HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning And Zoning Board - Minutes - 09/26/1994PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 26, 1994
Council Liaison, Garry Norsk
Planning and Zoning Board Liaison, Bob Blanchard
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.
Roll Call: Carnes, Bell, Fontane, Strom, Walker, Cottier,
Clements.
Chief Planner Bob Blanchard invited the Board to the Council
Worksession on October llth regarding Congestion Management. The
worksession will focus on transportation demand management and
some of the relationships that occur between transportation and
land use.
AGENDA REVIEW:
Chief Planner Bob Blanchard reviewed the agenda noting that the
first item would be electing new officers for the 1995 year.
Chief Planner Blanchard noted that the consent agenda items are
of no known opposition or concern and are considered for approval
as a group. Any member of the Board, the staff, or the audience
may pull any item for discussion.
Chief Planner Blanchard noted a change in Item 17 in their
packets in that the date should read September 26, 1994 instead
of August 22, 1994.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
2. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 22 AND 29, 1994 P i Z MEETINGS.
3. #54-87AA MIRAMONT PUD, FITNESS AND TENNIS CENTER - FINAL
4. #13-62BI OAKRIDGE RETAIL CENTER PUD, BLOCK ONE, 4TH FILING
- PRELIMINARY
S. #96-810 THE MARKET Q EORSETOOTH COMMONS, LOT 3A, SEVEN
OAKS ACADEMY PUD - AMENDED PRELIMINARY
6. #28-89C FORT COLLINS SOUSING AUTHORITY EXPANSION PUD -
7. #54-87AB HARMONY MARKET PUD, 8TE FILING, OUTBACK STEAKHOUS
- PRELIMINARY AND FINAL
8.
#41-93B
SUMMZRHILL PUD - REPLAT
9.
13-82BJ
OAKRIDGE BUSINESS PARK,
17TH FILING, INNOVATION
DRIVE PUD - PRELIMINARY
AND FINAL
10.
#54-87■
BANK ONE PUD - FINAL
11.
#65-82AB
FAIRBROOKE PUD, TRACT A
- PRELIMINARY AND FINAL
12.
#60-91K
DAKOTA RIDGE PUD, THIRD
FILING - PRELIMINARY
13.
#55-87K
THE OVERLOOK AT WOODRIDGE PUD, 4TH FILING - FINAL
14.
#19-93I
GREEMBRIAR VIi"GE Pop,
3RD PILING - FINAL
15.
RESOLUTION 9"4-12 EASEMENT VACATION
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 2
16. RESOLUTION P294-13 BASEMENT VACATION
17MODIFICATIONS OF CONDITIONS OF FINAL APPROVAL
is: #36-94 PLATINUM AUTO BROKERS PUD - FINAL
Chief Planner Blanchard reviewed the discussion agenda which
included Platinum Auto Brokers PUD.
Chairman Clements asked for the first item on the agenda, which
was election of officers. She asked for nominations for
chairman.
Member Cottier nominated Chairman Clements.
Member Strom seconded the nomination.
Chairman Clements asked for any other nominations.
There were none.
The motion was approved 7-0.
Chairman Clements asked for nominations for vice -Chairman.
Member Bell nominated vice -Chairman Cottier.
Vice -Chairman Cottier accepted the nomination.
There were no other nominations.
Member Strom seconded the nomination.
The motion was approved 7-0.
Chairman Clements asked if any member of the Board would like to
pull any item from the agenda.
Member Walker pulled item #5, Fort Collins Housing Authority
Expansion.
Item #10 was also pulled from the consent agenda, Fairbrooke PUD,
Tract A, Preliminary and Final PUD.
Chairman Clements also pulled items 2, 3 and 8 because of a
conflict of interest
Chairman Clements asked for any other items pulled for
discussion.
There were none.
Planning and
September 26,
Page 3
Zoning Board Minutes
1994
Member eontane moved for approval of items 4, 6, 7, 9, 11. 12,
13, 14, 15, 16.
Member Cottier seconded the action.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Chairman Clements asked for legal advise on the items Chairman
Clements had a conflict of interest on and Member Cottier had
questions on.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman replied that Vice -Chair Cottier
should chair the meeting.
Chairman Clements turned the meeting over to Vice -Chair Cottier.
Vice Chair Cottier asked for explanations on items 3 and 8
because they are in the Harmony Corridor, and why they are not
subject to the current moratorium on commercial development.
City Planner Olt replied that the two items in question were
Oakridge Retail Center PUD and Oakridge Business Park, 17th
Filing, Innovation Drive PUD Preliminary and Final.
Planner Olt explained that the Oakridge Center Retail PUD
conformed with the approved Oakridge/Oakridge West Amended
Overall Development Plan and that it was part of Parcel A of the
approved ODP. Also, the proposed uses were considered retail or
commercial development, by the City's definition.
Planner Olt went on to verify that the City Council had approved
a moratorium for suspension for this type of use in the.Harmony
Corridor, however, Section 5 of that Ordinance states that the
provisions of the Ordinance should not apply to the review or
approval of the proposed uses within parcels A, N and M of the
approved Oakridge/Oakridge West Amended Overall Development Plan.
Therefore, this was exempt due to the existing ordinance.
Vice -Chairman Cottier thought that it would be good to get this
publicly stated in the record due to, where the projects were
located.
Vice -Chairman Cottier asked about item #8.
Planner Olt replied that it was office/warehouse, and it was not
included in the list that had been temporarily suspended with the
moratorium.
Vice -Chairman Cottier asked for a motion on items 2, 3, and 8.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 4
Member Strom moved for approval of items 2, 3 and 8.
Member Fontana seconded the motion.
The motion was approved 6-0, with Chairman Clements abstaining
because of a conflict of interest.
FORT COLLINS HOUSING AUTHORITY EXPANSION PUD PRELIMINARY,
#28-89C.
Bob Blanchard, Chief Planner, noted that there was a packet of
information before each board member that included previous
meeting minutes they had requested at the worksession on Friday.
Chief Planner Blanchard read the staff report, stating that the
proposal was a request for a preliminary PUD approval for a 2,660
square foot expansion to the existing structure on West Mountain
Avenue. He stated that the property was currently a non-
conforming use in the NCL, Neighborhood Conservation, Low Density
zoning district.
Chief Planner Blanchard reviewed the surrounding land uses which
were to the north, Medium Density Residential which, include
single family and townhomes (Mountain Court PUD). To the east is
multi -family zoned property, which are Housing Authority units.
To the south, property zoned Neighborhood Conservation Low
Density, which includes the City Park ball fields and golf
course. To the west was also Neighborhood Conservation Low
Density, which includes City Park Nine golf course and the
Trolley Building.
Chief Planner Blanchard stated this structure was on a 16,766
square foot parcel which received its original lease from the
City in 1976. The original building was constructed in 1977. At
that time the Housing Authority was a use -by -right in the Low
Density Residential Zoning District. In 1982, the Planning and
Zoning Board approved a 1,000 s.f. addition to the original
building, and in 1988 there was a 300 s.f. addition approved.
Both of the additions were approved as expansions to a non-
conforming use, based on changed interpretations to the RL zoning
district and also changed code provisions that addressed the set
backs of the buildings. The existing building is non -conforming
today within the NCL Zoning District. That zoning occurred as a
result of the West Side Rezoning in 1991.
In 1992, the Planning and Zoning Board denied a previous
application for a 2,688 square foot addition. The denial was
based in part on the design of the proposed addition being
inconsistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
The following month after the denial of the PUD request, in April
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 5
of 1992, the Board approved a final subdivision plat, creating
the site that the current operation sits on.
