HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/2025 - Planning and Zoning Commission - AGENDA - Regular Meeting (2)PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
07/17/2025 Agenda
Council Chambers, 300 Laporte Avenue
Zoom – See Link Below
Participation for this Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting will be in
person at Council Chambers, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO
80521.
You may also join online via Zoom, using this link:
https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/97548330954
Online Public Participation:
The meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:45 pm, July 17, 2025. Participants
should try to sign in prior to the 6:00 pm meeting start time, if possible. For public
comments, the Chair will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate
you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all
participants have an opportunity to address the Board or Commission and watch the
meeting through that site.
To participate:
•Use a laptop, computer, or internet-enabled smartphone. (Using
earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio).
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City Staff needs to receive those materials via email by 24 hours before the
meeting. Please email any documents to kkidwell@fcgov.com.
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Appeals of decisions of this Commission must be filed with the City Clerk no more than
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www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/appeals.php
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
07/17/2025 Agenda
•CALL TO ORDER
•ROLL CALL
•AGENDA REVIEW
•PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
•CONSENT
1.CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2025
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2025, meeting of the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
•DISCUSSION
2.NATURAL AREAS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
This is a request for a recommendation to City Council regarding
adoption of the Natural Areas Strategic Framework as a component
of City Plan. The Framework updates the City’s 2014 Natural Areas
Master Plan and serves as a systemwide guide for the planning and
management of the Natural Areas Department (NAD) over the
coming decade. Rooted in ballot language, extensive community
engagement, and broader City policies, the Framework articulates
an updated vision, set of values, and strategic goals for the
Department. It provides the foundation for action-oriented planning
Julie Stackhouse
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
STAFF:
Kelly Smith, Sr Planner, Environmental and Julia Feder,
Conservation & Stewardship Manager
3. AXIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY SPAR SPA250002
DESCRIPTION: This is a Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) request to change the
use and occupancy of the existing 42,595 sq. ft. building at 3939
Automation Way (parcel #8731109001) to AXIS International
Academy, which includes complete demolition and renovation of all
interior spaces. The site is located in the Employment (E) zone
district and is subject to a Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) review
STAFF:
Clark Mapes, City Planner
PROPERTY
OWNER:
Jenny Whitaker
2700 S. Lemay Ave.
Fort Collins CO 80525
APPLICANT:
3318 Tranquility Way
Berthoud, CO 80513
• OTHER BUSINESS
• ADJOURNMENT
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Agenda Item 1
Item 1, Page 1
Planning and Zoning Commission
STAFF
Krista Kidwell, Project Coordinator
SUBJECT
MINUTES OF THE MAY 15, 2025 PZC HEARING
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is the consideration and approval of the draft minutes of the May 15, 2025 Planning &
Zoning Commission hearing.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Minutes of the May 15, 2025, Hearing
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5/15/25 – MINUTES Page 1
Planning & Zoning Commission
REGULAR MEETING
May 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Council Chambers, City Hall 300 Laporte Ave
Also via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
a. Board Members Present – Adam Sass (Newly Elected Chair), Russell Connelly (Newly Elected
Vice Chair), Ted Shepard, York, Kent Bruxvoort
b. Board Members Absent – Julie Stackhouse, Shirley Peel
c.Staff Members Present – Frickey, Kidwell, Beals, Kleer, Conovitz, Myler, Yatabe, Sawyer,
Gilchrist
AGENDA REVIEW
Clay Frickey, Planning Manager, provided a review of the agenda.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
1.CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 26, 2025
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the March 26, 2025, meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
Commissioner York made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Connelly, to approve the
Consent Agenda. Yeas: Connelly, York, Bruxvoort, Shepard, and Sass. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
DISCUSSION AGENDA
2.ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Commissioner Shepard nominated Adam Sass as Chair.
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Vice Chair Sass stated he would accept the nomination and nominated Russell Connelly as Vice Chair.
Commissioner Shepard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner York, that Adam Sass
become Chair and Russell Connelly become Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission
for the next 12 months. Yeas: York, Shepard, Connelly, Bruxvoort, and Sass. Nays: none.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
3. SHORT TERM RENTALS LAND USE CODE CHANGES IN CCN
DESCRIPTION: This is a request for a recommendation to the City Council regarding an
update to the Land Use Code. The proposed revision removes non-
primary short-term rental from the Community Commercial-North College
(CCN) Zone District.
STAFF:
Noah Beals, Development Review Manager
Staff Presentation
Noah Beals, Development Review Manager, stated this item relates to a Commission recommendation
for a Land Use Code change to the Community College North College (CCN) Zone District to remove
non-primary short-term rental (STR) uses from the district. He provided a history of the regulations
around short-term rentals in the city and noted there are two types of short-term rentals: primary, which
requires a property owner to reside on the property for at least nine months of the year, and non-primary,
which does not require any type of residency. Beals discussed the zone districts wherein each type of
short-term rental has been allowed.
Beals provided a map of the CCN Zone District and noted the Old Town North neighborhood is included
in the district and is the location of all short-term rental licenses in the district. He stated most of Old
Town North is residential, though there is one mixed-use building, and he provided a map indicating
where non-primary STR licenses can be granted in the city.
Beals discussed another area west of downtown that also allows non-primary STR licenses and is
approximately the same size as Old Town North. He stated the area included 575 dwelling units, three
non-primary STR licenses which were legacy, and 16 primary STR licenses. He noted that since 2017,
about 53 complaints have been received in Old Town North as opposed to two in the neighborhood west
of downtown.
Beals noted there was an open house held in February regarding the purpose of existing STR regulations.
He noted there are 300-400 STR licenses granted each year and non-primary STR’s make up about 49%
of those. Of the 189 non-primary STR licenses, 68 are found in Old Town North which also makes up
about 22% of all complaints received regarding STR’s.
Beals discussed the proposed Land Use Code change which would remove the ability to apply for a non-
primary STR in the CCN Zone District. He noted the Commission will be providing a recommendation to
City Council which is the final decision-maker.
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Commission Questions
Commissioner York asked if the existing non-primary STR licenses would be able to continue to be
renewed should this change be made. Beals replied staff will be suggesting the current licenses that
have been issued would be able to be renewed by current property owners or within 30 days of a property
owner change.
Public Participation
Walter Abercrombie spoke on behalf of himself, his wife, and other neighbors. He supported the
proposed Land Use Code change, citing the density of STR’s in Old Town North. He stated the main
impacts include excessive noise, parking access, illegal parking, trespassing, damage to private property,
and a disregard of the neighborhood being residential in nature. He clarified he does not have any
concerns about primary STR’s or long-term renters and noted the Old Town North HOA Board has been
aware of the issues for many years but has not been able or willing to act as many of the complaints fall
under the jurisdiction of the City.
Michael Warkander, 238 Osiander Street, stated he appreciates the dense feel of the neighborhood, but
noted that also means what others do impacts neighbors to a greater degree. He stated the west end of
his street has become a wall of STR’s and he commented on negative interactions with renters. Mr.
Warkander expressed support for the proposed Land Use Code change and suggested the existing
licenses should not be allowed to be transferred. He also encouraged finding a way to sunset some of
the existing STR’s.
Mark Driskell stated many of the concerns he has heard result from poor management, not the length of
stay, and many of the issues could be prevented by having a local, responsive contact and good
management practices. He noted he has operated rental properties for a number of years and has
developed practices specifically to address parking, trash, and noise, including rental agreements for
acknowledgement of occupancy limits, parking rules, and the zero tolerance policy for parties, screening
of all guests, smart locks that can alert of over-occupancy, clear communication of parking rules prior to
arrival, response to neighbor concerns within 30 minutes, and strict enforcement of quiet hours. He
stated the Old Town North HOA is actively working on similar strategies to achieve compliance among
all rentals in the neighborhood. Additionally, Mr. Driskell stated STR’s make up only 0.52% of all housing
units in Fort Collins.
Jennifer Kelly, 451 Cajetan Street, spoke in opposition to the proposal to eliminate non-primary STR’s in
the Old Town North neighborhood, stating the proposal conflicts with the City’s Strategic Plan. She stated
the Neighborhood Livability goal number one calls for increased housing choice, type, and affordability,
which is supported by STR’s as they offer temporary, flexible housing options for residents, families, and
travelling professionals. Additionally, she stated Economic Health goal number one emphasizes
removing barriers for small businesses and supporting local economic opportunity. Ms. Kelly argued this
process has not been transparent and that there was no comprehensive data review or economic impact
analysis completed. She stated there are very few non-primary STRs in the city and argued much of the
crime in the neighborhood is related to the unhoused population. Additionally, she noted there are still
lots to be developed in the neighborhood and making this type of change amid that is irresponsible. She
stated the City should better enforce the rules it already has rather than eliminate legal uses.
Kurt Kniegge, 369 Osiander Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed Land Use Code change stating
the short-term rental he owes has become a significant portion of his retirement plan.
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Gail Keeler, 2302 West Mulberry Street, discussed her property at 232 Pascal Street which she
purchased with the intention of building a two-unit home, one for her primary residence and one for a
short-term rental. However, given surging construction costs, she was forced to redesign the project to
make it more affordable, and ultimately had to redesign the project a third time to make it smaller and
single-story, though still two units. She stated that she had hoped to rent both units as non-primary STR’s
to assist with retirement expenses should she and her husband need to relocate to an assisted living
facility. She expressed concern that only existing non-primary STR’s will be legacy, and her home is not
yet built. She requested the City consider a provision allowing newly constructed homes a reasonable
period following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy to apply for a non-primary STR license.
Jennifer Spencer, 509 Cajetan Street, stated it seems the STR owners in Old Town North have been
financially successful. She commented on a previous study in Fort Collins which revealed that STR’s
provide financial benefits to owners and renters; however, it also highlighted the potential for nuisance
code violations and the impact on the local housing market. Ultimately, regulations were adopted that
included licensing requirements and zoning restrictions to manage STR activity to protect neighborhoods
and promote a fair operating environment. Ms. Spencer stated it is not a good idea to have unregulated,
unstaffed hotels in residential neighborhoods, and requested the Commission recommend the zoning
change to bring Old Town North into compliance with the rest of the city. She also expressed concern
about allowing existing non-primary STR’s to be legacy and suggested providing owners with a grace
period to transition out of the STR’s.
Matt Veghte, 503 Cajetan Street, stated he has both lived in and used the home as a short-term rental,
and stated it has been the best maintained when used as a short-term rental. He stated the short-term
rental paradigm is very beneficial for his situation to be able to call Fort Collins home in the long term.
Harry Derderian, 508 Osiander Street, commented on the number of STR’s in the Old Town North
neighborhood and noted Fort Collins has a housing shortage. He stated the percentage of non-primary
STR’s in Old Town North is 175% greater than the rest of the city. He supported making the Land Use
Code change.
Kyle Keeler, 5127 West CR 51, Bellvue, and Vice President of the Old Town North HOA, stated he
purchased his property in Old Town North with the intention of using it as a short-term rental. He stated
he operated it as such for years while living in the smaller rear unit but has recently moved out. He stated
the decision to restrict non-primary STR’s in Old Town North is in direct contradiction to the City of Fort
Collins Housing and Strategic Plan as it does not relax restrictions but does the opposite. He also stated
the change would create a two-tier system under which permanent privileges would be granted to some
while the same opportunity would be denied to others based solely on timing. He requested the City
consider a provision allowing newly constructed homes a reasonable period following the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy to apply for a non-primary STR license. Mr. Keeler stated that if non-primary
STR’s are found to be an issue, they should be banned city-wide with no legacy units allowed.
Kay Osentowski, 160 Fairway Lane, stated she was one of the first developers of Old Town North and
discussed the history of the neighborhood. She stated it was turned around from bankruptcy in part
because of the zoning designation allowing many building options. She stated the economic benefits of
STR’s are undeniable and they are a cornerstone of modern tourism. She stated occasional challenges
are valid considerations; however, they can be effectively managed through balanced regulations rather
than outright, dramatic zoning changes.
Dolores Williams, 415 Mason Court, stated she owns two small townhouses in Old Town North which are
long-term rentals. She stated her tenants have mentioned parking and noise problems in the
neighborhood and stated there needs to be a balance for people who want to live quietly in the homes
they have purchased. She also stated CSU students rent homes to have parties.
Jennifer Anderson, 902 Jerome Street, discussed concerns with short-term renters in a unit adjacent to
hers which had an outdoor firepit and kindling supplied by the property owners. She discussed other
issues with noise, beer cans, fireworks, and vehicles parked on her property. She stated she bought her
property to live next to neighbors, not businesses.
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Rowan Cech, 2400 Zenith Court, stated she is a property manager for a short-term rental at 262 Cajetan
Street. She stated her rental hosts families who are coming to Fort Collins to visit family or friends, and
she commented on the positive economic impact of visitors to the city. Additionally, she discussed the
regulations she has put in place to ensure her property does not violate regulations and stated she
immediately responds to neighbor concerns.
Caley Follmer, 368 Cajetan Street, expressed support for the proposed Land Use Code change stating
the high concentration of STR’s is incompatible with the cultivation of a strong community. She stated
even a perfectly compliant STR is still a de facto hotel with a revolving door of unfamiliar faces. She
stated failure to address existing STR licenses will perpetuate the erosion of community in Old Town
North.
Taylor Scott, 368 Cajetan Street and HOA Board Member, stated his home is effectively surrounded by
STR’s which essentially function as hotels and commented on the negative impacts to the sense of
community in the neighborhood. He stated Old Town North is the only neighborhood in Fort Collins
zoned to allow this many non-primary STR’s and he expressed support for the proposed Land Use Code
change without allowing non-primary STR licenses to be transferrable when a property sells.
Tami Bond, 908 Jerome Street, asked if Planning and Zoning is intended to create areas where investors
can purchase homes and let them on a short-term basis, and if that is the case, why there are no other
neighborhoods in the city that allow that. She also questioned whether the commercial part of mixed
residential/commercial designation is meant to be primarily for the benefit of investors and not the
residents in the neighborhood. Additionally, she questioned whether a thriving neighborhood is one in
which short-term rental income is so attractive to owners that long-term renters who would become
neighbors are pushed out. She stated many of the STR’s are vacant 75% of the time.
Steven Ertl, Old Town North resident and long-term rental owner at 250 Cajetan Street, stated it seems
those opposed to this change have spoken a great deal about income and he questioned how economics
apply to a community of residents. He questioned why Old Town North must be the sacrificial lamb for
an individual’s retirement and asked why the non-primary STR owners seem to be more concerned with
visitors and not the local residents who live in the properties year-round.
Paul Francisco, 908 Jerome Street, stated his unit is the only one of four in the building that is not a short-
term rental, and he commented on the lack of respect shown by short-term renters. He stated the number
of STR’s in the neighborhood is the concern.
David Katz, 1418 Paddle Court, expressed concern about the proposed Land Use Code change stating
it is dangerously impulsive and threatens the character and integrity of the community without carefully
weighing long-term consequences. He stated the issue is about how the community faces diversity and
stated making land use policy only to reverse it seven or eight years later is short-sighted and reckless.
He urged the Commission not to make a rushed recommendation.
Dan Blonder, 902 Jerome Street, commended the Old Town North neighborhood and stated his ultimate
goal is to be able to live in his property for a couple months and be elsewhere for a couple months, while
still being able to pay the mortgage. He stated that is one of the reasons he invested in this property.
He suggested implementing a policing system with steep penalties for violations, including losing the
short-term license if enough violations occur. He stated changing the zoning and allowed uses will
decrease the value of the neighborhood homes.
Sarah Payne, 363 Osiander Street, stated limiting non-primary STR’s in Old Town North is the only
decision that is in alignment with the City’s sustainability goals as it is neither environmentally nor socially
sustainable to remove homes from the long-term housing inventory for part-time, transient use, especially
in high-density neighborhoods like Old Town North. She urged the Commission to recommend limiting
non-primary STR’s in the neighborhood and stated functional neighborhoods are foundational to a
healthy Fort Collins.
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Shaun Armon, 824 Gregory Road and investment property owner in Old Town North, expressed concern
about the proposed zoning change stating the properties were purchased in good faith and the potential
zoning changes undermines trust in the City’s planning process, putting responsible owners and
operators at risk.
Blair Oliver, 363 Osiander Street, commented on the value of community and noted up to 1/3 of non-
primary STR licenses in the city are in the small, dense neighborhood of Old Town North. He stated
every third property in the neighborhood is run as a business.
David Watkins, 363 Pascal Street, stated he has made 140 separate complaints about issues with short-
term renters and stated there are systemic issues.
Jacque Kinnick, 369 Pascal Street, stated that there was no response to years’ worth of resident
complaints, raising questions about whether they were officially recorded. As a result, she believes the
number of 53 complaints is low. She commented on the community feeling dissipating in the
neighborhood.
Kerri Watkins, 363 Pascal Street, stated the neighborhood feels like a hotel at times and noted the houses
are advertised to sleep ten or more people. She expressed support for the proposed Land Use Code
change and decreasing the number of STR’s in the neighborhood.
Debi Kennison, 357 Pascal Street, commented on a police incident in the neighborhood and expressed
concern about safety. She stated non-primary STR’s have been banned in other communities due to
negative impacts and stated she is tired of policing the STR’s across the street.
Jonathan Anderson, 902 Jerome Street, stated filing complaints about noise and other issues is difficult
and stated that if a change is not made, properties that go up for sale are most attractive to speculative,
non-residential owners.
Greg Robertson, 233 Osiander Street, stated Old Town North should be treated as other neighborhoods
in the city and there should not be an exemption for more non-primary STR’s than other neighborhoods.
He stated freeing these STR’s for permanent residences could help solve some housing problems in Fort
Collins.
Josh Tinker, owner of a non-primary STR at 827 Heschel Street, stated his property has not received any
complaints and commented on the broader economic impact of this type of land use change. He stated
the proposal was hurried and requested the Commission recommend against the change.
Maile Tinker, 2620 Sage Creek Road, opposed the proposal to change the Land Use Code and stated
having a zone district for non-primary short-term rentals near Old Town is valuable for the city.
Brent Nations, 538 Cajetan Street, opposed the proposal to change the Land Use Code stating he
purchased the property based on the understanding it could be used as a short-term rental. He stated
changing the rules now seems very unfair.
Christophe Attard stated he owns 15 long-term rentals in Old Town North and commended the quality of
his tenants. He stated the tools already exist to address nuisances and opposed the proposed Land Use
Code change.
Mike Gentile, 220 Pascal Street, opposed the proposed Land Use Code change stating he purchased
the property as an investment with the hope of one day moving back to it.
Collin Peterson, 802 Heschel Street, stated he rents out his property on a long-term basis. He stated
eliminating new non-primary short-term rental licenses gives the current short-term rental license holders
no incentive to sell their properties and no incentive to run a positive short-term rental. He encouraged
additional enforcement of existing regulations.
Em Myler, Neighborhood Development Liaison, read a comment from Randy Sladek in opposition to the
proposed Land Use Code change stating there are many benefits provided by STR’s to Fort Collins
residents.
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Staff Response
Beals stated the staff provided number of complaints does seem to be conservative and staff will do some
research to see if there were complaints received that were not properly routed and counted in the total.
He noted City Council will also have a public hearing on this Code change, which is currently scheduled
for First Reading on June 17th.
Commission Questions
Commissioner Shepard requested input from staff on how City departments coordinate with each other
and Police Services. Beals replied that Land Use Code changes involve discussions with multiple City
departments and public outreach. He stated there was a balance with all input received when the initial
STR regulations were put into effect in 2017 which involved ensuring STR’s were allowed while also
limiting impacts on residential neighborhoods. He noted that when rules need to be enforced, the Zoning
Department coordinates with Police Services and Code Compliance. He also noted that noise complaints
often occur after hours and are therefore handled by Police Services.
Commissioner Shepard asked if there is a check done on citations during the annual non-primary STR
license renewal process. Beals replied in the affirmative and stated those factors play into whether a
license is renewed; however, there is no ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy. Additionally, he noted there
is an opportunity to appeal any license revocation to an appointee from the City Manager’s Office.
Chair Sass asked if there is any data around the economic impact of this decision or the 2017 decision
to allow STR’s. Beals replied he does not have that information readily available nor did staff do an
analysis specifically of Old Town North economic impacts. He stated staff was looking more at the real
intent for STR regulations to protect residential neighborhoods.
Chair Sass asked if there is a way for complaints to be tracked outside of Police Services calls. Beals
replied that the hope is for complaints to be registered through Access Fort Collins which would route
them to appropriate departments.
Chair Sass asked if the license renewal process includes review of Access Fort Collins complaints. Beals
replied in the affirmative.
Chair Sass asked if any STR license has not been renewed based on Access Fort Collins complaint data.
Beals replied he was unsure.
Commissioner Shepard noted Code Compliance is part of the Neighborhood Services Department and
asked if those staff members work at night. Beals replied they are not on call but may have some
extended hours when trying to address specific situations, mostly having to do with parking at CSU
events.
Commissioner Shepard noted Police Services considers these complaints to be non-emergencies;
therefore, officers may not respond immediately. Beals concurred and stated most calls are received
through the non-emergency line.
Ginny Sawyer, Project and Policy Manager, clarified complaints are tracked; however, licenses cannot
be revoked or not renewed unless it can be proven that the issue occurred through verification of Code
Compliance or Police Services.
Chair Sass asked if there is a means to verify the validity of a complaint. Beals replied that Police
Services could respond; however, it may be hours after the initial complaint, or a garbage issue could be
resolved by the time Code Compliance or a Zoning Inspector is able to respond.
Vice Chair Connelly asked what kind of criteria is used when deciding whether to not renew a license or
to revoke a license. Beals replied that the decision is based on whether the STR is out of compliance
with the applicable standards and based on looking at validated complaints.
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Commissioner Bruxvoort asked about some of the thought process or deliberations that led to the staff
recommendation. Beals replied that staff recognized this is a residential neighborhood and the STR
license regulations that were put in place were meant to protect residential neighborhoods. He noted
that Old Town North was initially, and still is, zoned for non-residential uses; however, most of it has built
out as residential. Additionally, he noted this is the one of the only neighborhoods that allows for single-
family residential uses and non-primary STR’s. He stated the original purpose of the STR regulations
was not to allow for a single-family residential neighborhood to also have non-primary STR uses given
the impacts to the neighborhood. Additionally, he noted the proposed change does allow for members
of the public to make their comments to the Commission and Council.
Commissioner York asked if there are other options that could achieve the same objective besides
making this particular change. Beals replied this would be the best option; however, there may be other
options outside the City’s purview. He noted the City does not have the capacity to monitor
neighborhoods 24/7 to ensure STR’s are operating as they should be.
Chair Sass asked if a cap on the number of STR’s in Old Town North was considered. Beals replied that
it could be an option, but staff wanted to bring forth the conversation to the decision makers. He stated
the proposed option would keep new licenses from being issued and additional alternatives can then be
considered.
Chair Sass asked how many lots are left in the neighborhood. Beals replied he was unsure of that
number.
