality of topsoil
comprising of the top 4-6 inches of existing soils, stored in piles from 2-4 feet high, and
for a duration of less than 12 months.
Sec. 12-132 Soil Loosening and Amendment Requirements
(a) Applicability. The requirements of this Division shall apply to any property that:
(1) is included any development review process under the Land Use Code and has
over 1,000 square feet of vegetated area that will be disturbed; or
(2) requires a building permit that is associated with a certificate of occupancy and
has over 1,000 square feet of vegetated area that will be disturbed.
(b) Soil Loosening Standards. Except as provided in this subsection (b) or pursuant
to Section 12-134, in any locations where plant materials are expected or intended
to be installed, soils shall be thoroughly loosened to a depth of at least eight inches,
except as follows:
(1) In areas where new tree plantings are expected or intended to occur, the soil
shall be loosened to the extent of, roughly two to three times the diameter of the
planted root ball and minimum of six feet extending radially from the tree trunk
and loosened to a depth equivalent to the root ball.
(2) Within five feet of the trunk of existing trees that will remain that have a trunk
diameter of less than five inches, soil shall not be loosened. Within five feet of
the trunk of existing trees that will remain that have a trunk diameter of five
inches or larger, soil shall only be loosened with a no-till method.
(3) In any areas where existing vegetation remains and was not compacted or
disturbed from construction or related activities, the soil shall only be loosened
with an aeration or no-till method.
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(c) Soil Amendment Standards.
(1) Except as provided in this subsection (c) or pursuant to Section 12-134, in any
locations where plant materials are expected or intended to be installed, the soil
shall be amended at a rate of at least three cubic yards of soil amendment over
1,000 square feet, which shall be well mixed into the top four inches of the soil.
(2) Soils amendments shall not be required for the following:
(A) In areas where new or existing trees are located, and no other vegetation
will be under the tree canopy.
(B) In areas where Low Impact Development stormwater quality infrastructure
is located.
(C) Existing soils that are topsoil, as proven by soil testing. Such topsoil may
be stripped and stored using Topsoil Stockpiling Practices for reapplication
to the site. When reapplied, at least four inches of reclaimed topsoil shall
be applied.
Sec. 12-133 Compliance and Fees
(a) Compliance.
(1) The requirements of this Division shall be met prior to the issuance of any
certificate of occupancy. Except pursuant to Section 12-134, no certificate of
occupancy shall be issued until compliance is established pursuant to this
subsection.
(2) Proof of compliance shall be submitted to the Utilities Executive Director,
which shall include, at minimum: any soil testing results and any related
documentation; and verification of the completion of the soil loosening and
amendment requirements of this Division. The Utilities Executive Director
may establish forms for this purpose.
(3) The Utilities Executive Director may enter any property subject to this Division
for the purposes of evaluating whether the property is in compliance.
(4) The Utilities Executive Director shall review the proof of compliance and, in
writing, approve, approve with conditions, or deny that the soil loosening and
amendment requirements of this Division have been met.
(b) Fees. The Utilities Executive Director may establish reasonable fees on properties
subject to this Division to recover costs associated with enforcing this Division.
Sec. 12-134 Variance Procedure for Soil Loosening and Amendment Requirements
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(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Division, pursuant to this section, the
Utilities Executive Director may grant variance requests to modify: the soil
loosening standards of Section 12-132(b); the soil amendment standards of Section
12-132(c); and the compliance deadline of Section 12-133(a).
(1) An applicant seeking such a variance shall complete and file with the Utilities
Executive Director an application accompanied by any required filing fee as
determined by the Utilities Executive Director. The Utilities Executive Director
shall prepare a form of such application identifying for the applicant all of the
necessary information for the Utilities Executive Director to evaluate the
variance request, which shall include, at minimum, an analysis of the requested
variance.
(2) The Utilities Executive Director may, following any appropriate investigations
including requests for additional information from the applicant, grant a
variance request, including subject to terms and conditions, to modify the soil
loosening standards of Section 12-132(b), the soil amendment standards of
Section 12-132(c), or the compliance deadline of Section 12-133(a) as applied
to a particular property if the Utilities Executive Director finds that the
following conditions are met:
a. The variance is appropriate based on all known facts, will substantially
further the purposes of this Division, and is in the best interests of the City.
b. Where the variance request is to modify the soil loosening standards of
Section 12-132(b) or the soil amendment standards of Section 12-132(c) for
the particular property, the modification is needed to: address unique soil,
hydrological, or topographical conditions of the property; or to facilitate
native plants.
c. Where the variance request is to modify the compliance deadline of Section
12-133(a), the modification is needed due to weather or seasonal conditions.