The addition before the Board tonight was proposed to be used for
enclosed vehicle storage, for additional supply storage and also
shop space. The number of employees will remain the same,
however, the office uses will expand into the existing garage
area.
Chief Planner Blanchard explained that the project earned 52% on
the Business Service uses point chart from the LDGS. It received
points for being located outside of the South College Avenue
Corridor, for joint parking with City Park, with contiguity to
existing urban development, and also received points for energy
conservation.
He went on to say that the Housing Authority site is located in
the West Side Neighborhood Plan area. In researching the
policies of the plan and discussion of the plan with the project
manager, who carried the project through its development, they
determined that there were no policies related directly to the
Housing Authority operation or to the specific site. While the
site is within the area designated as City Park on the future
land use map, it is not functionally part of the City Park.
Since the Housing Authority has been at this site since 1977 and
the plan was adopted in 1989, Staff feels it safe to assume that
this operation was recognized within the plan at the time it was
adopted. Because the expansion does not exceed the land area of
the platted site and also the site that was subject to the
original lease and the use is not changing, Staff feels that this
application specifically should not be subject to the
neighborhood plan policies.
Chief Planner Blanchard stated that the applicant was proposing
to build the addition rapping around the west side of the current
building. The entire expansion would be fit within the platted
site and within the area that is currently fenced. The design of
the addition in the previous submittal, which the Board denied in
1992, included a stored roof which extended approximately 8 feet
above the existing roof line. The previous submittal was also a
two-story structure and included a loft inside. While it was
residential in character, it was determined to be incompatible
with the surrounding neighborhood. The proposal before the Board
tonight, was much less intrusive and extends approximately two to
three feet above the existing roofline. It was also proposed
that the exterior of the addition will include brick and siding
to match the existing building.
He stated that a neighborhood information meeting had been held
in July of 1994. A summary of the meeting was included in the
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 6
Board's packet. Nine property owner's attended. Those that
expressed concerns focused primarily on the perception of the
continuing intrusion into City Park, possible increases in
traffic and what the future of this building would be should the
Housing Authority ever decided to relocate. In fact, this
expansion does not represent a further intrusion into the park.
The building addition was wholly within the lot that was
subdivided and totally within the area that was currently fenced.
The area of the expansion is currently an outdoor gravel storage
area. There was no planned increase in staff or maintenance
vehicles, and the Housing Authority has indicated they don't
anticipate leaving the site unless the City chooses not to renew
their lease in the year 2017.
The applicant has requested a variance to the requirement for on -
site water detention for this project. This variance does not
require Planning and Zoning Board approval, instead it will be
approved by Stormwater Utility. The request is based on the
small size of the proposed addition, relative to the large green
area in the adjacent softball fields, and also the City Park Nine
Golf Course.
Staff was recommending approval of this project.
Rachele Stevens, Executive Director of the Fort Collins Housing
Authority, stated their agency was established by City Council in
1971. They have been at 1715 West Mountain since 1975. The
building was constructed with HUD dollars on the property site
that was lease, to them by the City for a 40 year term for a very
minimal fee.
To their credit, they are attending to the assisted housing needs
of 685 families in Fort Collins. That included the elderly and
disabled population. They also contract to manage 42 units with
the Town of Wellington for their public housing developments.
They have grown in proportion to the City's population. Today,
an applicant waits two and a half to four years before being
served. Their waiting list at their last count was in excess of
two thousand households. It increases 50 household applicants
monthly.
They try to be good neighbors, not only in the conduct of their
business administratively, but to the very east of their
properties, they have created decent, safe and sanitary housing
at the Mountain Park homes. That was in replacement of a
blighted community eye sore trailer park. The expansion plans
before the Board were conservative, responsible and practical.
Relocation on their part would be extremely costly. Their monies
could be better utilized for housing programs and not for more
expensive office space. The proposed building design keeps them
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 7
within the plotted boundaries, no parkland would be intruded
upon. They have addressed the neighborhood concerns of their
last submittal so that the proposed one story structure was
compatible with surrounding neighborhood structures. Their
expansion design was not intrusive. Fencing and environmentally
responsible shrubbery and vegetation will attend to any aesthetic
concealment to where it would be barely visible.
Their occupancy at the north end of City Park is with
responsibility, "as they aesthetically maintain their property,
even to the clean up and debris removal that follows the weekend
recreational and organized sports programs in the park and
ballpark areas.
Administratively, the Fort Collins Housing Authority was
designated a high performer by HUD. They have achieved three
consecutive years of PHMAC, Public Housing Management Assistance
Program. They have achieved outstanding scores in excess of 95%.
This honor, affords the housing authority national recognition
for performance.
She thanked the City for the cooperation they have provided to
them.
The primary neighborhood opposition that they encountered with
the last neighborhood meetings was philosophical, there was a
concern that they would expand again. However, they could not go
beyond their plotted boundaries. Their growth as a quasi -
municipality agency was truly reflected of the City of Fort
Collins growth, and the affordable housing needs that are
attendant to the lower income earning households that are not
adequately being not by the private sector.
In 1986, they served 474 households. when she says served, she
means with actual dollars and programs in place. That was not
the waiting list. Their service demands today, are serving 685
households with over 2,000 applicants on their list growing at
alarming rates, and the waiting list at two and a half to four
years. In affect, they have increased their service delivery by
53% in seven years. They are in place to respond to the
communities unmet assisted housing needs and to work
cooperatively with the City's departments to address the
comprehensive housing affordability strategies (CHAS), those
goals and those objectives.
For the record, she submitted the lease agreement enacted between
the City and the Housing Authority that was effective in 1976 and
subsequently renewed. She read from the agreement, "that said
parcel of land was centrally located in relation to the
facilities constructed by the authority, and which is an ideal
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page S
location for the said administrative headquarters of the
Authority".
She also submitted a chronology of zoning events that was
prepared by City Staff from 1974 to 1992. She turned the next
section of their presentation over to Jim Kline of the Housing
Authority.
Jim Kline of the Housing Authority stated that in 1991-92, they
proposed a two-story building. They felt they had maximized the
most out of the property and came to the Board with it. They
were shown several things that were not liked by the Board and
not liked by the residents. They have taken the proposal back,
looked at it and asked themselves what they could do with this.
One objection was the two-story configuration and the fear of
overlapping the existing parkland. They went back and got the
property platted so the Housing Authority has lot lines and
boundaries that it cannot exceed. They also looked at the
building and thought the two-story configuration was a little
more commercial type of building than residential. They have no
more than surrounded the existing garage, staying in the same
front line as the existing building and keeping to the same
setback in the rear. This has maintained all their setbacks and
left them a sideyard and they feel that this was the best
configuration they could do on the property. It has also taken
out the two-story configuration. They do have property lines and
they have come to the maximum amount of building they could put
on the land.
Their long-range plans are such that the way they have it now,
they will outgrow this building. Their ultimate plan is to keep
their administration in this building. They can do that in a
long-range plan by using the garage facility that they have now,
converting that to offices and then they would be forced to have
a satellite operation as a maintenance facility in another part
of town. They refrain from wanting to do that at this time,
because it disrupts their operation. They have good continuity
between their management and their maintenance staff so that they
interact and everyone knows what is going on. He thought they
would loose efficiency if it was separated at this point. with
this long-term plan in place, he thought they could make
arrangements to look for the ideal spot for this to happen in the
City. He thought that this location was ideal in that, it is
c'ose to their residents, centrally located, and was frankly, a
r --e place for it.
Chairman Clements asked for any Board questions for the applicant
at this time.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 9
There was none.