Commissioner Shepard stated there are many vacant lots platted for future duplexes.
Sawyer noted that when the regulations were first developed, caps on STR’s and the number owned
were considered; however, those all presented their own challenges in long-term implementation.
Commissioner Shepard asked if an applicant for a building permit can apply for a non-primary short-term
rental license. Beals replied that one can only apply for the license after a certificate of occupancy is
issued.
Commissioner York asked if the neighborhood still meets the objectives of the current zoning. Frickey
discussed the purpose statement for the zone district in the Land Use Code and noted the zone district
was created in conjunction with the North College Corridor Plan. He stated the intent behind it was to
create a district that provided a transition between the highway commercial orientation of College Avenue
to the residential areas to the east by providing a mix of residential and commercial opportunities, which
is why it was a zone district that allowed hotels and therefore non-primary STR’s. However, the way the
district has developed has been primarily all residential which is why this issue has come up.
(**Secretary’s Note: The Commission took a brief recess at this point in the meeting.)
Commission Deliberation
Commissioner Shepard noted there is no level of service to enforce on this issue. He stated the issue
has brought up the fact that there is a gap in the community that is leaving many parties unsatisfied.
Commissioner York stated he does not see the interactions that happen with STR’s as being significantly
different than those that might occur next to a park or apartments. He noted there are issues with traffic,
trash, noise, and parties in every neighborhood and stated he is looking at it more in terms of what options
the City has for moving forward to achieving an objective. He stated that if the area was built out in a
way that no longer meets what was envisioned for the zoning criteria, then perhaps the solution is having
a different zoning designation on the property rather than trying to change what is allowed in the current
zone.
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Commissioner Connelly stated it is unfortunate there is such a high density of STR’s in this neighborhood,
and he is sensitive to the issues that come with that. However, it is clear that STR’s provide value to the
community and there is obviously a market for owning them and renting them. He stated the people who
have made investments in these properties deserve to have rules that do not change in the middle of the
game as they have been acting in compliance with the zoning and the Code.
Commissioner Bruxvoort noted the rules changed in 2017 as well and stated this is a circumstance where
all evidence is not weighed in one direction.
Commissioner Shepard stated some of the speakers mentioned a lack of collaboration and a rushed
process. However, he noted there was a diverse group of staff members who started discussing STR’s
beginning in 2015 and there was a great deal of city-wide collaboration. He noted there were
approximately six Council work sessions on the topic and the city was a 4-3 Council vote away from not
allowing any STR’s in the city at all. He noted no one ever expected there to be 68 out of 189 STR’s in
one neighborhood that probably should have been zoned LMN.
Commissioner Shepard stated the neighborhood is being severely impacted, though he applauded the
economic vitality of the real estate community which recognized the need for STR’s. He stated he does
not believe rezoning is the answer but supported the staff recommendation for the text amendment. He
noted the existing STR’s will be legacy, and the neighborhood does not need any additional STR’s given
the impacts. He reiterated the City does not have the capacity or mechanisms to address the existing
problems.
Chair Sass asked Commissioner Shepard how situations should be addressed wherein a property
vacillates between a primary and non-primary STR. Councilmember Shepard replied that might be a
policy discussion for Council as property rights are a consideration. He stated none of the existing non-
primary STR’s would go away unless a more effective citation system is developed which will take more
staff time and resources. He stated he would likely take a conservative approach and not allow a 30-day
grace period for a transfer of title.
Commissioner Shepard noted the speakers who opposed this change called for additional enforcement,
which is not available. He suggested the cost of an effective enforcement system could be spread out
over the non-primary STR’s and use license renewal fees to cover a response team. He noted there is
clearly a demand for STR’s and commented on the fact that one entity owns 15 units and another entity
owns 12, which is clearly an impact on the neighborhood feel. He reiterated he understands the real
estate economic phenomenon that is driving the demand, but stated the impact does not seem to be
fairly distributed throughout the community.
Chair York noted this change would apply to all CCN zoned property. Beals concurred but noted there
are currently no STR licenses in the other CCN zoned section, though there would still be the ability to
place a hotel in that section.
Commissioner York stated he believes the proposal is the wrong solution for the problem and a better
option would be to rezone the neighborhood in question to a more appropriate zone district.
Chair Sass noted the neighborhood has yet to be built out and expressed concern about having set out
the rules and now changing them.
Commissioner Shepard stated that his perspective is that creating a livable neighborhood in the city
trumps the economic benefit that comes from the non-primary STR’s. He stated the density of STR’s in
Old Town North was never envisioned.
Commissioner York disagreed and reiterated living next to STR’s is akin to living near a city park.
Commissioner Shepard stated the non-primary short-term rental system is hosted by national platforms
and draws people in on a party basis.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Chair Sass asked when the first houses were built in the neighborhood. Commissioner Shepard replied
it started then sat vacant because of an economic downturn after which it went into receivership and new
investors were found.
Commissioner York stated property records show many of the initial transfers happened between 2012
and 2018.
Commissioner Bruxvoort stated there are compelling reasons for both sides of the situation, both in terms
of the unfairness in changing the ground rules for people who have made investments under those ground
rules and for the residents of the neighborhood who are being impacted. He stated the more compelling
argument from his perspective relates to this being a residential neighborhood with a disparate
concentration of non-primary STR’s and therefore a disparate concentration of negative impacts. He
stated he would support the staff recommendation.
Chair Sass noted there was a great deal of input from various parties when the 2017 regulations were
put into place and stated he is having difficulty recommending a change in such a short amount of time.
He stated making this change would be a disservice to a fairly important group of constituents.
Commissioner Shepard noted the legacy provision will allow existing non-primary STR’s to remain.
Chair Sass stated there needs to be strong guidelines around that and enforcement.
Commissioner Shepard acknowledged the demand; however, he stated he does not believe City Council
will dedicate the resources needed to provide enough enforcement. He asked about the one-time annual
registration fee and sales tax license for a non-primary STR. Beals replied that the initial license is $150,
and renewals are $100.
Commissioner Shepard noted Basalt charges $2,000 annually.
Commissioner York suggested increasing the fees could be another tool that could be used so as not to
impact other areas with the zone district amendment.
Commissioner Shepard asked Beals if he could pass along to Council that at least one member of the
Planning and Zoning Commission thinks that is a shockingly low price given the issues that need to be
addressed in the neighborhoods. Beals replied in the affirmative.
Commissioner Shepard noted the number of STR’s in Old Town North could increase with no stop if
something is not done. He added that there must be a commonsense cap to preserve the lifestyle of the
neighborhood which is facing issues unlike any other neighborhood in the city. He stated preserving the
existing non-primary STR’s is an eloquent solution.
Chair Sass asked Commissioner Shepard if he is amicable to the recommendation to include addressing
the property owner who bought property under the existing Code but has yet to complete construction.
Commissioner Shepard replied he is sensitive to that family and suggested the Zoning Department could
take the issue to the Building Review Board for an appeal.
Chair Sass noted there are neighborhoods with populations of all types of demographics and rental types
and expressed concern with doing Code text modifications when it comes to light that a demographic
that is not liked has formed within a neighborhood within the Code regulations.
Commissioner Shepard stated that is how the ‘You Plus Two’ ordinance came to be strengthened: both
in terms of Code modifications and the hiring of an enforcement officer. Beals concurred that there were
Code changes and additional resources placed on that effort and noted ‘You Plus Two’ enforcement was
done for mid- and long-term renters.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Commissioner Shepard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bruxvoort, that the Planning
and Zoning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Land Use Code
change to remove non-primary short-term rentals as a use in the Community Commercial North
College zone district based on the staff report and the materials presented at the work session
and this hearing and the Commission discussion. He further stated that the testimony tonight
indicates that the impacts on this one particular neighborhood are significant and at a scale not
seen anywhere else in the city, and that calls for the negative externalities of non-primary short-
term rentals to be addressed. Yeas: Shepard, Bruxvoort, and Sass. Nays: York and Connelly.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
4. SWC DRAKE COLLEGE - ODP – ODP250002
DESCRIPTION: This is a request for an Overall Development Plan for the properties
located at 2601 S College Avenue, including parcels 9726100016,
9726114001, 9726100023, 9726120001, 9726120002, 9726127003
infrastructure. This project is in the General Commercial (CG) Zone
District and is subject to a Planning and Zoning Commission Review.
STAFF:
Kai Kleer, Sr Planner
PROPERTY
OWNER:
KRF Drake
1509 York Street
Suite 201
Denver, CO 80206
APPLICANT:
Norris Design
244 N College Ave
Suite #165
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Staff Overview
Kai Kleer, Senior Planner, stated this item is the Overall Development Plan (ODP) for the southwest
corner of Drake and College and it would establish the framework for development on the former Spradley
Barr Mazda site and the Sherwin Williams building. He stated the site is a bit over 6 acres and is located
within the General Commercial and TOD Overlay Districts. He stated an ODP sets parameters for a
phased project and this ODP includes guidance from the Midtown Plan, City Plan, and the Active Modes
Plan for items such as transportation and drainage improvements and land use.
Kleer provided an aerial view and photos of the property and discussed the surrounding properties. He
provided information regarding the guidance provided in the Midtown Plan and Midtown in Motion Plan.
He stated the vision for the area places an emphasis on multi-modal improvements along the corridor.
Additionally, Kleer noted City Plan identifies this area and a few others as high-priority areas for
redevelopment with higher densities and an emphasis on connectivity to high-frequency transit service.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Kleer discussed the neighborhood input received regarding potential future land uses, noting there has
been a substantial amount of concern about traffic impacts and the need for multi-modal infrastructure
and intersection improvements.
Em Myler, Neighborhood Development Liaison, read three public comments into the record that were not
part of the Commission’s packet. One supported housing development in the area with adequate parking
and fewer auto-centric uses, one supporting housing also with adequate parking, and one suggesting the
area be a sculpture park and open space.
Applicant Presentation
Ryan McBreen, Norris Design, stated the ODP consists of two plan areas with a north/south access road
from Drake Road to Thunderbird Drive and an access road out to College Avenue. He noted the plan
also includes minimum street sections for the access roads. He stated the property is underutilized and
this ODP will provide the framework for future development, though no uses are proposed at this time.
Commissioner Bruxvoort asked about the right-of-way dedication around the property perimeter.
McBreen replied there is 7/10 of an acre being dedicated which includes frontage along McClelland,
Thunderbird, College, and Drake.
Staff Analysis
Kleer reviewed the compliance requirements for ODP standards, three of which are not applicable to this
ODP evaluation. He noted the specific uses have yet to be determined; however, the applicant has
stated it will pursue any uses that are allowed in the GC zone district and TOD overlay zone at the time
of development which provides for future adaptability for the ODP should any of the GC standards change
as part of the commercial corridor Land Use Code work that is being done now.
Kleer noted one of the important considerations for the Commission will be the cross-section of
McClelland Drive in the Midtown Plan which calls for a 15-foot parkway and 15-foot walkway. He stated
staff worked with the applicant and it appears the 10-foot walkway and 10-foot parkway is likely the most
feasible continuous walkway cross-section that can be achieved throughout the corridor.
Kleer noted the ODP identifies which improvements are necessary per the traffic impact study, including
a left-hand turn lane, a right-hand deceleration lane going east bound on Drake Road, level of service
improvements for pedestrian connectivity around the perimeter of the site, and frontage improvements
along College Avenue. Additionally, Kleer noted the ODP contains a drainage master plan for the site.
Kleer stated staff finds overall compliance with all relevant ODP standards and recommends approval of
the plan.
Commission Questions
Commissioner Bruxvoort asked about the 10% design along College Avenue. Kleer replied work was
done with consultants during the study of the corridor to develop enough design showing general
concepts of implementing the vision of the Midtown Plan for the College Corridor. McBreen stated it is
essentially a conceptual design without the final engineering components.
Chair Sass asked if the frontage road that starts to the south of the property is going to continue to the
north. Steve Gilchrist, Traffic Engineer, replied that the frontage road will dead end into the east/west
access road, though there will be bike and pedestrian connectivity to the frontage road.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Commissioner Shepard asked if the expectation is for multiple end users or a single development. Kleer
replied the expectation is for multiple end users and conceptual review applications have been submitted
for a bank, gas station, and multi-family development on the western portion. He stated the developers
who are shepherding this application through the development review process originally looked to
develop the multi-family portion; however, the market is currently not favorable for multi-family
development.
Commissioner Shepard asked if this would be the right stage to consider a unified, cohesive design
theme, use of common exterior materials, or commonality in the landscape concept or other design
elements. Kleer replied that those factors could be considered at this stage. He noted that the Land Use
Code requires cohesiveness in multiple building developments under the same development. However,
when they develop separately, there is more room for being more individualistic in design. He noted
there are compatibility requirements; however, staff cannot require the level of sameness that could be
envisioned with an overall development plan.
Public Participation
Greg Golz, 2632 Killdeer Drive, stated a bank or gas station use would be counterproductive to future
City goals including climate neutrality plans. He stated places such as natural areas cannot be preserved
without adding housing somewhere. He suggested encouraging first floor commercial uses with dense
housing on floors above.
Applicant Response
Logan Heath stated no uses have been finalized, and they are not opposed to housing.
Kleer noted the site is an Urban Renewal Authority plan area which aims to help achieve the visions in
the Midtown Plan, which does include the densification of the corridor. Additionally, the URA will be able
to partner with developers to help achieve those visions.
Commission Questions/Deliberation
Chair Sass asked about the status of the City’s transportation corridor requirements for or limits on auto-
centric businesses. Clay Frickey, Planning Manager, replied the ODP would permit whatever uses are
permitted in the General Commercial zone district at the time of project development plan submittal.
Kleer concurred and stated Council recently had a work session on the transit corridor and generally
seemed to agree with potentially restricting some of those uses within the corridor itself. He noted those
ideas are being circulated around the business community to determine the right approach to balance
how the corridor evolves over time.
Chair Sass questioned whether there is any reason to worry about setting ODP guidelines when there is
a potential shift in restrictions with the forthcoming Land Use Code commercial corridor updates.
Commissioner Shepard commended the completeness of the packet, information provided,
presentations, and work session information. He stated this seems like a fairly standard ODP given the
fact that it is really an overall redevelopment plan. He stated the extent of improvements is surprising
given the site is in the middle of town and concurred with the staff recommendation of approval.
Chair Sass concurred and commented on the traffic issues along Drake Road.
Commissioner Shepard noted optimization of signal time was discussed as being the only available
solution at the work session, which is not surprising given the location.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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5/15/25 – MINUTES Page 14
Commissioner York made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bruxvoort, that the Planning
Zoning Commission approve the Southwest Corner of Drake and College Overall Development
Plan ODP250002 finding that the overall development plan complies with all applicable Land Use
Code requirements. This decision is based on the agenda materials, the information presented
during the work session and this hearing, and the Commission discussion. The Commission
adopts the information, analysis, findings of fact, and conclusions regarding this ODP contained
in the hearing staff report. Yeas: Bruxvoort, Connelly, Shepard, York, and Sass. Nays: none.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
5. WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN UPDATE
This is a request for Recommendation to City Council for adoption of the
updated Water Efficiency Plan (WEP). The Water Conservation Division,
in partnership with other One Water Utilities teams and City departments,
has updated the WEP, which is a State-required plan for the Fort Collins
One Water Utilities service area. The updated WEP sets two new goals,
and a variety of strategies intended to reduce risk and impact of water
shortages by (1) lowering treated water use across the Utility service
area and (2) building landscape resilience on City-owned properties.
This update incorporated extensive community engagement, analysis of
historical and projected future water use and efficiency savings under a
range of climate and growth predictions, and alignment with City efforts
including Our Climate Future.
STAFF:
Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Specialist
Staff Presentation
Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Specialist, provided an overview of the updated Water Efficiency
Plan (WEP), long-term goals for water efficiency in the community, and strategies to meet those goals
by 2040. She stated staff is seeking a recommendation to Council to adopt the updated Water Efficiency
Plan, which is currently out for public comment, input from Boards and Commissions, and a review from
the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Conovitz stated the WEP focuses on the Fort Collins Utilities water service area, which covers about 80%
of the population and about 60% of the land area of the city. She noted the Plan is required by the State
but is also an important tool as a guide for long-term water use and efficiency. She noted the last Plan
was from 2015, and at that time a goal was set to lower demand to 130 gallons per capita per day by
2030. She stated progress has been made toward that goal, though the only year it was reached was
the very wet year of 2023.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Conovitz stated the goals and strategies for this update focused on minimizing the risk of water shortage
and using conservation and efficiency as one way to do that. She noted growth and the warming climate
drive demand, which in turn drives more risk for water shortage. She stated the updated WEP provides
two goals that replace the existing goal. The first is a 4% annual reduction in treated water demand by
2040 to reduce the risk of shortages, which includes three targets: to lower the annual treated water
demand by 320 million gallons below projected by 2040, double the volume of savings from efficiency
strategies by 2040, and lower treated water use at City properties by 5 million gallons by 2040. The
second goal is to improve water efficiency and build resilience on City-owned landscapes to benefit the
community and the environment, which includes a target of implementing at least seven projects by 2040.
Conovitz outlined the proposed strategies that will be used to help achieve the goals, including
behavioral, economic, infrastructure, and regulatory strategies. She stated the strategies were prioritized
based on water savings potential, cost, feasibility, equitable outcomes, and acceptance. She stated
public input shows that people like incentives but are open to thoughtful regulation and noted
conservation program savings are considerably cheaper than solutions such as acquiring more water
rights.
Conovitz noted staff is planning to take the final version of the WEP before Council in September for
adoption.
Commission Questions
Commissioner Shepard noted a building permit requires a water supply requirement in addition to a tap
fee and noted if the water supply requirement is based on the number of bedrooms and amount and type
of outdoor landscaping. He asked if a price reduction would be offered on the water supply requirement
to a developer who has a raw water or gray water system. Conovitz replied that capability does not exist
currently as the City is not set up to be able to fully vet the longevity of a well for example.
Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Manager, stated those incentives are not currently built in, but a
broader look at opportunities for incentives to reduce the water supply requirement in exchange for less
water demand on a property is included as a strategy in the WEP.
Chair Sass commented on the large number of various plans in the City.
Commissioner Shepard asked if peer cities have been examined regarding this Plan. Conovitz replied
in the affirmative and noted peer water providers in Fort Collins have also been consulted.
Commission Deliberation
Commissioner York noted the Plan is required and stated the only consideration he may add is a more
aggressive approach.
Commissioner Shepard commended the level of detail in the presentation.
Chair Sass suggested possibly including some references regarding alignment with Our Climate Future.
Conovitz stated there are references to alignment with Our Climate Future and other plans across the
City in various places throughout the WEP.
Public Participation
None.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Commissioner York made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shepard, that the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommend that City Council adopt the proposed updated Water Efficiency
Plan because the Plan meets the needs of the City and the State requirements as mentioned
during the hearing. This decision is based on the agenda materials, the information presented
during the work session and this hearing, and the Commission discussion. Yeas: Connelly, York,
Bruxvoort, Shepard, and Sass. Nays: none.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
a. Chair Sass moved to adjourn the P&Z Commission hearing. The meeting was adjourned at
11:22 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Krista Kidwell
Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 07/17/25.
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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Development Review Staff Report Item 2
Planning Services Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 p. 970-416-4311 f. 970.224.6134 www.fcgov.com
1. Background
ROLE OF THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Natural Areas planning occurs at two levels: systemwide and across management zones. The Strategic Framework is the
systemwide plan that provides structure for other Natural Areas’ planning efforts. The Strategic Framework will be
updated every ten years and adopted by City Council.
The Strategic Framework sets the foundation of a vision, values, and goals that supports action-based management zone
planning. Natural Areas organizes its work into six geographic management zones generally defined by ecosystem
type. Management zones are adaptively managed through annual check-ins and a comprehensive zone plan update
every seven years. The Natural Areas Director administratively adopts zone plans. The ongoing nature of zone-based
planning and the ten-year cycle to update the Strategic Plan create a consistent cadence to gather targeted community
input, highlight the unique character of each zone, and identify management actions that inform work planning and
budgeting.
Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing: July 17, 2025
Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Summary of Request
This is a request for a recommendation to City Council regarding
adoption of the Natural Areas Strategic Framework as a component
of City Plan. The Framework updates the City’s 2014 Natural Areas
Master Plan and serves as a systemwide guide for the planning and
management of the Natural Areas Department (NAD) over the
coming decade. Rooted in ballot language, extensive community
engagement, and broader City policies, the Framework articulates
an updated vision, set of values, and strategic goals for the
Department. It provides the foundation for action-oriented planning
that will be implemented through zone-level management planning.
The Strategic Framework is scheduled for first reading at City
Council on July 15 and is scheduled for second reading on August
19. Staff is seeking a recommendation to City Council from the
Planning and Zoning Commission during the July 17 Hearing.
Next Steps
• July 11, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Work
Session
• July 15, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting, First Reading
• July 17, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Public
Hearing
• August 19, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting, Second
Reading
Applicant
City of Fort Collins
PO BOX 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Staff
Julia Feder, Conservation & Stewardship
Planning Manager, Natural Areas
Kelly Smith, Senior Environmental Planner
Contents
1. Background
2. Community Engagement
3. Board/Commision/Committee
Recommendation
4. Attachments
Packet Pg. 21
P&Z - Agenda Item 2
Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 2 of 4
Back to Top
The Strategic Framework aligns with broader City values and priorities and integrates input gathered through robust public
outreach. It reflects the community’s continued commitment to land conservation, ecological health, and equitable access
to nature.
VISION, VALUES AND GOALS
The Strategic Framework introduces a refreshed vision, a set of Department values, and updated goals that map closely
to community priorities and City strategic policies. The vision, values, and goals reflect City values and plans, while
remaining rooted in the language of the department’s two funding measures.
The Strategic Framework carries forward and reaffirms NAD’s mission, “To conserve and enhance lands with natural
resource, agricultural, and scenic values, while providing meaningful education and appropriate recreation opportunities.”
2. Community Engagement
Public engagement set the foundation for this planning effort, with extensive outreach to community members, partners,
City boards and commissions, and City Council. Engagement occurred in two phases. Phase 1 sought to gather input that
informed the concepts and themes of the plan. Phase 2 provided an opportunity for the community to relay feedback on a
draft plan.
Role Strategic Framework
Vision The Vision provides inspiration to ground
ideal state towards which the Department
works
Thriving Ecosystems for a Greater
Fort Collins Community
Values Values reflect the City’s organizational
values while highlighting the Department’s
distinct focus on ecological protection and
management. These values play an
important role in the Department’s planning
and prioritization.
• Ecological Function
• Resource Protection
• Connectivity
• Integrity
• Safety & Wellbeing
• Belonging
• Service
• Partnership
Goals Goals describe the major areas of work for
the Department in the coming decade.
