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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/07/1994D-HNUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 7, 1994 For Reference: Phil Friedman, NRAB Chair - 493-2959 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Natural Resources Board Members Present Lisa Steffes, Bill Miller, Phil Murphy, Katy Mason, Arlene Blum, Phil Friedman, Tim Johnson Natural Resources Board Members Absent Don Tidd (excused) and Craig McGee (excused) Parks and Recreation Board Members Present Sylvia Cranmer, Marilyn Barnes, Mary Ness, Eric Reno, Rich Feller, Jessica MacMillan, Diane Thies, Rebecca Chavez, Jerry Garretson Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Mike Powers, Jackie Rael, Jon Ruiz, Brian Woodruff SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. Review of Prospective Natural Area Acquisitions, Tom Shoemaker Tom Shoemaker explained he is seeking formal recommendation from both boards on five of the six upcoming acquisition proposals. He further explained that the 8.7 acre addition to Bridges Natural Area is still in negotiation and will be back for approval in January or February. Shoemaker distributed a Natural Areas Acquisition Fund Budget Summary. He noted there have been 1,263 acres acquired to date with 1,094 acres designated for prospective acquisition. He gave a brief description of each proposed acquisition site. I. Harmony Gateway Site This is a high priority site with good potential for passive recreational use and an appraised market value of $1.6 million. It has a total of 277.5 acres including 45 agricultural acres. The State Land Board is interested in purchasing some of the developable acreage. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 2 There are billboards located on the property that generate $60,000 a year income. Shoemaker needs the boards' recommendations on keeping the signs and using the income for natural area sites. H. Fossil Creek Wetlands This is 236 acres located outside of the southeastern city limits. One quarter section is already owned by the city as a special improvement district. Shoemaker noted both boards previously recommended partial purchase. III. Additions to Cathy Fromme Prairie & IV. These are two prospective acquisitions that were considered high priority sites initially and have additional impetus because of the Fort Collins Loveland Corridor Study. The 80 acres on the south side of the Cathy Fromme Prairie, east of Shields, is priced at $6- 7,000 an acre based on appraisals. Funding will be through a $250,000 GO Colorado Grant, $60,000 from Larimer County and $250,000 from the City of Fort Collins. The other addition is 180 acres east of Shields to the north of the existing Fromme Prairie priced at $1.8 million ($10,000 an acre). It has native grassland and bald eagle roost sites. There is discussion on a 40 acre land exchange with the developer of Fossil Creek Estates Phases II and III. V. 8.7 Acre Addition to Bridges Natural Area This will be brought back to the boards. The city owns 12-15 acres in the area and wants to consolidate a larger area. The price per acre is higher ($23,636 per acre/net) because it is in the core area of town. There is strong support from the neighborhood for acquisition of the site, together with development of an adjacent site. VI. 274 Acres of Gravel Mined Land This is located in the northwest part of the city along the Poudre River. Western Mobile will assume responsibility for water augmentation and all the gravel purchase. The purchase price is $1,000 per acre. Shoemaker asked for formal action by both boards, noting that any substantial changes will be brought back for review. Marilyn Barnes, Parks and Recreation Board, moved to purchase Proposals I, II, III, IV and VI. Diane Thies seconded. Tim Johnson, Natural Resources Board, moved to recommend the purchase of Proposals I, II, III IV and VI. Bill Miller seconded. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 3 The following questions and concerns were discussed: 1. It was asked if money is set aside for maintenance. Shoemaker said a substantial portion of the last year's funding of the 'k cent sales tax will be used for long term maintenance. 2. It was recommended that a council resolution include further investigation before making the final determination on selling land to the State Land Board at the Harmony Gateway site. 3. The Bridges acquisition is a high priority as it is in the center of the city. 4. The question was asked if the timing on acquisitions will be appropriate with the new council in April. It was agreed to take advantage of the opportunities now. 5. There were concerns about the shortage of funds and what happens in 1995. Shoemaker noted the following options: a. Purchase now and close next year. b. Ask a group like Trust for Public Lands for financing to be paid back later. c. Borrow from another city fund that has reserves. A vote of the Natural Resources Board was taken and the motion passed unanimously. A vote of the Parks and Recreation Board was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Discussion followed on having a policy regarding the billboards located at the Harmony Gateway site. Mike Powers said there is a cap limiting the number of billboards in the city limits. When any are taken down, they can go up somewhere else in the city. He pointed out that revenue would