CITIZEN INPUT
John Messineo, 137 Bryan Street, handed out materials to the
Board. He stated he was again at the Board for the same reason,
this was a non -conforming use. He mentioned that both Jim and
Shelly had brought up, that at one time it was considered an
ideal location. But 20 years ago, he remembered thinking that
McDonald's at University Mall was at the end of town. We have
expanded southward and eastward tremendously, and while this
might fit where they have their buildings right now, this is not
a central location. The information the Board received, led
Staff to place this item on the consent agenda. From the notes
given to them by a Staff member that is no longer working for the
City, the Board assumed there was no opposition. The Board may
not have been told, that people in opposition to this addition,
were present at all three neighborhood meetings. Those at the
meetings generally held the same views as he does. It has
nothing to do with the plans, the concern is the addition to a
non -conforming use area. They have no complaint with them as
neighbors, what the facility looks like or anything like that.
This site was first given a non -conforming use as a 1200.square
foot building. This square footage is about the average size of
the homes in the area. An additional 3 or 4 requests for space
has resulted in the building being close to 4,000 square feet.
Tonight's request is for another 2,600 square feet, plus a little
bit, in a residential area with most dwelling units at 1200
square feet. A business complex of 6,800 square feet is
gigantic.
The last time the Fort Collins Housing Authority asked for
approval, they were denied. The Director of the Housing
Authority stood right here and said regardless of the outcome, he
would seek no further additions.
The Board is now presented with a new proposal. They don't seem
to be bound by decisions of their predecessors, but they should
be. The previous Planning Board took into account the need to
have contiguity with a neighborhood and voted to stop increasing
the size of the non -conforming use building. When it was first
established, the building was not intended as a garage/shop. The
original 1200 square feet housed an office space and a kitchen.
Besides going against the intent of the original grant of a non-
conforming use, the addition goes against City policy. The West
Side Neighborhood Plan urges protection of the Mountain Avenue
Neighborhood. The plan stresses the intent of keeping the
neighborhood residential in flavor. Increasing the size of an
industrial building does not fit within those guidelines.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 10
The project does not conform with the guidelines set up with
Community Planning and Environmental Services Transportation
Division. The main thrust of the guidelines they had is increase
the residential feel of Mountain Avenue. They are doing this by
decreasing the use of automobiles and encouraging the use of
bicycles. The Transportation Division states that the intent was
to down grade traffic on Mountain Avenue to local residential use
only. Increasing the size of the Housing Authority facility does
not fit into any of the City's plans for Mountain Avenue.
while it may not happen overnight, any increase in the facility
was sure to result in the increase of traffic. He remembered
when there was only two to three cars in their parking lot. Now
it is not unusual to see 20 to 30 cars at one time. As the
business and facilities have increased,.so has the traffic. He
can understand how the Housing Authority would like to keep both
warehouse and office under one roof, but they need to be more
realistic and notice that the City and the County and private
businesses have needed to place departments in different
locations. The town is growing and the Housing Authority will
grow with it, and as a result the future will find them needing
more space. What will they do then? Get more land from the
City? Or try for a special variance to build bigger on the lot?
They need to understand that they have outgrown the intended use
of the building. If their warehouse/garage department has
outgrown their space, they should do as other businesses have
done and move to a location that is conducive to growth.
His understanding was that the Housing Authority staff does not
even make full use of the space they have in the current
building. He says this because he knows space is sub -leased or
loaned to at least one person, perhaps others who have no direct
connection with the Housing Authority.
The building is on parkland and is leased to the Housing
Authority for $1 per year. He would want to stay there too. He
has no qualms with that. Giving up parkland 20 years ago was no
great concern, but the size of the City has doubled since then,
and with the population continuing to grow, parkland is at a
premium. It seems out of the question that the Housing Authority
be allowed to increase square footage at the expense of public
parkland. He realizes it has been zoned and plotted out as their
own plot of land, but the expansion represents increased building
in a park area. When their lease is up, the City may intend to
use it as other uses.
He asks that the Board respect that the application represents
continued additions to a non -conforming use that do not fit the
City's plans on Mountain and that the Board deny this request.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 11
Nancy Gray, spoke here two years ago as well. She lives at 110
Fishback, which is almost around the corner from the Housing
Authority. She hoped that speaking in opposition to this
expansion, in no way indicates that they don't appreciate the
Housing Authority. When the Housing Authority removed the
trailer park, it did a great service to the neighborhood. It
enhanced the neighborhood, they see the neighborhood now.
responding with more single family dwellings that are permanent
in nature, less non -related people rentals, and they are very
proud of what is happening to the neighborhood. They do thank
the Housing Authority for doing that. She thought at the time it
was appropriate that the Housing Authority was there.
She thought it was appropriate that the Housing Authority remains
there. She could understand that the Housing Authority has
administrative space problems. She does not like that heavy, or
medium sized equipment is parked behind a fence at the Housing
Authority. Perhaps to most people, it would be more desirable to
have that equipment enclosed in a garage. But this decision on
the Board's part, should have nothing to do with whether this is
the Housing Authority or whether it is a private property
management company asking for an expansion and to expand it's
warehouse/garage and maintenance facilities so it can be
contiguous to it's administration.
She thought the Board should look at this and say, is this good
land use. Should a neighborhood, and by the way, that eighth of
a mile from Bryan Street to Grandview Cemetery, will in the not
so distant future, will become historical. It's probable one of
the loveliest areas in the City. A little bit to the east of
that, you can see old Fort Collins and how it grew from not only
from the turn -of -the -century, to the early part of the century
and to the depression. There is a very interesting mix.
The new housing that has gone up in the area has re -captured the
Victorian approach to many of the houses. She wants the Housing
Authority to stay there. She wants them to do business there.
She does not like it that it became a subdivision. She was
pretty naive, she just glanced at that and thought it protected
them from using this area from using this area as a
warehouse/garage. It is very clear that it opened the way for
people, the Planning Staff, and the Housing Authority to justify
this turning into a maintenance facility. All of the additional
square footage is going into a maintenance/storage/garage
facility, all of it. There is no reason that since there is the
space there for expansion into the existing garage units, why it
can't be done.
She does not accept the fact that you cannot administer service
personnel and maintenance personnel in separate facilities. The
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 12
City of Fort Collins has done it for years. Larimer County has
done it for years. Any major property management organization
does it, and has done it because their administrative offices
would not be in compliance with the zoning philosophy and the
zoning laws of this City. She loves the Housing Authority, but
she does not think that it is appropriate that the Board permit
them to use this area as a warehouse and maintenance facility and
the Board needs to be doubly careful because it is quasi -
municipal. The Board has to be very careful of that perception.
John Kasofolas, 604 Sycamore. He wished to speak of another
reason the Board should approve this request for the expansion.
He also would like to comment that Nancy's comments were not
accurate regarding the expansion. He works in the building. He
works with Project Self -Sufficiency, which is a non-profit agency
here in Larimer County that provides services to single parent
families. He is currently working with 29 families, and
essentially, they try to support them in making decisions about
education and employment.
Right now, the current situation is that the building is very
crowded, and it is affecting the kind of customer service that
they provide to people. His space is just on the other side of
the main lobby where people come in, and just opposite of the
conference room. Basically it is an enclosure, and there is
serious concerns about confidentiality and also noise levels.
When he meets with a participant in the program, it is very
difficult to conduct business because there are people in the
lobby that are there to pick-up applications, etc.
His main point is that the Housing Authority building is very
crowded and is affecting the performance that they do in terms of
the people that they serve. The relationship that project Self -
Sufficiency has with the Housing Authority is such that they are
a separate entity, but the Housing Authority provides a space in
order for them to do what they need to do.
He would ask that the Board give a lot of thought to this and
hope the Board decides in a favorable way.