(3) If the variance request is granted, the variance shall be set forth in the writing
and shall include any terms and conditions the Utilities Executive Director
deems appropriate to further the purposes of this Division. If the variance
includes a modification of the soil loosening standards of Section 12-132(b) or
the soil amendment standards of Section 12-132(c), the modified standards
shall be stated. If the variance includes a modification of the compliance
deadline of Section 12-133(a), a new deadline shall be stated and terms and
conditions may include the City’s right to withhold other permits sought by the
applicant until the particular property is in compliance with the variance.
Failure of the applicant to comply with a granted variance shall be deemed a
violation of City Code pursuant to Section 1-15.
DRAFT – August 1, 2023– DRAFT
Discussion Purposes Only
7
If the variance request is denied, the Utilities Executive Director shall notify the applicant
in writing of the denial and state the reasons therefor.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this ___
day of ____, 2023, and to be presented for final passage on the ____ day of ____, 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this ____ day of ____, 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
DRAFT – August 1, 2023– DRAFT
Discussion Purposes Only
1
ORDINANCE NO. , 2023
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO IMPOSE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON WHEN AND HOW WATER OBTAINED
FROM THE CITY MAY BE USED TO IRRIGATE OUTSIDE VEGETATION
WHEREAS, the City owns and operates Fort Collins Utilities (“Utilities”), which
includes a water utility that provides water to customers in its service area; and
WHEREAS, water conservation and efficiency is a tool Utilities uses, primarily
through the Utilities Water Conservation Division, to manage and reduce the demand for
water service by Utilities customers, which is beneficial to the City, the water utility, and
its ratepayers by, among other reasons, reducing demand on water supplies and helping to
ensure that the demand for water does not exceed supplies; and
WHEREAS, evaporation rates are at their highest during the middle of the day and
in the summer months, such that irrigation of outdoor vegetation is less efficient during
those periods, resulting in a larger use of water for the same benefit; and
WHEREAS, limiting various types and uses of irrigation by ratepayers during those
periods, as a water conservation and efficiency measure, will help Utilities manage and
reduce the demand on water supplies and helping to ensure that the demand for water does
not exceed supplies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations
and findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 26-166 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is
hereby amended by the addition of a new Subsection (d) which reads in its entirety as
follows:
Sec. 26-166. – Waste of water prohibited.
. . .
(d) It is unlawful to use water obtained from the City to irrigate any outside vegetation
between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the months of June through September,
except as provided in this subsection. This restriction shall not apply to the use of
water obtained from the City:
(1) to establish grass seed or sod;
DRAFT – August 1, 2023– DRAFT
Discussion Purposes Only
2
(2) to perform maintenance on irrigation systems, provided that a person is on-site
performing maintenance;
(3) for hand watering outside vegetation;
(4) in drip or other subsurface irrigation systems; or
(5) where the water is non-potable.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this ___
day of ____, 2023, and to be presented for final passage on the ____ day of ____, 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this ____ day of ____, 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. CAPRA Award renewal process in 2024
2. 9/11 Memorial project
3. Teen Center partnership with Recreation
4. Highlight Staff
5. Highlight Seve
6. City Give/Parks and Recreation partners in the community (Nina)
7. Senior Center trips program
8. New Golf Manager (Scott Phelps) and his ideas
9. Sugar Beet Park & History
10. Horses and Trails
11. E Scooters and E Bike programs (Wait for report)
12. Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO Program)
13. Summer Day Camp program and State Licensing process (Summer)
14. Cyclocross Park and activity
15. How does the city respond to a citizen’s request?
16. Northeast Park Trail system
17. Pottery Studio
18. Holiday Lights
19. Gardens on Spring Creek remodel
20. Someone takes a class and writes about it.
21. Ski Trips
22. Poudre River Trail connection to Greeley 2023* Legacy Project
23. Equipment needed to care for Parks and Trails include trail etiquette.
24. Issue with the geese
25. Light pollution and Dark Skies initiative.
26. Feature instructors/lifeguards and why someone would want to become one.
27. Emerald Ash Borer/replacement of trees-Done April 2021
28. Next phase of Whitewater Park
29. Dovetail Park scheduled to be completed Spring 2023 (Bucking horse Park)
30. Parks & Rec Master plan
31. Reduced Fee Program-Done Summer 2022
32. Infrastructure Replacement Plan-In progress Fall 2022
33. Mental Health Benefits of Parks & Recreation (Park Rx)
34. Urban Forestry & Strategic Trails Plan Kick-Off