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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 07/15/1998MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES BUILDING 405 CANYON AVENUE JULY 15,1998 AMENDED AUGUST 5,1998 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison - 221-6265 Board Members Present Phil Friedman, Bill Miller, Randy Fischer, Phil Murphy, Don Rodriguez, Kelly Ohlson, Jan Behunek Board Members Absent None Staff Present Natural Resources Dent Susie Gordon, Terry Klahn, Tom Shoemaker, Edith Felchle and Karen Manci Current Planning: Rob Wilkinson Guests Sally Craig, Planning & Zoning Board Bob Molcsan, citizen, Joe Adlhock, citizen Jim Wagner, citizen Greg Brigham, citizen Mile Hilton, citizen Dave Berckley, citizen The meeting was called to order at 6:05 Agenda Review No changes Announcements Natural Resources Advisory Bt,-.d July 17, 1998 • Tom Shoemaker announced the purchase of three natural areas in the past three weeks. Timberline Lakes (areas around gravel ponds) 95 acres south of E. Prospect 17 %z acres west of McMurray Ponds. • The appointments of Nathan Donovan and Reagan Wascom to the NRAB are expected to be approved by Council July 22. • There is a FEMA project meeting July 16 at Front Range Community College - everyone is welcome. Chances in Land Use Code • Review of the Recommended Issue List before it goes to the Council Growth Management committee. The following issues were discussed: Re -Evaluate Natural Area Regulations: • There is a need to re-evaluate natural area regulation and the impacts of development on wetlands. • There is a nationwide permit system that regulates wetlands larger than % acre. • The purpose of the City's regulations is to address all natural areas, not just wetlands. • Need issue definitions, i.e., buffers. • There is a gap in the code. If a buffer zone is disturbed by development it should be redeveloped with native materials, but there is no requirement to bring it to a specific standard if it has not been disturbed. • What will the ownership status of buffer zones be? Will they revert to the City or stay with the developer? These are the types of questions the board needs to ask staff to take to the Council Growth Management Committee. 4. Evaluate Environmental Consultant Policy: • The County adopted a policy of hiring their own consultants, but the developer pays for them. We need to get it into the code that the City has the right to do that. • The consultants are going to favor the party who's paying for the appraisal. • Can the City maintain a list of consultants for the developers to choose from? 5. Revise Utility Design Standards for Stream Crossings: • There are some bad creek crossings in natural areas, where utility crossings are above ground. • There will always be exceptions or extenuating circumstances but those can be dealt with on an individual basis. 6. Evaluate Decision Making Authority Regarding Natural Resource Requirements: Natural Resources Advo Board July 17, 1998 • • Who decides when there is a boundary to be drawn? The concern is if the decision rests with one person, then the direction really depends on that person's values and politics. Maybe the public's best interests are not always served. • In City Plan there are many references to "directors"; can this be better defined? • There is a hierarchy, if a decision is contested it moves up to a higher level. • There are teams to talk through issues that are controversial. • If something is controversial, it should go to a citizen board. 7. Commercial Composting: • It has been pointed out by staff that there is a gap in the regulations. Action needs to be taken to develop regulations and recommend additions to the appropriate zoning district. 8. Evaluate Issues Related to Development in the 100-Year Flood Plain: • A resolution should be drafted stating that this should be a multi -disciplinary process. • What is the timetable for conclusions and implementation of the study? 9. Implementation of Stormwater Best Management Practices: • What is the status of the manual? • Staff will get an update on the timetable for the NRAB. 10. Suppress Neighborhood Covenants that Prohibit Environmentally Friendly Actions: • Need to change "suppress" to "evaluate". • The timetable needs to be better defined; right now it says there is no action scheduled. We don't want it to read as if there is no action "period". 11. Evaluate Adoption of Air Quality Hot Spot Standards: • Is this a "hot spot" or "stationary source" issue? • Staff is working with a consultant to define options for pollution prevention programs for new stationary sources. • Remove "hot spots" and change to "stationary source". 