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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 02/04/1998MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. FEBRUARY 4,1998 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison - 221-6265 Board Members Present Phil Murphy, Phil Friedman, Don Rodriguez, Jan Behunek, Ed Secor, Bill Miller, and Kelly Ohlson (7:10 p.m.) Board Members Absent Craig McGee and Randy Fischer Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: Sally Maggart, Susie Gordon and Tom Shoemaker Transportation Dent.: Suzanne Edminster, Kathleen Reavis, Randy Hensley, Tom Frazier and Ron Phillips Advance Plannine: Pete Wray The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Guests Laurie Makarick, graduate student CSU; Sally Craig, P&Z Board member; and Tim Johnson, Planning & Zoning Board member Review and Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the January 7, 1998 Regular Meeting were approved as written: Ed Secor noted that the date under Future Agenda Items should be February 4 instead of February 7. Agenda Review No changes. Announcements Tom Shoemaker made the following announcements: 1. The deadline for nominating lands for the State Land Board Stewardship Trust is the end of March. The trust is for property owned by the State Land Board. Shoemaker noted that the parcel on the south shore of Fossil Creek Reservoir is eligible, and the Natural Areas Committee will discuss it at their next meeting. Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 2 2. A GOCO open space grant will be submitted the end of next week for a project in the corridor. 3. There is a statewide effort to establish a habitat conservation plan for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. The Board will get a summary package addressing the effect on Fort Collins. 4. The Poudre River Natural Area Management Plan open house will be held on February 12. Copies of the plan will be mailed to boardmembers, and it will be reviewed by the Natural Areas committee. Phil Friedman made the following announcements: 1. He has some articles on habitat conservation plans for anyone interested. 2. There will be five or six sessions offered through CSU exploring the model used in urban travel demand forecasting. 3. He received a newsletter from his trash hauler saying that the Recycling Center was prohibiting curbside recycling of junk mail and magazines. Staff will investigate. 4. There will be a water forum meeting tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in the Commissioner's Hearing Room. Susie Gordon announced that there is a collaboration between cities and counties to hold a composting end users workshop the end of March at CSU. Kelly Ohlson asked for time at the end of the meeting to discuss manicuring trees in natural areas. He also asked for time to talk about the memo in the packet from Mike Powers, and 10 to 15 minutes on trash districting. He announced that there will be a worksession at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday with the commissioners dealing with Fossil Creek; the Fossil Creek open house is tomorrow night. Committee Reports Due to the length of the agenda, no reports were given. Harmony Interchange Transit Facility Decision Tom Shoemaker, Natural Resources Department Director, explained that staff is seeking a recommendation from the Board to Council regarding the Colorado Department of Transportation proposal to purchase 8.3 acres of the Arapaho Bend natural area located at Harmony and I-25 to construct a transit center. He said that, as a representative of the City's Natural Resources Department, he is recommending approval of the purchase with the following considerations: 1. This will not set a precedent for the selling of land in a natural area unless that option was identified from the very beginning of the purchase process. 2. The proceeds will be used to purchase at least 24 acres of natural area along the Poudre River. 3. This represents less than one percent of the existing natural areas owned. 4. The entire site is classified as a "restorative" natural area needing enhancement to restore the natural areas values. It will be classified as "urban" natural area after the restoration. There are no significant plant or animal species in the area. Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 3 5. Approximately three acres will be used in the interchange project to provide an access turn to the State Land Board property regardless of whether the Transit Center is built. 6. The Harmony Corridor is and will be the most important employment corridor in terms of transportation considerations within the overall City Plan. This facility will increase the opportunities to use alternative modes of transportation. 7. The project has other environmental benefits. One of the most important and ambitious goals of City Plan is land use planning and transportation planning to provide significant change in alternative modes used. This is an important part of achieving this modal shift. 8. The center will provide an opportunity for a regional trailhead with the Poudre River Trail, as well as assist in the long term goal of connecting a Greeley and Fort Collins trail system. Parking would be provided for access to Arapaho Bend once it is open to the public. Educational kiosks will deliver messages about the Poudre River and the natural area. 9. This is not an ordinary park and ride; it is a multimodal facility. There will be extensive landscaping, bike racks and lockers. A substantial investment will be made to provide a gateway concept to the city. The design includes best management policies for stormwater concerns, and CDOT has a mitigation plan to lessen the disturbance of the trees. 