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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/19/2007MINUTES NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting December 19, 2007 DATE: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 LOCATION: 200 West Mountain Ave. Suite A TIME: 6:00pm For Reference: Ryan Staychock, NRAB Chair - 481-1801 Ben Manvel, Council Liaison - 217-1932 John Armstrong, Staff Liaison - 416-2230 Board Members Present Ryan Staychock, Alan Apt, Glen Colton, Amy Dean, Rob Petterson, Joseph Piesman, Clint Skutchan, Liz Pruessner, Linda Knowlton Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: John Armstrong, John Stokes, Lucinda Smith, Alexis Hmielak Ryan Staychock called meeting to order at 6:03 Introduction of Guests Clark Mapes, Fort Collins City Planner Public Comments none Agenda Review None Review and Approval of Minutes: Regarding the October 17, 2007, minutes, Ryan Staychock reported he was absent for that meeting and could not have volunteered to arrange a presentation regarding uranium mining. Reference to his name will be withdrawn. Liz Pruessner moved and Joe Piesman seconded a motion to approve the October 17, 2007, minutes with the above correction. Corrected minutes were unanimously approved Regarding the November 28, 2007, minutes Ryan Staychock asked that his statement regarding urban forestry funding should have "on a national scale" inserted after the word "funding„ Glen Colton moved and Joe Piesman seconded a motion to approve the November 28, 2007 minutes with the above text insertion. The amended minutes were approved unanimously Ryan Staychock reported the Fort Collins City Council, at its December 4, 2007, meeting, adopted Resolution 2007-108 Expressing Council's Opposition to the Mining of Uranium in the vicinity of Nunn, Colorado. The NRAB discussed the resolution and whether the NRAB wanted to endorse it: • Joe Piesman stated he watched the council meeting on Channel 14 and pointed out text was deleted from the resolution that stated this would be the first ISL uranium mine in this area, because there had been a test mine previously east of Nunn. He also reported there was outspoken testimony from 30 — 40 people from the audience against uranium mining and 3 in favor; 2 of which were Powertech employees • Rob Petterson stated he is not in favor of uranium mining so close to Fort Collins, but expressed his disappointment that the City Council made this resolution without input from Powertech. He will abstain from endorsing Council's resolution to show he does not endorse way Council handled this. • Clint Skutchan also is against uranium mining and agreed that the Council's process was not the proper way to conduct business as elected officials. He stated they should have given Powertech an opportunity to present their case. He will also abstain from endorsing Council's resolution. • Linda Knowlton also agreed with Clint that she was disappointed Council did not ask for input from Powertech, especially since Fort Collins has no jurisdiction over the permitting process. • The group discussed whether they should include these comments in their vote to endorse the City Council's resolution, the fact that time was of the essence for Council to adopt this resolution to show the city's opposition to uranium mining and that open pit mining was also an option. • Ryan Staychock stated he appreciated the proactive and enthusiastic efforts of Council, agreed it could have been handled differently, but strongly supports the resolution. • For the record, Ryan Staychock read the resolution opposing uranium mining. Glen Colton moved to support the Fort Collins City Council Resolution 2007-108 Expressing Council's Opposition to the Mining of Uranium in the Vicinity of Nunn, Colorado Liz Pruessner seconded. Motion passed with one abstention by Clint Skutchan Update on Climate Task Force: Lucinda Smith made a presentation to update the NRAB on the Climate Task Force's thinking, views and progress to date. She pointed out Liz Pruessner is the NRAB's representative to the Task Force and is also on an outreach subcommittee that has helped to shape the presentation to the various boards. Lucinda asked the NRAB to provide input on this presentation for her to take back to the Task Force. Regarding the issue of global warming, Lucinda summarized some of the results of the Air Quality Survey taken by citizens of Fort Collins in 2007 regarding global warming. 2 o 85% believe global warming is real; 74% believe it is caused by human - caused emissions. o 79% believe governments should do more by empowering citizens and businesses to make choices to reduce global warming; 69% believe governments should enact legislation and regulations to reduce global warming. Actions taken by the State of Colorado regarding global warming: o Governor Ritter released the Colorado Climate Action Plan in November 2007. ■ The plan calls for 20% greenhouse gas reduction below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% greenhouse gas reduction below 2005 levels by 2050. o The State Climate Action Panel made 55 recommendations to reduce 40,000,000 metric tons of CO2 by 2020, with a net savings of $2.6 billion. o Fort Collins' consultants, the Brendle Group, reviewed the state's strategies, including adoption of the California Clean Car Standard and a low carbon fuel standard, identified which ones would reduce carbon emissions in