HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning And Zoning Board - Minutes - 03/06/1989PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING
OF CONTINUED ITEMS
MARCH 6, 1989
The continued meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board began at 6:37 p.m. in
the Council Chambers of New City Hall, 300 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins,
Colorado.
Board members present included Frank Groznik, Sandy Kern, Dave Edwards,
Laurie O'Dell, Lloyd Walker, Jim Klataske, and Rex Burns. Member Jan
Shepard was absent.
Staff members present included Tom Peterson, Joe Frank, Sherry
Albertson -Clark, Kayla Ballard and Paul Eckman.
#5-89.A - NEW NOTE #1 ANNEXATION AND ZONIN
#6-89.A - NEW NOTE #2 ANNEXATION AND ZONIN
Sherry Albertson -Clark gave a summary of the projects. She noted that staff
recommended approval of the requested annexation and IL zoning district with
a condition that a unified PUD Master Plan be submitted and approved by the
Board prior to any development of the site. She stated that there was an
additional staff memo to address the concerns expressed by the Board at
worksession. It also suggested four options which could be considered by the
Board.
Member Walker asked for a description of surrounding areas.
Ms. Clark used the vicinity map to point out the surrounding areas and the
zoning designation. She pointed out the residential area to the west and the
location of the Poudre River.
Eldon Ward represented the applicant. He stated that the site contained part of
the Poudre River Floodplain. He believed that only half of the property was
developable. The applicant would like some certainty of allowed uses. The
applicant would like to have the option of the IL and IP zone process. It
would respond better to the proposed uses. He noted projects in the area
which did not have to go through the PUD process. He believed the condition
needed further discussion. He said that a letter was sent to the Board which
stated that a Master Plan was a good compromise. After review of the staff
memo, the applicant still was unsure how detailed the condition should remain.
Member Walker asked how the area near the Poudre River might be developed.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 2
Mr. Ward stated that at the moment, the floodway still needed to be
determined. He thought that the area adjacent to the river would not be
developed except for the trail corridor. He said the ponds, which had been
mined in the past, were examined for possible reshaping to enhance
attractiveness. He stated that they could give a better idea of development
when the floodway was established. He estimated that would take six months.
The applicant wished to be annexed prior to the increase in REA rates.
Member Groznik asked if the applicant had had any conversations with those
involved in the Poudre River Study.
Mr. Ward did not believe anyone had spoken with them.
Member Edwards asked if the annexation and zoning could be dealt with
separately.
Mr. Ward said yes. He stated that the applicant was familiar with the current
county zoning and land uses and would like to know how they would be
affected by the City's zoning and uses before they were annexed.
Mr. Eckman noted that the zoning would not have to happen with the
annexation but would have to occur within 90 days of the annexation.
Member Kern asked how the City's zoning would differ from the County's
zoning.
Mr. Ward stated the only difference was the use by right versus the PUD
process.
Member Kern would not want to zone the property for other than commercial
uses, but his concern was that Harmony Road would continue to be developed
as it was in other developments along Harmony. He believed the concerns
were that the City maintain an appropriate gateway on one of the City's more
developable entryways.
Mr. Ward asked if the condition could be dependent upon review of the
streetscape plans. Based on the projects that the W.W. Reynolds Company has
worked on, he saw no disparity of intent. He believed if a Harmony Corridor
Study could be done by the city, then future projects could comply with the
guidelines. He stated that they could respond to those concerns and believed
the IL to be compromise of proposed zonings on the site.
Mr. Peterson pointed out the importance of Harmony Road as a gateway. This
was the reason for the condition. The condition was an attempt to provide the
necessity for any developments to meet certain standards and conditions. He
stated that there will be similar development proposals in the future.
Mr. Eckman stated that a zoning with the PUD condition was the more simple
process. He hoped the condition would not limit land uses, but outlined how
the uses would appear when built. He said the first part of the condition was
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 3
information needed for submittal and the second paragraph outlined the review
and approval process by the Board.
Member Kern agreed with the Master Plan concept.
