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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/04/1987i MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD NOVEMBER 4, 1987 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Tim Johnson Sheryl Barr Denise LaRue Dave DuBois Ari Michelsen Bill Fischer Pat Reed Rich Fisher Deborah Shimkus Board Members Absent: (excused) Bob Sanz Council Members Present_:_ Chuck Mabry Staff Present: Mike Davis, Development Services Director Bob Wilkinson Brian Woodruff Edith Felchle Approval of Minutes R. Fisher stated that the October Minutes showed his absence as unexcused, but that he had contacted staff prior to the meeting and his absence should be excused. With that one change, the Minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. Land Use Committee Report Bassinger reported that the committee had written a letter to Council regarding the Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. Copies of the letter were distributed. Wilkinson reported on new developments on the Benson issue, saying that the Planning and Zoning Board approved the master plan with strong conditions regarding impact to wildlife and studies on those wildlife impacts. Since that time, the Army Corps of Engineers has re—examined the wetlands at the west end of the reservoir and decided to take jurisdiction on the lake waters up to the normal high water mark. Air Quality Planning Agency Woodruff presented a brief overview of the structure of the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council. The Planning Council covers Larimer and Weld Counties, with Greeley and Fort Collins each having an advisory committee. An air quality policy committee would be formed to deal with all Larimer County air quality matters. There would also be a staff committee. The air quality committee, which would consist of 8-10 people, including three from NRAB, would have a wide range of interests represented, including environment, business, government, etc. This would then transfer NRAB's air quality function to the Planning Council. The Planning Council's air quality committee would have a dual reporting function: transportation —related air quality advice (e.g. carbon monoxide control plans) would go to the Planning Council; all other air quality advice would go directly to councils and commissions. Mike Davis, Development Services Director for the City, provided additional background and details ,of the Planning Council. He also gave some of his own professional background. He stated that NRAB is important in advising Council and advising other boards and commissions. Davis' professional background includes one year with the City of Fort Collins, 25 years experience in planning and development fields, and experience in environmental areas. Davis stated that he believes the Wildlife Habitat Management Plan has a place in the Land Development Guidance System. He said this can happen through the Planning and Zoning Board. NRAB will be invited to the December Planning and Zoning Board meeting to look at the Wildlife Management Plan. Regarding the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council, Davis said the federal money will be used to do a computer model of transportation and land use in the city. He said that moving the NRAB air quality function to the Planning Council can be seen as a chance to also have input into what is done relative to regional air quality. It was asked whether or not the counties and other cities have been approached regarding the Planning Council? The response was that they have not been contacted. Concern was expressed about the possibility of one county on the Planning Council being able to veto decisions affecting the other county. Davis stated that this could not happen. It was stated that the first step in establishing the Planning Council is designation by the governor. It is believed that the draft papers were submitted to the governor in September. Davis stated that NRAB should express its concerns about the Planning Council to both Woodruff and City Traffic Administrator Rick Ensdorff. Larimer County Land Use Plan Wilkinson asked Davis to comment on the Plan. Davis stated that the Plan is vague, and that the County admits this. He stated that the County does not want to get into the business of urban service delivery. He highlighted an area of urban influence identified in the Plan, saying it in essence would be a second ring around the urban growth area. Regarding development decisions, Davis stated that the private sector has the pulse on when development should go. Government uses the guidance system to put parameters on development. Davis left the meeting for a previous engagement and Wilkinson led the rest of the discussion on the Plan. November 16, 1987 was identified as the last day for testimony on the Plan. City Council will review the Plan at their work session on 11/10, and there will be a hearing on the Plan on 11/12. It was stated that the City wants to present a unified approach to the Plan when going to the County. It was stated that the Plan has statements addressing environmental impacts, but these are very vague and the Plan raises a lot of questions concerning implementation. Wilkinson recommended NRAB become familiar with the position the City is taking. The Land Use Committee will review the Planning Department's position and either endorse that position or make a statement expressing NRAB's position. It was announced that the Sierra Club will look at the land use parts of the Plan on 11/10. Air Quality Discussion Reopened Johnson asked Woodruff to send a copy of his work sheet to the Board. The Air Quality committee will meet again to gather information they would like to discuss with Ensdorff and Woodruff. Old Business Michelsen reminded the Board that all committees need to review and update their goals and identify their committee chairs for the current year. This should be done by the December NRAB meeting. Announcements Shimkus briefly described the newly formed Environmental Leaders Forum, composed of leaders of various environmental organizations in Fort Collins. The aim of the forum is information relay, letting all environmental organizations know of each other's actions and concerns. Felchle announced that the environmental awareness symposium is being planned for February 4, 1988. It was announced that a hazardous materials right to know information session will be held in Denver on 11/19. Woodruff announced that the County Hazardous Material Committee needs a citizen —at —large member. NRAB members were encouraged to recommend possible candidates. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.