1. Conserve and Protect
Land & Water
2. Strengthen Habitats &
Ecological Resilience
3. Support Access to Nature
4. Foster Community Connections &
Stewardship
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P&Z - Agenda Item 2
Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 3 of 4
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PHASE 1 ENGAGEMENT
Initial engagement involved nearly 5,000 community touchpoints and provided valuable insights that strongly supported the
department’s conservation mission, a commitment to adaptive and responsible land management, and a deep community
desire to stay connected with nature. In addition to general information sharing, engagement methods included:
• Memos to and a City Council work session
• Land Conservation and Stewardship Board (LCSB) member and ballot writer interviews, along with multiple
discussion items on LCSB meeting agendas
• Discussion item at multiple boards and commissions, and a Super Issues Board meeting
• Small group discussions with historically underrepresented groups and partner organizations
• Interactive discussions with a Technical Advisory Committee representing diverse perspectives
• Online questionnaires
• Interactive tabling at community events and natural area trailheads
PHASE 2 ENGAGEMENT
Engagement with the draft Strategic Framework provided an opportunity for the community to share feedback on the plan.
In addition to broadly engaging the public with the draft plan, targeted outreach to community members who previously
participated in the Strategic Framework process were asked whether the plan reflects their priorities. Overall, the community
expressed strong support for the draft Strategic Framework, describing it as comprehensive, engaging, and aligned with the
community’s priorities and vision. Feedback themes included:
• Continuing to protect land, water, and habitats, along with stewardship of these resources
• Taking a holistic approach to managing natural areas by balancing conservation, access, and community
involvement
• Enhancing educational programming and communication
• Leveraging partnerships to amplify the impact of NAD’s work
These efforts resulted in:
• More than 1,200 visits to the Natural Areas Strategic Framework webpage on Our City.
• More than 500 clicks to view the Draft Strategic Framework.
• Approximately 50 detailed points of feedback.
3. Boards/Commissions/Committee Recommendation
Staff visited the following Boards. Recommendations are attached.
• Land Conservation and Stewardship Board – November 8 (2023), September 9 (2024), October 9 (2024),
February 12 (2025), April 9 (2025), May 14 (2025)
• Water Commission – February 19 (2025), May 15 (2025)
• Natural Resource Advisory Board – October 16 (2024), March 12 (2025)
• Air Quality Advisory Board – March 17 (2025)
• Active Modes Advisory Board – March 17 (2025)
• Super Issues Board and Commission Meeting – June 10 (2024)
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P&Z - Agenda Item 2
Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 4 of 4
Back to Top
4. Attachments
1. Natural Areas Strategic Framework
2. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board minutes
3. Water Commission minutes
4. Natural Resource Advisory Board memo of support
5. October 22, 2024 City Council Work Session Summary
6. Staff Presentation
Packet Pg. 24
July 2025
NATURAL AREAS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 25
2
ACCESSIBILITY
Cover photo: Sunrise at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
Photo by: John Bartholow
Left: Mountain view from Arapaho Bend Natural Area
Photo by: Mark Yoder
For assistance viewing or reading any City documents, please call 970-221-6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for
Relay Colorado) for assistance, or contact the City’s ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fcgov.
com or phone: 970-416-4254.
More information at: https://fcgov.com/non-discrimination
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 26
3
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
3
We acknowledge and honor the lands situated within the City of Fort Collins as the
original homelands of the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Tsétsėhéstàhese (Cheyenne),
Numunuu (Comanche), Caiugu (Kiowa), Čariks i Čariks (Pawnee), Sosonih
(Shoshone), Oc’eti S’akowin (Lakota) and Núuchiu (Ute) Peoples.
This area is an important site of trade, gathering, and healing for these Native Nations. These lands
are home to a diverse urban Native community representing multiple Native Nations and Indigenous
Peoples. Despite forced removal and land dispossession, they continue to thrive as resilient members
of our community. We are grateful for Native community members and honor the rich cultural heritage
they bring to our collective community. We further recognize and value their social, intellectual,
economic, and cultural contributions.
The City of Fort Collins is committed to supporting, partnering, and working with the Native and
Indigenous community.
Right: Night sky at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Photo by: Jeremy White
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 27
HEADER 1
HEADER 2
HOW DO NATURAL AREAS FIT INTO THE
CITY AND HOW DOES THIS PLAN FIT INTO
NATURAL AREAS GUIDANCE?
Body Text
Body Text
4
Left: Foothills sunrise from Fossil Creek Wetlands Natural Area
Photo by: Rick Price
Right: Natural Areas Staff 2025
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 28
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
5
The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department would like to thank the voters of Fort Collins and
Larimer County for supporting the ballot initiatives that fund the work that is so close to the heart of
the community. For over three decades, these dedicated sales taxes have conserved over 55,000 acres
and 114 miles of trail in and around Fort Collins.
Thanks to the foresight of community members, thriving habitats and a connected landscape of
conserved land remains a priority in a fast-growing community. Protected spaces locally and regionally
allow everyone to connect with nature. Residents continue to share their support for forward-looking
management that will help protect these special spaces in a changing world.
We look forward to working with the community to enhance the protection of our precious natural
spaces and enjoy all the reasons these are treasured places. We invite you to join us in supporting
Natural Areas’ growth and strong management in the coming decade!
- City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department Staff
NOTE FROM NATURAL AREAS STAFF
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
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6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...................................................................................................8
Conservation and Stewardship Planning ..................................................10
Vision .......................................................................................................14
Values ........................................................................................................16
Resource Protection ......................................................................................18
Ecological Function ....................................................................................19
Connectivity .................................................................................................20
Integrity ............................................................................................................21
Safety & Wellbeing ....................................................................................22
Belonging ......................................................................................................23
Service .............................................................................................................24
Partnership .....................................................................................................25
Goals ........................................................................................................26
Goal 1: Conserve and Protect Land & Water ......................................28
Goal 2: Strengthen Habitats & Ecological Resilience .......................30
Goal 3: Support Access to Nature ...........................................................32
Goal 4: Foster Community Connections & Stewardship .................34
Community Engagement ...........................................................................36
Conclusion ....................................................................................................41
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................43
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STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
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Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
Photo by: John Bartholow
To conserve and enhance lands with natural resource,
agricultural, and scenic values, while providing meaningful
education and appropriate recreation opportunities.
NATURAL AREAS DEPARTMENT MISSION:
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The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department (the Department or NAD) recently celebrated 30
years of service to the Northern Colorado community through permanent land conservation while
providing access to nature and meaningful education.
Over three decades, the Natural Areas Department has grown from protecting and
managing 13 sites to 53 natural areas, across 55,000+ acres with 114 miles of trails.
Natural areas protect a diversity of habitats, wildlife, and native plant communities while enhancing the
community’s health, cultural connections, scientific knowledge, and economic vitality.
INTRODUCTION
DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE
The community highly values natural areas and
voters have funded conservation through citizen-
initiated, dedicated city and county sales taxes
since 1992. City staff have built community-
informed guidance documents for conservation
and stewardship that ensure land acquisition and
management align with the ballot language and
community feedback. The 2004 and 2014 NAD
Master Plans provide robust documentation of
the history, funding, land and water conservation,
and stewardship activities over the
Department’s history.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Strategic Framework uses the ballot language
as an anchor, draws on citywide guidances such
as the City Mission, Vision, and Values, and
incorporates the experience and lessons learned
over three decades of managing natural areas
to create high level guidance and direction for
NAD’s work. Future projects, Management Zone
Updates, and initiatives will be reviewed to ensure
that they meet one or more of the values and
goals outlined in this document.
1992
1997
Natural
Areas Tax
2002Open Space
Yes!
Building
Community
Choices
Natural Areas
Master Plan
2014
Land Conservation &
Stewardship Master Plan
2004
Natural Areas Policy Plan
1992
Larimer County
‘Help Preserve
Open Space’
Ballots
Fort Collins
Ballots
1995
1999
2014
2025
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1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
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CHALLENGES NATURAL AREAS WILL FACE
IN THE COMING YEARS INCLUDE:
•Increasing risks of flooding, wildfires, invasive
species, and stressed ecosystems due to
climate change and population growth
•Increasing needs for infrastructure
maintenance and lifecycle replacement
•Increasing visitation and recreation use
•Competing, diversifying, and conflicting
community interests
•Limited opportunities to conserve and protect
additional land and water
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMING YEARS
OF NATURAL AREAS INCLUDE:
•Building on land conservation
accomplishments through future acquisitions
and conservation easements
•Bringing together people who value
natural spaces
•Partnering with a greater number of
volunteers, non-profits, community members
and other agencies to conserve land, improve
habitats, and provide visitor opportunities
•Building resilience and community around
natural areas
WHY PLAN NOW
While the goals of land conservation are
inherently long-term, the surrounding world
is constantly evolving. The goals and values
defined in the Strategic Framework will anchor
NAD in consistently delivering its mission
while addressing emerging challenges and
opportunities. These factors will guide planning
for projects, prioritization of actions, and ongoing
adaptive management over the next 10-20 years.
American tree sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) resting on rabbitbrush (Ericomeria nauseosa)
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
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CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP PLANNING
The vision, values, and goals defined in the Strategic Framework provide direction to the Department’s
planning and prioritization processes. To support site-specific management, natural areas are
organized into six zones representing similar ecosystems and regions. Each zone completes a
management update every seven years. Together, the Strategic Framework and Management Zone
Updates provide a planning toolbox that supports the Department to determine specific management
actions that will be taken in the coming years. Annual metrics and Department reports share stories of
actions taken and progress towards goals.
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MONTANE ZONE
CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER ZONE
FOOTHILLS ZONE
MOUNTAINS TO PLAINS ZONE
FOSSIL CREEK ZONE
MA
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
ZO
N
E
U
P
D
A
T
E
S
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS UPDATED ITERATIVELY
BALLOT MEASURES CITYWIDE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY
Help Preserve
Open Space
Mission, Vision &
Values
Natural Area
Mission
Engagement &
Feedback
Open Space Yes!City Plans
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MANAGEMENT ZONES
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The Natural Areas Department Strategic Framework takes into context the ways the Fort Collins
community is changing today and will continue to evolve in the coming decade, including a
growing population, evolving science and lessons learned in land management, and pressures like
climate change.
The Strategic Framework aligns with the ballot direction that funds natural areas and builds on NAD’s
current plans, initiatives, and efforts to refine guiding principles and provides direction for the next 10-
20 years. The Strategic Framework features:
Coyotes at Fossil Creek Reservoir in the winter
Photo by: Brent Eelman
The vision provides inspiration to ground and motivate
future actions. It describes the ideal state towards which the
Department works. VISION
The NAD values reflect the City’s values while highlighting
the Department’s distinct focus on ecological protection
and management. These values play an important role in the
Department’s planning and prioritization.
VALUES
The Strategic Framework goals create the building blocks for
the long-range functions of the Department and describe the
major areas of work in the coming decade.
GOALS
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Resource Protection •
Connectivity • Ecological Function • Service • Partnership • Safety & Wellbeing
• Integrity • Belonging
VALUES
Foster
Community
Connections &
Stewardship
4
Strengthen
Habitats &
Ecological
2
Support Access to Nature3
Conserve and Protect Land & Water1
GOALS
VISION
Thriving Ecosystems
for a Greater Fort
Collins Community
VISION VALUES GOALS
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Summer at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
VISION
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THRIVING ECOSYSTEMS FOR A
GREATER FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY
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Walking west at Coyote Ridge Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
VALUES
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RESOURCE PROTECTION
ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION
CONNECTIVITY
INTEGRITY
SAFETY & WELLBEING
BELONGING
SERVICE
PARTNERSHIP
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Examples of Resource Protection:
RESTORATION TO SUPPORT CRITICAL
COMMON SPECIES
The rich habitat corridor created by a chain
of natural areas along the Poudre River spans
over 2,000 acres. NAD’s stewardship of these
properties, along with large-scale restoration
projects at McMurry, North Shields Ponds,
Kingfisher, and Running Deer natural areas,
has led to an increase in common native
wildlife and plants such as plains cottonwoods,
chokecherries, and beavers.
INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
AT SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area protects 22,000
acres of shortgrass prairie and riparian habitats,
alongside cultural resources, such as the
Lindenmeier Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Cultural resource surveys and guidance from
Native American and Indigenous partners will
inform planning and project efforts, as the
Department works to sustain and improve
ecosystem health.
VALUE: RESOURCE PROTECTION
Left: Bison (Bison bison) at Soapstone Prairie
Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
Right: Flowers blooming at Crossline Canyon
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
The Department supports species and features
characteristic of the region’s ecosystem
and heritage.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
• Protecting threatened and endangered
species and other species of greatest
conservation need
• Enhancing populations of critical
common species
• Creating and enhancing wetland habitats
using secured water resources
• Safeguarding and honoring cultural and
paleontological resources
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Examples of Ecological Function:
MIMICKING NATURAL DISTURBANCE TO
ENHANCE PRAIRIE HEALTH
In the Mountains to Plains Zone, Soapstone
Prairie Natural Area contains some of the
last remaining intact, high-quality shortgrass
prairie and foothills shrublands along the Front
Range of Colorado. Application of tools such as
responsible grazing and prescribed fire allow
the Department to support threatened and rare
species of plants and animals that have evolved
with these natural disturbances.
WORKING TO KEEP WATER IN THE
POUDRE RIVER
In the Poudre River Zone, the City of Fort
Collins is collaborating with regional partners
on the Poudre Flows Plan, an innovative project
that aims to reconnect 52 miles of the Poudre
River during times of low flow. Under the plan,
Natural Areas, Fort Collins One Water Utility,
and other partners are upgrading existing water
infrastructure to deliver protected instream
flows that preserve and improve the health of
the Poudre River.
VALUE: ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION
The Department works to sustain and improve
the health and resilience of natural systems.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Connecting rivers and streams to their
floodplain and sustaining instream flows
•Introducing or continuing disturbance
management to mimic natural cycles
•Supporting ecological research and sharing
discoveries with the community to further
inspire stewardship
•Monitoring and collecting data to inform
adaptive ecological management
Disturbance Management is the process of
using selected natural disturbances such as
fire or grazing to stimulate plant growth and
encourage system resilience.
Adaptive Management:
TakeTakeAction
MeasureResults
MakeAdjustments
Plan
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Left: Connecting with trail at Soapstone Prairie
Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
Right: Pineridge Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
VALUE: CONNECTIVITY Examples of Connectivity:
LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY CONNECTED
TRAIL SYSTEM
The City of Fort Collins offers an extensive
trail network that includes more than 50
miles of paved trails weaving throughout the
community and creating regional connections
to neighboring cities such as Loveland, Timnath,
Windsor, Laporte, and Greeley. Complementing
this system, the soft surface trails create
connections between conserved lands managed
by municipal, county, state, and federal
agencies. Together, these trails physically
connect the community both locally and
regionally while providing visitors with access
to nature.
HABITAT CONNECTIVITY: YEARS IN THE
MAKING AT MAGPIE MEANDER
The 21 natural areas in Poudre River Zone
represent years of relationship-building and
conservation work – sometimes just a few
acres at a time. In northwest Fort Collins,
Magpie Meander Natural Area has grown to 72
acres over nine years through six acquisitions.
This protects a relic river oxbow, important
wetland and riparian habitat, and creates
connections between neighborhoods and the
river ecosystem.
The Department protects a connected landscape
of conserved land to support ecosystems and
create movement corridors that provide a
balance of services to both wildlife and people.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Conserving properties adjoining previously
conserved spaces
•Sustaining the health of the Poudre
River watershed
•Supporting connections to natural areas
between the places the community lives,
works, and plays
•Supporting regional efforts to create an
interconnected multi-use trail network while
protecting natural resources
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VALUE: INTEGRITY Examples of Integrity:
THANK YOU VOTERS!
City and County sales taxes fund NAD’s
mission to conserve sensitive habitats and
provide public access to nature thanks to two
community-initiated ballot measures. NAD
maintains a long-range financial plan that
spans the life of each tax initiative and projects
funds available for land acquisition, habitat
enhancement, operations, maintenance, and
staffing. Each year, NAD publishes an annual
report outlining major accomplishments
towards the ballot language mandates and
department goals.
CLEANUP AFTER CAMERON PEAK FIRE
Following the Cameron Peak Fire’s run through
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, a new concern
emerged. Post-fire inspection revealed a
previously undocumented dump site. Staff
weighed options including keeping the dump
site in place and monitoring for contamination
or removing all the potentially hazardous
materials from Bobcat Ridge. Knowing that in
this fire adapted landscape the site was prone
to burn again, NAD moved quickly to fully
remediate the dump and remove all hazards. By
leveraging internal and external collaborations,
NAD completed the project on time and
under budget.
The Department implements the community’s
vision and values by responsible management
of the community’s ecological, financial, and
social resources.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Utilizing data-informed planning and
management processes
•Maximizing the impact of dedicated sales
tax funding while considering the long-term
budget forecast
•Ensuring that employees have access to
the tools and support needed to complete
their work
•Reporting annually on revenues, expenses,
and progress towards goals
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Left: Wayfinding sign at Soapstone Prairie
Photo by: Logan Simpson
Right: Participants in Club Outdoors jumping in the tall grass
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
Examples of Safety & Wellbeing:
COLLABORATING TO ENSURE RIVER
SAFETY
As snow melts from the Rockies, outdoor
enthusiasts flock to the Poudre River to enjoy
tubing, white water rafting, fishing, picnicking
and kayaking. However, during peak runoff
when the river conditions can be dangerous
and even deadly, public safety messaging
and patrol is critical. During high water flows,
NAD partners with cross-City departments,
Poudre Fire Authority, and the Poudre Heritage
Alliance on coordinated river access point
closures and consistent messaging to keep the
public informed.
SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE
WAYFINDING PROJECT
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is a remote and
vast site with over 30 miles of single-track trail.
While visitation is lower than other natural areas,
Natural Area Rangers frequently field calls from
visitors lost on the trail system. In 2024, based
on visitor feedback, the Department designed
and implemented a more comprehensive
wayfinding sign program at Soapstone Prairie.
Since installing updated signs, visitors have
called for assistance less often and have
provided positive feedback on the reliability of
the signs.
The Department provides safe environments
for community members to engage with, be
physically active in, and find renewal through
time spent in nature, while also protecting
natural systems.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Implementing education and communication
campaigns focused on visitor safety
•Emphasizing the importance of practicing
proper trail etiquette
•Providing ranger presence and support across
the system through cordial and informational
contacts, alongside regulation enforcement
•Factoring mental health and wellness benefits
into decision making
•Implementing projects to ensure ADA
compliance and enhancing experiences for
diverse abilities
VALUE: SAFETY & WELLBEING
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Examples of Belonging:
NATURE RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
Since 2015, the Department has managed
implementation of the municipality’s Nature
in the City program that works to integrate
nature into every corner of the community and
everyday life. From pollinator patches to hands
on, outdoor classrooms, the community finds
diverse ways to connect with nature across over
100 projects.
BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS TO
ACCESSING NATURE
In partnership with the local Boys & Girls Club
organization, NAD engages kids in deep and
meaningful education programs each summer.
The Club Outdoors program works with kids
that otherwise might not have opportunities and
time to spend outside with their families. This
three-week summer experience includes a series
of field trips and hands-on experiences ranging
from dip netting in the Poudre River to nature
journaling at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area.
VALUE: BELONGING
The Department ensures activities and places
welcome all and encourage a diversity of
experiences.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Acquiring natural spaces near the places the
community lives, works, learns, and plays
•Creating fun and formative educational
experiences for young people to encourage a
lifelong love of the outdoors
•Translating print and digital materials,
including signs and brochures
•Providing volunteer stewardship opportunities
for community members to give back to the
places they love
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Left: Lunar eclipse in dark skies
Photo by: Greg Halec
Right: On the trail at Kestrel Fields Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
Examples of Service:
CITYWIDE SITE CLEANUP TEAM
Since fall 2022, a team of multiple City
departments and community partners has met
weekly to organize outreach and support for
unhoused community members and coordinate
cleanups for sites with trash and hazardous
materials. This collaboration provides inclusive
engagement, transparent data collection and
analysis to inform future actions, and explores
alternative shelter options and programs for
those experiencing homelessness. As a part
of this team, NAD protects sensitive resources
while ensuring the safety of staff and creating a
welcoming environment for all.
NIGHT SKY MONITORING
Light pollution can disrupt wildlife’s breeding
and migration patterns, reduce survival, and
deter animals from using their natural habitat.
In collaboration with the National Park Service,
the Department trained community members
to monitor artificial light levels in natural
areas to help the Department and community
understand potential wildlife impacts and
educate neighbors on night sky friendly updates
to exterior outdoor lighting.
VALUE: SERVICE
The Department demonstrates honesty,
transparency, inclusivity, and respect by
providing authentic and diverse engagement
opportunities that focus on listening and
active participation.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
•Offering diverse volunteer opportunities
across natural areas
•Engaging surrounding neighborhoods and
diverse communities in zone-based planning
and project implementation efforts
•Providing clear and concise instructions
for permitting
•Educating about regulations and how they
protect natural areas and visitors
•Communicating wayfinding, accessibility and
programming opportunities using a variety
of media
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Examples of Partnership:
PARTNERING FOR CONSERVATION AND
CONNECTIONS AT KESTREL FIELDS
NATURAL AREA
The 73-acre Kestrel Fields Natural Area provides
access to nature, a safe route to schools, and
the opportunity to experience a diversity of
conservation activities. As the site of one of
two pilot conservation agriculture projects,
Kestrel Fields supports small-scale restoration
alongside fields of locally grown fruits and
vegetables. One of the most important projects
on this site is a native seed bank project, which
provides critical supplies for restoration projects
throughout the Natural Areas network.
URBAN PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS
MULTIPLE CITY GOALS
In northwest Fort Collins, a cross-City
partnership supports multiple goals through
the acquisition of and planning for the 54-
acre Puente Verde Natural Area. The site
will eventually support multiple stormwater
detention ponds designed to mimic natural
habitats, like what is found on the beloved Red
Fox Meadows Natural Area. Additionally, NAD
is holding 2 acres of the property with existing
buildings that may be purchased by the City’s
Social Sustainability team with an eye toward
development of affordable housing.
VALUE: PARTNERSHIP
The Department leverages shared decision-
making and invests in increasing the impact
of conservation actions through building
relationships across City departments, agencies,
and with community groups.
This includes prioritizing actions such as:
• Working with Larimer County Department of
Natural Resources and regional municipalities
to conserve land and water and provide
habitat protections across Northern Colorado
• Leveraging cross-department expertise and
opportunities to meet NAD goals alongside
other City goals such as stormwater
protection, safe routes to school, increasing
pollinator habitat, and affordable housing
• Supporting region-wide coordination efforts
such as NoCoPlaces regional planning, the
NoCo Fireshed Collaborative, and trails such
as the Poudre Trail and the Colorado Front
Range Trail
• Completing routine surveys of plants and
animals and contributing to regional data sets
and monitoring efforts
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Sunrise at Soapstone Prairie
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
GOALS
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CONSERVE AND PROTECT LAND & WATER
STRENGTHEN HABITATS & BUILD RESILIENCY
SUPPORT ACCESS TO NATURE
FOSTER COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS & STEWARDSHIP
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GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT LAND & WATER
Examples of Conserving and
Protecting Land & Water:
PROTECTING LAND TO SUPPORT
REGIONAL CONSERVATION NETWORK
Between 2022 and 2023, the Department
partnered with the Larimer County Department
of Natural Resource to acquire two properties,
adding 675 acres of conserved land to Bobcat
Ridge Natural Area. This regional natural area
creates a buffer between the protected wildland
of the Roosevelt National Forest and more
developed urban areas to the east, while allowing
visitors to enjoy access to a broad landscape of
conserved land. This conservation effort was a
priority because of its adjacency to previously
conserved NAD land, as well as its proximity to
large areas of protected open space. By acquiring
this property, NAD extended protections for many
large mammal species frequently found in this
area including elk, black bear, mountain lions, and
of course, bobcats.