10. From a transportation perspective, this is important for air quality locally and regionally. 11. Staff and decision makers are trying hard to look at the context and relative value of particular projects. COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS (Answers in italics) • There is no scientific information regarding site selection. The users of the parking area located on the other side of the interstate were not surveyed. • In order to minimize tree disturbance, a long term mechanism is needed to look at the health of mitigated trees. • Who is ultimately responsible for maintenance? City of Fort Collins staff, not natural areas maintenance staff. • The board has begged for early involvement on issues and did not get it with this project. The environment has lost out on a majority of compromises that have been made. • Staff has done quality work. • The concept of the transit center and multimodal transportation is good. • What is the relative cost of acquiring land and putting the center on the State Land Board property? The State Land Board is asking $2 million for their property. The total cost of the entire interchange project is $14-15 million. The selling price of the 8.3 acres is $136, 750. • This is not a "Fort Collins" style intersection; it is more of a "Denver" style. The CDOT proposal may not be what the City wants. This is a case of the tail wagging the dog. • It is difficult to fathom how eight acres of a nice natural area can be chopped up to build a $1 million facility next to a "pig sty" (the State Land Board property). • The parking lot lights might create a visional impact. • Is there a plan for expansion of the facility into more of the natural area? There is a potential for future expansion as more people use other modes of transportation. Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 4 • This will set a precedence saying that natural areas are for sale. • The 24-hour access to Arapaho Bend might be a problem. • Are there any plans for development of the State Land Board property? No definitive plans at this time. • It is important to remember efforts by staff to separate the area; it was never the intent to acquire this portion for natural areas. Tim Johnson, Transportation Board Chair, said that the transit center is a crucial aspect from an environmental point of view; in order to promote alternative modes of transportation, something has to be done about transit centers. He noted that one is planned for Harmony, one for the old railroad depot downtown and one for the CSU campus. Johnson added that it is important to integrate these so transfers can really be made; it saves on air quality. Jan Behunek made the motion that the Natural Resources Advisory Board recommend to City Council that they oppose the current plan for the Transit Center on Harmony Road. The Board supports the transit center concept, but has problems with the process and the location as currently planned The Board recommends that appropriate staff and contractors reconsider the location and provide a revised plan that addresses the Board's concerns. Ed Secor seconded the motion. After the following discussion, the motion passed 6-1. DISCUSSION • There is a clear need to rebuild the intersection in a safer manner, but cannot support an overall project such as this that takes a country road and turns it into an urban scale intersection. • The transfer center at CSU is nice but it is difficult to park a car there and get on a bus unless you work there and pay to park your car. • There is the issue of public treasury and the financial implication to the City if the project is not approved. • In the future, when an area is purchased with an eye toward future sale, exclude that area from the natural areas designation. Tom Frazier, Multi Modal Transportation Group Leader, said that there is the full expectation that if City Council votes to not sell the land, the City will receive a bill for CDOT's design that has occurred to date and CDOT will withdraw all funding for any transit center. He noted that the financial burden for building and buying the land will be the City of Fort Collins' responsibility. Frazier added that the final design for the intersection will be done in two weeks. Ron Phillips, Transportation Services Director, said that it is important to understand that the City has been working closely with CDOT on the design and everything has been done to make this a facility that fits with the arterial street standards in the Master Street Plan. 0 Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 5 Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan, Pete Wray ISSUE • The land use framework plan identifies future residential areas and feathering of densities. • The NRAB Board was given the chapters focusing on open lands, natural areas and parks. • The deadline is March 2 for written comments. • The new terminology for Urban Growth Area is Growth Management Area. DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS (Answers in italics) • Do city regulations apply within the UGA? The intergovernmental agreement with the county overlays zoning districts. There are different regulations in the county until the land is annexed. • Why is there no mention of wildlife in the Executive Summary? Good point, the intent is to provide an overview of the