Rob Jefferson, 100 S. Bryan, approximately 50 to 75 yards to the
east of the Housing Authority and has lived there 5 years. He
sees no reason not to approve this project. Currently, the
impact to the neighborhood is minimal and insignificant as far as
the amount of traffic that comes and goes from there. Even if
the size doubled or tripled, they still would not notice it.
There is enough other traffic going in and out of City Park that
it is insignificant. The only thing he notices around there is
the ballpark. They can hear the ballpark late at night, and that
is basically -the only noise they can hear. He is in favor of it.
ft
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 13
Evelyn Clark, wanted to speak as a tax -payer. She would like to
ask that the Board approve the expansion of the Fort Collins
Housing Authority facility. She personally appreciates the staff
that wants to consider the tax -payer and appreciates the fact
that they want to use the money they receive to serve the low-
income families instead of spending the money on a new expensive
facility.
CITIZEN INPUT CLOSED
Member Walker stated that he thought the Board was revisiting the
argument of two years ago. There has been an expressed need for
more space for the Housing Authority for a variety of reasons.
On the plan he sees more office space and a garage. This to him
indicates that it was a growing type operation that needs more
room, and the point was well taken that if this were to be
approved, this would suffice for awhile. It was expressed that
ultimately this would all go to office space as the Authority
grows as it likely would as the City grows. His question to the
Board was that, where's the cut point on this? This is a non-
conforming use and as the general policy with a non -conforming
use, we try to resolve that at some point in the future. This is
certainly not resolving a non -conforming use. As this expands
into a large facility, was this compromising the sense of the
neighborhood?
Also with the Housing Authority, it sounds like at some point,
they will be separating their service element from their
administrative element. It sounded like should they do it now.
He still has the same concerns as when it came up before and that
is that we are taking something out of non -conforming use and
while there is some unique characteristics of the fact of what
the Housing Authority is and does, he was inclined to apply the
same standards as if a private entity were coming in. From a
planning point, he has some very serious concerns. If there
needs to be some larger operation for the Housing Authority,
perhaps the Housing Authority and City Council should discuss
where they are going with this. Now the site will be maxed out
and next time they will have to go elsewhere with service
facilities. He was concerned about the fact that they were
revisiting this issue, that it is a non -conforming use, and he
did not like the Board to promote a policy of encouraging non-
conforming uses on particular sites.
Member Bell asked in the year 2017, should the City decide not to
renew the lease, what's the status of the building? Does the
City have to buy the building from the Housing Authority?
Deputy City Attorney Eckman replied he had not read the lease.
Typically if a fixture is attached to the ground, the fixture
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 14
will go with the land and would become property of the City, but
without reading the lease there might be some stipulations that
the tenant may be able to remove the building from the property.
He offered to take a look at it and get back to her later.
Chairman Clements asked if the City currently owned the property
and then leases it to the Housing Authority.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman replied that was correct.
Member Bell asked about the parking spaces and the public comment
about 30 or more cars being parked there daily. She asked if
someone from the City observed that? Do we know what the traffic
counts are in that area, and is there adequate parking in that
area available.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied that staff did not have traffic
counts in the area, but the parking area is a joint parking
arrangement with City Park. The parking lot to the east and to
the southeast is the parking lot for the softball fields. Their
hours of operation are totally separate. He did not know the
timing of the first ball game at night, typically it is after
hours, and so there was no conflict between Housing Authority
traffic and recreational traffic.
Deputy City Attorney explained that he had found the provision.
It stated, "upon the expiration of the term of the lease, or any
renewal hereof, all facilities erected by the Authority on the
demised premises, shall become the property of the City.
Member Bell asked if the Housing Authority was sub -leasing some
of their currently space to other tenants.
Ms. Stevens of the Housing Authority replied that the office
space, which is literally a cubical, is provided to project Self -
Sufficiency at no fee. It is an "in -kind" donation in that
Project Self -Sufficiency not only attends to Project Self -
Sufficiency, but the new terminology is Family Self -Sufficiency.
That is working in tandem with HUD funded programs to provide
capacity building educational application and job training so
that young starter families can evolve from dependency from
public dollars into their own self-sufficiency and independence
and main stream. There is no cost or fee for sub -letting. Just
use our space, our phone and facilities as a service.
Chairman Clements asked if it was related.
Ms. Stevens replied that was correct. It is related to the
auxiliary housing programs, not just shelter, but all the other
attendant programs for capacity building.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 15
Member Cottier asked about the statement made regarding no
increase in traffic and would like more discussion on that. She
did not see how adding five offices would not add traffic. Also,
in reading the neighborhood meeting notes, there was a mention of
a need for fencing for security reasons. She asked it there was
any security lighting. Thirdly, she wanted an explanation of the
fencing situation along the south edge of the property.
Mr. Kline responded that the Housing Authority was growing. They
have been maintaining in the building with the staff they had,
adding one or two periodically. In 1991, their application said
they had 17 employees, at this time they have 20. That same 17
and now 20, is crowded into the same building that was there in
1991.
As he had expressed, they have a plan that this would be
administrative someday and their maintenance facility would move
off on its own. That is the intention. With that, the
maintenance traffic and staff will disappear and it will allow a
lot more parking spaces for future employees.
There is a fence and lighting, but it is no more than a hop over
the fence, and their trucks are vandalized. They have had this
happen in the past, and in their last presentation, that was why
they asked for an indoor facility. Again, that is why they ask
for it now.
When the Housing Authority was first put in place, it was no more
than administrative and recreational use. The City of Fort
Collins allowed a 1,000 square foot garage to handle this matter.
It handled it for along time, and now again they are at a dilemma
for indoor parking space and office space.
Member Cottier again asked about thesecurity lighting and the
fencing situation on the south side of the building.
Mr. Kline replied that on the south side of the building, they
have a 6 foot privacy fence that extends all the way around the
yard. They have lights that are on darkness sensors.
Member Cottier asked about the statement on the plan, that the
fence in the southwest corner is to be relocated.
Mr. Kline replied that was correct.
Member Cottier asked if that would be on the property line.
Mr. Kline replied no, it no more than extends out a little bit.
The fence that would be moved the most would be the western
fence. As it is, it is running perpendicular with the building
and they propose to push it out to maximize their property to
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 16
about a foot or two inside the property line and configure it so
it runs on the angle of the property line. Again, that would be
to maximize the land they have.
Member Cottier stated she was trying to get some feel for what
the existing lighting is. is it intrusive, and is any additional
lighting proposed to be added?
Mr. Kline replied that it was not intrusive, at least no one has
voiced it from the neighborhood over the years. No one from the
neighborhood has voiced any complaint about their activities.
They do not intend to increase the lighting, they feel it is
sufficient, it would just move as the building expands.
Ms. Stevens added that the Housing Authority is hooked -up to a
service, which is sensor operated, so if there is any break-in,
or a non -key admittance on the part of the individual, an alarm
will go off at Denver Burglar Alarm.
Mr. Jefferson, 100 S. Bryan added that the 100 year old trees
next to the irrigation ditch also provide a barrier from the
lighting.
Chairman Clements commented that she did not foresee any
additional traffic. She has been in the building the Housing
Authority is in, and agreed that they do have a confidentiality
problems, very limited space. There is a lot of people packed
into small cubicals. From first hand knowledge of being in the
building and, the services this building provides, they need more
office space in order to provide more customer service and
confidentiality.
There was also some concern earlier that this building expanding,
and it being the Housing Authority, perhaps it's a non -conforming
use, what is the cut-off point, do we keep expanding. She
thought this was a necessary expansion and would like to see, as
our community continues to grow, that perhaps the Housing
Authority would look into a satellite facility as their
properties start to grow. As we hopefully try to get more
properties into the south of town, perhaps the Housing Authority
would need an expansion to the south.