In the coming decade, the Department will
prioritize protecting land and water with high
conservation value including unique wildlife
habitats, rare plants, instream flows, and
extending landscape-scale conservation work.
The Department will work to introduce these
areas to the community in ways that respects
and upholds the integrity of these ecosystems.
NAD supports the biodiversity and landscape of
Northern Colorado through continued dedication
to its conservation-first mission. As the region
grows, less land and water are available for
acquisition and the cost of acquisition increases.
At the same time, there are still connections to
be made, important habitats to be conserved,
opportunities to add more water to riparian
areas, and chances to make access to nature
more equitable.
The Department will address these challenges and
opportunities by:
• Working with willing landowners to acquire
additional properties
• Continuing to connect riparian corridors,
regional landscapes, community separators,
and neighborhood natural areas
• Engaging private landowners to secure and
monitor conservation easements
• Protecting flows in the Cache la Poudre
Watershed and enhancing instream flows
The protection of land and water sustains connected landscapes, sensitive and
important habitats, and the cultural connections and heritage of the region.
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A NEW NATURAL AREA FOR
NORTHWEST FORT COLLINS
In northwest Fort Collins, just off Willox
Avenue, the Department has been working
to protect a series of properties along Dry
Creek, a tributary of the Poudre River. Between
2017 and 2022, six properties were acquired
totaling approximately 40 acres. This area has
long been identified as both a wildlife corridor
and a part of the community in need of trail
connections for residents. The Department
prioritized this area for acquisition to help address
adjacent neighborhood feedback that they
felt disconnected from nature and the Poudre
River corridor.
In the coming decade, the Natural Areas
Department will continue to acquire properties
that can serve as neighborhood natural areas
and uphold the unique character and heritage
of the community. The Department will work
to ensure all residents have access to high
quality nature.
The Natural Areas Department will establish
updated metrics tracking land and water
conservation, including the balance of
local and regional land protection and flow
protection efforts.
Sunset at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
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GOAL 2: STRENGTHEN HABITATS & ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE
Examples of Strengthening Habitat
and Ecological Resilience:
MANAGING FOR CHANGING CONDITIONS
ON COYOTE RIDGE NATURAL AREA
Just southwest of Fort Collins, sits a complex
of conserved lands, including Coyote Ridge
Natural Area. This acreage provides an important
separator between two quickly growing Northern
Colorado communities. It also tells the story
of the Department’s evolving approach to
restoration and ongoing management. Between
2007 and 2022, staff restored 800 acres of a
former dryland wheat field to a native shortgrass
prairie - 50 acres at a time. Over these years,
the Department’s restoration practice evolved to
incorporate the use of diverse seed mixes and
to prioritize ongoing monitoring. In recent years,
assessments of bird and plant diversity across
this area demonstrated the need to integrate
disturbance into the maturing restoration
project in order to maintain the vitality of the
restored habitat.
In the coming decade, the Department will
integrate beneficial disturbance across Coyote
Ridge and other natural areas through the
use of tools such as grazing and prescribed
fire. Using these tools, NAD will work to
support wildlife and plants, while enhancing
community resilience.
As the climate changes and the regional
population grows, plants and wildlife risk losing
key habitat elements resulting in potential loss to
biodiversity. The resulting less complex natural
systems are more susceptible to natural events
such as fire and flooding.
The Department will address these challenges by:
• Restoring land, rivers, and water
bodies through the application of best
available science
• Conducting baseline inventories and growing
long-term monitoring programs to guide
adaptive management
• Promoting habitat resilience through
responsible disturbance management
• Investing in the recovery and reintroduction
of native, rare, endangered, or locally extinct
species, while also working to maintain strong
populations of more common species
• Supporting cross-City objectives for
resilience including flood conveyance, carbon
sequestration, and heat island mitigation
Healthy ecosystems provide a wide range of habitats, clean water, and protection in
changing conditions, allowing plants and wildlife to thrive. Through restoration and
adaptive management, the Department works to take a data-informed approach to
improve the condition of ecosystems.
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KEEPING WATER IN THE POUDRE RIVER
AND IMPROVING IMPORTANT HABITAT
In partnership with Fort Collins One Water Utility,
the Department set out to maintain a unique City
water right that keeps flows in the Poudre River
for fish, wildlife, and recreation. The Colorado
Water Law principle of “use it or lose it” means
water users must prove they are actively using
water rights for the intended use or potentially
lose the ability to use that water in the future. By
reviving a relic side-channel on Colorado State
University’s Environmental Learning Center, the
Department worked to protect existing instream
water rights and improve fish and wildlife habitat,
while reconnecting Running Deer Natural Area
to the river’s floodplain. The project also built
refuge pools to support the rare, native Plains
Topminnow, and installed large wood structures to
mimic the natural ecological function of animals
such as beavers. These structures reduce the
force of high flows, improve conditions for wildlife,
and concentrate flows to support fish habitat.
In the coming decade, Natural Areas will work
with regional partners to restore sections of
the Cache la Poudre River and its tributaries,
informed by the results of the Poudre River
Health Report. These efforts will work to
improve ecological function and protect the
health of the river.
Natural Areas will track progress by monitoring
the acres actively managed to improve plant
and wildlife habitat and the overall health of the
Poudre River watershed. Management actions
will adapt based on monitoring results.
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) seen at it’s namesake
Red Fox Meadows Natural Area
Photo by: Norm Keally
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 55
32
GOAL 3: SUPPORT ACCESS TO NATURE
Examples of Supporting Access to Nature:
SUSTAINABLE TRAIL MANAGEMENT IN
FOOTHILLS NATURAL AREAS
Natural areas just west of Fort Collins provide
excellent wildlife and plant habitat, scenic views,
and a treasured opportunity for the community
to connect with nature. While the terrain and
interconnected trail system make foothills
natural areas a coveted destination for outdoor
enthusiasts, the erosive soils, high visitation,
and steep slopes pose significant challenges
for ongoing maintenance and use. To protect
sensitive resources and create more sustainable
conditions, NAD staff rerouted several foothills
trails, reduced grades, blended soils, and
installed check ramps for durability. As this effort
continues, more trails can remain open to the
public when the region experiences wet and
muddy conditions, and staff can tackle ongoing
maintenance more sustainably.
In the coming decade, the Department will
monitor existing trail conditions and visitor use,
while designing new trails to minimize erosion,
protect habitats, preserve water quality, and
provide high quality and inclusive visitor use
experiences.
Access to nature draws people from across the
region to Fort Collins. As more people get out to
enjoy natural areas, they bring unique interests
and needs. While NAD and other regional
agencies face growing visitation pressure on
resources, they also recognize a growing need to
provide places of respite for community members
in a busy world.
NAD will address these challenges by:
• Developing and maintaining a sustainable trail
system to minimize erosion, protect habitats,
preserve water quality, and better adapt to
changing conditions
• Enhancing existing and developing new visitor
amenities to meet or exceed accessibility
standards where possible, ensuring a broad
range of inclusive nature-based experiences
for all ability levels
• Monitoring visitor use trends and community
desires to provide welcoming and inclusive
experiences in nature
• Providing high-quality visitor experiences
while protecting critical natural resources
• Participating in partnerships that foster a
coordinated visitor experience across the
region and align with state-level policies
and initiatives
Human connection to nature supports wellbeing, inspires a sense of community,
and instills a conservation ethic. By providing diverse opportunities to connect with
nature, the Department contributes to the overall welfare of the community in ways
that are grounded in resource protection, equity, and inclusion.
NATURAL AREAS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 56
33
ADVANCING ACCESSIBILITY THROUGH
DATA INFORMED DECISION MAKING
In 2024, the Natural Areas Department launched a
multi-year trail inventory initiative using the High
Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) to
gather detailed, objective data on trail conditions.
This advanced technology records grade,
cross-slope, width, and obstacles to provide a
comprehensive picture of trail accessibility. The
information will be shared with the public through
maps and on-site signage, helping visitors of
all abilities choose the trail that best suits their
accessibility needs. The data will also guide the
department in planning and prioritizing future trail
maintenance projects.
Over the next decade, the Natural Areas
Department will focus on collecting, digitizing,
and publicly sharing comprehensive trail
condition data to provide users with up-
to-date information to help them navigate
trails confidently and safely. In addition,
the Department will collaborate with local
and regional partners to share this data for
integration into broader, regionally connected
trail systems.
Learning on the trail at Kestrel Fields Natural Area
Photo by: Bill Walton
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 57
34
GOAL 4: FOSTER COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS & STEWARDSHIP
Examples of Fostering Community
Connections and Stewardship:
UPDATED SIGNS TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT
AND WELCOMING MESSAGING
In 2024, the Department embarked on an
ambitious multi-year project to establish
consistent sign messaging, design, placement,
and quantity across natural areas. An initial sign
inventory identified over 2,400 signs of various
designs and messaging across the natural areas
system. Additionally, an analysis of best practices
for effective and welcoming sign messaging was
completed. Together, the inventory and analysis
provide a data-informed foundation for the new
NAD Sign Manual that will guide signage across
the natural areas moving forward.
In the coming decade, the Department will
implement a strategy to ensure messaging is
effective, accessible, consistent, and provides
important information in a welcoming format.
The Department will work to keep stewardship
at the heart of the Fort Collins community by:
• Engaging diverse audiences through a
variety of education and outreach programs
that meet each group where they are with
inclusive messaging and transparency
• Upholding safety across the community
through regulation enforcement and
education about wildlife, visitor etiquette,
and resource protection
• Inspiring volunteerism to create a diverse
group of natural area ambassadors that drive
community actions around conservation
• Working with the Native American and
Indigenous community and other historically
underserved community groups to honor
connections to nature
• Bolstering stewardship beyond the
boundaries of natural areas through
investment in community-led projects and
support resources
As Fort Collins’ population changes, how people experience natural areas continues
to evolve. Natural Areas’ engagement and education bolster the community’s
commitment to conservation and land stewardship, inspiring people to protect the
environment on conserved lands and beyond.
NATURAL AREAS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 58
35
COLLABORATIVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
With training in first aid, visitor engagement, local
ecology, safety, and stewardship, the Volunteer
Ranger Assistants (VRAs) extend the reach of
Larimer County and City Rangers to educate the
public. In 2023, 81 VRAs contributed 1,672 hours
of service and made more than 6,300 contacts
with community members visiting natural areas
and open spaces across Larimer County. This
partnership expands the service and safety of
visitors, while cultivating community stewards.
In the coming decade, the Department will
continue to engage volunteers to support
the diverse aspects of it’s conservation
and stewardship efforts. Volunteers not
only dedicate their time and talents
to the Department’s mission, they are
community ambassadors.
The Department will evolve metrics related to
the impact of community connections and track
stewardship actions across the community.
VRA Lynn Larkin reflects on her experience:
“The beautiful Colorado outdoors has been
my love for my entire life. When I learned
Natural Areas, in partnership with Larimer
County Open Space, has a Volunteer Ranger
Assistant Program, I immediately applied.
This opportunity has enhanced every aspect
of my outdoor experience. In addition to
continuing education and training, I can
do what I love best, hiking, with additional
skills and support.”
Exploring the river bottom at McMurry Natural Area
Photo by: Bill Walton
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 59
36
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In creating this Strategic Framework, staff actively sought diverse perspectives to
help the document embody community-supported conservation and stewardship.
The Strategic Framework reflects the breadth and depth of perspectives from all segments of
the community. Data collection and analyses used mixed methods, integrating survey results and
conversations. This allowed a comprehensive approach to building insights on public perceptions
and preferences.
Broad community input was gathered in the following ways:
2,400
Interactions at
Community Events
16
Community Wide
Events Attended
590
Strategic Framework
Questionnaire
Responses
515
Our Lands Our Future
Questionnaire Responses
1,219
Statistically Valid
Results
Open Ended
Results
1 2
Efforts to make people
aware of engagement
opportunities or visited
the project website.
AWARE
Those that interacted with
the website by clicking on
a link, attending an event,
or asking a question.
INFORMED
Residents who have
given direct feedback,
taken a questionnaire, or
participated in an activity.
ENGAGED
Historically
Underrepresented
Focus Groups
Technical Advisory
Committee Meetings
External Partner
Organizations
Engaged
Other City
Departments
Engaged
8
3
13
5
Website
E-news
Questionnaire Postcards
Newsletters
Social
Media Posts
QU
E
S
T
I
O
N
N
A
I
R
E
S
Total Website
Views
1,830
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 60
The community’s feedback, along with foundational guidance including ballot measures, the
Department’s Mission, and City direction, helped develop the NAD vision, values, and goals articulated
in this Strategic Framework. Below are themes heard from the community that helped shape the
development of the vision, values, and goals.
Whitewater rafting on the Poudre River
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
37
THEMES FROM ENGAGEMENT
SAFETY
SPECIFIC
PLACES
VISITOR
EXPERIENCE
STEWARDSHIP &
MAINTENANCE
PLANNING &
FUNDING
HEALTH
INCLUSION
PARTNERSHIPS
LAND
CONSERVATION
HABITAT
PRESERVATION
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
CONNECTIVITY
EQUALITY
EDUCATION
ACCESS
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 61
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
38
Top left: Community engagement at Kingfisher Point
Natural Area
Photo by: The City of Fort Collins
Middle left: Workshop with local experts
Photo by: The City of Fort Collins
Bottom left: Forest bathing at Gateway Natural Area
Photo by: The City of Fort Collins
Right: Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) flowering
Photo by: The City of Fort Collins
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN ACTION
The Department has worked hard to build
relationships with historically underrepresented
groups through purposeful communication
and programs. Focused engagement for the
Strategic Framework elevated the voices of
those who may not have been involved in the
past and gave the Department an opportunity
to learn and to incorporate feedback.
LISTENING TO LOCAL EXPERTS
A Technical Advisory Committee, comprised
of representatives from a variety of disciplines
ranging from conservation groups to natural
area visitors representing specific community
interests, provided input reflective of their
experiences and perspectives. Agencies and
non-profit partners from across the region, as
well as various City departments, also provided
input throughout the process.
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 62
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
39
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 63
40
Mountain lions (Puma concolor) and coyote (Canis latrans) at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 64
4141
NATURAL AREAS
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
THE GUIDE TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP
The vision, values, and goals set the
groundwork for future priorities,
policies, and work plans that
the Department will review on a
constant basis. By working together,
Fort Collins and the region can
be ready for the challenges and
opportunities ahead.
The Natural Areas Strategic
Framework builds on past and
current plans, policies, and
programs. For more information
on other plans and policies, please
visit www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/
or contact the Department at
970.416.2815.
CONCLUSION
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 65
42
Left: Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigris) at Soapstone Prairie
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
Right: Shrub planting at Kestrel Fields Natural Area
Photo by: City of Fort Collins
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 66
4343
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PLANNING TEAM:
• Kristy Bruce, Environmental Planner
• Rachel Balduzzi, Public Engagement Senior
Supervisor
• Julia Feder, Conservation & Stewardship
Planning Manager
• Todd Juhasz, Environmental Planner
• Jenny Roberts, Environmental Planner
• Kelly Smith, Senior Environmental Planner
NATURAL AREAS
CONTRIBUTING TEAM LEADS:
• Katie Donahue, Natural Areas Director
• Matthew Parker, Ecological Stewardship
Manager
• Aaron Reed, Built Infrastructure Manager
• Zoe Shark, Community Connection &
Protection Manager
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
• Beth Bullard, Poudre Heritage Alliance
• Hannah Casey, Overland Mountain Bike
Association
• Heather Dannahower, Front Range
Community College
• Dr. Ricky Frierson, Warner College of Natural
Resources (CSU)
• Lee Granau, Colorado Natural Heritage
• Jesse Gray, Audubon Society
• Kassandra Lindsey, Colorado Geological
Society
• Robert Malone, Fort Collins Running Club
• Brenda McDowell, Adaptive Recreation
Opportunities
• Dr. David Rojas, College of Veterinary
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CSU)
• Katy Schneider, Visit Fort Collins
• Linda Smith, Colorado Native Plant Society
• Ty Smith, Native American Cultural Center
(CSU)
• Jeremy White, National Park Service
CITY COUNCIL:
• Jeni Arndt, Mayor
• Susan Gutowsky, District 1
• Julie Pignataro, District 2
• Tricia Canonico, District 3
• Melanie Potyondy, District 4
• Kelly Ohlson, District 5
• Emily Francis, District 6
LAND CONSERVATION AND
STEWARDSHIP BOARD:
• Ross Cunniff, Board Chair
• Scott Mason, Vice Chair
• Denise Culver
• Andrea Elson
• Jennifer Gooden
• Holger Kley
• Elena Lopez
• River Mizell
• Joe Piesman
• Mark Sears
• Tom Shoemaker
Special thanks to focus group participants, City
Staff, and the Fort Collins community members
and visitors who shaped this plan.
Planning process and document supported by
Logan Simpson and the Institute for the
Built Environment.
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 67
CONTACT US:
www.fcgov.com/naturalareas
naturalareas@fcgov.com
970.416.2815
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 68
Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
May 14, 2025
Regular Meeting – Excerpt
Members:
Ross Cunniff, Chair Elena Lopez, Member
Scott Mason, Vice Chair River Mizell, Member
Denise Culver, Member Mark Sears, Member
Jennifer Gooden, Member Tom Shoemaker, Member
Holger Kley, Member
4/9 /20 25
1. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.
2. ROLL CALL:
LCSB: Jennifer Gooden, Denise Culver, Mark Sears, Tom Shoemaker, Scott Mason,
Holger Kley, Elena Lopez, Ross Cunniff
Excused: River Mizell
NAD Staff: Katie Donahue, Tawnya Ernst, Matt Parker, Kelly Smith, Elaine Calaba,
Aaron Reed, Julia Feder, Emily Shingler, Mary Boyts
City Staff: Dave Kemp, Sr. Planner, Park Planning & Development
Guests: Randy Kenyon, District Engineer, South Fort Collins Sanitation District
Excerpt related to this Council Meeting Agenda Item: Adoption of Natural Areas Strategic
Framework
6. ACTION ITEMS
Strategic Framework
Julia Feder, Environmental Planning Manager stated she was here to discuss the final draft
of Strategic Framework with the LCSB and the proposed recommendation to Council. Julia
shared the project timeline, feedback themes and the resulting updates to the final plan. She
stated her appreciation to the Board for their valuable input throughout the process
Discussion
The LCSB and staff discussed additional edits to the plan and the proposed recommendation.
Comment: It is not the job of the Natural Areas to promote “working rivers.”
A. Staff’s intent was to acknowledge that the river system is extremely disturbed but
agreed to remove the text.
Comment: Modify “Factoring mental health and wellness benefits into decision making” to
include appropriate.
A. Staff explained the bullet points are intended to provide clarity around decision
making related to this value specifically (Safety and Wellbeing) and not necessarily to other
values or goals in plan, i.e., ecological function.
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 2
Packet Pg. 69
Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
Regular Meeting
3 /1 2 /202 5 2
Q. Can you provide an example of how that bullet item would apply?
A. It could potentially influence the location of parking lot or bench and how signage is
designed. One of the things that staff heard from people loud and clear around use of our
natural areas was that these are really places of respite for people.
Comment: Requests change to bullet item “providing high-quality visitor experience that
balances protection for critical natural resources”
A. Staff will amend bullet item: providing a high-quality visitor experience while protecting
critical natural resources
Comment: It's hard to think of a human using our natural areas in a way that doesn't somehow
impact mental health or wellness.
Question: Will the broader public understand the pocket restorations?
A. We can use a different descriptor.
The LCSB discussed and agreed on several changes to enhance the proposed
recommendation to Council.
Member Gooden made a motion that the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board
(LCSB) strongly recommends that City Council adopt the Natural Areas
Strategic Framework. LCSB has been actively engaged in all phases of development and
drafting of the Strategic Framework, with the final plan reflecting broad guidance and
specific feedback LCSB has provided over the past 18 months. As such, LCSB believes
this will be a sound guide to support Natural Areas and citywide planning for the decade
to come and that the Natural Areas Strategic Framework reflects the will of the voters and
the conservation and stewardship priorities of the board. LCSB applauds staff for their
innovative approach, inspiring communication, and community responsiveness. Member
Culver seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved 8-0.
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 2
Packet Pg. 70
05/15/2025 MINUTES
Water Commission
REGULAR MEETING
May 15, 2025 – 5:30 PM
222 Laporte Ave., 1st Floor, Colorado River Room
1.CALL TO ORDER: 5:32 PM
2.ROLL CALL
a.Board Members Present (in person): Commissioners Paul Herman, Nick
Martin, Nicole Ng and Greg Steed
b.Board Members Present (online): Commissioner Carson Madryga
c.Board Members Absent: Chairperson Jordan Radin; Commissioners James
Bishop, Laura Chartrand and Rick Kahn
d.Staff Members Present: Jill Oropeza, Katherine Martinez, Davina Lau, Julia
Feder, Leslie Hill, Gregg Stonecipher, Nicole Poncelet-Johnson
e.Guests: None
3.AGENDA REVIEW
4.COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION
5.APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 17
Commissioner Steed moved to approve the minutes as presented
Commissioner Martin seconded the motion
Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 5-0
6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
7.NEW BUSINESS
a.Staff Reports
a.Boards and Commissions Update
Public Engagement Specialist and Boards & Commissions
Coordinator Davina Lau summarized the vital role of the Water
Commission, which is the bridge connecting City Council and the
community on water-related issues, and thanked commissioners for
applying for and serving as volunteers on the Water Commission.
Updates included last month’s onboarding for new board members
and commissioners that included the Code of Conduct and Anti-
Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy; next month’s training for
staff liaisons and staff support; upcoming Super Issues Meetings,
which were created by Council in 2015 as an opportunity for staff to
present to all boards and commissions at once; an event just for
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 71
05/15/2025 MINUTES
Boards and Commissions to express appreciation and give members
an opportunity to discuss the work they’re doing; the next Super
Issues Meeting is Aug. 11 and will focus on Ranked Voting due to
Fort Collins’ first ranked voting election this November (with a
mayoral race that features more than two candidates); other Super
Issues meetings are planned for September and November, with info
on topics coming soon.
b.Regular Items
a.Water Commission Recommendation for City Council to Adopt
Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Conservation and Stewardship Planning Manager Julia Feder
followed up her Feb. 20 presentation by providing an overview of
community engagement and feedback received on the draft Natural
Areas Strategic Framework and changes made to the final draft plan.