12. Evaluate Code Landscaping Provisions: • There may be water conservation issues that are not part of the LUC. There needs to be a letter sent to Bill Bertschy stating that there has been a lot of work and hours put into this process, that the NRAB feels strongly about these priorities and would like to see them addressed. Prospect Ponds - Ice Hockey A group of citizens spoke to the board regarding the use of Prospect Ponds Natural Area for playing ice hockey. Staff originally recommended no use of ice in the Poudre River Natural Areas Management Plan because of Risk Management issues, but will recommend to continue ice hockey once those issues are resolved satisfactorily because there are minimal resource impacts to the natural area from the ice skating. The citizen group voluntarily keeps the ice groomed. Natural Resources Advisory b July 17, 1998 • Historical versus new uses of natural areas need to be recognized and addressed. • The conflict regarding historical use has been if there is a resource issue, or a public health and safety issue. • If there are any resource issues in the future, the ice hockey would have to be stopped. • It would not be appropriate for there to be any use of Natural Resource Department funds or staff. • Need to be cautious of setting a precedent regarding NRD staff and/or funds being spent for this activity. Poudre River Natural Areas Mannement Plan: • Staff did an outstanding job summarizing issues and staff responses. • Did not like the staff response to most issues, including the tone. • Some items did not have an adequate response, especially concerning non- conforming use. • The committee will review the issues and responses, and report back to the full board by mid -August. Prebles Jumping Mouse Update: Phil Friedman • The ultimate goal is to have habitat conservation plans that are in congruence with the State. • People on the committee are very diverse and have different visions of what the plan should look like. • The purpose of the committee is to act as a sounding board in the County's approach to regulating the environment to protect the mouse, and to provide discussion for workable solutions. There are two basic issues for the state -- what and how. What will the plan look like, is it protective or restorative in nature, and how will it be implemented? • The role of the committee will probably be less involved than originally anticipated. Will probably see the results and be asked to comment on them. • There are not too many spots in Larimer County where the mouse has been seen, other than in Livermore. • There is a chance that issues revolving around the mouse will affect City owned property. (If the mouse has been or is likely to be seen in a specific area.) • The good news is that the mouse is more tolerant of human impacts than originally thought. The biggest threats are land use changes; poor grazing practices are an issue. COMMITTEE REPORTS Nothing to report. Other Business Natural Resources Advo Board • July 17, 1998 5 • Phil Friedman made the following motion: The NRAB requests that it, along with other appropriate City boards and commissions should be involved and represented in a multi -disciplinary, ongoing effort along with the Water Board to evaluate issues related to development in the 100-year floodplain. The motion was approved unanimously. • The NRAB picnic is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 1998, 4:30pm to 6:30pm at a location to be announced. NRAB members, NRD staff, City Council members and families are invited. NRAB will meet following the picnic to conclude review of the Poudre River Natural Areas Management Plan. • Follow-up on restitution of trees damaged in fire at Cottonwood Glen: Tim Buchanan, Forester, will provide Risk Management with the value of the damaged trees. Risk Management will pursue it from there. • NRAB should consider an "Environmental Hall of Fame" similar to what's in the Lincoln Center for their sponsors and volunteers. • Possible extension of Overland Trail through open space should be reviewed by the Board. • Investigate status of Master Streets Plan update. • Kelly Ohlson joined staff and citizens at the public hearing on County Roads. Review Action Log Add: • Photocopies of prairie dog magazine articles for Don and Kelly. These will be available at the August 5 meeting. • Report to board on review of issues and responses to LUC changes proposed by committee. • Memo to Water Board. • Stormwater plan for BMP manual. • Letter to Bill Bertschy about LUC changes. • Send entire meeting packets to Sally Craig Delete: • City Plan code review • Seeding Initial Development study Change: • Change wording regarding resolving value differences with Parks board to "improving working relationships" • Move Ben Alexander's presentation to September • Change the review of NA Regulations from NA Committee to Education Committee Review Future Agenda Items: August 5, 1998: Work Plan Kingfisher Point Restoration Plan Committee Reports & Presentations (for benefit of new members) Natural Resources Advisory B, _. d July 17, 1998 6 Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.