She compared this to the Poudre Valley Hospital expansion, in the
middle of a residential neighborhood that has been growing, and
they are at the cut-off point and are looking at services to the
south of town. She does not feel that this is the monster that
everyone thinks it will be and will grow beyond the scope of the
neighborhood. She feels that some of these issues warrant an
expansion.
ft
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 17
Unknown Citizens asked that Chairman Clements excuse herself from
voting due to a conflict of interest of working with the Housing
Authority.
Chairman Clements replied she did not have a conflict of
interest, there were many people she has worked with in this room
in a variety of ways. As her role as Chairman of the Planning
and Zoning Board, she has to serve as a representative of the
Planning and Zoning Board to many committees and task forces the
City Council asks them to serve on. She stated she has been in
the building only.
Member Fontana stated that she was not on the Board in 1992 when
the plot was designated. It seemed to her that the decision was
made back then to allocate a certain amount of land that would be
appropriate for this use, even knowing that it was a non-
conforming use and that the growth of this building could not
expand outside of this. There is a limit with the setbacks it
would have to use as guidelines. There was a limit to the
growth. She thought it was a good location and a good decision
and would improve the safety by providing indoor storage.
Member Cottier asked for a clarification on the reasoning for the
plat. She did not think that it had anything to do with saying
that the Housing Authority could expand as much as they want
within this area.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman replied that he did not know the
history of it, but suspected that there was a need for a building
permit and the code does not allow the issuance of a building
permit unless the land upon which the building permit is to be
issued has been made a part of an official subdivision. That
would be the most logical reason the land was subdivided.
Member Cottier stated she was one of the members that voted and
approved that subdivision plat. It was with no understanding
that it was o.k. for the Housing Authority to expand within that
property.
Member Fontana stated that it did put a limit. If they did not
plot that, they could ask for expansions that would be outside of
the limits that were set.
Member Bell asked for some explanation from other Board members
as to their recollection of the purpose.
Member Cottier replied that Mr. Eckman had stated it. The
purpose of subdividing the lot and giving it a legal description
was to conform to requirements to getting a building permit.
Planning and zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page IS
Member Carnes also stated he was not here two years ago. He sees
it as a difficult balancing of a lot of considerations and to him
it seems like conflicting City policies. They were not there to
set City policy. They do make allowances for undue hardship when
it comes to a private developer. He was not certain this was an
undue hardship to continue the situation as it is, but he thought
he would vote in favor of this proposal. No substantial change
in use, no use on weekends, good neighbors by improving the
neighborhood, not having complaints, the platting of the
property, which has no likelihood of being changed in the future
and also no likelihood of any further expansion being approved.
Member Carnes moved for approval of the Housing Authority
expansion.
Member Fontana seconded the motion.
Member Cottier stated she would not be supporting this motion.
She feels very strongly that this proposal is not in keeping with
the West Side Neighborhood Plan. It has been glossed over. She
thought neighbors in the past have very strongly quoted the West
Side Neighborhood Plan and she would do so also because it
specifically says that, "any new facilities or construction in
City Park or Lee Martinez Park should be reviewed with adjacent
property owners. Projects that diminish open space,
significantly increase the size of the maintenance facility,
detract from the historic character of City Park or adversely
impact adjacent residences should be avoided". She thought that
this very directly speaks to this specific site.
The Board is being asked to increase the existing facility by
70%, largely for maintenance purposes. She in no way has any
argument with the Housing Authority's need to expand their
administrative purposes. She did think it was time -to find a
different site for the maintenance facilities. She thought this
was not consistent with the West Side Neighborhood Plan intent to
conserve the residential areas. This is an expansion of a
business in a residential area. Yes, the Housing Authority
should be credited with helping to revitalize the little pocket
at Bryan Street project. That was what was desired and intended
in that area, to conserve the residential stock and encourage
redevelopment to be residential, not office or not maintenance.
She thought that one of the residents comments that the City's
need for park space has increased with growth should be
considered. City Park has defined boundaries and that would not
expand. This is part of City Park. Another point is the use of
tax -payer dollars. If you consider the potential'of this
facility being taken over by the City in 30 years, with all the
money the Housing Authority has put into this, it would be much
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 19
more beneficial, and a guaranteed benefit to the Housing
Authority to put their maintenance facilities somewhere else.
Member Walker stated he would not be supporting the motion as
made by his earlier comments. He felt they had reached a point
of a non -conforming use that is out of compliance with the West
Side Plan as was quoted. There is a need for this type of
facility in town, but this has outgrown it's existing need. Not
only would there be a change with the addition, but now a fence
line would be expanded within the limits of the platted lot so
that the whole sense of space would change. The net effect to
encroach on space that was not intended for such uses, hence the
fact that this use is non -conforming. He did not see that since
there is a platted lot that the goal should be to max it out. He
suggested that the Housing Authority should maintain its existing
offices and move the maintenance facility elsewhere and start
looking for satellite locations for administration. He did not
think they should build more on this site.
Member Fontane commented that with a 40-year lease, it was
presumed that Fort Collins would grow and the need for this
facility would grow. She hoped that those considerations were
taken into consideration to put a 40-year lease at such a deal.
She was not comfortable taking the responsibility of saying, they
should move their maintenance facility. In respecting the
process that took place, a 40-year lease means that growth was
taken into consideration. She was not ready to take some past
decision and throw that aside.
Member Cottier commented that it was 15 years after the lease was
written that the West Side Neighborhood Plan was adopted with two
years of input from the neighbors as to what they wanted in that
area. She thought that what may or may not have been intended
when a lease was drawn up 20 years ago should not be the dominant
consideration.
Member Cottier cited LDGS All Development Criteria A.22, building
placement and orientation, that this is not consistent with the
established neighborhood character. Also Criteria A.27,
architecture, that the architecture does not contribute to the
neighborhoods appearance in a positive way. She did not think
that an over 6,000 square foot facility would be consistent with
the generally small, single family residences in this area.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman asked Mr. Carnes in the making of his
motion if he also wanted to include as findings of fact, that the
preliminary P.U.D. satisfies all of the All Development Criteria
of the Land Development Guidance System and also passes the point
chart.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 20
It was necessary in the making of a positive motion, the finding
be made that all of the All Development Criteria in the Land
Development Guidance System have been met by this plan. He
wanted to make sure that the record was clear that he had made
some reasons as to why he made the motion. He did not hear that
in his findings that all of the criteria had been met.
Member Carnes moved that this proposal, this application be
approved and that findings of fact is met, and has not the All
Development Criteria according to the Staff.
Member Cottier stated that the applicant had also requested a
variance from on -site detention. She would like an explanation,
and consider that in light of whether this platted parcel is
adequate for this expansion. She asked for the requirement for
on -site detention and how much area that would cover.
Mr. Kline replied that from their last proposal, the drainage was
accepted. They were putting in the same amount of square footage
that they were last time, maybe a little less. It was felt that
with the open space surrounding to the south that it was adequate
ground cover there, adequate impervious surface there that it
would be absorb the water, any water that would be displaced. It
was also felt that it was not a significant amount of addition to
really to put detention into place.
Member Cottier asked for the City's comments on that.
Basil Hamden, City Stormwater Utility. He stated there was a
variance request regarding stormwater detention facility on the
site. He stated that stormwater detention facility on the site
is required for additional impervious areas that are developed in
the City. Most generally, they only allow them to release at
historic rates so they do not increase the discharge rates, not
the volumes. When you add impervious, you are adding volume. To
mitigate for the discharge, they make them put in some type of
detention area so it would release the water over a longer period
of time and would hopefully not adversely impact the neighbors.
