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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/05/1993• MINUTES • CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING CIC ROOM - CITY HALL HEST, 300 W. LAPORTE MAY 5, 1993 For Reference: Will Smith, NRAB Chair - 221-0425 Chris Kneeland, Council liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff liaison ' - 221-6263 Board Members Present Will Smith, Terri Knudsen, Hal Swope, Craig McGee, Phil Friedman, Deni LaRue, Steve Erthal Board Members Absent (Excused) Bill Miller Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Julie Bothwell Aporoval of Minutes It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that the Minutes of the April 7, 1993 NRAB meeting be accepted as written. LaRue abstained because she had not been present at the meeting. Shoemaker stated that the Recycling Program Review report was not available at the present time and the Board agreed to defer this item until the June 2 meeting. Miscellaneous Business Shoemaker stated that at the April 19 Council meeting Councilmember 'Kneeland suggested that the "Cathy Fromme Natural Area" be called "The Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area." The idea was that, by inserting "prairie," people will become more used to thinking of different kinds of natural areas (e.g., prairie, wetland, lake, etc). The Board discussed this issue and thought the thinking was good, but this name was difficult to say. Johnson moved and LaRue seconded that the naming of the natural areas carry,the logo of Fort Collins Natural Area and then each one would have a specific name i.e., the "Cathy Fromme Prairie." The motion was unanimously passed. Shoemaker handed out copies of a letter from County Commissioner Hotchkiss to City Manager Burkett regarding a request that a boardmember from the NRAB serve on the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board. Shoemaker stated that he felt Council would like the Board to consider, this and make a recommendation as to whether the Board concurs with what the County has asked, and if so then to select boardmembers who are willing to serve. The recommendation would be presented to Council at the May 18 Council meetin along with a resolution formalizing the arrangement and a list of the boardmembers who would like to serve. The final candidate would be selected by Coun.:il. Friedman moved and Erthal seconded that the Board consider appointment of one boardmember as a member of the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board and one boardmember as an alternate. It was unanimously passed. Erthal, Johnson, Smith, and Swope stated they would like to be considered to serve as members and Friedman and Mcgee would like to serve as an alternate. Old Business Ongoing Discussion of Natural Areas Acquisition Priorities TOUR FOLLOW UP Shoemaker announced that three more tours of the Natural Areas acquisition priority sites have been set -- May 12, 4:00-7:00 p.m., May 19, 12:00-3:30, and May 21, 8:00-11:30. All tours will depart from City Hall West. Shoemaker asked for feedback from the boardmembers who attended the May 1 tour. Swope stated that he felt they saw a good diversity of areas, and thought it was a good tour. Smith asked why they did not visit any areas in the north part of town. Shoemaker explained that in the materials that have been handed out, the map shows several areas along the Poudre to the northwest, but these are not targeted for immediate action because, in general, the development pressure is much slower in that section of town. LETTER FROM AUDUBON ON GREENSTONE/FOSSIL CREEK The Board received in their packet a letter from the Fort Collins Audubon Society regarding their concern about the Greenstone Development and offering their help. Shoemaker stated that Mayor Azari will respond positively to Audubon's offer and will let them know that the City does want to work together. The response will let Audubon know that the City does recognize the values and will work with the County to inventory these areas. The letter will refer Audubon to Shoemaker and John Barnett, Larimer County Planning Department. A summer intern will be joining staff May 21 to pull together the habitat map and available information on this area. Shoemaker said that the State of Colorado and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife also need to be involved. Erthal stated that the first phase of Greenstone has been approved and is going to be developed, but asked where the second phase was. Shoemaker answered that there are some sensitive areas of concern, west of the railroad tracks, that have been approved and moved forward. He stated that the major area, the area that Miller is concerned with, is east of the railroad tracks and has been approved in terms of the overall development plan, but no specific preliminary and final plans have come through. Smith stated that most of these developments are done in a manner that the lowest density portions of the development are built first. Then the high density areas that are put in to make the density requirements are almost always the last portion developed and thus could be defaulted on. 2 There is no commitmentlin the developer that they4ill completely follow ' through on a PUD. He feels this is poor land use development. Shoemaker stated that it is a big concern and asked how the Board would like to handle it. Erthal suggested that the Board send a letter to the Planning Department recommending that they put at least preliminary and final on hold until inventory of this area has been made and the Board can make some adequate recommendations. Shoemaker explained that the NRAB has no authority in the development review process, but can make a suggestion. Shoemaker suggested asking Greg Byrne, Community Planning and Environmental Services to give the Board a follow up to the Cost of Development study that was completed to help clarify Smith's concern regarding land use densities. Johnson asked if development will start soon on the west side of the tracks and if the east side of the tracks is indefinite. Shoemaker answered that Staff will present to the Board some more specific information on where it is in the process and what conditions are on the PUD approval. At the June 2 meeting the Board will have a review of the status of what is occurring and a closer review of what is being met and what is not being met. Smith suggested that he could talk to Councilmember Kneeland, since she is the Board's Council liaison, and let her know the sense of the Board and ask her to communicate it to Council. Johnson moved and McGee seconded that Shoemaker present to the Board the status on Greenstone in June so the