Ft. Collins and determined an additive impact on Fort Collins of a reduction of 86,000 tons of CO2. Summary of Fort Collins' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG): o The City Council established a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal in 1999 to reduce GHG emissions 30% below 2010 levels, by 2010. ■ Included Green Power Program, Demand Side Management Program, Climate Wise and recycling programs. o The city is doing well, but is not on track to meet the 2010 goal. Existing and expected actions between now and 2010 will help close the gap. o Many of the "low hanging fruit or easy to accomplish" strategies have already been done o There will be costs as well as benefits associated with achieving significant emission reductions. o Momentum with other cities and at the state level can help. o Climate protection activities can support economic development, plus there is a cost of inaction. In March, 2007, the City Manager appointed the Climate Task Force to: o Solicit input from the public and boards. o Develop an updated plan that describes the steps Fort Collins could take to meet the 2010 target. o Include measures in the updated plan to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation efficiency and waste reduction. o Base recommendations on the most useful and defensible resources, including any relevant information from the Colorado Climate Project. o Make recommendations on how the City should develop a future direction for climate protection after 2010. The Climate Task Force is made up of 12 members from: o Fort Collins Sustainability Group o Colorado State University o Poudre School District o Climate Wise Steering Committee o Platte River Power Authority o Larimer County 3 o City of Fort Collins 0 5 Council advisory boards (Air Quality, Economic Advisory, electric, Natural Resources and Transportation). The Task Force's goal was to identify short term reduction strategies in order to achieve 1.1 million tons of CO2 avoided in 2010. o The Task Force felt it was more important to achieve sustainable reductions that would carry forward than to achieve the goal as soon as possible, even if it were after 2010. ■ Clint Skutchan agreed with this philosophy and complimented the Task Force for their hard work, but voiced his concern that the Task Force was setting unattainable goals and that setting unattainable goals year after year could deter the public from "buying -into" them. The board then discussed the importance to get the plan in motion now, even if the goals can't be met by 2010, so that the momentum is there to achieve it soon after. They also discussed the necessity of having aggressive goals still out there after the short term goals have been met. o Lucinda pointed out the Task Force has had in-depth discussions regarding public buy -in and has recommended an on -going advisory committee to help form public outreach strategies. Development of measures to help close the gap: o The Task Force began by looking at things that are currently existing and likely to continue on trajectory and then gathered new ideas from the public, boards, experts, etc. They filtered 200 strategies and selected measures for short-term benefit and those that are within local control in order to meet the 2010 goal. The good news — the strategies they are looking at should achieve 404,000 tons CO2 reduction in the year 2010. o Business and residential recycling o Climate Wise o Renewable energy programs o Electric energy conservation programs o Landfill methane capture — new strategy o Carbon sequestration by trees in FC o Electric distribution system improvements 0 2004 residential energy code o E-waste ban o HB 1037 Natural gas conservation programs — new strategy o Methane flaring and heat recovery at WWI (this should be WWT, for Waste Water Treatment) o FortZED jumpstart Regarding the cost effectiveness and benefits of new strategies in solid waste reduction/recycling, multi -media, energy and transportation, the current average annual cost effectiveness is estimated to be $20/ton = $20 million/yr. However, funding was not identified by the Brendle Group's analysis. Strategies currently under discussion: o How to meet the city's 50% waste diversion goal. o Enhanced Climate wise program — increasing membership from 70 to 200. o Local carbon offset program as possible revenue stream. o Government leading by example reducing 20% by 2010. 4 o Community -wide climate challenge with every household having 2 Compact Florescent Light bulbs, either by choice or through utilities. o Energy use: Provide incentives for individual renewable energy projects such as PV, solar/thermal and ground source heat pumps. • Increase city's energy goal to 15% renewable energy by 2010. • Tiered residential electric rates. • The group discussed energy use of low income versus higher income citizens and cautioned not to place financial hardship on citizens whose income is on the margins of these categories. • Residential smart metering. • Time -of -sale home energy conservation ordinance. • Low cost home energy assessments would offer funding, incentives and information to homeowners to help them implement the energy assessment. • Natural gas energy conservation programs. • Enhanced energy efficiency and consumption reduction. o Transportation measures under consideration, but not discussed in detail yet: • Walking and cycling programs. • Reinstate TDM-type