In this case, the applicant has requested that no additional
detention be provided on this site with this addition. Usually
the cut-off pint is 350 square feet. Any addition above 350
square feet, hey require them to do some kind of detention. In
this case they have received a variance request, but they have
not approved it yet until they sign the plans, they do not
consider the variance to be approved.
Chairman Clements asked if this could go forward until it is
approved and would not go forward if it is not approved by their
department.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 21
Mr. Hamden replied that if it is not approved, if they find that
the surrounding area system would be impacted adversely, even
though they may be increasing the discharge rate, but the
downstream system can handle that increased run-off, then they
would approve the variance. If they find that no, the added run-
off would cause some impact on the outfall, then they will deny
the request and require them to put some additional detention to
take care of the added impervious surface.
Member Cottier asked in Mr. Hamdens judgement, was there room on
this site to provided for the additional detention?
Mr. Hamden replied, at this point he had not looked at it to the
point to give an answer. At this point, they were not talking
about large volumes, 6,000 square feet is not a very large
addition. Even though it will require detention, the amount of
volume you would need to mitigate for that is not that
significant and there would probably be enough room.
Motion passed 4-3, with Members Cattier, Walker and Bell voting
in the negative.
Bob Blanchard, Chief Planner gave the staff report recommending
approval and approval of a variance to the solar orientation
requirements.
Chief Planner Blanchard clarified for the record that the school
enrollment page in the Boards staff report was incorrect. It
should read Bauder Elementary school with a design capacity of
728 students, with a 1993 enrollment of 653 students.
Chairman Clements asked about the concerns with the school and if
the School District reviews new development and could accommodate
it.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied that the School District did
review all proposals and each year make decisions about where
their student population would come from and make any adjustments
necessary.
Chairman Clements also addressed the neighbors concerns about
keeping this parcel for open space/recreational uses. She
clarified that the City did not own this land and that it was
under private ownership.
Chief Planner Blanchard responded that the parcel was currently
under the City's management and it was currently under contract
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 22
for ownership with the applicants for this application. This
parcel came under the City's ownership because of the failed
Special Improvement District and the City has an obligation to
sell the property which is the backup of the Special Assessment
Bonds. The City may purchase this property or put it up for
sale. In this instance it is being sold.
Chairman Clements asked if this property has been looked at by
the Parks Department.
Chief Planner Blanchard responded that the Parks Department also
reviews all applications.
Chairman Clements asked if they had any interest in pursuing this
as open space/recreation.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied that staff did not received any
comments back regarding possible purchase.
Chairman Clements asked about Natural Resources purchasing this
property, with tax -payer dollars, and was it on their priority
list of purchases.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied it was not.
Member Fontane asked about the pipeline configuration and the
storm water runoff in the canal and why was Stormwater supporting
this.
Basil Hampden, Stormwater Utility, stated that PV & L Canal
currently carried quite a bit of stormwater flows because the
City has allowed some subdivisions upstream to drain into the
canal and use it as a temporary way to transport stormwater.
Currently there are problems with flooding from the PV & L Canal
at some locations. Due to the existing conditions, they were
trying not to increase an already existing problem and try to
mitigate for it. Due to the existing condition, there needed to
be a solution so the whole system would work.
Mr. Hampden went on to say that one of the alternative solutions
the applicant presented was to reduce the 66 foot right-of-way
and use one large ditch for both flows and that was rejected by
the canal company. The second proposal was to put the irrigation
water in the pipe and allow the stormwater flows to go where the
canal is currently going.
Member Fontane asked if there was any concern with the water
quality, and where the piping end, would the water from
stormwater and, irrigation come together, and would there be a
problem at that location.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 23
Mr. Hampden replied that the canal company has expressed concern
about water quality. They did not want stormwater discharging
into their system. The pipe, will reduce the amount of mixing of
irrigation water and stormwater discharge. In the mean time, the
pipe might not be built now with this development, it will be
built with the master drainage improvements, they are still
proposing the two detention areas.
Mr. Hampden also stated that the system would be discharged at
West Drake into Spring Creek.
Member Fontane asked about the master plan and the piping and the
responsibility of the pipe going to the Homeowners Association.
Mr. Hampden replied that the developer would have the Homeowners
Association maintain the pipe with a note on the plan.
Member Bell asked if the City giving approval for this was in any
way, legally, going to come back and haunt the City if there are
problems.
Mr. Hampden asked if she meant maintenance.
Member Bell replied maintenance, breakage, residential flooding
in basements.
Mr. Hampden replied that not only would it be on the plans, but
also in the development agreement, which is a legal document.
Mike Herzig, Engineering Department, replied that the City is
covered in the development agreement language, that essentially
the developer and his engineer is responsible for the engineering
that takes place to design their system. Staff reviews it and if
there are any errors, omissions or anything else overlooked, the
developer is responsible.
Deputy City Attorney stated he has not seen any development
agreements with the City or the Canal Company yet, but it would
be advisable for Mr. Herzig to consider an agreement with the
Canal Company that spells out the nature of this relationship so
we know that the Company agrees to this.
Member Carnes had difficulty placing this sort of thing on future
homeowners, a potential long-term maintenance problem. He had
not heard anything that would give him reassurance that this is a
good thing to do. He thought this needed to look at this further
and more consideration given to the future homeowner.
Member Strom also had concerns about the responsibility of the
future homeowners and would like to see some idea of what the
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 25
Ms. Ripley stated that the petition went on to request three
things. First, was that the development be stringently evaluated
in natural resources. She replied that they had been in the
process for seven months and have met all the criteria in the
Land Development Guidance System. Second, was the need for
housing in this price range. Finally, that the project be
required to provide a minimum of 20% open space. She replied
that the project was providing 18% and in addition there will be
fencing restrictions along the canal and will appear to have more
open space and an opportunity in the future for a canal.
Ms. Ripley stated that the developer was also proposing a
streetscape along Prospect Road that runs the whole length. It
will be partially fenced and has a variety of plant materials,
street trees, detached walk, evergreen trees and berming behind.
It will also have an entry feature for the development.
Chief Planner Blanchard pointed out that Stormwater Utility had
estimated that the pipeline lifetime would be 50 years with the
understanding that it is a closed system. The homeowners would
be required to maintain the pipe system and the City would
maintain the canal system that handles the stormwater flows.
Mary Wanrad, Northern Engineering, stated what they had come up
with after several alternatives. What was agreed upon by the
City and the ditch company was rather than the Master Plan going
with the dual ditch, which took up over 100 feet of right-of-way,
they would go with the open canal for stormwater and the closed
pipe for irrigation.
Ms. Wanrad went on to say that as far as the irrigation flows
being conveyed in a concrete pipe, it would be a closed system,
and would have a life expectancy of about 50 years. The City
would maintain their own open channel for stormwater.
Member Strom asked if he understood that the pipe would not be
installed until the year 2000.
Basil Hampden replied that the plan now calls for an interim
solution where the P V & L would still carry stormwater flows.
It did not make sense to put the pipe in now until the whole
system is in. What Ms. Wanrad was trying to say is that the pipe
system would be put in at the same time that the master plan
improvements are put in. When this is budgeted and found to be
the highest priority item then the master plan improvement would
be done.
Member Strom asked if the developer would provide a bond or
escrow funds to develop this segment of pipe through this
development.
•
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 24
life expectancy of this sort of design and what the long-term
maintenance costs were.
Linda Ripley, Ripley Associates, representing Bill Neal and
Charolette Jorgensen, developers of the property gave a
presentation addressing the neighbors concerns and commented on
the stormwater issues.