Board can review and assess to see where the project is going and how it fits in with the NAPP and EMP. The motion was unanimously defeated. LaRue moved and Knudsen seconded that the Board send a letter to Council liaison Kneeland stating its concern about this area, and asking while waiting for the status information from Shoemaker, if she could possibly have some influence in'checking in to the area to see what is going on and asking Council what they know about the situation. Smith will follow up with a phone call and let her know that the Board feels that this is a critical issue. Smith proposed the following amendment: "To provide additional detail as to.othe value of the area in its use as a corridor and its outstanding natural areas attributes and the need for early consideration for acquisition." LaRue and Knudsen accepted the amendment. The motion was passed with Erthal objecting. He felt that the Board needed to ask for this project's first preliminary approval to be put on hold until enough information is gathered. Staff will draft the letter for Smith's signature. Natural Areas Education Tours/Program The Educatrion and Land Use Committee met April 28 along with staff and others to discuss the future Natural Areas Education Program. 3 Johnson stated that with the natural areas being purchased there is a new need in the City to educate people regarding what these new areas are all about. He said that it was agreed at the committee meeting that there should be coordination of a master naturalist training and certification program. The City could hire/contract with a recognized naturalist to coordinate and certify the master naturalist program. Johnson stated that one of the goals for the next four years is to introduce some Poudre R-1 students to the natural areas and that the master naturalists could do this. Colorado State University has an international interpretation center and might be interested in helping with the interpretation programs. Johnson stated that one way to reach out with this program is to recommend or look at the hiring of a ranger/naturalist/educator, someone that would be dedicated to the land base and involved in the training of the master naturalist. Kevin Cook is interested in featuring natural areas in his column in the Coloradoan and there is potential to have natural areas featured on Channel 27. LaRue stated the idea of this is to help people get aware of what a natural area is and how it differs from "parks" and to let them see where their tax money is going. Johnson stated that it would be late summer or early fall before staff's schedule would allow them to start working with this. He suggested that the recommendation be made to budget a part-time position. Shoemaker stated that he agrees that this is a critical program and the suggestions will be helpful in developing the program. He feels that additional staff is not needed to develop the program; staff just needs to finish some ongoing projects first. Johnson stated that boardmembers could give their suggestions and comments to Edith Felchle, Natural Resources Division. The Board agreed to append Johnson's notes to the minutes of this meeting. Members are to review them and give comments to Felchle. New Business 1994 Budget Issues Smith stated that Council asked for the Board's input on items for consideration for the 1994 budget. Shoemaker stated that it is real early in the budget process, and Council wants an idea of the Board's issues, areas of focus, etc. The following is the Board's list of action priorities: 1st Priority * Completion of Phase II of the Cost of Growth Study; looking at the secondary costs of growth, such as schools and services. 2nd Priority * Conversion of Water Treatment Plant 1 to public use; ensuring adequate staff timetand resources to develop a plan and implementation strategy; actual provision of public use, even if on a limited basis. 4 3rd Priority • • ' * Continuation of the $200,000 from the General Fund toward acquisition of natural areas. * Development of the education and interpretation programs called for in the Natural Areas Policy Plan. * Review procedures for followup on agreements and plans included in development approvals; ensuring that there is adequate oversight and enforcement of standards, conditions, and plans approved in development projects. 4th Priority * Review and revision of the LDGS 5th Priority * Continued emphasis on energy conservation. 6th Priority * Continued emphasis on water conservation. Mid -Month Meeting on Larimer County Parks Master Plan K-Lynn Cameron, Larimer County Parks Planning will present the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to the Board on May 19 at 6:00 p.m. Staff will find a meeting location. June 2 Meeting Shoemaker stated that the June 2 NRAB meeting is planned for a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board to discuss and make formal recommendation on natural areas acquisitions. June 16 Worksession It was agreed that the Board will have a worksession on June 16 and ask Greg Byrne, Director, Community Development and Environmental Services to discuss the status of the review of the LDGS. Time and location will be discussed at the June 2 NRAB meeting. Letter to former Council Johnson stated that in regard to the natural areas that the former Council spent a lot of time working with the community and was strongly supportive of the Natural Areas*Policy Plan. He would like to send a letter to the former Council with copies to the present Council thanking them for their support. LaRue moved and Friedman seconded that the letter be sent. It was unanimously passed. Staff will draft the letter. Comaittee Reports Smith stated that some of the Environmental Action Award recipients were a little upset because there was no media attention. He said from the Board's point of view there is a need to work on this. LaRue suggested that the Chair of the NRAB contact the various editors to let them know the awards are taking place instead of the press release procedure used by the City. Smith asked if there was any feedback from Council regarding the letter the Board sent on WTP1. Shoemaker stated that there was nothing 5 formal, but he did talk t� Mayor Azari before Counci, s retreat and she is excited with the idea and was going to make sure that it was on the table at the retreat. Announcements Smith stated that he feels the Board has turned an important corner and is becoming more activist in terms of bringing issues forward. McGee and Erthal announced that State Farm insurance and other insurance groups are having a seminar regarding the use of cedar shake shingles on May 6. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. • ` 6