She requested Water Commission’s support in the form of a
recommendation that Council adopt the plan on July 1.
About 1,2000 people visited the website
(https://ourcity.fcgov.com/natural-areas-strategic-framework); there
were 500 views of the plan as well as 50 detailed comments.
Timeline consists of recommendations from boards and commissions
in May; memo to be included in City Council meeting packet in June;
and Council adoption on July 1.
Discussion Highlights:
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related
topics including recreation as a concept and tension surrounding it
(Ms. Feder replied that department’s mission is conservation first with
a focus on access); the former Hughes Stadium site and public
discussion about establishing it as a City of Fort Collins natural area
(Ms. Feder indicated that once a final use plan is established by the
City, Natural Areas Department will onboard the portion of the
property that is designated as a natural area and then manage it
through the Foothills Management Zone Updates) metrics for “Goal
1: Conserve and Protect Land & Water” (Ms. Feder replied that
metrics include cumulative acres preserved, per capita acres, water-
based metric based on conserved and protected flows [in-stream
flows] in partnership with Utilities regarding legally-protected flows).
Commissioner Ng moved for the Water Commission to recommend
City Council adopt the 2025 Natural Areas Strategic Framework. The
Water Commission has been engaged multiples times throughout the
Strategic Framework planning process and believes this plan will be
a sound guide to support Natural Areas and citywide planning for the
decade to come.
Commissioner Steed seconded the motion
Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 5-0
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 72
MEMORANDUM
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
DATE: May 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Natural Resources Advisory Board
SUBJECT: Natural Areas Strategic Framework
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
On March 12, 2025, Julie Feder (Conservation and Stewardship Manager) presented to the
Natural Resources Advisory Board on updates to the Natural Areas Strategic Framework. During
the May NRAB meeting, final updates were shared regarding major themes that came during the
community engagement process and how staff would address these concerns.
The Natural Resources Advisory Board would like to express its support for the proposed
Natural Areas Strategic Framework. As a Board dedicated to preserving natural resources for the
benefit of future generations and grounded firmly in science, we view the additional information
regarding metrics and how progress in the plan will be measured/tracked, as well as more clarity
on how this framework will align across other City priorities and plans, as instrumental in
developing sustainable management practices for the City’s natural areas. Additionally, we see
this framework being in alignment with Our Climate Future Big Move #11 - Healthy Natural
Spaces and the City’s Environmental Health Strategic Objective #3: Expand, restore and
maintain the Natural Areas land portfolio to improve habitat conditions across the community
and ensure equitable access to nature.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Very respectfully,
Dawson Metcalf
Chair, Natural Resources Advisory Board
cc: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer
Honore Depew, NRAB Staff Liaison and Climate Program Manager
Kelly Ohlson, City Council Liaison to the NRAB
Julie Feder, Conservation and Stewardship Manager
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 73
Natural Areas Department
1745 Hoffman Mill Road
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM
Date: October 22, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Dean Klinger, Community Services Director
From: Katie Donahue, Natural Areas Director
Julia Feder, Natural Areas Environmental Program Manager
Subject: October 22 Work Session Summary: Natural Areas Strategic Framework update
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this memo is to document the summary of discussions during the October 22nd
Work Session. All Councilmembers except Councilmember Canonico were present.
DISCUSSION SUMMARY
Staff presented an overview of the public engagement and draft vision, values, and goals for the
Natural Areas Strategic Framework.
Discussion:
1. Overall support for the direction of the plan
2. Appreciate the comprehensive community engagement effort
3. Like the simplicity and approachability of the plan
4. Desire for more detail under goals and values to help articulate concepts such as
land acquisition, wildlife, humans connecting to nature, and managing visitation
growth
5. Clarified additional community engagement will occur when the draft Strategic
Framework is completed
NEXT STEPS
1. Public draft is scheduled for release Q1 2025
2. Item is scheduled for first reading in Q2 2025
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 74
Headline Copy Goes Here
Natural Areas
Strategic Framework
07-17-2025
Senior Environmental Planner
Kelly Smith
Headline Copy Goes Here
2
Conservation and Stewardship Planning
1
2
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 75
Headline Copy Goes Here
3
Conservation and Stewardship Planning
Headline Copy Goes Here
4
About the Plan
3
4
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 76
Headline Copy Goes Here
5
Conservation and Stewardship Planning
Headline Copy Goes Here
6
Answers from Qs at Work Session
5
6
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 77
Headline Copy Goes HereNext Steps
July 15, 2025:City Council Regular Meeting, 1st Reading
(passed unanimously on consent)
July 17, 2025:Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing
August 19, 2025:City Council Regular Meeting, 2nd Reading
Headline Copy Goes Here
8
Discussion
7
8
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 78
Headline Copy Goes Here
Following slides are in the Commission’s read before packet
Additional slides
Headline Copy Goes HereDraft Strategic Framework Engagement
Aware
1,200
Visits to
Project
Webpage
Informed
500
Views of
Draft
Plan
Engaged
50
Detailed
Points of
Contact
• Natural Areas E News
• Social Media Blasts
• Notification to engaged TAC and
HUG members
• Emails to City departments,
regional partners, and partner
organizations
• Winter Bike to Anything Day
• Water Commission
• Natural Resources Advisory
Board
• Air Quality Advisory Board
• Active Modes Advisory Board
9
10
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 79
Headline Copy Goes HereFoundations of Conservation and Stewardship
11
11
Headline Copy Goes HereCommunity Engagement
12
590 Community Survey responses
8 Historically Underrepresented Groups
16 Community Events
10 City Departments
13 External Partners
6 Boards/Commissions
1 Super Issues Meeting
3 Technical Advisory Committee Meetings
11
12
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 80
Headline Copy Goes Here
13
What We Heard on Draft Strategic Framework
Anticipated update to final planFeedback Theme
Staff will review and make edits, as appropriateSuggestions for wording and grammar updates
Staff will add more details to section describing the Conservation and Stewardship planning process and the role of Zone UpdatesDesire to see more actionable items described in plan
Staff will provide more details about what and how metrics will be established to track progress under each goalQuestions about connecting to measurable outcomes
Specifically name the City plans and priorities that complement the Strategic Framework; identify how these plans support one another and are distinctSuggestions to connection to other City priorities and plans
Identify opportunities to strengthen language that describes diversity of values that may drive conservation work including habitat protection, cultural resources, agriculture, and accessRequests for specificity around conservation values
No action anticipated; the plan intentionally emphasizes the department’s priorities related to visitor use as cultivating safe and inclusive opportunities to experience natural areas that meet a diversity of community needs and preferences
Interest in seeing the word “recreation” appear more frequently in the framework
13
ITEM 2, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 81
Development Review Staff Report Agenda Item 3
Planning Services Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 p. 970-416-4311 f. 970.224.6134 www.fcgov.com
Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing: July 17, 2025
AXIS International Academy Site Plan Advisory Review SPA250002
Summary of Request
This is a request for a Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) to
repurpose an existing light industrial/office building into a charter
school.
The SPAR process allows the Planning and Zoning Commission to
provide comments on the plan to the governing body of the charter
school per State statutes.
Zoning Map
Next Steps
If the Planning and Zoning Commission were to comment on the
plan and was then not satisfied with the response to its comments
by the governing body, the Commission could request a hearing
before the State Board of Education.
Site Location
3939 Automation Way, Lot 1 of the Collindale
Business Park on the west side of Timberline
Road, south of Horsetooth Road.
Zoning
Employment District (E)
Owner Representative
Jenny Whitaker
2700 S. Lemay Ave.
Fort Collins CO 80525
Applicant/Representative
Richard Hazel, Hazel Architects
3318 Tranquility Way
Berthoud, CO 80513
e. rhazel@hazel-architects.com
Staff
Clark Mapes, City Planner
p. (970) 221-6225 e. cmapes@fcgov.com
Contents
1. Project Introduction ....................................... 2
2. Procedural Requirements – Land Use Code
Article 2 ......................................................... 4
3. Staff Evaluation ............................................ 4
4. Staff Conclusions and Recommendation ..... 8
5. Attachments .................................................. 8
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Commission state
support for the plan with no comments.
Zone
Packet Pg. 82
P&Z Agenda Item #3
SPA250002 | AXIS International Academy
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 2 of 8
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1. Project Introduction
A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION & STAFF REVIEW OVERVIEW
AXIS International Academy is an existing charter school authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute
(“CSI”). The proposed plan is to remodel and repurpose the interior of an existing office/manufacturing building for
preschool through elementary education. The new location would replace the existing AXIS location in a local
church facility.
The proposed facility would ultimately accommodate up to 300 pre-K through 5th grade students.
The site is 6.38 acres and comprises an existing 43,480 sq. ft. office/manufacturing building, with a parking lot and
sports field. The site has two access drives along Automation Way, a north service-oriented access and a south
access directly to the parking lot.
Because there are no physical exterior changes, the only issue in staff’s review has been the question of traffic
operations for drop-off and pick-up.
SITE PLAN
The Site Plan is essentially a
map of existing conditions,
with a few additional notes.
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P&Z Agenda Item #3
SPA250002 | AXIS International Academy
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In Colorado, charter schools can be authorized either by school districts or the Charter School Institute. The key
difference lies in the level of autonomy and the relationships with local districts. CSI-authorized charter schools
operate independently of local districts but still have strong ties to the community.
The City’s review of charter schools is governed by State statutes. The Land Use Code has special sections
consistent with the statutes. The criteria for review are more general than other Land Use Code standards, and a
degree of interpretation is necessary. Plans are reviewed based on the requirements as stated below.
1. State Requirements for City Review
Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended (C.R.S.), govern the City’s review of public charter school
development plans, in two specific Sections. These supersede the City’s typical development standards and
procedures for development review.
• Section 22-32-124, C.R.S. specifically governs charter school review with the following pertinent
provisions:
o the process of City review: “the Planning and Zoning Commission may review and comment on the
plan to the Colorado Charter School Institute, but it must do so, if at all, within 30 days of a
development plan submittal.”
o The basis for City review: “the proposed site shall conform to the adopted plan of the community
insofar as is feasible.”
• Section 31-23-209, C.R.S. generally governs review of all public facilities with the following pertinent
provision:
o “no public building shall be constructed or authorized in a city until the location, character, and
extent thereof has been submitted for approval by the [Planning and Zoning] commission.”
Verbatim text from the statutes is attached.
2. Land Use Code Requirements
The Land Use Code incorporates the statutory requirements above into Sections 6.2.3(F) and 6.11(Q) under
Site Plan Advisory Review. Following are pertinent excerpts:
“6.2.3(F) Site Plan Advisory Review. The Site Plan Advisory Review process requires the submittal and
approval of a site development plan that describes the location, character and extent of improvements to
parcels owned or operated by public entities. In addition, with respect to public and charter schools, the
review also has as its purpose, as far as is feasible, that the proposed school facility conforms to the
City's Comprehensive Plan.”
“6.11.2 Site Plan Advisory Review Procedures
(Q) Standards: [LUC standards are] Not applicable, and in substitution thereof, an application for a Site
Plan Advisory Review shall comply with the following [three] criteria:
(1) The site location for the proposed use shall be consistent with the land use designation described
by the City Structure Plan Map, which is an element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
(2) The site development plan shall conform to architectural, landscape and other design standards
and guidelines adopted by the applicant's governing body. Absent adopted design standards and
guidelines, the design character of the site development plan shall be consistent with the stated
purpose of the respective land use designation as set forth in the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Packet Pg. 84
P&Z Agenda Item #3
SPA250002 | AXIS International Academy
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 4 of 8
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(3) The site development plan shall identify the level of functional and visual impacts to public rights-
of-way, facilities and abutting private land caused by the development, including, but not limited to,
streets, sidewalks, utilities, lighting, screening and noise, and shall mitigate such impacts to the extent
reasonably feasible.”
B. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
1. Surrounding Zoning and Land Use
The site is embedded within the Collindale Business Park, which is built out with various office and
commercial recreational uses on three sides; with the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way on the west side.
2. Procedural Steps – Land Use Code Article 6
A. SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW PROCEDURAL OVERVIEW
1. Conceptual Review
A conceptual review meeting was held on April 23, 2025.
2. Neighborhood Meeting
A neighborhood meeting was determined to be unnecessary due to lack of significant impacts from the
project. The 30-day time limit from submittal to hearing was an additional factor when the plan submittal was
initially discussed.
3. Submittal
A Site Plan was submitted on April 21, 2025, and routed to all reviewing departments.
4. Notice (Posted, Written and Published)
Posted notice: June 16, 2025, Sign #519
Written notice: November July 2, 2025, 166 letters sent.
3. Staff Evaluation
A. LOCATION
The site is designated as the ‘Mixed Employment’ land use place type in City Plan, the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Staff finds that the location is appropriate for the charter school because the ‘Place Type’ description in City Plan
envisions principal land uses as offices; R&D facilities; hospitals, clinics, nursing and personal-care facilities;
vocational, business, or private schools and universities; and other similar uses. It envisions supporting uses
including multi-family residential, childcare centers, athletic clubs, and other similar uses. (p. 103)
Staff finds the charter school to be similar enough to the mentioned uses, to be supportable.
While not a determining factor in staff’s findings, staff notes that charter schools do not have enrollment areas;
rather, they attract students from a larger region to a greater degree than “neighborhood schools” and so
convenient, walkable location is less important.
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P&Z Agenda Item #3
SPA250002 | AXIS International Academy
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 5 of 8
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B. CHARACTER AND EXTENT - TRAFFIC
The only aspect of the plan that has involved staff comments and discussion with the applicants, is the Traffic
Operational Plan for drop-off and pick-up of students (attached).
Explanation
The plan submittal includes a detailed 31-page Traffic Memorandum by a professional traffic engineering firm
consistent with typical City requirements for a Transportation Impact Study (TIS).
It describes the two main methods of drop-off and pick-up which are currently used by AXIS and will continue: 1)
‘Kid to Curb’ where drivers remain in their vehicles in designated unloading and loading space and students walk in
from designated drop-off areas; and 2) ‘Park and Walk’ where drivers park in designated areas and walk their
students to/from the building. All Pre-K students use this method.
The memo describes the amount of curb space needed for Kid to Curb including queuing; and it also estimates
Park and Walk parking demand.
The memo then explains three alternatives for how to accommodate these methods. ‘Alternative 1’ is the one that
is viable at this time; the others involve potential future plan amendments or potential future agreement with the
abutting property owner on the north to use their parking lot.
Alternative 1 uses the existing on-site parking lot and the on-street parking lane along a stretch of Automation Way
frontage, and the memo describes the amount of curb space needed for this including queuing, with numbers for
average queuing and high demand queuing.
Staff finds that any of the alternatives could work with an appropriate Operational Plan that provides a few specific
mitigation measures, some of which are mentioned in the memo.
At this time, Alternative 1 is the basis for the Operational Plan that was submitted and which provides all of the
appropriate mitigation measures, including:
• Restrict parking along a stretch of the street, Automation Way, north of the northern site access, during drop-
off and pick-up times, for potential queue spillback onto the street.
• Right-in-only at the north access, right-out-only at the south access. Note that these measures allow for
parking between the two access points.
• Signage for all restrictions and designations.
• Striped crosswalks where people will be crossing drive aisles.
• Ongoing education of parents about operations.
• Ongoing commitment to mitigate any impacts over time with school staffing to help facilitate drop-off and pick-
up as appropriate for safety and efficiency.
Diagrams from the Operational Plan are shown below.
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P&Z Agenda Item #3
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Packet Pg. 87
P&Z Agenda Item #3
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Packet Pg. 88
P&Z Agenda Item #3
SPA250002 | AXIS International Academy
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Page 8 of 8
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4.Staff Conclusions and Recommendation
In evaluating the request for AXIS International Academy, SPA250002, staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning
Board send a brief letter of support to the governing body of the charter school, to inform them that the Commission
has no comments.
The Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board finds that the location, character, and extent of the proposed development
plan for AXIS International Academy, City of Fort Collins Project #SPA250002, is consistent with the City’s
Comprehensive Plan, and will mitigate its functional impacts to the adjoining City street, with the following
understanding:
5.Attachments
1.AXIS Narrative
2.Site Plan
3. Traffic Memorandum
4.Traffic Operational Plan
5. Statute Text
6. Staff Presentation
Packet Pg. 89
AXIS International Academy
Design Narrative
3939 Automation Way
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
The Property and Zoning
The building site is located on Lot 1 of the Collindale Business Park, Larimer County, State of Colorado in Fort
Collins Colorado. The nearest major street intersection is E Horsetooth Road and S Timberline Road. The property
address is 3939 Automation Way, Fort Collins, 80525. The subject property consists of an irregular-shaped parcel of
land of approximately 6.38 acres (+/- 277,913 SQ. FT.). The existing site consists of an office / manufacturing
building with associated parking and athletic fields. The site is bound by Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way to the
west, multi-tenant commercial buildings to both the north and south, and Automation Way to the East. The property
was originally zoned as I-P in 1989. Current zoning is Community Commercial (CC).
Building Structure and Construction
The existing building is approximately 42,595 G.S.F (footprint) in size. The original office / manufacturing building
was built in 1989. The original plan code analysis indicates V-N construction under the 1985 U.B.C. That translates
to a Type V-B construction today with the 2021 I.B.C. A frontage increase allowance would need to be used to
allow the existing building square footage with the current code. The building is a one story (approximately 23 feet
in height) steel column-beam frame construction with exterior tilt up precast wall panels. The buildings structure is
set up with a 25 foot by 40 foot bay spacing for the most part. Roof structure is steel bar joists with metal deck,
rigid R-13 insulation and original single ply membrane roof. The perimeter edge of the roof is ballasted. The low
sloped roof drains both to the west and east with through parapet wall scuppers. The original roof membrane will
require replacing and the rigid insulation would need to be replaced and/or increased to meet current minimum R-30
insulation energy compliancy. Existing exterior tilt up precast walls not currently furred out will require either rigid
or spray foamed insulation to meet current minimum R-11.4 insulation energy compliancy. The tilt-up precast panel
walls and other foundations walls are provided with existing 1-1/2” perimeter rigid insulation on the inside face of
the wall. This is half the required R-value required to meet current code energy compliancy. Without being able to
change this condition, some other areas of the building may require additional energy efficient methods. The
existing building concrete slab floor varies in thickness from 4” at office areas to 6” at existing production areas.
Proposed School Scope
The proposed project will consist of a complete gut and demolition of all interior spaces including the mezzanine
with exception to all the existing office spaces, conference room, and break room along the west wall. The existing
Waiting area will be converted into a conference space. The existing reception area would be reconfigured to face
the secure lobby and vestibule. Additional administration areas would include a Clinic, staff workroom and staff
toilets. The remainder of the building will include three rounds of pre-school through third grade classrooms lined
along the perimeter of the building current manufacturing area. Kindergarten rooms are set up along the south wall
and preschool classrooms will occupy the east wall of the building. The pre-school and kindergarten rooms will
have dedicated in classroom children toilet rooms. The pre-school classrooms with have direct access to the exterior
to a new pre-school playground area at the east side of the building. Second grade classrooms will be located at the
NE corner of the building followed by first grade classrooms along the north wall and third grade classrooms at the
NW corner of the building. There will be two fourth grade and two fifth grade classrooms that are internal to the
exterior face of the building. Additional classroom spaces include Intervention, Sensory and Student Services.
Classroom sizes range from 715 NSF up to 930 NSF. An approximately 5,871 NSF Multi-Purpose space is set up in
the center of the building along with an adjacent and connecting approximately 2,843 NSF Cafeteria space. The
wall between the spaces is proposed to have roll-up glass overhead doors. Both areas are proposed to be exposed to
metal roof deck and have roof mounted solar tube lighting. These areas will be provided with both ceiling suspended
and wall mounted acoustical panels throughout. Off the south end of the Cafeteria an approximately 520 NSF
Kitchen is proposed. The existing main and secondary building entrances shall remain at the south side of the
building. Circulation is set up in a rectilinear route following the line of classrooms. Two additional exit doors will
be provided at the north side of the building with access to a new elementary playground. Three existing exterior
doors will remain at the west side of the building with access to an existing paved patio area. Along the interior
circulation are four sizable open flex spaces as well as two sets of male / female toilet rooms and other utility and
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 90
storage areas. All classroom areas will receive a high noise reducing suspended ceiling grid system. All exterior
classrooms will have new windows punched into the existing tilt up precast panel walls.
HVAC
There are approximately eleven existing roof-top mounted mechanical units that may be original and well past
warranty and current code compliancy for energy efficiency. The building will require a new HVAC system
throughout for the proposed school occupancy.
Plumbing
Existing toilet rooms would not meet current ADA accessibility code compliancy and would require extensive re-
configuring and remodel or complete replacement. Additional toilet rooms would be required with the proposed
school occupancy and will involve saw-cutting the existing concrete slab floor throughout the building for
underground plumbing.
Electrical
The existing property electrical transformer is currently sized to handle the proposed school use. The original
building electrical gear will be required to be replaced and all new distribution of electrical data / power will be
required throughout the building. New LED lighting will need to be provided throughout the new proposed building
spaces to meet current code compliancy for energy efficiency.
Interior Finishes
Any existing floor and ceiling finishes in any rooms or spaces that will not be demolished are worn with age and
will require being replaced. Any existing wall surfaces that remain for re-use will require patching and to be re-
painted. New floor finishes will include carpeted and LVP floor finishes at the Offices and Classrooms. The Multi-
Purpose and Cafeteria will receive either LVP floor finish or keeping and sealing the existing concrete floor. All
toilet areas will have ceramic tile floor and wall finishes.
Window and Door Openings
Any new window and door opening in the tilt up precast concrete exterior wall panels will need to occur in the
central part of the panel to maintain the structural integrity of the panels. The sides of the existing panels will need
to maintain a certain dimensional width to primarily resist wind load stress.
Site Elements
Addition site elements include an enclosed trash area, two loading docks, and one additional service garage door all
located on the east side of the building. Three double-lamp light poles are provided in the parking lot. Lamps may be
required to be updated to LED. An existing flag pole stands outside the main entrance to the building. An existing
bike rack sits outside the secondary entrance on the south side of the building. A sidewalk connects both entries
points to the public right of way at Automation Way. An existing monument sign is set along the main site entry
curb cut. The parking lot is asphalt and in reasonably good shape. The existing parking lot and drive lane
configurations could lend itself to student drop-off / pick-up queuing. Two playground spaces are proposed, one on
the east side of the building for pre-school classrooms and a playground at the north side of the site where the
current baseball field exists.
Site Utilities
The building is served by a 277/480 three phase 300 KVA transformer which should be adequately sized for the
proposed school occupancy. Both the transformer and electrical meter are located on the east side of the building.