program. • Financial incentives for low energy vehicles (LEV) purchases. • Transit service innovations and improvements. • Modern roundabouts for new or redeveloped intersections. • School transport management programs. • Parking incentives for LEV. • Clint Skutchan expressed his opinion that having incentives for LEVs would create ill will since it would create privilege for those who can afford a LEV vehicle. He suggested incentives for getting the less efficient vehicles off the road and then buying more efficient vehicles would have a greater impact on the environment. o After the Task Force evaluated conservative and aggressive measures, they felt an aggressive approach may be best way to reach 2010 goal. Climate Task Force 2008 schedule: o Get input from Boards and city staff in December/January o January 31 — Strategic Issues Team (SIT) review of the plan o February 26 - Task Force to take input, rework the plan and submit to Council work session. o February 27 — Public open house and presentation of Federal actions that address climate change. o March — Task Force considers feedback from Council and public open house. o April — Board review o May 6 — Council action Lucinda asked the group to let her know their thoughts on how to best present this program to the City Council and to the general public. She also offered to update the NRAB on the Climate Task Force plan before Council's February work session. • The board discussed Clint Skutchan's suggestion that the board take some credit for keeping recycled asphalt out of landfill and whether or not there is an emissions factor regarding asphalt recycling. • Joe Piesman wondered if the new energy bill just passed in Congress will affect emissions since all federal buildings are supposed to be carbon neutral by 2030. • The NRAB recognized the fact that per -capita emissions are growing as is the impact of transportation. • The group discussed ideas how to achieve 2 CFLs in every home including coupons, Scouts selling door-to-door and utility incentives. • Regarding natural gas, the Task Force has considered working directly with Xcel or the Public Utilities Commission to get them to change their rate structure to promote conservation or to increase the occupation tax on them, which would then be reflected in higher rates to encourage citizens to conserve. • The NRAB discussed how funding will be determined for the above plan outside of any tax measure. o Linda Smith pointed out the costs are not clear yet because the plan is still in the development state. Possibilities could be a carbon tax, utility fee, and some voluntary revenue from a local carbon offset program o Liz Pruessner related the Climate Task Force had discussed funding at every meeting. The Task Force has done a lot of work to quantify the conservative estimates, but they realized the conservative approach doesn't get us close to the goal, so they are revamping their work to quantify the more aggressive scenario. o Joe Piesman suggested not to be afraid to spend money up front on things like smart meters because it could save a lot in the long run. • Glen Colton suggested that land use and transportation planning be evaluated in tandem because they are big issues facing Fort Collins. If commercial and high density buildings are placed at the major intersections at I-25, CO2 would increase. o The board also discussed the fact that lifestyle changes are necessary to achieve the desired energy/emission reductions and population growth will make meeting the climate goals more difficult. o Also discussed were ways to make transportation for children more efficient and less vehicle -dependant by bicycling and walking to school, and how to make Fort Collins more pedestrian -friendly. Update on Northern Integrated Supply Project (NVISP)/Glade Reservoir: John Stokes reported that last May the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCF ) presented the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) to Fort Collins City Council for their consideration. The Council then asked staff (primarily Natural Resources and Utilities) to do an analysis of this complicated project and draft an environmental impact statement for their review. o John Stokes pointed out staff research and analysis has only been focusing on the direct impact of this project to the city of Ft. Collins; nothing regionally. At the December 11, 2007, City Council work session, John Stokes gave a mini - presentation to update Council on staffs progress and to be sure their efforts were in line with Council's directive. For this evening's NRAB meeting, John Stokes gave a Brief update of the same presentation. He also informed the board that they can find more information about the NISP project on the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCF ) website: www.ncwcd.ore. John then explained that, according to the National Environmental Policy Act, if any major action involves Federal money or land, the Federal government gets involved in the permitting process. The Army Corps of Engineers will be the permitting agency for the NISP project. Their goal is to choose the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) and construct a draft environmental impact statement for the project. • The draft environmental impact statement will include four different alternatives: o Glade Reservoir and the South Platte Water Conservation Project (SPWCP) o Cactus Hill Reservoir