main goals. • The wording, "acknowledge" objectives, needs to be strengthened to "implement". • There is not a 1/4 mile buffer zone around the Fossil Creek Reservoir. • The recreational use of the reservoir is a concern. The heron rookery has existed with motorboat activity, and there has been no conflict with the bald eagles. The long-term city perspective would be to consider the option to take over the recreational lease. • Are there any serious efforts to look at acquiring a buffer zone to prevent regulation by a homeowner's association? Acquiring that portion has not been explored. The plan is for private ownership with a good conservation easement. • Edit Page 3, 1.4; talk about "cooperation", not "whom invited whom". • On Page 25, the 1 st bullet is confusing. How does resource management apply to protection? It is a tool used that triggers an environmental assessment of a development proposal. The applicant has to prove that the proposal will not adversely effect the natural resources in that zone. • The word "sustainable" is used twice in the same paragraph. This is a buzz word that needs to be defined or replaced. • Where is the 100 year flood plain? It is along the Poudre River and along the immediate shoreline of the reservoir. • What is the total amount of water surface? 800 acres. • Make sure any trail placement will be very sensitively done. It is not accurate (Page 26) that people use winding bike trails to get to work. • On Page 27, say not "as" critical wildlife and use "could be" instead of "can". • In Section III, the second bullet does not make sense. It should say "four directions". • Where does adoption of TDU fit? It is in the Implementation Chapter in the Action Plan. Mountain Vista Area Pete Wray, Planner, explained that this is the next subarea quadrant inside the Growth Management Area. He said that a citizen's advisory committee is being established and he is seeking a volunteer to represent the NRAB. Chair Phil Murphy said that he would contact Wray before the week is over. Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 6 Prairie Dog Policy Decision, Karen Manci Karen Manci, Environmental Planner, explained that the Parks & Recreation Board approved the policy unanimously with two additions: Page 13, change "approval by all landowners" to "approval of the majority of landowners", and say "may be closed to recreational use" instead of "will be". COMMENTS • Need a framework for implementation. Develop a procedure manual or implementation plan after the policy adoption. The Education Committee can determine that portion. • It is not right that you can take wildlife and move anywhere. Page 13 spells out relocation. • Set the precedent that dogs are not allowed on side trails. DECISION Phil Friedman made the motion to approve the current Prairie Dog Policy Draft and recommend that City Council approve it with the changes made by the Parks and Recreation Board Jan Behunek seconded the motion. With the addition of a friendly amendment made by Bill Miller to change the order of the first six sets under "Relocation" on Page 13, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). Parks & Recreation Response to Trails Issue Kelly Ohlson said that he went away from the meeting with Mike Powers feeling that it was successful. He added that he did not see what was discussed at that meeting built into the response memo. Oblson said that he wants to be involved early in trail design. Phil Friedman said that more clarification is needed as to how to be a part of the preliminary process, particularly trail layout. Susie Gordon suggested forming a Trails Committee to meet and craft language to respond to the Parks memo. Kelly Ohison, Don Rodriguez and Bill Miller volunteered to be on the committee. Phil Friedman will be an ad hoc member. Manicuring Trees Kelly Ohlson asked about the policy on cutting down trees in natural areas. Tom Shoemaker responded that the policy is to leave trees, even if they are dead, unless there is a safety hazard. Don Rodriguez asked if a formal hazard assessment is done on a natural area before opening it to the public. Shoemaker responded that the assessment is part of the management plan. Review Action Log • Add: Assigning a representative to the Mountain Vista Subarea Committee. • Dogs on trails will be addressed by the Natural Areas Committee. • The Budget Committee will draft a letter agreeing or disagreeing with where the money went Natural Resources Advisory Board February 4, 1998 Page 7 in the "debrucing" issue. • The Flood Disaster Recovery Plan Update has a placeholder at Council. • The draft on NRAB involvement is done. • The draft public survey on districting is in the second iteration. • The Education Committee meeting is scheduled for February 10. • The Sheldon Lake Project will come to the board in a couple of months. Rob Wilkinson is the Natural Resources Dept. staff representative on the team. Janet Meisel, Parks Planning, is the project manager. Review Six Month Planning Calendar • February 24: Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan. Future Agenda Items • Final look at Air Quality Action Plan in March. • Poudre River Management Plan • Land Use Code Changes in March • Trash districting survey • Environmental Learning Center, Geological Society of America, in April • Sheldon Lake in April • Design and Plan for new civic center features. Shoemaker will discuss with Debra Passariello. • Natural Area acquisitions in March and April Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:12 p.m.