The associate electrical gear is located directly on the inside east wall and considered to be non code compliant and
shall be replaced. Some of the existing electrical panels might be salvageable for re-use. An existing gas meter is
located on the east side of the building adjacent to the electrical meter. A 1” domestic water line and meter is
provided to the building. It is anticipated that this line would need to be upsized to be a 1-1/2” line to accommodate
the increased amount of toilet room and kitchen fixtures of the proposed school occupancy. An existing 4” sanitary
sewer line stems off an 8” PVC pipe in Automation Way. The sewer line has three separate building connections
along the south side of the building. Storm water appears to be designed to surface drain to the NE corner of the site
with a detention swale along the northern 1/3 of the parcel adjacent to Automation Way.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 91
Fire Protection Measures
The existing site has provided two points for fire rescue apparatus equipment to enter and exit the site off
Automation Way. Fire access drive lanes can occur on the south and east portions of the site within existing drive
and parking lot. No existing fire lane markings are evident. There is not an existing loop road around the perimeter
of the building. There is approximately 600 linear feet of building perimeter at the west and north sides of the
building with no access to an emergency fire lane. One existing fire hydrant is installed on site at the northern most
curb cut. Poudre Fire Authority (fire department having jurisdiction) would need to weigh in on hose length
coverage and may determine a secondary hydrant be planted near the NW corner of the building along with fire
rescue apparatus access. The existing school building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system sourced by an
existing 6” fire line linked to an 8” ductile iron water line in Automation Way. The existing fire riser and fire
department Siamese connection are located at the SE corner of the building. New distribution of lines will be
required with the proposed school occupancy along with a new fire voice / alarm communication system. No interior
fire walls would be anticipated given the existing construction type and the current square footage of the building.
A fire department knox box exists near the main entry.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 92
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PROJECT NO:
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SHEET TITLE:
COVER SHEET /
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SP-1
SHEET INDEX TO DRAWINGS
GENERAL:
SP-1 COVER / GENERAL INFORMATION
SP-2 SITE PLAN
AXIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW
3939 AUTOMATION WAY
LOT 1, COLLINDALE BUSINESS PARK
SITUATE IN THE NE QUARTER OF SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 68 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M.
CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COUNTY OF LARIMER, STATE OF COLORADO
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OWNER:
PROJECT DIRECTORY
OWNER REP:AGORA WEST REAL ESTATE
GROUP, INC.
PO BOX 2032
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80522
PHONE: 970.556.0406
JEFF REED PRESIDENT
EMAIL: jeff@agorawest.com
AXIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
2700 S. LEMAY AVENUE
FORT COLLINS, CO 80525
PHONE: 970.658.4199
JENNY WHITAKER FINANCE & OPERATIONS
MANAGER
EMAIL: jwhitaker@axiscolorado.org
ARCHITECT:HAZEL ARCHITECTS, LLC
4057 DAVIDIA COURT
LOVELAND, CO 80538
PHONE: 970.744.9672
RICHARD J. HAZEL, AIA, ALA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
EMAIL:
rhazel@hazel-architects.com
SURVEYOR:MAJESTIC SURVEYING, LLC
1111 DIAMOND VALLEY DRIVE,
SUITE 104
WINDSOR, CO 80530
PHONE: 970.833.5698
STEVE PARKS, PLS
EMAIL:
stevenp@majesticsurveying.com
CURRENT USE:
SITE DATA
VACANT MANUFACTURING
SITE PLAN ADVISORY (SPAR) NOTES
GENERAL:
1. AXIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY IS EXEMPT BY STATE
LAW FROM A TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS
AND IS ONLY REQUIRED TO HAVE ITS SITE DEVELOPMENT
PLAN REVIEWED AND COMMENTED ON.
2. AXIS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY AS A COLORADO PUBLIC
SCHOOL IS NOT SUBJECT TO A TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW APPROVAL PROCESS. IT IS ONLY REQUIRED TO
COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCATION
STATUTE AND APPLICABLE PERMITTING THAT WILL BE
OBTAINED THROUGH THE STATE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PROPERTY.
NOT TO SCALE
VICINITY MAP
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PROPOSED USE:
ZONING DISTRICT:
WATER DISTRICT:
CHARTER SCHOOL
COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL
(CC)
FORT COLLINS UTILITIES
TOTAL AREA:278,077 SF (6.384 Acres)
BUILDING COVERAGE:
EXISTING 42,588 GSF / 15.3%
HARD SURFACE:54,490 SF / 19.6 %
OPEN SPACE:180,999 SF / 65.1%
PARKING REQUIRED: 1 / 1000 SF (All Phases)43 Spaces
PARKING PROVIDED:99 Total Existing Spaces
Includes 4 HC Spaces
Includes 3 Motorcycle Spaces
BICYCLE PARKING REQUIRED: 1 / 3000 SF 15 Spaces
BICYCLE PARKING PROVIDED:15 Spaces
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT PLAN
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ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 2
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SIGN
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INV (W)=4946.72 (36" RCP)
INV (E)=4945.82
(30" RCP)
METAL STAIRS
ROCK SCAPE AROUND
FOUNTAIN/WATER
FEATURE
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
RED PLASTIC CAP
LS 4502
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
RED PLASTIC CAP
LS 4502
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
ORANGE PLASTIC CAP
ILLEGIBLE
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
ORANGE PLASTIC CAP
LS 4502
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
ORANGE PLASTIC CAP
LS 4502
FOUND
#4 REBAR WITH
BLUE PLASTIC CAP
ILLEGIBLE
SMH #2219
RIM=4953.67
INV (W)=4948.29 (12" PVC)
INV (E)= 4947.94 (18" RCP)
DMH # 2222
RIM=4952.28
INV (E)=4946.64 (30" RCP)
INV (W)=4946.54 (30" RCP)
DMH # 2223
RIM=4952.24
INV (W)=4946.22 (30" RCP)
INV (E)=4946.10 (30" RCP)
SMH #2374
RIM=4954.03
INV (S)=4949.40 (8" PVC)
SMH #2374
RIM=4955.33
INV (S)=4948.20 (8" PVC)
INV (N)=4948.09 (8" PVC)
INV (E)=4947.81 (8" PVC)
LOT 3
HORSETOOTH EAST BUSINESS PARK
3801 AUTOMATION WAY
OWNER: SADHU DENVER LLC
LOT 5B
REPLAT OF LOT , COLLINDALE
BUSINESS PARK 3RD FILING
4001 AUTOMATION WAY
OWNER: INNOVATION HOLDINGS LLC
LOT 1
REPLAT OF LOT 3 OF THE MINOR
SUBDIVISION PLAT OF COLLINDALE
3942 AUTOMATION WAY
LOT 2
COLLINDALE BUSINESS
PARK NINTH FILING
3930 AUTOMATION WAY
LOT 1
COLLINDALE BUSINESS
PARK NINTH FILING
3902 AUTOMATION WAY
SHED
COMCAST
CENTURY LINK
CFC
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COMCAST
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4"X4" PVC POST
WITH SPRINKLER
TIMER
CENTURY
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BASEBALL
DIAMOND
TRASH
ENCL
SUBJECT PARCEL
278,07 SQ. FT.
6.384 ACRES
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N89°59'24"E 475.00'
S89°59'24"W 349.67'
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∆=3°25'03"
ChB=S17°33'20"W
ChL=52.70'
R=883.72'
L=52.71'
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EXISTING BUILDING
PROPOSED SCHOOL
1 - STORY
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CHARLES B JONES
INV (W)=4946.66 (30" RCP)
There is a City of Fort Collins owned irrigation pipeline running east/west along the northern property line and may encroach into the development's private property.
Developer, contractor and/or successor(s) in interest shall notify the Parks Department immediately if any damage occurs. Damage to existing infrastructure shall be
repaired or replaced by the developer or successor(s) in interest, at the direction of the Parks Department, and at no cost to the City.
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ALL AREAS DEDICATED AS EAE ARE CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING 80,000 POUNDS.
AN ENGINEER LETTER SHALL BE PROVIDED TO POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY AT
TIME OF BUILDING PERMIT
20 WIDE EAE EMERGENCY ACCESS
EASEMENT SHOWN DASHED
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
June 6, 2025
Mr. Jeff Reed
Agora West Real Estate Group, LLC
PO Box 2032
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Re:AXIS International Academy – Draft Traffic Memorandum
Fort Collins, Colorado
Dear Mr. Reed,
This memorandum has been prepared to document a traffic impact study for the proposed AXIS
International Academy project located at 3939 Automation Way in Fort Collins, Colorado.
INTRODUCTION
The proposed AXIS International Academy project features the redevelopment of an existing vacant
industrial building located at 3939 Automation Way in Fort Collins Colorado. The redevelopment will
allow the existing building to serve as the new location for the 300-student Pre-K through 5th Grade
Elementary School.
AXIS International Academy is currently located at 2700 South Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins
Colorado. However, the academy intends to relocate to 3939 Automation Way location by the start of
the next school year, in Fall of 2025. The existing enrollment of the academy is 265 students;
however, the academy anticipates growing to a 300-student population within the next few years.
Based on coordination with the City of Fort Collins, a Traffic Memorandum was prepared to document
an on-site queuing analysis of the drop-off and pick-up times, as well as an operational analysis of the
two existing site accesses along Automation Way that will serve the relocated academy.
As defined in Chapter 4 of the 2021 Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, a long range
horizon is not required as part of a Traffic Memorandum; therefore, the analysis only considered a
short-term buildout horizon. For the purposes of this study, the short-term buildout horizon was
assumed to be the year 2025.
Regional access to the AXIS International Academy will be provided by Interstate 25 (I-25), US
Highway 287 (US-287), State Highway 14 (SH-14), and SH-392, while primary access will be
provided by Timberline Road, Horsetooth Road, and Harmony Road. Direct access to the site will be
provided by utilizing the two existing site accesses along the west side of Automation Way. The two
existing accesses are separated by approximately 260 feet, measured centerline to centerline. The
north site access is located approximately 670 feet south of Bighorn Drive, measured centerline to
centerline. The south site access is located approximately 160 feet north of Lowe Street, measured
centerline to centerline. A vicinity map is shown in Figure 1.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
The proposed academy will be located on an 6.38-acre parcel, featuring an existing single-story
building, approximately 42,600 square feet in size. The parcel is current zoned for industrial light
manufacturing and was previously serving an industrial engineering and research company. Directly
north and south of the site exist office buildings, directly east of the site exist a sports complex, and
directly west of the site exists a golf course; however, a railroad line exists between the site and the
golf course. Outside of the immediate area, the site is surrounded by commercial and residential land
uses.
Within the project study area, Automation Way is a north/south roadway providing one lane of travel
in either direction with on street parking. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour. The City of Fort
Collins classifies Automation Way as a local roadway.
The existing intersection of the northern site access and Automation Way is an unsignalized ‘T’
intersection. While a stop sign does not exist, because the site access is a driveway, the eastbound
approach operates under stop control. All three intersection approaches operate with a single lane for
all available movements. An aerial image of the intersection, dated August 14, 2024, is included
below.
Automation Way & North Site Access (#1)
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NORTH
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The existing intersection of the southern site access and Automation Way is an unsignalized ‘T’
intersection. While a stop sign does not exist, because the site access is a driveway, the eastbound
approach operates under stop control. All three intersection approaches operate with a single lane to
for all available movements. An aerial image of the intersection, dated August 14, 2024, is included
below.
Automation Way & South Site Access (#2)
EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES
Existing peak hour turning movement counts were conducted at the intersection of the southern site
access and Automation Way on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The counts were conducted during the
morning and afternoon peak hours of school generator traffic, in 15-minute intervals, from 7:00 AM to
9:00 AM and from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. These peak hours were identified based on the first bell for
the academy being at 8:00 AM and the dismissal for the academy being at 3:00 PM. The turning
movement counts are shown in Figure 2, with count sheets provided as an attachment.
The turning movement counts were primarily collected to establish the northbound and southbound
through traffic volumes that exist along Automation Way. During count collection, a few vehicles were
observed turning into and out of the site; however, the existing building is not believed to currently
house any business. Furthermore, upon redevelopment the only traffic anticipated to turn into and out
of the stie will be school related traffic. Therefore, the existing vehicles observed turning into and out
of the south site access were removed from the existing volumes.
Ù
NORTH
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TRIP GENERATION
Site-generated traffic estimates are determined through a process known as trip generation. Rates
and equations are applied to the proposed land use to estimate traffic generated by the development
during a specific time interval. The acknowledged source for trip generation rates is the Trip
Generation Manual1 published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). ITE has established
trip rates in nationwide studies of similar land uses.
For this study, Kimley-Horn utilized the ITE Trip Generation Manual average rates that apply to
Charter Elementary School (ITE Land Use Code 536) to estimate the number of vehicular trips
associated with the proposed academy. Based on ITE Trip Generation data, the relocation and
expansion of AXIS International Academy is expected to generate approximately 555 weekday daily
trips, with 321 of these trips occurring during the morning peak hour and 216 of these trips occurring
during the afternoon peak hour.Table 1 summarizes the estimated trip generation for traffic
associated with the current proposal, and calculations are provided as an attachment.
Table 1 – AXIS International Academy Traffic Generation
Land Use and Size
Weekday Vehicles Trips
Daily AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
In Out Total In Out Total
Charter Elementary School (ITE 536) -555 170 151 321 106 110 216
The Charter Elementary School (ITE 536) land use was selected because the proposed academy
does not offer bus services for students, which aligns with the schools at which data was collected for
the Charter Elementary School land use. It should be noted that, the data available for weekday daily
trips generated by a Charter Elementary School is limited, and therefore caution should be used
when considering this data. For comparative purposes, a 300-student school is expected to generate
approximately 681 weekday daily trips based on the data provided for an Elementary School (ITE
520). However, for the purposes of this study the academy was assumed to generate 555 weekday
daily trips.
It should also be noted that the anticipated trips generated by the proposed AXIS International
Academy during the morning and afternoon peak hours are representative of the anticipated trips
occurring around the drop-off and pick-up times. There are slight differences between the in and out
trips, during the morning and afternoon peak hours. For example, the morning peak hour is
anticipated to experience 170 trips entering the site, but 151 trips exiting the site, which results in a
difference of 19 trips. The difference is 4 trips during the afternoon peak hour. These trips were
assumed to represent parents/guardians who need to visit the school for longer than the drop-
off/pick-up period, other visitors or venders, and potentially a small portion of the academy staff.
However, it is assumed that the majority of staff will be on site prior to student drop-off and after
student pick-up periods. While the analysis documented in this letter does not directly consider the
impacts that staff trips may have on traffic operations, it is expected that these trips will occur at off-
peak times and therefore any recommendations made based on the peak time analyses will also
provide sufficient operations for the staff trips.
1 Institute of Transportation Engineers,Trip Generation Manual, Eleventh Edition, Washington DC, 2021.
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STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP SITE ANALYSIS
The AXIS International Academy currently operates with two different methods for vehicular drop-
off/pick-up, both of which they intend to maintain at their new location. The first option is referred to as
Kid to Curb, in which vehicles are routed to the designated unloading/loading zone, kids exit/enter
their vehicles in the designated zone, and parents/drivers are asked to remain in their vehicle. Based
on their current drop-off/pick-up plan at the existing site, there is approximately 160 feet of curbside
loading zone, with approximately 2,600 feet of available queue storage routing serpentine through the
on-site parking lot for the AXIS Kid to Curb Service. The second option is referred to as Park & Walk,
in which vehicles park in the academy parking lot and parents/guardians walk the students to/from the
academy. It should be noted that all Pre-K students are required to utilize the Park & Walk option.
While older students are not required to utilize the Park & Walk option, it is not uncommon for some
to do so.
Based on observational data provided by the academy, approximately 45 percent of households
utilize Kid to Curb, while the remaining 55 percent of households utilize Park & Walk. Based on this
observational data, it was assumed that 45 percent of the trips generated by the academy will utilize
Kid to Curb, while 55 percent of the trips generated by the academy will utilize Park & Walk at the
new location. The anticipated number of trips utilizing each option for the relocation of the academy
are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2 – AXIS International Academy – Drop-Off/Pick-Up Trips
Drop-Off/Pick-up Method
Weekday Vehicles Trips
AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
In Out Total In Out Total
Non Drop-Off/Pick-Up Vehicles 19 - 19 - 4 4
Park & Walk 83 83 166 58 58 116
Total Parking Lot Trips 102 83 185 58 62 120
AXIS Kid to Curb Service 68 68 136 48 48 96
Based on the number of vehicles anticipated to utilize Park & Walk, the academy is expected to
experience a total drop-off parking demand of 83 vehicles. An additional parking demand of 19
vehicles are expected during the drop-off period, in addition to this short-term parking demand
associated with drop-off. The parking demand associated with the pick-up period is anticipated to be
less than the demand during the drop-off period; therefore, the drop-off period demand was
considered when evaluating short-term parking demand and capacity. Furthermore, this parking
demand does not take into account the parking demand associated with the majority of staff, who are
assumed to be onsite prior to drop-off and after pick-up.
In accordance with common practice for the City of Fort Collins, the anticipated drop-off/pick-up
queue for the vehicles utilizing Kid to Curb was calculated utilizing version 04012021 of the Municipal
School Transportation Assistance (MSTA) School Traffic Calculator developed by the North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Calculations were based on the data provided for urban
charter schools.
The MSTA School Traffic Calculator calculates estimated queue lengths for drop-off/pick-up
operations by developing traffic estimates based on student population, number of buses and staff
members. As noted previously the academy does not offer bus services, and the majority of staff are
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anticipated to be on site prior to drop-off and after pick-up periods. In addition, the MSTA School
Traffic Calculator does not provide consideration of the two different methods the academy allows for
drop-off/pick-up operations. Therefore, the student population entered in the MSTA School Traffic
Calculator was lowered to consider the drop-off and pick-up volumes for only Kid to Curb operations
identified in Table 2.
Based on the student drop-off/pick-up vehicle queueing analysis conducted in the MSTA School
Traffic Calculator, the academy is anticipated to experience an average vehicle queue length of 530
feet associated with Kid to Curb. The MSTA School Traffic Calculator also recommends designing for
high demand days, during which demand is increased by approximately 30 percent. Considering a 30
percent demand increase, the academy is anticipated to experience a high demand vehicle queue
length of 690 feet associated with Kid to Curb. It should be noted that both of these calculated queue
lengths does not take into account traffic associated with Park & Walk. Therefore, these queue
lengths are representative of queuing anticipated for Kid to Curb operations, when the Kid to Curb
and Park & Walk operations are not interacting on site.
When considering the entire 300-student population, the MSTA School Traffic Calculator anticipates
an average queue length of 1,290 feet, and a high demand queue length of 1,670 feet. These
calculated queue lengths may be more representative of conditions in which the two drop-off/pick-up
methods are utilizing the same space.
SITE CIRCULATION ANALYSIS
Multiple site circulation alternatives were developed to provide the appropriate short term parking for
Park & Walk, as well as the appropriate queueing length for the expected queue length associated
with Kid to Curb operations. These alternatives were developed assuming that the location of the two
existing access points would not change and only allowing for right turns on and off of Automation
Way. By only allowing for right turns on and off of Automation Way, operational performance of the
two intersections is anticipated to be optimized. Only allowing for right turns on and off of Automation
Way also presents added safety benefits by reducing potential conflict points associated with left
turns on and off of Automation Way.
Alternative 1 – Existing On-Site Facilities w/ Combined Drop-off/Pick-up Operations
Under Alternative One, Park & Walk operates out of the existing parking lot on the south side of the
building, while the designated drop-off/pick up area for Kid to Curb operates along the south side of
the building. The north site access operates with right in only access, while the south site access
operates with right out only access. A conceptual exhibit of the site circulation is provided in Figure 3.
The existing parking lot provides 99 parking spaces; however, the designated drop-off/pick-up area
would block 19 existing parking spaces, including the two accessible parking spaces, leaving 80
parking spaces for Park & Walk. On-street parking along Automation Way is allowed; however, it is
recommended that on-street parking be restricted along the west side of Automation Way, north of
the north site access, to allow for potential drop-off/pick-up queue spillback onto Automation Way.
Under this recommended restriction, approximately 15 additional vehicles could park along the
frontage of the site on Automation Way. With approximately 95 parking spaces between on-site
parking and on-street parking, the available parking capacity is expected to be sufficient to serve the
anticipated short-term parking demand of 83 vehicles.
This alternative would provide approximately 475 feet of on-site queue storage for Kid to Curb
operations. Based on the anticipated average Kid to Curb queue length of 530 feet, approximately 55
feet of the average queue length, or three vehicles, would be anticipated to spill onto Automation
Way. Under high demand conditions, approximately 215 feet of the high demand queue length, or 11
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vehicles, would be anticipated to spill onto Automation Way. An alternative to storing this additional
queue length along Automation Way may be to require vehicles to queue within a portion of the
parking lot to the north of the site. These vehicles could be released onto Automation Way in
platoons, as on-site capacity is made available. This operation would require staff to coordinate traffic
operations both on-site and at the off-site parking lot to the north, as well as an agreement with the
property owner of the off-site parking lot.
Alternative 2 – Existing On-Site Facilities w/ Long Term On-Site Improvements
Under this alternative, Park & Walk operates out of the existing parking lot on the south side of the
building, while Kid to Curb operates along the east side of the building. The north site access
operates with right in only access, while the south site access operates with right in/right out only
access. The long-term plan for this alternative would be to construct a parking lot in the northeast
corner of the site, which would provide additional parking capacity and queue storage. This parking
lot is not anticipated to be constructed by this fall. If this alternative were constructed, the parking lot
would be anticipated to be built by 2027. A conceptual exhibit of the site circulation is provided in
Figure 4.
The existing parking lot provides 99 parking spaces. Like Alternative One, on-street parking along
Automation Way should be provided except north of the north site access to allow for potential spill
back queues of vehicles during the drop-off/pick-up times. Under this recommended restriction,
approximately 15 additional vehicles could park along the frontage of the site on Automation Way.
With approximately 106 parking spaces between on-site parking and on-street parking, the available
parking capacity is expected to be sufficient to serve the anticipated short-term parking demand of 83
vehicles.
Under short term conditions, this alternative would provide approximately 120 feet of on-site queue
storage for Kid to Curb operations. Based on the anticipated average Kid to Curb queue length of 530
feet, approximately 370 feet of the average queue length, or 19 vehicles, would be anticipated to spill
onto Automation Way. Under high demand conditions, approximately 570 feet of the high demand
queue length, or 29 vehicles, would be anticipated to spill onto Automation Way. Prior to the
construction of the future on-site parking lot, an alternative to storing this additional queue length
along Automation Way may be to require vehicles to queue within a portion of the parking lot to the
north of the site, as discussed in Alternative One. Under long term conditions, drop-off/pick-up traffic
could be routed through the future parking lot. The future parking lot is anticipated to provide
approximately 500 feet of additional storage, which would be expected to fully contain the average
queue length on-site.