and the SPWCP — smaller plains reservoir east of Ft. Collins o Agricultural to municipal transfers, Glade and a reduced SPWCP o No Action John Stokes explained that NISP is a water supply project proposed by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and its 15 partners to provide water to this area. Issues involved in this project are: o Water would be diverted from the mouth of Poudre River into a very large reservoir north of Ft. Collins named Glade Reservoir. ■ This diverted water would not flow back into the Poudre River and run through Ft. Collins because it will be diverted through Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake via pipelines and other delivery mechanisms. ■ Water would be taken from mouth of canyon because it's much cleaner and would require less treatment. o Highway 287 would be moved to go around the reservoir. o The total annual water yield that the project would provide to communities in northern Colorado is approx. 40,000 acre ft/yr., which could support 120,000 households per year. o John Stokes pointed out it is important to remember there are 2 water rights with the project and each are delivered differently: ■ South Platte Water Conservation Project = 24,000 AF/yr • A new reservoir would be built at the confluence of the Poudre and South Platte rivers and would deliver the water collected to irrigators on the plains who will forego water from ditches that come off the Poudre River. • The unused ditch water will be stored in Glade Reservoir, making a new water district for use on the plains to supplant the water taken from Poudre and stored. • This water diversion will happen every year. ■ The Grey Mountain Right=16,000 AF/yr 7 • It is water that is diverted during wet years only when the river is running high. John Stokes then addressed the impact of NISP on Fort Collins regarding the volume of water flowing down Poudre every year. o The native average flow of the Poudre River is approx. 300,000 acre ft/yr. o Current average flow at the Lincoln street gauge in Ft. Collins is approximately 112,500 acre feet. (2/3 of Poudre is being diverted.) o The resulting reduced volume due to NISP is projected to be 84,500 acre ft/yr at the Lincoln gauge. o The presentation showed a projection of how the NISP project (both South Platte Water Conservation Project water diversion and Grey Mountain water diversion) would have impacted the Poudre River for the past 15 years. ■ The model projects dramatic monthly impacts to the amount of water going through Ft. Collins at the Lincoln gauge. ■ The impact to the monthly flow during the peak months of May, June and July would have ranged 30% to 70% of the flow, depending of the amount of flow. o John Stokes expressed the preliminary concerns of the research staff: ■ Less water in the river and reduced peak flows which would build up fine sediment, reduce habitat and reduce the capacity of the river channel to carry high flows. ■ Lower flows over time would increase water temperature inducing drought conditions. ■ We will lose the consistency of higher flows which would affect vegetation along the river, specifically cottonwoods, which would not have essential flooding for their regeneration cycle. ■ In an average year, we will have a lower flow. Bank full flow is a way to push sediment out of the river. ■ Lower water flow would affect water quality and affect water treatment plants on the river. Less water is in the river would create less dilution of pollutants. • Potential increase in water treatment costs because the water from Glade that will be pumped to Horsetooth is of lesser quality than what will already be in Horsetooth. John Stokes stated the environmental impact statement should have mitigation measures, but staff won't know what they are until the document comes out in February. Next steps for staff research group: o Continue working to understand the effects of NISP. 0 90 day review period for the Environmental Impact Statement ■ Staff review and analysis = 45 days o Make recommendations to council in response. • Council reviews = 45 days o Make recommendation to the Army Corps of Engineers The NRAB discussed the NISP project as presented: Regarding a question from Clint Skutchan about economic impacts to Ft. Collins such as water treatment costs, John Stokes reported staff was not looking at those kinds off' economic impacts, but rather the value of the river to the city by having a valuation survey done by a professor at CSU to consider: o Impacts to downtown Fort Collins' businesses if fewer citizens are downtown because of less river recreation. o What economic value do Ft. Collins residents place on the river and would they pay in mitigation funding to maintain the flow. o Preparing evidence for possible court action to stop the project that supports the value of the Poudre River to the city of Ft. Collins. Ryan Staychock pointed out the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's (NCWCD) objectives have been in the public eye for several years now. However, after hearing the facts presented tonight, he stated he is 100% in opposition to the NISP project. He also said that there is nothing in the National Environmental Policy Act that says they have to choose any of the alternatives, and feels the NCWCD has been aggressively pushing the NISP project as the preferred alternative. Ryan asked the group if the NRAB would like to send a clear message of