Member Walker believed this could be a viable process, but would not like to
shorten the process time by going around the PUD procedure.
Member Kern asked staff what would be the criteria by which staff judged
whether or not to put on a condition. If the criteria was not fully developed,
then the Board had no basis for judgement.
Ms. Clark replied that the criteria would be based on property location,
surrounding land uses, and existing residential zoning.
Member Kern asked if there would other projects along Harmony Road which
could require the same treatment.
Mr. Peterson answered yes.
Member Walker asked if the Harmony Corridor could be developed by a PUD
process and the remainder by a master plan process. He would not be sure
that conditions on a master plan could address concerns and would like to
review each PUD on that part of the property.
Mr. Peterson stated that Member Walker's comments could be made into a
condition.
Chairperson O'Dell had concerns as to the view offered by this site to persons
on I-25, which was adjacent to the property.
Ms. Clark stated that staff reviews all annexation and zonings in much the
same way and does not always recommend a PUD condition on the zoning, as
the uses are fairly specific. She said that in this case, an IL with a master
plan condition would accomplish the concerns of staff.
Mr. Ward pointed out that in an IL Review, the Board would review the
subdivision plat and major street landscaping would be included on that plat.
Member Edwards voiced concerns that the applicant wanted to avoid the PUD
process.
Mr. Ward stated that the applicant did not wish to get out of the PUD process,
but would like to know the land uses allowed. In the IL process, the specific
uses were determined, while in a PUD process, it was uncertain.
Mr. Peterson noted an IL site plan would create a vested right and the plans
would be reviewed at a public meeting.
Member Kern stated that given the surrounding area, he could not imagine the
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 4
need for a neighborhood meeting and given the uses permitted, he could not
see the uncertainty expressed by the applicant.
Mr. Ward said that with a PUD, you don't have the use until Board acts upon
the proposal.
Member Walker had concerns that the applicant felt the PUD process took too
long and the Board was expected to remedy this situation. He believed that
they were asked to create a policy on an alternate approach to annexation and
zoning. He agreed that a master plan with street design specifications would
be fine, but he was not comfortable with a new policy.
Ms. Clark gave staff report and stated that staff recommended approval with
the condition that unified PUD Master Plan be submitted and approved by the
Board prior to any development of the site. She noted additional wording by
the City attorney in the condition.
Member Kern asked how the site plan for IL-IP was different from PUD.
Ms. Clark stated the PUD site plan requirements, such as landscape, setback,
elevations are also required on IL-IP. With a PUD, the staff could negotiate
on things, such as setbacks, etc. The IL-IP Review dealt with City Code and
staff could not go beyond those requirements. The added condition would
require more specific and restrictive requirements than what the Code required.
Member Kern asked if the master plan would have the guidelines necessary for
development.
Ms. Clark replied yes and that the plans could be reviewed by staff at
submittal and brought to the Board.
Member Kern asked about amended master plans.
Ms. Clark stated that any amended master plans would come to the Board.
Bill Swets, a county resident, had concerns that the Boxelder Ditch would be
affected by the development of the property and that in turn would affect
their farms and other farms in the area. He believed any paving could cause
Boxelder Ditch and Arthur Lateral to overflow and damage irrigation systems.
Ms. Clark explained that with any review, the storm drainage department
would analyze the site based on the proposed development. She noted that any
ditch located on a development site required a signature of approval on the
final utility plan by a representative of the ditch company, prior to
finalization of any plans. She said this gives the irrigation company a chance
to make sure there are no negative impacts.
Member Groznik stated that if staff had 15-20 projects with varied guidelines,
how effective will the review be.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 5
Mr. Eckman stated that if they review each project as it comes along, they will
end up with the plethora of these zonings, each with different criteria and
will be a difficult administrative problem in the future.
Mr. Peterson pointed out that Staff frequently reviews projects with design
guidelines attached. It is not an undue administrative burden but did require
work. He did agree with Mr. Eckman and one possible way to address this
situation would be to create an ordinance to deal with these applications.