Alternative 3 – On-Site Perimeter Roadway
Under this alternative Park & Walk operates out of the existing parking lot on the south side of the
building, while Kid to Curb operates along the west side of the building. The north site access
operates with right in only access, while the south site access operates with right out only access. A
new roadway would be constructed along the north and west sides of the site, connecting with the
existing parking on the south side of the site. A conceptual exhibit of the site circulation is provided in
Figure 5.
The existing parking lot provides 99 parking spaces; however, the on-site perimeter road would
require the remove of approximately five existing parking spaces, leaving 94 parking spaces for Park
& Walk. Like Alternative One, on-street parking along Automation Way should be provided except
north of the north site access to allow for potential spill back queues of vehicles during the drop-
off/pick-up times. Under this recommended restriction, approximately 15 additional vehicles could
park along the frontage of the site on Automation Way. With approximately 109 parking spaces
between on-site parking and on-street parking, the available parking capacity is expected to be
sufficient to serve the anticipated short-term parking demand of 83 vehicles.
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This alternative would provide approximately 1,100 feet of queue storage for the Kid to Curb
operations. Based on the anticipated average and high demand Kid to Curb queue lengths of 530 feet
and 690 feet, respectively, both the average and high demand queue lengths would be expected to
be full stored on-site.
Recommended Alternative
All three alternatives are expected to provide enough parking capacity, between on-site and on-street
parking, for the short-term demand associated with Park & Walk operations. However, the short-term
parking demand is nearing the maximum parking capacity, and this short-term demand does not
account for staff parking. While the existing on-site facilities may be sufficient for drop-off/pick-up
operations, the academy may need to consider providing additional parking for day to day operations.
Furthermore, parking demands for events hosted at the academy would likely exceed the existing on
site parking. It is recommended that the academy provide an additional on site parking lot, or work on
an agreement with surrounding businesses, to allow for overflow parking.
Alternative Two is the recommended alternative as the ultimate condition would not only provide the
storage necessary for drop-off/pick-up operations but also provide additional parking capacity to be
utilized daily by staff, and also serve large events. Alternative Two provides more separation between
the Park & Walk and Kid to Curb operations than Alternative One. In addition, Alternative Two would
provide Kid to Curb drop-of/pick-up operations with the passenger side of the vehicle closest to
school, which is a proven to be safer for school drop-off/pick-up operations than operating with drop-
off/pick-up on the driver side of the vehicle.
TRIP DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of site traffic was based on the area street system characteristics, and the recommended
site circulation for the academy. The directional distribution of traffic is a means to quantify the
percentage of school-generated traffic that approaches the site from a given direction and departs the
stie back to the original source. The project trip distribution is illustrated in Figure 6.
TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENT
Project traffic assignment was calculated by applying the project trip distribution to the estimated
traffic generation of the development shown in Table 1. The project traffic assignment representing
the anticipated traffic volumes associated with the proposed AXIS International Academy is shown in
Figure 7.
TOTAL (EXISTING PLUS PROJECT) TRAFFIC VOLUMES
The anticipated traffic volumes associated with the proposed AXIS International Academy were
added to the existing traffic volumes to represent the estimated traffic volumes for the 2025 short-
term buildout horizon. These total traffic volumes are illustrated in Figure 8.
INTERSECTION OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS
An analysis of vehicular traffic operations at the two existing site accesses was conducted to
determine potential capacity deficiencies for the 2025 short-term horizon. The acknowledged source
for determining overall capacity is the Highway Capacity Manual2. Capacity analysis results are
provided in terms of Level of Service (LOS). Level of service is a qualitative term describing operating
conditions a driver will experience while traveling on a particular roadway during a specific time
interval. It ranges from A (very little delay) to F (long delays and congestion). Based on Table 4-2 of
2 Transportation Research Board,Highway Capacity Manual, Seventh Edition, Washington DC, 2022.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 103
AXIS International Academy – Traffic Memo
196395010
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
the 2021 LCUASS, the minimum acceptable overall level of service for the site access intersections is
LOS D, while the minimum acceptable level of service for any approach leg or movement is LOS F.
Table 2 shows the definition of level of service, based on a range of delay experienced, for
unsignalized intersections.
The south access was analyzed based on average total delay. It should be noted that north site
access was not analyzed since the access was assumed to operate as right turn in only with the
proposed redevelopment. The level of service for a two-way stop-controlled intersection is determined
by the computed or measured control delay and is defined for each minor movement. Level of service
for a two-way stop-controlled intersection is not defined for the whole intersection.
Table 2 – Level of Service Definitions
Level of
Service
Unsignalized Intersection
Average Total Delay
A ≤ 10
B > 10 and ≤ 15
C > 15 and ≤ 25
D > 25 and ≤ 35
E > 35 and ≤ 50
F > 50
Transportation Research Board,Highway Capacity Manual, Seventh Edition, Washington DC, 2022.
Calculations for the level of service at the proposed project accesses are attached. A peak hour factor
of 0.25 and a zero percent heavy vehicle factor were assumed for the purposes of the operational
analysis. Synchro traffic analysis software was used to analyze the study intersection for level of
service. The Synchro Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) methodology reports were used to analyze
intersection delay and level of service.
Based on the recommended site circulation, it is recommended that the north site access operate
under right turn in only access, and the south site access operate under right turn in and right turn out
only access during drop/off-pick operations. It is also recommended that a R1-1 “STOP” sign be
installed of the approach exiting the development at the southern access.
Based on the results of the operational analysis, the eastbound right turn movement at the south site
access is anticipated to operate at LOS F and LOS C during the morning and afternoon peak hours,
respectively.Table 3 provides the results of the level of service at this intersection.
Table 3 – Project Accesses LOS Results
Intersection
Approach/Movement
2025 Total
AM PM
LOS LOS
Northbound Thru
Eastbound Right
-
F
-
-
C
-
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 104
AXIS International Academy – Traffic Memo
196395010
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
MULTIMODAL CONSIDERATIONS
Under existing operations, the academy experiences minimal bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The
minimal to non-existent bicycle and pedestrian traffic generated by the academy is anticipated to
remain consistent at the new proposed location as well.
If bicycle and pedestrian traffic were to travel to and from the proposed academy, travel routes are
limited by the existing roadway network and presence of the existing railroad directly west of the site.
Bicycles and pedestrians would utilize Horsetooth Road and Timberline Road for primary access to
the site, with direct access off of Automation Way. In addition to the transportation network
constraints there are minimal trip origins/destinations, which in this case would typically be residential
areas housing students, within desirable bicycling or walking distance. The one exception to this may
be the residential area directly east of Timberline Road.
PEDESTRIAN CONSIDERATIONS
The City of Fort Collins’ five-evaluation metrics specific to pedestrian facilities were reviewed as part
of this project. These include directness, continuity, street crossings, visual interest and amenity, and
security.
Sidewalk exists along both sides of Automation Way, as well as Horsetooth Road and Timberline
Road, providing a direct and continuous connection for pedestrians to the greater Fort Collins
Transportation System.
The signalized intersection of Timberline Road and Caribou Drive is anticipated to serve as the
primary crossing of Timberline Road for any pedestrians traveling to the residential area directly east
of Timberline Road. The intersection currently maintains a single pedestrian ramp at each corner, and
a striped crosswalk across each leg. Pedestrian phases are provided for each crossing, with
pedestrian push buttons provided at each corner.
Landscaping, including trees, exists along Automation Way lending to a positive visual interest and
amenity. In terms of security street lighting is provided and there are unobstructed lines of sight along
Automation Way; however, based on the drop-off/pick-up times associated with the academy,
students walking in the dark would not be anticipated.
BICYCLE CONSIDERATIONS
The City of Fort Collins’ bicycle level of service standards are based on connectivity to bike facilities
in connecting corridors. For the purposes of analysis, bicycle corridors may contain one of three types
of facilities: on-street lanes, off-street paths, and/or on-street routes. Although the most recent
LCUASS were published in 2021, Appendix H which includes the City’s Multimodal Level of Service
Manual, originally published in March of 1997. Based on the City’s manual, it is the City’s policy that
on-street lanes provide safer and more direct connectivity than off-street multi-use paths.
On-street bicycle lanes are not designated along Automation Way; however, based on the age of
students attending the academy, children may be more comfortable riding their bike on the sidewalk,
especially during drop-off/pick-up times when more traffic is present along Automation Way.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 105
AXIS International Academy – Traffic Memo
196395010
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the analysis presented in this report, Kimley-Horn believes relocating the AXIS International
Academy to 3939 Automation Way in Fort Collins, Colorado and expanding enrollment will be
successfully incorporated into the existing and future roadway network. The proposed project
development resulted in the following recommendations and conclusions:
· The AXIS International Academy currently operates with two different methods for vehicular
drop-off/pick-up, both of which they intend to maintain at their new location.
o The first option is referred to as Kid to Curb, in which vehicles are routed to the
designated unloading/loading zone, kids exit/enter their vehicles in the designated
zone, and parents/drivers are asked to remain in their vehicle. Based on the student
drop-off/pick-up vehicle queueing analysis conducted in the MSTA School Traffic
Calculator, the academy is anticipated to experience an average vehicle queue
length of 530 feet and a high demand vehicle queue length of 690 feet associated
with Kid to Curb.
o The second option is referred to as Park & Walk, in which vehicles park in the
academy parking lot and walk parents/guardians walk the students to/from the
academy. Based on the number of vehicles anticipated to utilize Park & Walk, the
academy is expected to experience a total short-term parking demand of 83 vehicles.
· The recommended long-term site circulation plan includes the construction of a second
parking lot at the northeast corner of the site. The Park & Walk would then operate out of the
existing parking lot along the south side of the building, while the Kid to Curb would operate
along the east side of the building. In line with this recommended long-term site circulation
plan, the following is recommended:
o It is recommended that the north site access operates with right in only access, while
the south site access operates with right in/right out only access. It is also
recommended that a R1-1 “STOP” sign be installed of the approach exiting the
development at the south site access.
o It is recommended that a R5-1 “DO NOT ENTER” sign be installed at the south end
of the Kid to Curb zone, facing the south.
o It is recommended that the academy provide graphics and information educating
those who travel to and from the academy on the appropriate site circulation, similar
to what they do now at their existing location. It is also recommended that academy
staff be on-site during drop-off/pick-up times to ensure traffic is operating safely and
efficiently.
o It is recommended that on-street parking be restricted along the west side of
Automation Way, north of the north site access, to provide additional capacity should
vehicle queues spill onto Automation Way from the student drop-off/pick-up
operations.
o It is recommended that crosswalks be provided on-site to identify designated walking
and crossing areas within the parking lots for both the Park & Walk and Kid to Curb
operations.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 106
AXIS International Academy – Traffic Memo
196395010
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
· Under short-term conditions, it is recommended that the academy seek an agreement with
the property to the north to allow for peak period Kid to Curb queues to be stored on the off-
site property’s parking lot. If an agreement cannot be reached, average queue lengths of 19
vehicles may be observed along Automation Way, with high demand queue lengths reaching
29 vehicles.
· All on-site improvements should be incorporated into the Civil Drawings and conform to City
of Fort Collins standards, as well as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
– 2023 Edition.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (970)
880-1176.
Sincerely,
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
Erick W. Berry, P.E., PTOE, RSP1
Project Traffic Engineer
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 107
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Figures
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 108
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 109
62
(
7
7
)
36
(
4
5
)
2
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 110
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 111
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 112
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 113
[100%]
55
%
2
55
%
45
%
1
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 114
151(110)
10
2
(
5
8
)
2
10
2
(
5
8
)
68
(
4
8
)
1
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 115
151(110)
62
(
7
7
)
10
2
(
5
8
)
36
(
4
5
)
2
16
4
(
1
3
5
)
68
(
4
8
)
36
(
4
5
)
1
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 116
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Existing Traffic Count Sheets
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 117
AUTOMATION WAY AUTOMATION WAYSITE ACCESSSITE ACCESS
(303) 216-2439
www.alltrafficdata.net
Location:1 AUTOMATION WAY & SITE ACCESS AM
Wednesday, May 28, 2025Date:
Peak Hour - Motorized Vehicles Peak Hour - Bicycles Peak Hour - Pedestrians
Traffic Counts - Motorized Vehicles
Note: Total study counts contained in parentheses.
Peak Hour:07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
Peak 15-Minutes:07:45 AM - 08:00 AM
64 38
4
4
3865
1
0
0.72
N
S
EW
0.63
0.33
0.58
0.25
(69)(105)
(4)
(6)
()
(1)
(69)(104)
0 02
1
0
3
0
0
1
0
0
62
0 36 20
SITE ACCESS
SITE ACCESS
AUTOMATION WAY
AUTOMATION WAY
0
0
0
0
N
S
EW
0
0
00
0 0
0
0
0 1 0
0
0
0
0
030
0
0
0
0
N
S
EW
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
EastboundInterval
Start Time
Rolling
Hour West East South North
Pedestrian CrossingsWestboundNorthboundSouthbound
7:00 AM 0 0 3 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0750000
7:15 AM 0 0 6 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0840000
7:30 AM 0 0 6 0 1 70 1 0 0 2 0 19 0 0 0 01070110
7:45 AM 0 0 11 0 0 260 0 0 0 0 0 37 0 0 0 01020000
8:00 AM 0 0 7 0 0 110 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 01040000
8:15 AM 0 0 12 0 1 180 0 0 0 1 0 33 0 0 0 00010
8:30 AM 0 0 4 1 0 90 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 00000
8:45 AM 0 0 17 0 1 200 0 0 0 0 0 39 0 0 0 00010
Count Total 0310 179101316600030010 000 0
Peak Hour 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 36 0 2 62 1070120 0 0 0 0
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 118
AUTOMATION WAY AUTOMATION WAYSITE ACCESSSITE ACCESS
(303) 216-2439
www.alltrafficdata.net
Location:1 AUTOMATION WAY & SITE ACCESS PM
Wednesday, May 28, 2025Date:
Peak Hour - Motorized Vehicles Peak Hour - Bicycles Peak Hour - Pedestrians
Traffic Counts - Motorized Vehicles
Note: Total study counts contained in parentheses.
Peak Hour:03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Peak 15-Minutes:04:00 PM - 04:15 PM
78 48
4
2
4881
3
2
0.83
N
S
EW
0.72
0.50
0.92
0.75
(70)(112)
(7)
(5)
(3)
(3)
(71)(115)
1 00
3
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
77
1 45 20
SITE ACCESS
SITE ACCESS
AUTOMATION WAY
AUTOMATION WAY
1
4
0
0
N
S
EW
2
2
00
1 0
0
0
0 0 0
0
0
0
0
000
0
0
0
0
N
S
EW
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
EastboundInterval
Start Time
Rolling
Hour West East South North
Pedestrian CrossingsWestboundNorthboundSouthbound
2:30 PM 0 0 4 0 1 70 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0600000
2:45 PM 0 0 5 0 0 60 0 0 0 1 0 15 0 0 0 0790120
3:00 PM 0 0 7 0 0 80 0 0 0 1 0 16 2 1 0 0930000
3:15 PM 0 0 5 0 0 110 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 1 0 01170001
3:30 PM 0 0 12 0 0 180 0 0 0 0 0 31 0 2 0 11331000
3:45 PM 0 0 12 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 29 0 1 0 01010
4:00 PM 0 0 10 0 0 260 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 1 0 00211
4:15 PM 0 1 11 0 0 180 0 0 0 1 0 33 0 0 0 01100
Count Total 2443 193109106610030000 102 6
Peak Hour 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 45 0 0 77 1333321 0 4 0 1
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 119
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Trip Generation Worksheet
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 120
Project
Subject
Designed by Date Job No.
Checked by Date Sheet No.of
TRIP GENERATION MANUAL TECHNIQUES
ITE Trip Generation Manual 11th Edition, Average Rate Equations
Land Use Code - Charter Elementary School (ITE 536)
Independent Variable - Students (X)
Students =
X =300.0
T =Average Vehicle Trip Ends
Weekday (Series 500 Page 418)
Average Weekday Directional Distribution: 50% entering, 50% exiting
(T) = 1.85 (X)T =556 Average Vehicle Trip Ends
(T) = 1.85 *(300.0)278 entering 277 exiting
278 +277 =555
AM Peak Hour of Generator (500 Series Page 421)
Directional Distribution:53%ent.47%exit.
T = 1.07 (X)T =321 Average Vehicle Trip Ends
T = 1.07 *300 170 entering 151 exiting
170 +151 =321
PM Peak Hour of Generator (500 Series Page 422)
Directional Distribution:49%ent.51%exit.
T = 0.72 (X)T =216 Average Vehicle Trip Ends
T = 0.72 *300 106 entering 110 exiting
106 +110 =216
300
AXIS International Academy
Trip Generation for Charter Elementary School
EWB
MG June 05, 2025
June 05, 2025 196928001
1 1
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 121
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Drop-off/Pick-up Queue Calculations
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 122
MSTA School Traffic Calculations
AM and PM Peak Traffic Estimates
(These numbers do not reflect peak hour traffic volumes)
School Name:
Type:Version: 04012021
AM PM Avg.PM PM PM Average
Cars / Cars /Car At one Total Peak Queue
Student Student Length Time Vehicles Vehicles Length
55.94% 39.15% 22.19 48.67%K - 10 122 48 24 533 136 96 692
52.91% 47.50% 22.19 46.12%11th
50.08% 47.58% 22.83 55.71%12th
Sum >>122 48 24 533 136 96 692
160
Grade K-10
AM Trips Generated PM Trips Generated
Direction Parents Buses Staff Trips Parents Buses Staff Trips
IN 68 68 48 48
OUT 68 68 48 48 ADT
136 96 232
AM Trips Generated PM Trips Generated
Direction Parents Buses Staff Trips Parents Buses Staff Trips-Average Queue Length does not IN
include an alternative traffic pattern
required for high traffic demand days
which is usually 30% additional length.-Average Queue Length does not
include the Student Loading Zone.AM Trips Generated PM Trips Generated
-Peak traffic volumes at schools Direction Parents Buses Staff Trips Parents Buses Staff Trips
normally occur within a 30-minute IN
time period. (justifying a PHF of 0.5)OUT
In 68 In 48
Out 68 Out 48
Total 136 Total 96 232
All AM
TRIPS
All PM
TRIPS
Length
Calculations
AM K-10 Trips PM K-10 Trips
Total PM
Trips
PM 11th Trips
NOTES
AXIS International Academy
AM 12th Trips PM 12th Trips
MSTA School Queue Input
Grade Level Student
Population
Number of
Buses
Staff
Members
Student
Drivers
Total AM
Trips
Urban Charter
Calculated 6/4/2025 By:EWB
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 123
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Operational Analysis Worksheets
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 124
HCM 7th TWSC 2025 Drop-Off -Alt 2
2: Automation Way & Southern Access 06/04/2025
Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.Synchro 12 Report
Intersection
Int Delay, s/veh 25.5
Movement EBL EBR NBL NBT SBT SBR
Lane Configurations
Traffic Vol, veh/h 0 151 0 36 62 102
Future Vol, veh/h 0 151 0 36 62 102
Conflicting Peds, #/hr 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sign Control Stop Stop Free Free Free Free
RT Channelized - None - None - None
Storage Length - 0 - - - -
Veh in Median Storage, # 0 - - 0 0 -
Grade, %0 - - 0 0 -
Peak Hour Factor 25 25 25 25 25 25
Heavy Vehicles, % 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mvmt Flow 0 604 0 144 248 408
Major/Minor Minor2 Major1 Major2
Conflicting Flow All - 452 - 0 - 0
Stage 1 - - - - - -
Stage 2 - - - - - -
Critical Hdwy -6.2 - - - -
Critical Hdwy Stg 1 - - - - - -
Critical Hdwy Stg 2 - - - - - -
Follow-up Hdwy -3.3 - - - -
Pot Cap-1 Maneuver 0 612 0 - - -
Stage 1 0 - 0 - - -
Stage 2 0 - 0 - - -
Platoon blocked, %- - -
Mov Cap-1 Maneuver -612 - - - -
Mov Cap-2 Maneuver - - - - - -
Stage 1 - - - - - -
Stage 2 - - - - - -
Approach EB NB SB
HCM Control Delay, s/v59.24 0 0
HCM LOS F
Minor Lane/Major Mvmt NBTEBLn1 SBT SBR
Capacity (veh/h)-612 - -
HCM Lane V/C Ratio - 0.987 - -
HCM Control Delay (s/veh) -59.2 - -
HCM Lane LOS - F - -
HCM 95th %tile Q(veh) - 14.6 - -
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 125
HCM 7th TWSC 2025 Pick-Up -Alt 2
2: Automation Way & Southern Access 06/04/2025
Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.Synchro 12 Report
Intersection
Int Delay, s/veh 8.5
Movement EBL EBR NBL NBT SBT SBR
Lane Configurations
Traffic Vol, veh/h 0 110 0 45 77 58
Future Vol, veh/h 0 110 0 45 77 58
Conflicting Peds, #/hr 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sign Control Stop Stop Free Free Free Free
RT Channelized - None - None - None
Storage Length - 0 - - - -
Veh in Median Storage, # 0 - - 0 0 -
Grade, %0 - - 0 0 -
Peak Hour Factor 25 25 25 25 25 25
Heavy Vehicles, % 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mvmt Flow 0 440 0 180 308 232
Major/Minor Minor2 Major1 Major2
Conflicting Flow All - 424 - 0 - 0
Stage 1 - - - - - -
Stage 2 - - - - - -
Critical Hdwy -6.2 - - - -
Critical Hdwy Stg 1 - - - - - -
Critical Hdwy Stg 2 - - - - - -
Follow-up Hdwy -3.3 - - - -
Pot Cap-1 Maneuver 0 634 0 - - -
Stage 1 0 - 0 - - -
Stage 2 0 - 0 - - -
Platoon blocked, %- - -
Mov Cap-1 Maneuver -634 - - - -
Mov Cap-2 Maneuver - - - - - -
Stage 1 - - - - - -
Stage 2 - - - - - -
Approach EB NB SB
HCM Control Delay, s/v22.51 0 0
HCM LOS C
Minor Lane/Major Mvmt NBTEBLn1 SBT SBR
Capacity (veh/h)-634 - -
HCM Lane V/C Ratio - 0.694 - -
HCM Control Delay (s/veh) -22.5 - -
HCM Lane LOS - C - -
HCM 95th %tile Q(veh) -5.5 - -
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 3
Packet Pg. 126
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
July 1, 2025
Mr. Jeff Reed
Agora West Real Estate Group, LLC
PO Box 2032
Fort Collins, CO 80522
RE: AXIS International Academy – Proposed Short-Term Site Circulation Narrative
Fort Collins, Colorado
Dear Mr. Reed:
This letter provides a narrative of the proposed site circulation plan for the proposed AXIS International
Academy project located at 3939 Automation Way in Fort Collins Colorado. The proposed site circulation
plan was developed based on the conclusions and recommendations documented in the AXIS
International Academy Final Traffic Memorandum, dated June 30, 2025. Based on the long-term site
circulation recommendations documented in the traffic memorandum, the academy is evaluating the
construction of a second on-site parking lot, located at the northeast corner of the site. However, this
parking lot is not anticipated to be constructed prior to the upcoming 2025/2026 school year; therefore,
the site circulation plan documented in this letter only focuses on the short-term site circulation without
the future addition of this second parking lot.