be lost that could be used for the natural areas fund as maintenance money if the billboards are removed. Shoemaker said a motion is needed to pursue the issue of retaining or removing billboards and selling off developable land. Council needs to be aware of the concerns of the boards. Jessica MacMillan moved that both boards express a concern to council to take a look at the use of billboards on the purchase of the property. The motion died for lack of a second. It was decided that both boards would work on this in the future and that staff will bring back more information from the city attorney's office. The joint meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. REGULAR BOARD MEETING The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 4 Introduction of Guests Kelly Ohlson was introduced. Approval of Minutes Bill Miller moved and Lisa Steffes seconded the motion to approve the minutes of ae special recycling meeting held November 1, 1994. Phil Friedman asked to include in the minutes that his absence was excused. The motion passed unanimously. After making the following changes, Tim Johnson move,_ ad Phil Friedman seconds;,; the motion that the minutes of the November 9, 1994 meeting be approved; the motion passed unanimously. Miller noted a typographical error at the bottom of page 5; "be" development should read "by" development. Friedman clarified that on Page 7, 1995 Workplan Development, committee chairs were to provide information from individual board members and were to call that information into Tom, with the final step being that the board approve the final version. Johnson wanted "would not be considered a significant criteria for access" to replace "would not allow access" on the second to last paragraph on page 4. Report on POST 2001 Vote, Kelly Ohlson Ohlson reported that POST 2001 was defeated by an overall vote of 53 percent to 47 percent, with over 55 percent voting for it in Fort Collins. Loveland's vote was 37 percent for it, while outlying area of the county were at 39 percent. He felt the natural areas support is growing in the right direction and thought some of the reasons for defeat were attributed to early voting, no ballot title, Amendment One language, complicated ballots and organized opposition. It will be back on the ballot in 1945 with some revisions. Mason asked how Loveland's opposition will be overcome. Ohlson said focus groups will help address the fear that Fort Collins will get all of the money and there will be more specifics regarding the areas desired. Miller asked how much of the negative vote was du, to anti -tax vs property rights. Ohlson felt this was not just a "no" on taxes, but an overall "no" on everything. Johnson expressed concern that 1995 is an off -election year and more anti -tax people will go to the polls. Mason wanted to know the effect on the 1/4 cent sales tax renewal. Ohlson said having it on the 1995 ballot will separate the two issues. Friedman noted four seats on the school board will be contested on the 1995 ballot and that should bring a good turnout. Steffes felt there is a need to lobby the county clerk to put titles on the ballot. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 5 Johnson recognized that the voting reflects the outstanding job Shoemaker and the Natural Resource Division staff are doing on natural areas. He noted the Master Naturalist program will help with the education process. Review of Recycling Worksession and Recommendations, Kelly Ohlson Ohlson reported that there was citizen discontent at the City Council worksession on recycling. He felt there were no significant changes presented on the issues of trash hauling and recycling. He said charging for recycling is negative and true costs need to be charged, otherwise education will have no impact. Jon Ruiz said that part of the board's recommendation to council concerned the importance of "pay as you throw" and an ordinance would be needed for that. He explained "bundling" is where trash and recycling services are included in one fee. Ohlson felt staff did not make a forceful presentation on districting. Johnson asked if information from the board had been sent to council. Shoemaker said the board minutes were sent to council and Craig McGee attended the worksession. He noted council did take significant steps for changes in recycling, consolidating neighborhoods, and designing a compost facility. Johnson said even though the board information was sent to council, he thought it would be more forceful to write a letter addressing the key points. Johnson moved to send a letter to council stating that the recycling policy include bundling, pay as you throw, utility study, districting and recovering the total cost for street damage. Steffes seconded the motion. Mason suggested the letter should be more specific about recovering costs and stress the need to initiate the study. Friedman suggested redirecting council to the minutes where the board recommended proceeding with the study. Shoemaker recommended sending a letter as soon as possible as the information for an ordinance change will be presented at the January council meeting. A vote on the motion to send a letter to council was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Shoemaker will write the letter for Friedman's approval and it will go in council's packet next Thursday. Congestion Management Plan Recommendations, Brian Woodruff Brian Woodruff, Environmental Planner, explained that no formal action is required by the board on this plan. Board comments received will be recorded in the minutes and included in a listening log to be sent to council. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 6 Using a slide presentation, Woodruff explained the project. He noted the main technical work resulted in seven scenarios of computer modeling of transportation and land use; no scenarios met the city goals for congestion or air quality. He further explained that vehicle travel is growing at 3.6 percent while population is growing at only 2.8 percent. There are 1.9 million vehicle miles travelled (VMTs) per day in Fort Collins. Woodruff noted.that expanding roadways has been the main focus in controlling traffic congestion, but there is a need to reduce vehicle travel and increase walking, cycling, car pools, Transfort use and telecommuting. The present street system cannot be ignored; there is a need to invest in maintenance and expand streets as well as a need to work on alternative transportation. He said Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is the focus with the recently formed Transportation Service Area. More data is needed on travel behavior and how to measure success. Woodruff explained the activity center concept that targets certain parts of the city for higher density, mixed use development. This concept has multi -family housing, jobs, and retail stores in the same area and uses design elements to enhance walking, biking, etc. He said City Council's next step is to adopt the congestion management plan, approve a work plan on activity centers, urban design and TDM, and continue a public participation process. Miller asked if there is enough space inside the city for activity centers. Woodruff stated there is space available. The planning department staff is looking at undeveloped and partially developed land and there is land capable of absorbing all commercial, job and multi -family growth through 2015. Mason asked if the activity center concept would be a charge of the comprehensive plan. Woodruff said it would. He noted that the role of the citizen is to drive no more than they are currently and increase walling, cycling, carpooling, Transfort riding and telecommuting. The city's role is in the area of finance and growth management as well as studying activity centers, urban design and land use regulations. Friedman felt activity centers are an urban concept and people choose to live in this community to get away from that core urban feel. Johnson said that recognizing the need for minimum service for other alternatives is a big step forward. He would like to see the use of other terms for an automobile, such as "pmi" (personal mobile incinerator) in order to get people thinking in terms of what they are doing. I LI Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 7 Mason asked how much of the VMT increase is due to the physical size of the city and growth. Woodruff said there is evidence from all over the country that VMT is growing faster than the population; part of it is because the average trip is longer, but there are other factors, e.g., increase in two -wage earners families and increasing affluence (best predictor of miles traveled is expendable income). He added that while the average household size is shrinking, each household has two cars and the number of driver's licenses is increasing along with car ownership. Mason asked about the different scenarios that failed the goal for air quality and asked if other emission standards were considered. Woodruff said current and projected improvements under the Clean Air Act were used. Denver's emission standards were not used. Miller asked if Denver's standards are more stringent. Woodruff responded that starting in January they will be more stringent due to federal mandates on lowering emissions. Fort Collins has been in compliance with federal standards and has not been mandated. Shoemaker noted there is a project to look at having something like that in Fort Collins. Blum asked if malls will be required to provide bike access. Woodruff said there is work being done on a bicycle plan to address that. While it is not plausible to allow bikes on College, north -south routes will be designated in the plan to allow access to College. Friedman noted that since the infrastructure was in place prior to understanding the problem with automobiles, the need is to address problems that are insurmountable due to infrastructure. Woodruff said that is part of cost that has been identified. Johnson felt having this plan in place will be helpful in increasing awareness. Woodruff commented on urban density and how the activity center would focus on the multi -family concept, new job growth and new retail within the activity center. Miller asked about NIMBY and problems arising with the location of activity centers. He felt there is a need for marketing the concept to make it real for people. Woodruff said the plan would take some of the NIMBY problems away from current neighborhoods by putting activity centers into neighborhoods well served with urban design. Miller was concerned the multi -family concept would not incorporate low income housing. Friedman asked if the plan will be modified. Woodruff said it is intended to be adopted as is although there could be some call for a more detailed work program and further development. Johnson noted the lane change on Remington and Mountain has made travel easier. He added that repainting a street is not a major outlay of money to make bike travel safer. Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 8 Miller suggested an enhanced effort to put the statistics in front of the public. Mason agreed that the average citizen does not understand the situation and the city needs to be a leader in education awareness. Murphy felt people do understand there is a problem, but need to know what to do about it. Johnson felt the issue of subsidized parking is not being addressed; instead of accommodating everyone, it needs to be stopped. Fort Collins Loveland Corridor Area Plan, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker noted there is renewed focus in developing a land use plan for the corridor between Fort Collins and Loveland. It is a team effort between the city, Larimer County and Loveland, with Larimer County as the lead. Physical separation is the goal with additional objectives centered around the concern about natural areas, viewscape and agricultural. The timeline is to have a full draft of the plan out by the end of the year. There will be a joint meeting late in January for the hearing and approval process. Mason asked when there would be public input. Shoemaker said it would be after the draft plan is completed. Shoemaker reported that a natural areas inventory has been done. Rod Rieman, working for the Natural Resources Division, did the Larimer County area and a private consultant was hired by Loveland. The two data sets were merged. The baseline data collection also looked at development constraints and the only infrastructure constraint is on the western side. Shoemaker explained the key is to highlight the open space on the west side connecting existing areas. Another goal is to extend the prairie area and protect the complex of habitats along the major travel corridors. He pointed out that Fossil Creek has a significant large conservation area. Mason was confused about what is there and what is proposed; she thought there was development around the reservoir. Shoemaker explained that there are some houses on 35 acre tracts, but no active development proposals. There is significant interest by landowners in developing the area. Shoemaker noted the Fort Collins -Loveland Airport is an important planning influence because of low density guidelines in the airport area. The plan will make sure large functional open space area are maintained. Friedman was concerned about the corridor residents and finding funds to purchase the land. He wanted to know how the plan relates to POST 2001. Shoemaker said there are good techniques that can work, ranging from zoning changes to fee acquisition. Acquisition will be aimed at key parcels. Defeat of POST 2001 certainly hurt the ability to move ahead soon with land acquisition. Steffes said it is an excellent plan and has been a long time in coming. Friedman felt the plan has good flow. Miller asked if there was any consideration given for expansion by a � - r Natural Resources Advisory Board December 7, 1994 Page 9 Windsor. Tom said it is a complex area with a lot of activity and there is a separate effort between the two counties to define it. Committee Reports GROWTH MANAGEMENT: No report. EDUCATION: Friedman reported that the committee met last week and talked about getting more candidates and nominees for the Environmental Awards. Edith Felchle will report to the committee in January. There is a possibility that there will be no environmental fair next year so there will be a need for another venue for the award presentation. Since attendance was down this year, it was decided maybe it was time to do something different. RECYCLING: McGee absent. NATURAL AREAS: No report. Announcements Steffes distributed a flier on the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Open House being held on December 18. Shoemaker announced that Parks & Recreation is updating the master plan. The park staff requested volunteers from the board to sit in on the advisory committee meetings starting this month; they will be done by April. Johnson said he might be interested. Friedman reported he met with Chris Kneeland, council liaison. She told him she is appreciative of the board's involvement and added that as one of the two most active boards, it has a large responsibility. She offered to sit in with the board in January or February. Johnson asked if this summer will be the tenth anniversary of the board. Apparently, Kneeland will contact Shoemaker about that and will lead the effort for an honoring event. Board Member Don Tidd's attendance was discussed. Mason asked how many meetings Tidd has missed; Blum asked if it has been discussed with him. Friedman said Tidd has missed five out of nine meetings this year; one more miss and he will be at 50 percent. Friedman will discuss this with Tidd in order to get a commitment from him to either not miss any more meetings or resign from the board. He reminded the members present that in order to be excused, the chair or staff need to be advised. Friedman noted the retreat will be rescheduled in January. Also, Blum, Tidd and Murphy need to meet with Shoemaker and Friedman for the new board member orientation. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.