Chairperson O'Dell asked Ms. Clark to explain what type of development was
allowed in the floodplain areas.
Ms. Clark stated no permanent structures were permitted in the floodway and
the Storm Drainage Board did review variance requests for different types of
construction uses in floodplains. The study underway to determine the actual
floodplain will give better direction in terms of development.
Chairperson O'Dell asked how the wetlands would be treated.
Mr. Peterson noted the wetlands located on the site, were along the Poudre
River and the artificial pond, created by gravel mining. He stated these areas
would be reviewed closely.
Chairperson O'Dell asked if a warehouse -type development would be allowed
along the River.
Ms. Clark responded by stating that the wetlands would be protected. Any
development impacts would be reviewed to determine if mitigation would be
appropriate.
Member Kern believed it was appropriate to annex the property but asked if
the site should be given a T-Transition zone and wait for an ordinance to
create guidelines. He suggested a worksession to discuss such an ordinance.
Member Burns had concerns about how the guidelines were developed and
applied. He stated he would favor a worksession to develop the idea in more
detail.
Member
Walker had concerns about
the treatment of the Poudre
River
Floodway
and the Harmony Road site.
If the site could be developed
under
the IL Zone to everyone's satisfaction,
then either a master plan with
detail
regarding
Harmony Rd. frontage or
a PUD condition for the strip
along
Harmony
and the remaining an IL site
review could be pursued.
Mr. Peterson stated that an 80' strip was appropriate along Harmony Rd.
Member Walker did not believe the Board was concerned about the whole site
and it's development, just the Harmony Rd. frontage.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 6
Member Edwards was concerned about the whole Harmony Rd. corridor process
and the River corridor.
Member Kern believed the applicant had some certainty in regards to the use.
Chairperson O'Dell asked if the applicant's wish was to make this a
competitive piece of property and wondered if the Board was giving an unfair
advantage, as they had not reviewed similar projects such as this.
Mr. Ward cited properties which were reviewed under these rules and stated
that many annexations were zoned with a unified master plan and not a PUD.
He believed it was hard to develop an industrial area with a PUD, as the
tenants were unknown.
Member Kern pointed out that even when building a home, it was necessary to
make it attractive so it would sell. In an industrial area, it was less expensive
to put up a plain box. It was a concern that the proposal be attractive.
Mr. Ward stated that they are searching for the necessary quality control
without going through the whole PUD process.
Member Edwards asked the applicant if he was agreeable to the master plan
condition.
Charles Dean, W.W. Reynolds Company, stated that he would like specifics
relative to land uses. He noted the constraints caused by the floodplain and
Poudre River and believed that they would be coming back with PUD projects.
He believed there were concerns on how the Poudre corridor was going to be
developed. If annexed, they could dedicate the corridor to the City and let
the City deal with it. It was in a floodway and undevelopable from the
standpoint of warehouses. If the property was purchased, mitigation relative to
the floodway will need to be done in trying to channelize the waters to
salvage the site. He stated the other concern was to have some assurance
everything will turn out alright. He said that one of their concerns was that
as Board members change, what was agreed upon originally may not be
interpreted the same way in the future. In regards to the concern about time
frame, the uncertainty of the outcome was why they did not want to deal with
PUD, but would probably deal with the PUD process from time to time. He
would be agreeable to a master plan and covenants as staff has recommended.
He will not be ready until a better understanding is achieved as to what kind
of property can be salvaged out of the 240 acres due to the floodline.
Member Edwards asked which are industrial sites along Harmony have a
similar Master Plan provision?
Mr. Peterson clarified that the applicant had the property under contract. They
were exploring the development potential of the property. They were not the
property owners and the contract will expire if they decide it does not meet
their particular needs.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 7
Member Kern believed the developer wanted the security of use by right. If
the property was zoned IL or IP with a PUD condition, he would be assured
of all these uses. He could not see why a new policy should be made tonight.
