Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 02/01/1995MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. FEBRUARY 1, 1995 For Reference: Phil Friedman, NRAB Chair - 493-2959 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Lisa Steffes, Phil Murphy, Katy Mason, Don Tidd, Craig McGee, Phil Friedman, Tim Johnson Board Members Absent Arlene Blum (excused), Bill Miller (excused) Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Introduction of Guests None Approval of Minutes With the following change, Phil Murphy moved and Don Tidd seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January 4, 1995 meeting. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). On Page 5, the first paragraph, Lisa Steffes noted it should read "newspaper" instead of "cardboard". Phil Friedman noted that at the last meeting it was suggested that Randy Balok be on this month's agenda to report on the status of Water Treatment Plant 1. Tom Shoemaker explained that this month's agenda was originally too full, but he would invite Balok to the meeting next month. Poudre River Land Use Framework, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker explained that this agenda item will be deferred until next month in order to present the final draft to the board. Craig McGee felt the document was difficult to read. Shoemaker noted that a key will be provided with the final draft. Friedman suggested giving board members the option to pick up large documents when they become available rather than mailing them in the packets. This would give them a better opportunity to review the materials prior to the meeting. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting February 1, 1995 Page 2 Plan for the Region Between Fort Collins and Loveland, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker explained the formal comment review process on the plan is starting. He is seeking the board's comments before the Planning and Zoning Board meeting in February. Larimer County will be holding a public hearing next Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers. The plan goes to council in March. Shoemaker presented a slide show that gave an overview of the plan. He noted the name has been changed from "The Corridor" to "The Region Between Loveland and Fort Collins" because it is no longer a continuous corridor even though there are still open areas. The plan encompasses the area south of Harmony Road to 57th St. north of Loveland and from the Dakota Hogback east to the Poudre River. The goal is to keep the communities apart in order to maintain separate identities and the unique rural character in the corridor area. Shoemaker noted the area will grow together without any action. In some instances, the urban growth areas of the two communities are one mile apart. He explained it is a complex, controversial project. There were two different citizen groups involved in the process; one was a focus group and the other was a task force convened by the Larimer County Commissioners. Shoemaker said the property rights issues is very strong; there is a vocal group that says that government regulation without compensation is unacceptable. The key areas are the foothills to the west, the agricultural areas, the extension of the Cathy Fromme Prairie south to Trilby Road, the Fossil Creek Reservoir and the Poudre River. The goal is to preserve the natural areas, protect views and preserve the rural character. He explained the plan needs joint adoption by Loveland, Larimer County and Fort Collins to make it happen. It is not a new concept and the planning documents of all three agencies provide existing policy direction on the area. The adoption of this plan would not ensure it becoming a reality; other things need to happen as well. There would have to be a revision of intergovernmental agreements, a focus of action plans, a full time staff person for implementation and the development of design criteria and standards. Tim Johnson asked if the board needs to make a recommendation to council. Shoemaker said yes, the board's comments will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board at the end of the month and then to council in March. The county commissioners will make their decision in March. Loveland has not yet set an adoption plan; their planning commission is backlogged, but it may be in April. Friedman asked if the city will hold public hearings. Shoemaker said the public hearing would be in conjunction with the meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board. There will be a public hearing in Loveland on February 23. Johnson expressed interest in attending the Loveland Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting February 1, 1995 Page 3 hearing. He said it is important that all three entities adopt the plan as it was the missing link in the open space election last year. Johnson noted that the failure of all three agencies to adopt the plan could hurt future funding from GO Colorado. Shoemaker noted it is important that supportive people attend the meetings and hearings. McGee asked what the variables are to prevent a plan like this from achievement if the plan is adopted. He noted that if the funds were not immediately available, a developer could buy the open space and take it off the plan. Shoemaker agreed that this could happen. Friedman felt a plan exists to be amended. He said this is endemic to the planning and land use concept; it is necessary to recognize that fact and look at the merits of the plan and improve it to where it can be most accepted and understood by the majority of people. Don Tidd felt