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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/04/1996E CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 4,1996 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Gina Janett, Council Liaison - 493-4677 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Phil Murphy, Linda Kirkpatrick, Jan Behunek, Phil Friedman, Bill Miller, Katy Mason, Craig McGee, Ed Secor and Kelly Ohlson (arrived during the Natural Area Design & Mitigation Guidelines presentation) Katy Mason and Ed Secor left during the Natural Area Design & Mitigation Guidelines presentation. Board Members Absent None Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Susie Gordon; Current Planning: Bob Blanchard The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. Guests Several students from Front Range Community College Review and Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the October 30, 1996 Special Meeting were approved as written: On Page 5, Ramon Harrold should be Ramon Ajero. The minutes of the November 6, 1996 Regular Meeting were approved as written. It was noted that on Page 3 the minutes reflected that Frank Bruno will report back to the board regarding the split of natural areas CIP funds. Susie Gordon will contact Bruno for the answer. Agenda Review No changes were made. Announcements Phil Friedman asked for time to report on the Poudre River Corridor Act. This was deferred to the end of the meeting because of time constraints. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 4, 1996 Page 2 City Plan Zoning Map ISSUE Bob Blanchard, Director of Current Planning, explained proposed changes to the zoning map that differ from the Structure Plan. • Low Density designation on Overland Trail changed to Medium Density Neighborhood. • Fox Meadows Development on the south side of Prospect changed to Medium Density Neighborhood. • Raintree Shopping Center at Drake and Shields changed to Medium Density Neighborhood. The Activity Center designation will be moved to the northeast quadrant. • Drake and Timberline mixed use designation moved to Timberline and Horsetooth. • New Activity Center proposed at County Road 50 and County Road 9 moved to Vine and County Road 9. There will be another Open House on December 11 and a series of quadrant open houses the week of January 11. All City Plan documents will be consolidated and taken to the Planning & Zoning Board in February. There will be two Council hearings in March. DISCUSSION • New zoning will not impact existing areas. • Application processing will not minimize citizen input. • There will be no more Use By Right, LDGS or PUD. • New intergovernmental agreements are being developed. • Urban Growth boundary may change. • Zoning boundaries for water -related corridors are property lines. The trail system is publicly owned and the zoning will remain as shown on the Structure Map. • The final draft of the new code will be out December 17. Principles & Policies Update ISSUE Susie Gordon, Senior Environmental Planner, reported that the Principles & Policies were approved by Council in November. The Adoption Package goes to the Planning & Zoning Board on February 10 and City Council on February 1. It will contain: 1. Consolidated Comprehensive Plan (Visions & Goals, Structure Plan and Principles & Policies) 2. Executive Summary Document (graphic format) 3. Action Plan (work to be done after City Plan regarding non -land use items, changes to existing plans, and monitoring indicators) Staff will be taking comments on the Principles & Policies until December 20. DISCUSSION NRAB would like to see the Principles & Policies one more time before adoption. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 4, 1996 Page 3 A CPAC subcommittee will be reviewing the entire adoption packet. NRAB Growth Management Committee will meet in January. Gordon will contact Katy Mason when the document is available. Wood Ordinance Recommendations ISSUE The ordinance is going to Council December 17. Staff recommends not approving it because all new units have to be certified and the existing program is working. Counciimember Alan Apt is concerned that there could be another energy crisis causing woodstoves to be used again. DISCUSSION Natural gas does not have anything to do with oil embargos. The price of natural gas is regulated. Easier to regulate now than in the future. Ordinance well written, but not necessary at this time because existing practices are working. DECISION Craig McGee made the motion to support the staffrecommendation as written. Linda Kirkpatrick seconded the motion. A friendly amendment was accepted to have staff review what would be gained by regulation and to use regulation when it has more punch. The motion passed unanimously (7-0) Natural Area Design & Mitigation Guidelines, Rob Wilkinson ISSUE Rob Wilkinson, Senior Environmental Planner, explained that he worked with the City Attorney's office to create succinct regulatory statements that cover all of the important issues. He noted that the focus of the regulations is on the areas identified in the Natural Areas Map. GENERAL DISCUSSION • Transition area numbers are based on the size of the channel and the character of the habitat. • New guidelines have not yet been received from the State. • Need to look at site -to -site characteristics of the properties in takings. • An opportunity for a variance will have to be provided. Developers always push for the minimum. • More will be added to the Purpose Statement. • Enforcement is needed. This will be written as enforceable code. • Need implementation statement for intent with regard to variances. Clarify for developers. SPECIFIC DISCUSSION Purpose • Need to strengthen and be more specific about the elements. • Add "public". • Need to work on Definitions. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 4, 1996 Page 4 • Add a reference to "Fort Collins' species of concern". General Standards and Guidelines 1. Natural area disturbance and restoration • Reference and tie in the mitigation plan. • Require that a formal mitigation plan be submitted. • Loss of natural resources should be considered as part of the cost of development. • Define "loss suffered". • Look at other values that might not be replaceable. • Need a predictable formula to make it objective. • Strengthen mitigation language. • Broaden natural area definition. 3. Transition areas • Use Shalkey Walker Mitigation Plan as reference source. • Check with County on buffer issues. • Specify native vegetation and stress it is to be maintained in a natural state. • Need a transition area between development and city owned natural area that does not involve water. • Specify that transition areas come out from the developed property. • Flesh out natural features. • Need acquisition, regulatory and overall vision map. • Protect urban forests. 4. Connections Put the intent at the beginning. Strengthen language. 5. Problem wildlife • Do not set the tone with "problem". Just say wildlife and focus on the conflict issue. • Concerned with development occurring in areas with wildlife. The residents complain and request City assistance with the wildlife problem. They should not expect urban services in the country. 6. Proof of compliance • Add "city" and take "county" out of parentheses. • Where is enforcement and what are the penalties? • If not in compliance, approval should not be given. 7. Access to natural areas Need control over access points. Clarify how to design in a private natural area. Last sentence should be a separate paragraph to distinguish between public and private. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 4, 1996 Page 5 • Eliminate the word "reasonable" access. It diminishes the force of the statement. M. Topographic Standards 2. Grading • Delete "smooth" and say "natural' instead of "naturalistic". N. Water Feature Standards and Guidelines 1. Water rights • Attorney's office is researching conflicts with Colorado law. • Change "develop" to "development". • Eliminate parentheses in last sentence and change to "by riparian right under Colorado water law". 2. Water quality • Have Stormwater Department address pretreatment. 3. Lakes and ponds • Strengthen 4. Aquatic species habitat guideline • (Developing language) G. Rivers and Streams 1. Natural stream processes • Concerned about having development far enough away to prevent erosion impact downstream. • Existing streams and lakes should be left alone. No land sculpting allowed. P. Habitat Protection for Plants and Wildlife 1. Wildlife use characterization • Specify that the City has the ability to hire a consultant and charge the developer. • Need a neutral consultant. • Spell out trail construction, placement and design. Environmental Awards, Phil Friedman Tabled until next month. 1997 Work Plan Page 3, #5 needs to be two items. Stress urgency of the need to begin the permitting process of a replacement landfill. What will happen with the existing landfill after closure? Explore the establishment of a new public landfill to replace the current one after closure. Stress the development of commercial and multifamily recycling under #4. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 4, 1996 Page 6 • Page 2, #8: add words "assist in". • Page 2: delete "strengthen issue". • Have goal of stormwater pretreatment. • Add requirements for soil preparation for residential and commercial development. • Review next steps for creating a city utility for districting trash collection. • Add involvement in park management plans and park design. With additions and deletions, boardmembers passed the 1997 Work Plan by consensus. Natural Area Acquisitions (3), Tom Shoemaker 1. Suitts Property • The Timberline Project will purchase the right of way. • Purchase funds will come from two city departments. 2. Nix Property 3. Cathy Fromme Prairie Addition Craig McGee made the motion to endorse the three purchases. Bill Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Poudre River Field Trip, Tom Shoemaker This will be on December 12 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Participants will meet at 281 N. College. January Meeting, Phil Murphy Because of the holiday, the regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at the new Recreation facilities at 214 Howes St. AGENDA ITEMS - JANUARY MEETING ► Environmental Awards ► Timberline Update ► Code Issues for City Plan ► Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan ► Acquisitions Other Business Kelly Ohlson noted that Capital Projects has a shortfall of $26 million. Ohlson said that Bob O'Rourke does not like the location of the parking lot at the Cathy Fromme Prairie. Tom Shoemaker noted that Mr. O'Rourke has been in on the process to determine the location. Shoemaker will discuss this with Karen Manci. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.