Ms. Ripley stated that the stormwater issues were very complex
and that the issues have been worked on continuously since March
to resolve. The problem was that the City had master planned a
stormwater facility with the dual canals. The City had
overlooked getting right-of-way for this solution downstream and
homes were already built there. The City's master plan solution
would no longer work. Her client paid his engineer to figure out
a way for it all to work. The pipe was the solution that worked
for the City, the Canal Company and her client. She was not
taking it lightly that the responsibility was being put onto the
homeowners. She would have her engineer address that later in
the presentation. She felt her client had gone a long way to
resolve a problem that the City created.
Ms. Ripley addressed the neighborhood concerns, first with the
objection of the property remaining open space or to become a
park. She pointed out that the City does have ownership of the
property and if they so desire could create a park. The
neighborhood also had the opportunity to purchase the property if
they wanted to incorporate the land as open space in their
neighborhood.
In regard to deteriorating the quality of life, she pointed out
that the proposed project is very compatible with their
neighborhood with similar density, architectural structure and
price ranges to their homes.
Ms. Ripley addressed the school problem. She stated that the
School District does review projects and had the opportunity to
realign boundaries if the school is going to be overcrowded.
Ms. Ripley also addressed the concerns with circulation and
traffic. She stated that there was an approved project on Tract
A before this one for 163 townhomes to 70 single family lots.
The traffic generation has been cut in half. The traffic
analysis confirms that this project would not create safety or
congestion problems in their neighborhood.
Ms. Ripley addressed the final objection with regards to the need
for housing. She stated that a recent home sales report for
April and June of 1994 reported that 47% of home sales during
that period were in the $120„QDO to $180,000. This project was
in that range.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 26
Mr. Hampden replied they would require an escrow fund.
Member Strom asked if that would be for the entire pipe or would
the pipe ultimately go across other developments as well.
Mr. Hampden replied that the pipe that goes across the
neighboring development would be the responsibility of the City.
Member Strom asked who would be responsible for maintenance of
the rest of the pipe.
Mr. Hampden replied it depended on how far the pipe goes and the
negotiation with the Canal Company. If they say no, then the
City would have to take it on.
Member Strom asked about the 50-year life span and what did that
mean as far as risk to the homeowner.
Mr. Hampden replied that the main problem was that it was a
closed conduit system. The main problem would be from siltation
and sediment that would come in through the irrigation canal and
clog. They will be required to put in several manholes to clean
c.:t the pipes. He has seen pipes over 150 years old that are
still working.
Member Strom asked how big the pipe was.
Mr. Hampden replied 54".
Member Strom asked what the likelihood of a clog in a pipe that
size.
Mr. Hampden replied unlikely, it is a very large pipe.
Bill Neal, applicant, 407 C.omrad Court, stated since 1981 he had
developed every lot in Faribrooke. He was sensitive to the
Board's concerns about who's responsibility it would be for
maintaining the pipe. He stated that he was comfortable
accepting responsibility for the maintenance of the pipe due to
the fact that the Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal has only two
customers and one woul' be drying up next year due to
development. Also, thc-, flow of the irrigation canal since the
original drainage study has changed. It is now at 40 second feet
of flow, or down to nothing depending on what happens to the
Canal Companies two remaining clients. What sounds like a
formidable challenge for responsibility on the irrigation water
is slowing to a trickle. He was not comfortable accepting
responsibility for stormdrainage in perpetuity on this project.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 27
Member Cottier thought there might be some discrepancy on the
size of the pipe being put it and the amount of flow in the
irrigation ditch. How much oversized is the pipe?
Mr. Hampden stated that Mr. Neal was correct in stating that the
original master plan called for 150 cfs of irrigation flows. As
the City has developed there is less need for irrigation flows.
Mr. Hampden stated that they have a letter from Mr. Willis Smith,
President of the P V & L stating that the maximum amount of flow
expected was 40 cfs in the future in that canal. He stated that
40 cfs was about double the capacity for the size of the pipe.
The reason for the largeness of the pipe if that the irrigation
company likes for it's people to be able to walk inside of it and
inspect it.
Member Carnes asked until such time in which the pipe would be
built, if stormwater would flowing with the irrigation water and
would staff anticipate any flooding.
Member Carnes asked about the dual canal design and what were the
pros and cons of that.
Mr. Hampden stated if regard to the first question, that they
would not allow this development go into the canal undetained.
There would be detentions put in to release the water at a slower
rate. Currently the water is not being detained.
Chairman Clements asked if the dual canals could even be done
anymore due to the fact that the right-of-way was not reserved.
Mr. Hampden replied that the only other way it could be done
would be to take it around these developments. The applicant
would loose a lot of land and also the adjoining property would
be adversely effected.
Mr. Hamden replied to Member Carnes second question being the
pros and cons of an open system versus a closed system. He
stated that the open system was easier to maintain. The closed
system has a higher initial capital cost. Putting in the pipe
would, in the long-term, would be less maintenance. The initial
outlay of capital is the biggest disadvantage, but that would be
done by the applicant.
Member Bell asked about the storms this summer and were they 5-
year or 10-year storms.
Mr. Hamden replied that the concept of a 100-year storm is that a
storm like that would only come every 100 years. This summer, on
the average was 50-year in some parts of town, and 25-year in
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 28
others, and some parts of town were 5-year. It varies with storm
patterns.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATI0N
Kim Innes, lives in Fairbrooke, stated that in talking with over
200 people, only two were not opposed to this development. She
questioned the 18% of open space. She said that the neighborhood
did not care about a signature concept for their development, but
rather open space. She stated that Overland Park was not
accessible to their neighborhood due to having to cross Prospect
Road. She felt that it was a low priority and did not know that
the neighborhood could purchase the land and it would be too
expensive. She felt that Blevins park was poorly equipped and
people do not go there because it is too crowded. She felt with
the density of the neighborhood that this area was the least
served area with park space. She felt that the developers were
making large sums of money on these developments and should
contribute to more open space. She was concerned about a master
plan for the entire community and the amount of open space.
Ms. Innes was also concerned with circulation of the area, the
additional traffic of 70 new homes, the impact on the
neighborhood, the safety of the children walking to and from
school, and the overcrowding in the schools and that some kids
may have to be bused to other schools . She felt her concerns
have not been adequately addressed in this plan.
She felt that the neighbors have been cheated by the false
information given by developers when purchasing their homes to
the fact that there would be a park and open space.
She thought that the community development policies should more
adequately reflect what the community desires, more carefully
planned growth policies, and more weight put on educational, open
space needs, and quality of life.
Ralph Pacella, 1945 Etton Drive, pointed out on the map the canal
and where his backyard extended to the center of the P V & L
Canal. He was one of the people flooded by the storms this
summer. He spoke on his concerns with flooding of the canal and
the effects on his and his neighbors properties.
Cheryl Finney, 2337 Suffex Street, reiterated what Mr. Innes had
said. She was concerned with the overcrowding of the school and
asked what procedure was used to evaluate the school population.
Chairman Clements stated that the School District reviewed all
proposals and then evaluated the boundary lines according to new
r�
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 29
development. The Planning and Zoning Board receives school
projection reports with their packets with each new development.
Ms. Finney asked if the School District felt they could
accommodate this new development because there was also
development occurring on the east side of Hampshire and also in
Fairbrooke. She stated that the teachers felt there was
overcrowding in the school and they were not doing their best for
the students. She felt there was a discrepancy in the school
projections and the actual population of the school.
Ms. Finney was concerned about air pollution in this area and
that the kids in the area are breathing bad air. She was
concerned with growth and stability and the amount of development
in their area. She thought there should be a better balance.
CITIZEN INPUT CLOSED
Chairman Clements asked about the 18% open space.
Ms. Ripley replied that the 18% was a gross figure and it did
include some public right-of-way. The net figure was 17%.
Chairman Clements asked for Ms. Ripley to point out the open
space on the plan.