Mr. Frank thought the Oak Cottonwood Farm
was zoned
RLP with a
master
plan requirement and possibly
the
Oakridge
development
had mixed
zoning
with a PUD requirement. He
said
many of
the PUDs
that had a
unified
Master Plan requirement, have
been
residential.
He stated
the Anheuser Busch
property was zoned IG with a
PUD
condition
also with a
unified master
plan
requirement. He stated there
have
not been
many recent IL or IP
zoning
requests.
Member Burns asked if areas along Prospect Street, Prospect East Park and
Seven Lakes Industrial Park are zoned with a Master Plan condition?
Mr. Frank stated that the developers of the Prospect East Park wanted to do a
Master Plan for the entire site. He stated that the first use on the south side
of Prospect came in as a PUD and subsequent phases of the development have
been done under administrative review of the IP-IL districts.
Mr. Peterson
stated the Tiley
piece on Timberline where a Fish and Wildlife
Service
building
was proposed
came in as a PUD, while another portion of it
in the
back
of the property,
the CBW application, came in as an IL plan
review.
He
suggested holding
a worksession to discuss these issues, because
staff at
this
point will need guidance from the Board.
Member Edwards noted that whatever precedent was established by way of a
compromise position, it will create the model for what transpires in the future
with other properties.
Member Kern stated his inclination would be first to annex and then either
zone it T or IL with a PUD condition. The Board could always lower that
but you can never turn it the other way. He believed this gave the developer
the assurance that it will develop with a list of uses and give him a sellable
product.
Member Kern moved to recommend approval of the New Note First Annexation
to City Council. Member Walker seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
Member Kern moved to recommend approval of the New Note First Zoning of
IL to City Council, with a PUD condition. Member Walker seconded the
motion.
Chairperson O'Dell asked if the meeting should be continued in order to
discuss with staff the zoning and possible ordinances.
Member Edwards asked that the worksession consider different guidelines.
Mr. Peterson stated that the first reading of the annexation would take place
on March 21 and second reading on April 4, so any recommendation would
need to be done prior to April 4.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 8
Chairperson O'Dell asked if the Board could look at this at the regularly
scheduled meeting in April.
Mr. Peterson stated yes and that the Board could also schedule a worksession.
Motion passed 6-1, Mr. Burns in the negative.
Member Walker moved to recommend approval of the New Note Second
Annexation to City Council. Member Groznik seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7-0.
Member Groznik moved to recommend approval of the New Note Second
Zoning of IL to City Council with a PUD condition. Member Kern seconded
the motion.
Chairperson O'Dell thought the decision was based on the applicants belief that
the PUD process was too lengthy. She would like the Board to develop
guidelines for the entrances to the City.
Member Groznik stated the applicant had indicated he would probably come
before the Board with a PUD application as development occurs, so Member
Groznik did not believe the PUD condition would burden the developer,
hence his motion.
Member Walker believed the issue was the appearance of the entryway and
there was no other way to review this except a PUD. The Board was restricted
to the recommendation.
Member Edwards said the Board had expressed a desire to develop guidelines
to expedite the matter so the developer would have direction as to how
development along Harmony Road streetscape would occur in the entryway
areas.
Member Kern agreed that the Board desired attractive development in that
area.
Motion passed 6-1, Mr. Burns in the negative.
7-89.A - Koldewav Annexation and Zonin¢
Member Kern moved to recommend approval to City Council of the Koideway
Annexation. Member Walker seconded the motion.
Charles Dean, the applicant, stated he asked for BP zoning because he believed
he was constrained with the PUD condition, and that it seems there was no
real criteria under which applicants were judged.
Ms. Clark gave a brief summary. She stated staff recommended approval with
a BP zoning with no PUD condition on the zoning because the BP district only
allows multi -family as uses -by -right. All other uses would develop as a PUD.
P & Z Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1989
Page 9
Staff has no concerns about those kinds of uses and felt no need to attach
that condition to this particular zone request.
Motion passed 7-0.
Member Kern moved to recommend approval of the Koldeway Zoning of BP,
Planned Business to City Council. Member Groznik seconded the motion.
Motion passed 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.