The AXIS International Academy plans to operate with two different methods for vehicular drop-off/pick-
up. These options are referred to as Kid to Curb and Park & Walk. The proposed short-term site
circulation plan was developed assuming that the location of the two existing site access driveways would
not change, and only right turn movements would be allowed at both driveways. By only allowing for right
turns on and off of Automation Way, operational performance of the two intersections is anticipated to be
optimized. Only allowing for right turns on and off of Automation Way also presents added safety benefits
by reducing potential conflict points associated with left turns on and off of Automation Way.
Under the Kid to Curb option, vehicles are routed to the designated unloading/loading zone, kids
exit/enter their vehicles in the designated zone, and parents/drivers are asked to remain in their vehicle.
Under the proposed short-term site circulation plan, Kid to Curb operates along the east side of the
building, entering the site at the north site access driveway, traveling southbound on site, merging with
the Park & Walk circulation after drop-off/pick-up, and then exiting the site at the south site access
driveway. Currently, the academy is working through an agreement with the property owner north of the
site to allow for additional queuing associated with the Kid to Curb traffic.
Under the Park & Walk option, vehicles park in the academy parking lot and parents/guardians walk the
students to/from the academy. Under the proposed short-term site circulation plan, Park & Walk operates
out of the existing parking lot on the south side of the building, entering the site at the south site access
driveway, traveling counterclockwise through the existing parking lot, and existing the site at the south
site access driveway.
A preliminary site circulation exhibit, as well as an associated preliminary signing and striping exhibit, are
included as attachments. The following pages include draft language that can be posted on the AXIS
International Academy’s Pick Up / Drop Off Procedures webpage:
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 127
AXIS International Academy – Circulation Plan Narrative
196395010
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kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
Pick Up / Drop Off Procedures
Before your child begins at AXIS, please be sure to read through our Drop Off / Pick Up Procedures and
pick up your vehicle placard from our front office.
It is important to note that drop off and pick up traffic flow MUST always follow a counterclockwise
direction. All vehicles entering and exiting campus must make right turns only. NO LEFT TURNS
ALLOWED ALONG AUTOMATION WAY.
Student Safety at Drop Off / Pick Up Time
Essential Drop off and Pick Up Procedures
·Safety is our #1 Priority!
o No phone usage while in a moving vehicle.
o Drive slowly.
o Watch out for children who walk home and ride their bikes.
·No Left Turns
o Always enter AXIS by heading Southbound on Automation Way and turning Right into
our parking lot.
o Always exit AXIS by turning Right (Southbound) onto Automation Way when exiting the
parking lot.
· Each child will have a backpack tag they will receive at the Back to School Social, or the first
week of school. This should be attached to the top backpack loop. This will include their first and
last name, grade, language and morning teacher.
· Each household will receive two car placards (pick up signs) with their last name and a unique
household pin number that should be displayed on the right side of the front dash each day
during pick up.
Drop off will occur from 7:45AM-7:55AM and pick up will occur from 3:00PM-3:10PM. As families pull
through the pick up line, AXIS staff will use two-way radios and the Driveline system to call for the
students by name or by entering the pin number that is displayed on the dashboard. AXIS Staff will send
out children and escort them to their vehicle. In order to keep the traffic flowing smoothly, we encourage
any children who require assistance with buckling into their car seat to use the Park and Walk option,
While in the loading loop, all passengers must remain in their car (do not attempt to get out to assist your
child with their seatbelt).
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 128
AXIS International Academy – Circulation Plan Narrative
196395010
Page 3
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
What Are My Options for Drop Off/Pick Up?
1.AXIS Kid to Curb Service:In order to reduce congestion and maximize efficiency we highly
recommend all parents to use our Kid-to-Curb drive through pick-up and drop off service.
2.Park & Walk: For students who need assistance getting in and out of the car, or for those
families who prefer to walk their student to the front door, you may utilize the Park & Walk lot.
Please see specific instructions in the Park & Walk section.
3.Bike: Students and families who ride bikes to AXIS in the morning will be using the Automation
Way. Bike riders will enter AXIS via the sidewalk along Automation Way. Bike riders should exit
the campus in the same direction.
1. Kid to Curb: All AXIS families who wish to use our drive-thru “Kid to Curb” service will drop off and pick
up using our drive-thru lane.
· Drop off and pick up entrance via Southbound on Automation, turn RIGHT into North Driveway.
· Turn left to join our drive-through queue, obey all AXIS staff and volunteers.
· Students using “AXIS Kid to Curb” service must be able to unload and buckle without parent/staff
assistance. PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR WHILE IN THE LOADING LOOP.
· All vehicles must exit by turning RIGHT onto Automation Way.
· During times when drive-through queues are extending onto Automation Way, you must turn
RIGHT at Bighorn Drive, into the off-site parking lot, and queue within the first north/south parking
stall lane.
(INSERT GRAPHIC)
2. Park and Walk: For students who need assistance getting in and out of the car, or for those families
who prefer to walk their student to the front door, you may utilize the Park & Walk lot.
· All families who would like to walk their student to class must park in the "Park and Walk" parking
lot for both pick up and drop off.
· All Park and Walk families (pick up and drop off) will gather along the south side of the building
near our front entrance.
· Park and Walk: Drop Off
o Park and Walk families will walk their students up to the front entrance of the
school. Staff will begin welcoming students into the school at 7:50am. If you arrive early,
you may wait alongside the along the south side of the building, or wait in your car.
Before Care is also available for students needing to be dropped off before 7:50am (see
below for more information about before care)
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 129
AXIS International Academy – Circulation Plan Narrative
196395010
Page 4
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
o At 7:50am, our front doors will open and staff members welcome students into the
building.
· Park and Walk: Pick Up
o Park and Walk families will park in the Park and Walk parking lot. At 3:05PM an AXIS
Staff Member will allow parents to walk up to the building and line up along the south side
of the building for pick up.
o Please bring your car placard that displays your child's last name (if you do not have one,
we will get one to you) and have ready to display to staff.
o At 3:10PM and AXIS staff member will dismiss your students from the cafeteria to meet
you.
§ Please be extra cautious when walking your child back to your car as the parking
lot and driveways will be busy with exiting traffic
(INSERT GRAPHIC)
3. Bikes:For families who ride their bikes to school, please use Automation Way and turn right at the
south site access driveway. You will be able to walk bikes up to the south side of the building to check out
your child. Please exit the same way.
(INSERT GRAPHIC)
Before and After Care Available:
Before care begins at 7:00am and After Care runs until 5:30pm. In order to participate in this, you will
need to schedule care through your Procare account.
To read more about our Before and After care programming (including fees), you can visit
the Family Programs page here.
Display Your Name Card at Pick Up!
If you received a car name tag at the Back to School popsicle social, please be sure to write your
students last name on it and display it in your passenger side windshield during pick up. This will speed
up the pick up process immensely!
Remember you must enter the drop off lane via heading Southbound on Automation way and you
must exit Southbound onto Automation Way (both are right turns), please do not attempt a left
turn into or out of our parking lot during drop off and pick up.
Mid-Day Pick-Up Process (Elementary and Preschool)
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 130
AXIS International Academy – Circulation Plan Narrative
196395010
Page 5
kimley-horn.com 3325 South Timberline Road, Suite 130, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970 822 7911
If you need to pick up your child from school outside of the normal pick-up times, please call our front
office so that they may prepare for your arrival. When you arrive, you must wear your visitor badge and
enter into AXIS to sign your child out of school.
You can feel free to bring your child back mid-day, as well. Please plan to alert the front office of your
arrival and then enter the main doors of AXIS to sign your child back in.
Raptor Identification Process for All visitors
We use the RAPTOR system for all visitors. This requires that you bring your photo ID with you into the
building. On your first visit, we scan your ID and create a visitor badge that you can wear for the entire
school year.
How to enter Automation Way Southbound?
If you are having trouble finding a way to turn right into the academy by heading Southbound on
Automation Way, you can consider a couple of these round-a-bout options that will help:
(Insert Graphic)
Graphic could show routes turning from Horsetooth Road onto Automation Way or turning from
Timberline Road onto Bighorn Drive.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 131
Legend
Kid to Curb Circulation -
Kid to Curb Loading Zone -
Park & Walk Site Circulation -
Park & Walk Parking Zone -
No Parking Zone -
On-Street Parking Allowed -
Kid to Curb Circulates Through
Off-Site Parking Lot to North to
Provide Additional Queuing
Capacity. Circulation Approved
through Agreement with Property
Owner.
No Parking Along Automation Way,
During Drop-Off / Pick - Up Times, to
Provide Kid to Curb Queuing
Capacity. Parking Restrictions
Enforced with Signing and Cones.
Kid to Curb Merges with Park &
Walk Site Circulation.
Park & Walk Enters and Exits
the Site at Southern Driveway
and Kid to Curb Exits the Site
at Southern Driveway (Right
Turns Only).
Kid to Curb Enters the
Site at Northern Driveway
(Right Turns Only).
PRELIMINARY SITE
CIRCULATION EXHIBIT
NOTE:
This exhibit is for intended documenting the
proposed AXIS International Academy Site
Circulation during Drop-Off / Pick-Up times. This
exhibit should be reviewed by the City of Fort
Collins, prior to the implementation of the site
circulation plan.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 132
R1-1 "STOP"
R3-5 "RIGHT TURN ONLY
R1-1 "STOP"
R3-5 "RIGHT TURN ONLY
BACK TO BACK WITH
R5-1 "DO NOT ENTER"
R5-1 "DO NOT ENTER"
High Visibility
Crosswalk (Typ.)
Directional Pavement
Marking Arrows (Typ.)
PRELIMINARY SIGNING & STRIPING EXHIBIT
NOTE:
This exhibit is for intended for informing the development of the final signing and striping
design. The exhibit does not represent final design plans. This exhibit should be
reviewed by the City of Fort Collins, prior to the development of final signing and striping
design plans. The final signing and striping plans should be development in accordance
with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) - 2023 Edition.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 4
Packet Pg. 133
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
1
Statute Section Generally Regarding All Public Facilities
2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 31 - Government - Municipal
Powers and Functions of Cities and Towns
Article 23 - Planning and Zoning
Part 2 - Planning Commission
31-23-209. Legal status of official plan
When the commission has adopted the master plan of the municipality or of one or
more major sections or districts thereof, no street, square, park or other public way,
ground or open space, public building or structure, or publicly or privately owned
public utility shall be constructed or authorized in the municipality or in such planned
section and district until the location, character, and extent thereof has been
submitted for approval by the commission. In case of disapproval, the commission
shall communicate its reasons to the municipality's governing body, which has the
power to overrule such disapproval by a recorded vote of not less than two -thirds of
its entire membership. If the public way, ground space, building, structure, or utility is
one the authorization or financing of which does not, under the law or charter
provisions governing the same, fall within the province of the municipal governing
body, the submission to the commission shall be by the governmental body having
jurisdiction, and the planning commission's disapproval may be overruled by said
governmental body by a vote of not less than two -thirds of its membership. The
failure of the commission to act within sixty days from and after the date of official
submission to it shall be deemed approval.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 134
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
2
Statute Section Specifically Regarding Charter Schools
Colorado Revised Statutes Annotated
Title 22. Education
School Districts
Article 32. School District Boards--Powers and Duties (Refs & Annos)
22-32-124. Building codes - zoning - planning - fees - rules - definitions
(1) (a) Prior to the acquisition of land or any contracting for the purchase thereof, the board
of education of the school district in which the land is located shall consult with and advise in
writing the planning commission, or governing body if no planning commission exists, that
has jurisdiction over the territory in which the site is proposed to be located in order that the
proposed site shall conform to the adopted plan of the community insofar as is feasible. In
addition, the board of education shall submit a site development plan for review and
comment to the planning commission or governing body prior to construction of any
structure or building. The planning commission or governing body may request a public
hearing before the board of education relating to the proposed site location or site
development plan. The board of education shall thereafter promptly schedule the hearing,
publish at least one notice in advance of the hearing, and provide written notice of the
hearing to the requesting planning commission or governing body.
(b) Prior to the acquisition of land for school building sites or construction of any buildings
thereon, the board of education of the school district in which the land is located also shall
consult with the Colorado geological survey regarding potential swelling soil, mine
subsidence, and other geologic hazards and to determine the geologic suitability of the site
for its proposed use.
(c) All buildings and structures shall be constructed in conformity with the building and fire
codes adopted by the director of the division of fire prevention and control in the department
of public safety, referred to in this section as the "division".
(c.5) In constructing buildings and structures, a school district, district charter school, or
institute charter school may consult the guidelines adopted by the public school capital
construction assistance board pursuant to section 22-43.7-106 (2)(a).
(d) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to limit the authority of a board of
education to finally determine the location of the public schools of the school district and
construct necessary buildings and structures.
(1.5) (a) Prior to contracting for a facility, a charter school shall advise in writing the
planning commission, or governing body if no planning commission exists, which has
jurisdiction over the territory in which the site is proposed to be located. The relevant
planning commission or governing body may request the charter school to submit a site
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 135
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
3
development plan for the proposed facility, but must issue such request, if any, within ten
days after receiving the written advisement. If requested by the relevant planning
commission or governing body, the charter school, acting on behalf of its sponsoring school
board, shall submit such a site development plan. The relevant planning commission or
governing body may review and comment on such plan to the governing body of the charter
school, but must do so, if at all, within thirty days after receiving such plan. The relevant
planning commission or governing body, if not satisfied with the response to such
comments, may request a hearing before the board of education regarding such plan. Such
hearing shall be held, if at all, within thirty days after the request of the relevant planning
commission or governing body. The charter school then may proceed with its site
development plan unless prohibited from doing so by school board resolution.
(b) An institute charter school authorized pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title shall
proceed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (1.5). Notwithstanding the provisions
of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.5) to the contrary, the relevant planning commission or
governing body may request a hearing before the state board of education. The institute
charter school then may proceed with its site development plan unless prohibited from doing
so by the state board of education.
(2) (a) (I) (A) This subsection (2) shall apply to building or structure construction. Except as
specified in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), the division shall conduct the necessary
plan reviews, issue building permits, cause the necessary inspections to be performed,
perform final inspections, and issue certificates of occupancy to assure that a building or
structure constructed pursuant to subsection (1) or (1.5) of this section has been
constructed in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by the director of the
division and that the school district or charter school, whichever is appropriate, has complied
with the provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section. Pursuant to this sub-
subparagraph (A), the division may contract with third-party inspectors that are certified in
accordance with section 24-33.5-1213.5, C.R.S., to perform inspections. The affected board
of education, state charter school institute, or charter school may hire and compensate third-
party inspectors under contract with the division or hire and compensate other third-party
inspectors that are certified in accordance with section 24-33.5-1213.5, C.R.S., to perform
inspections. If the board of education, state charter school institute, or charter school is
unable to obtain a third-party inspector and no building department has been prequalified,
the division shall perform the required inspections. If a third-party inspector is used, the
division shall require a sufficient number of third-party inspection reports to be submitted by
the inspector to the division based upon the scope of the project to ensure quality
inspections are performed. Except as specified in sub-subparagraph (B) of this
subparagraph (I), the third-party inspector shall attest that inspections are complete and all
violations are corrected before the board of education, state charter school institute, or
charter school is issued a certificate of occupancy. Inspection records shall be retained by
the third-party inspector for two years after the certificate of occupancy is issued. If the
division finds that inspections are not completed satisfactorily, as determined by rule of the
division, or that all violations are not corrected, the division shall take enforcement action
against the appropriate board of education, state charter school institute, or charter school
pursuant to section 24-33.5-1213, C.R.S.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 136
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
4
(B) If inspections are not completed and a building requires immediate occupancy, and if
the board of education, state charter school institute, or charter school has passed the
appropriate inspections that indicate there are no life safety issues, the division may issue a
temporary certificate of occupancy. The temporary certificate of occupancy shall expire
ninety days after the date of occupancy. If no renewal of the temporary certificate of
occupancy is issued or a permanent certificate of occupancy is not issued, the building shall
be vacated upon expiration of the temporary certificate. The division shall enforce this sub-
subparagraph (B) pursuant to section 24-33.5-1213, C.R.S.
(II) Pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the appropriate building
department and the division, the division may prequalify an appropriate building department
to conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue
certificates of occupancy, and issue temporary certificates of occupancy pursuant to sub-
subparagraph (B) of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), to ensure that a building or
structure constructed pursuant to subsection (1) or (1.5) of this section has been
constructed in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by the director of the
division, and take enforcement action. Nothing in the memorandum of understanding shall
be construed to allow the building department to take enforcement action other than in
relation to the building and fire codes adopted by the division. An appropriate building
department shall meet certification requirements established by the division pursuant to
section 24-33.5-1213.5, C.R.S., prior to prequalification. An affected board of education,
state charter school institute, or charter school may, at its own discretion, opt to use a
prequalified building department that has entered into a memorandum of understanding with
the division as the delegated authority. If a building department conducts an inspection, the
building department shall retain the inspection records for two years after the final certificate
of occupancy is issued. The fees charged by the building department shall cover actual,
reasonable, and necessary costs. For purposes of this section, "appropriate building
department" means the building department of a county, town, city, or city and county and
includes a building department within a fire department.
(III) The division shall cause copies of the building plans to be sent to the appropriate fire
department for review of fire safety issues. The fire department shall review the building
plans, determine whether the building or structure is in compliance with the fire code
adopted by the director of the division, and respond to the division within twenty business
days; except that the fire department may request an extension of this time from the director
of the division on the basis of the complexity of the building plans.
(IV) If the fire department declines to perform the plan review or any subsequent inspection,
or if no certified fire inspector is available, the division shall perform the plan review or
inspection. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "certified fire
inspector" has the same meaning as set forth in section 24-33.5-1202 (2.5), C.R.S.
(V) If the building or structure is in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by
the director of the division, and if the appropriate fire department or the division certifies that
the building or structure is in compliance with the fire code adopted by the director of the
division, the division or the appropriate building department shall issue the necessary
certificate of occupancy prior to use of the building or structure by the school district or by
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 137
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
5
the institute charter school. The division is authorized to charge a fee to cover the actual,
reasonable, and necessary costs of the inspections of buildings and structures. The amount
of the fee shall be determined by the director of the division by rule, on the basis of the
direct cost of providing the service.
(VI) If the division authorizes building code inspections by a third-party inspector pursuant
to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) or authorizes building code planreviews and
inspections by an appropriate building department pursuant to subparagraph (II) of this
paragraph (a), the plan reviews and inspections shall be in lieu of any plan reviews and
inspections made by the division; except that this subsection (2) shall not be construed to
relieve the division of the responsibility to ensure that the plan reviews and inspections are
conducted if the third-party inspector or appropriate building department does not conduct
the plan reviews and inspections. Nothing in this subsection (2) shall be construed to require
a county, town, city, city and county, or fire department to conduct building code plan
reviews and inspections.
(b)
(I) If the division conducts the necessary plan reviews and causes the necessary
inspections to be performed to determine that a building or structure constructed pursuant to
subsection (1) or (1.5) of this section has been constructed in conformity with the building
and fire codes adopted by the director of the division, the division shall charge fees as
established by rule of the director of the division. The fees shall cover the actual,
reasonable, and necessary expenses of the division. The director of the division by rule or
as otherwise provided by law may increase or reduce the amount of the fees as necessary
to cover actual, reasonable, and necessary costs of the division. Any fees collected by the
division pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall
credit the same to the public school construction and inspection cash fund created in section
24-33.5-1207.7, C.R.S.
(II) Any moneys remaining as of December 31, 2009, in the public safety inspection fund
created pursuant to section 8-1-151, C.R.S., from fees collected by the division of oil and
public safety in the department of labor and employment pursuant to this paragraph (b) as it
existed prior to January 1, 2010, shall be transferred to the public school construction and
inspection cash fund created in section 24-33.5-1207.7, C.R.S.
(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (HB 09-1151), ch. 230, p. 1045, Section 1, effective
January 1, 2010.)
(d) The inspecting entity shall cooperate with the affected board of education or the state
charter school institute in carrying out the duties of this section.
(e) If the inspecting entity and the board of education or the state charter school institute
disagree on the interpretation of the codes or standards adopted by the division, the division
shall set a date for a hearing as soon as practicable before the board of appeals in
accordance with section 24-33.5-1213.7, C.R.S., and the rules adopted by the director of the
division pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 138
Colorado Revised Statutes – Excerpts Regarding City Review of Charter Schools
6
(f) The rules authorized by this subsection (2) shall be adopted in accordance with article 4
of title 24, C.R.S.
(g) School buildings shall be maintained in accordance with the fire code adopted by the
director of the division pursuant to section 24-33.5-1203.5, C.R.S.
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 5
Packet Pg. 139
AXIS International Academy
Planning & Zoning Commission – July 17, 2025
2Overview
Horsetooth Road
Caribou Drive
• Existing charter school would move to
Automation Way
• Repurpose an existing building and its site
• Up to 300 students, pre-K through 5th
• 99 parking lot spaces; two access driveways; street
parking available
• Only one issue: drop-off and pick-up traffic
SITE
1
2
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 140
3Overview
4Statute Requirements
•
– C.R.S. 22-32-124
• “no public building shall be constructed or authorized in a city until the location, character, and
extent thereof has been submitted for approval by the [Planning and Zoning] commission.”
– C.R.S. 22-32-124
3
4
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 141
5Site Plan Advisory Review (‘SPAR’ in the Land Use Code)
• describe location, character, and extent of
improvements;
• with respect to…schools, the review has as
its purpose, as far as is feasible, that the
proposed school facility conforms to the
City’s Comprehensive Plan;
• consistent with land use designation
described by the City Structure Plan Map
- 6.2.3(F)
• consistent with the stated purpose of the respective
land use designation as set forth in the City's
Comprehensive Plan;
• identify the level of functional and visual impacts to
public rights-of-way, facilities and abutting private land
caused by the development, including, but not limited
to, streets, sidewalks, utilities, lighting, screening and
noise, and shall mitigate such impacts to the extent
reasonably feasible.
- 6.11.2(Q)
6Location - Comprehensive Plan
5
6
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 142
7Comprehensive Plan - Location
8Location - Comprehensive Plan
7
8
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 143
9Site Plan
Character and Extent - Traffic Plan 10
9
10
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 144
Traffic Plan 11
Preliminary Operational Plan –
Drop-Off / Pick-Up
• Ongoing education of parents about
operations.
• Ongoing commitment to mitigate any
impacts over time with school staffing
Traffic Plan 12
Preliminary Operational Plan –
Signing and Striping Plan
11
12
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 145
13Staff Recommendation
Support with No Comments
13
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 6
Packet Pg. 146
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 7
Packet Pg. 147
ITEM 3, ATTACHMENT 7
Packet Pg. 148