the plan was good the way it is written. He moved that the board recommend adoption of the plan. Craig McGee seconded the motion. After the following discussion, the motion passed unanimously (7-0). Friedman questioned the zoning overlay issue on page 12. Shoemaker said it would be a smaller area of focus. Friedman felt the sentence on page 14 was backwards on preserving open space opportunities and minimizing landfill impact on surrounding areas. He thought it should be incumbent on those next to the existing area to mitigate. He also noted that Subarea 6 did not have an alternative scenario and Subarea 8 had an alternative but something was missing under preservation and implementation. Shoemaker noted that it would have the same preservation goals and the same implementation technique. Steffes questioned why Sections 18 and 19 in the airport area were not considered agricultural. Shoemaker said it was a judgement call because of the winter wheat agricultural pattern in the area. Local farmers did not think agriculture could stay in that area without assistance. Steffes though the area should be designated as an agricultural preserve. Mason asked if the plan could be amended. Shoemaker said it could, but he was not sure how it would work. There would probably have to be provisional adoptions on changes and all entities would have to vote on them. There should be more information on that after the county holds the public hearings. Proposed Land Acquisition for Storm Drainage, Natural Area and Park Purposes, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker identified the area known as McMurry Annex as a joint acquisition between the three departments. Natural Resources will purchase the pond and riparian area along the oxbow Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting February 1, 1995 Page 4 (small stream channel). The Parks Department will build a neighborhood park and Stormwater is planning a dry creek basin channel Friedman asked if the natural area portion would be managed differently from the park area. Shoemaker said the design will incorporate all three areas probably through the use of low wood fences for separation and different signage. Lisa Steffes made the motion to recommend purchase of the property. Katy Mason seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Shoemaker notified the board of recent contract closings on the Harmony Gateway property and the 80-acre Jensen addition on the south side of the Cathy Fromme Prairie. This makes the total natural areas acquisition at 1,624 acres to date. March 26 Board Retreat Shoemaker said Kevin Cook is available for a presentation, but details need to be worked out. The retreat will be from 12-5 on Sunday, March 26. Friedman suggested a brown bag lunch meeting on February 15 to finalize the agenda for the retreat. Shoemaker suggested giving thought to what staff members and areas the board would like to focus on. Sally will check on the availability of the 281 conference room for the brown bag lunch meeting. Committee Reports GROWTH MANAGEMENT: No report. Mason will set a meeting date following adjournment. RECYCLING: No report. NATURAL AREAS: Johnson noted that Randy Balok will give an update on the Water Treatment Plant 1 at the next meeting. He reported that the Legacy Park Bridge (behind Lee Martinez Park) over the Poudre is partially in a wetland area. Although it looks like a minimal amount on impact on the north end, he wanted to know if this could have been avoided. Shoemaker noted that Natural Resources staff were asked to look at some specific aspects (rare plants), but did not get involved in siting the location. Johnson emphasized the need for communication and reviewing internal projects the same as outside development. Shoemaker suggested the board send a memo that states the problems. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting February 1, 1995 Page 5 EDUCATION: Friedman distributed memos from Edith Felchle on the Recycling Expo/Environmental Fair exchange and the Natural Resources Advisory Board Environment Action Awards. He said the committee met to discuss increasing the number of candidates and improving the thoroughness of the applications. The applications will be sent to schools on February 10 and there will be a press release prior to June 15 for individuals and organizations other than schools. Other Business Mason asked if council has taken any action on recycling. Shoemaker said it was pulled from the council agenda based on the board recommendations. Announcements Johnson cited a Denver Post article by Joanne Ditmer that reported how tax increases are not covering the expense of growth. The article said the costs of services to urban and rural areas are not in proportion to taxes received. Shoemaker will bring copies of the article to the Growth Management Committee meeting. Copies will also be included in the next board packet. Shoemaker updated the board on the Dixon Canyon Reservoir. The city has purchased the farm land and the water is no longer needed for irrigation. The owners are selling 380 shares of water at a cost of $670,000 to the city. The purchase is made possible through Parks Department funding. Shoemaker reported that the kickoff meeting for the City Plan went well. It included an open house, slide show, small group discussion and a"talk show" discussion. McGee said around 80 people attended, with about 20 staff members present. He said there is confusion on whether the City Dialogue and the City Plan overlap. Shoemaker said they will be integrated. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.