Ms. Ripley pointed out that the open space was in the detention
areas and along Prospect Road. Some of this was public right-of-
way and the other land dedicated by the developer as open space.
Ms. Ripley agreed with the neighbors concerns about the amount of
open space in the area and the barrier of Prospect Road to
Overland Park, but with the eventual trail, she thought there was
enough land to provide a lot of interesting recreational
opportunities in the future. She thought that if the neighbors
worked with Parks and Recreation, they could get some attention
for facilities with land that was already available.
Chairman Clements asked about the neighbors concerns about their
meetings with Parks and Recreation and that they were not taken
seriously. She asked Chief Planner Blanchard if he had any
history as to these meetings.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied that the review the Parks
Department had was the same as all the other City agencies.
There was no comments from the City Forester or Parks Department
about the need for an additional park site or public recreational
facilities on this site.
C
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 30
Chairman Clements addressed park fees and how they are assessed.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied they were assessed by house not
by land.
Chairman Clements asked how that was calculated per house.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied it was by lot.
Chairman Clements asked what the fee was.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied it was in the $800.00 range.
Chairman Clements asked where the money went.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied it went to the Parks Department
for future development.
Chairman Clements asked if it went for this square block area.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied it was a regional area. It was
not just related to just Fairbrooke.
Ms. Ripley added it was the square mile.
Chairman Clements asked about the neighbors concerns about the
traffic on Cedarwood.
Tom Vosburg, Transportation Planner replied that when the
original ODP for the Fairbrooke area a was submitted, traffic
impact analysis was conducted for that Overall Development Plan.
The analysis assumed higher densities for development for the
entire ODP. There was multi -family included in the original OPD,
so the original traffic analysis assumed more trips and the
original analysis indicated that the proposed street system could
handle the traffic without problems. As each phase of Fairbrooke
comes in with a lower density housing proposed than the original
analysis, no extensive update has been required. There has been
no newly updated traffic analysis for this particular phase of
Fairbrooke, he could not site specific estimated volumes for any
of the roads, except that Staff was confident that it was not
going to create any problems as did the original analysis.
Chairman Clements asked Mr. Vosburg to address the bike path in
this area.
Mr. Vosburg replied that his understanding that it was not
proposed in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a
recreational trail. Everyone recognizes that it could be a
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 31
potential connection in the future. There was no official City
plan for it and no one department is taking the lead on it and
there was no dollars allocated for it at this time. There was a
ditch, and there have been efforts to retain right-of-way and
space along the ditch so some where in the future, the Parks or
Transportation Departments would take responsibility for a bike
trail.
Chairman Clements asked that the neighbors concerns with the
school be addressed.
Chief Planner Blanchard replied that school information is
contained in each of the Boards packets. He went over the
formula that is used to calculated estimated populations of
students in new developments and how it is applied to the current
design capacity. He stated that development did not occur
immediately and each year the School District has the
opportunities to adjust their boundaries if needed.
Member Carnes commented about advantages of a closed system for
the ditch and the reduced maintenance costs for the ditch
company. He saw the applicant willing to pay capital costs for
the pipe. His concern was that this was a preliminary and final
proposal, and this proposal pointed out the wisdom of having a
preliminary and a final plan to review separate to address these
issues, in less time that the Board had spent at one time in one
session.
Chairman Clements followed up saying that in the past, if there
are concerns that the Board has that they feel they would like
more information on, the Board has separated them and only voted
on the preliminary plan and asked that issues be resolved before
the plan is given final approval. That was an option on this
plan.
Member Bell agreed with Member Carnes about having a preliminary
and final at the same time not being very prudent. She was not
convinced about the ditch and the pipe handling the stormwater
runoff with the amount of development occurring. She thought 10
years down the road after development has occurred was along time
to wait to take care of existing problems. She would not be
supporting this project as it stands now.
Member Cottier commented on the preliminary and final plan
submittal, that the stormwater issues had been resolved to the
City's satisfaction and that was what allowed this to be a joint
submittal at this point. it was her understanding that the
original preliminary submittal was delayed so these issues could
be resolved and that is what was being proposed now. She was
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 32
concerned about the Board questioning this now after it had been
such a long process to come up with a solution.
Member Walker concurred with Member Cottier in that this solution
was workable and suggested that the duration of pipelines should
resolve any concern with the future liability of homeowners. He
also concurred with the fact that the future need for the P V & L
Canal would disappear in terms of conveying irrigation water
within the lifetime of this pipe.
Member Walker thought there were several options in this area
regarding parks. He understood the concerns of the neighbors but
it has always been planned as a developable area. He thought
that the parks in the area were sufficient and questioned the
parcel being suitable for the kind of park the City would be
envisioning. He thought the traffic issues had been addressed to
his satisfaction.
Member Strom did have concerns with the pipe and the long-term
maintenance, but was convinced that this was a workable solution
in not laying undue burdens on the homeowners in this area. He
thought overall that this development was acceptable.
Chief Planner Blanchard reminded the Board when making their
motion there was a variance to the solar -orientation criteria and
a final approval condition regarding development agreements and
final utility plans.
Member Strom moved for approval of Fairbrooke P.U.D., Tract A,
Preliminary and Final with the standard utility condition and
approval of the solar variance based on the constraints of the
site.
Member Fontana seconded the motion.
Chairman Clements commented that the Board hears a lot of citizen
frustration about growth in Fort Collins. She suggested using
alternative modes of transportation for reducing air pollution.
She addressed density and growth issues in Fort Collins and
without a moratorium on the entire city, we were going to have
growth. It was the Boards job to try to ensure that as growth
occurs that it meets the policies put forth by City Council and
it meets the All Development Criteria. There is a highly
qualified staff that lives in this community and wants the
development that is going in to be high quality. She stated she
would be supporting the motion.
The motion was approved 6-1, with Member Bell voting in the
negative.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 33
Chairman Clements stated that this was a reconsideration of final
approval.
Ted Shepard, Senior Planner, stated this was a reconsideration of
a final decision. The original decision was made on August 22,
1994. There was a continued meeting until August 30. On August
30, there was a vote to reconsider the final decision. Tonight
the Board would address additional language to be placed on the
P.U.D. document. This language was worked out in cooperation
with the applicant. The applicant has reviewed this language and
is in agreement with it.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman stated that the language did not need
to be added as a condition of approval. The language just needed
to be included by the applicant as part of the application.
Chairman Clements asked for the applicants presentation.
There was none.
Chairman Clements asked for citizen participation.
There was none.
Member Cottier stated she has had the most concerns about this in
the past due to her involvement with the North College Avenue
Advisory Committee. Her concern was that a P.U.D. being approved
with lower standards than a typical P.U.D. when North College is
on the verge of having a new plan adopted with design standards
and guidelines. For that reason, she would like to see.better
improvements on this site in relation to the standards that would
be on North College.
Member Cottier appreciated the applicant's commitment to comply
with those standards when they do get adopted, which is scheduled
in about six months.
Member Cottier stated that their task tonight was to consider
final approval which also entails approving a variance to the
point chart. The items discussed previously, the final design
items arrived at in the previous final approval, were that there
were to be two 8' x 8' landscape islands at the north edge of the
north access and the south edge of the south access. There was
to be one tree in each of those. Those two landscape areas, as
well as the center island will be landscaped with juniper bushes
and they will be set off by railroad ties.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 26, 1994
Page 34
Member Cottier stated she would also like the approval to specify
that no vehicle, trailer, or other appliance could be parked
within 8 feet of the eastern property line.
Member Cattier moved for final approval with the stipulations
stated.
Member Fontana seconded the motion.
The Motion was approved 7-0.
There was no other business.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.