opposition in the form of a motion to the Army Corps of Engineers before the Corps accepts NISP as the preferred alternative. John Stokes stated the city is compiling a library of information about the Poudre River and has organized the Poudre Technical Advisory Group (PTAG) of outside scientists whose purpose is to help city staff understand what the Poudre River was, is today and would be in the future if NISP goes forward. Their results will be put into a white paper that will be available the beginning of 2008. John also said there is an outside consulting group helping analyze the project, along with some CSU scientists. He will keep the NRAB posted on this project. John Stokes also pointed out NISP is not the only threat to the Poudre river. Much ditch water comes out of the Poudre and could be available for sale. He would like to see a long term plan developed by the City of Fort Collins to try to maintain ecological river health. Currently, the river tends to dry up in the summer and the city needs to determine ways to keep water flowing in the river during the summer. • The group also discussed the importance of regionalism and keeping a balance of resources in the area and that council should address this issue. Taking water from the Poudre River without giving back does not benefit the region. • The Board discussed whether they had enough information to make a motion, the wording of the motion and the necessity of opposing the project before the public comment period. Ryan Staychock voiced his strong opinion the board needed to take a stand on this issue. Clint Skutchan suggested the motion be that council take action. Clint Skutchan stated that he would wait until after the data from the Army Core of Engineers was released in order to make a more informed decision on whether or not to oppose the project. Joe Piesman moved and Alan Apt seconded the following motion: The Natural Resources Advisory Board urges Council to oppose the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). The NISP preferred alternative will dramatically reduce peak flows on the Cache la Poudre River as it travels through Fort Collins. The negative consequences of these reduced flows include: 1. Reduced scouring flows on the Poudre during the spring and summer months. 2. Catastrophic silting of the Poudre in Fort Collins due to the lack of scouring flows. 3. Paradoxically, devastating floods during a large runoff event due to the silting. 4. Devastation of aquatic plants and invertebrate life in the Poudre Watershed due to decreased water quality. 5. Destruction of a vibrant trout fishery currently available to residents of Fort Collins without the need for long automobile rides. 6. Decreased viability of bird populations and the diversity of bud species so treasured by Fort Collins residents. 7. Death of majestic mature trees due to changes in the water table. 8. Dramatic economic derailment of the planned River Corridor Plan for the Poudre. The Poudre River is part of the heritage and the soul of Fort Collins. We urge Council to come out in opposition to this threat immediately because time is of the essence and waiting for the Environmental Impact Statement to be released will be too late. Please do everything you can do to defend the lower stretches of the only river in the State of Colorado that is federally designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Please protect the crown jewel of Fort Collins; the Cache la Poudre River. Motion passed 7 —1, with Clint Skutchan opposing Update on I-25 and Harmony Activities and Harmony Corridor City planner, Clark Mapes made a presentation regarding the proposed Harmony Corridor Plan Amendment of the 1991 Harmony Corridor Plan, (Harmony Road from College to I-25.) ■ This amendment involves the "Gateway Area" at the I-25 interchange on the west side. It would change the land use designation in the subject area from "Basic Industrial Non -Retail Employment" to "Mixed Use Retail Activity Center", and add 105 acres to the designation south of Harmony. ■ The amendment area is primarily 250 acres located on the southwest corner of Harmony Rd & I-25, plus a 20-acre area on the north side, some of which is currently gravel pits, ponds and river valley. 10 Why amend the harmony corridor plan? o The current plan does not state a conclusion about an outcome or a vision for this area and designated it for "more work" to set a strategy for the area. ■ The plan generally calls for the city's edge to taper down in terms of development intensity, with the river valley floodplain corridor helping to preserve the separate identities of Fort Collins and Timnath, and to provide scenic, recreational, educational, habitat and water management functions. o Some conditions have changed since 1991 that staff feels has negated the original plan and has caused staff to bring an amendment of the plan to council at this time. ■ Arapahoe Bend, north of Harmony Road, was purchased by the city as a Natural Area and will maintain a natural status. ■ In the past, land south of Harmony was offered to the city for community separator purposes, but was declined due to costs and difficulties of the extensive gravel mine closeout and restoration. However, the city may revisit purchasing it. • The park and ride facility was constructed on the north side of Harmony, with a long range plan to connect Transfort and the Mason Corridor and possibly a region -wide I-25 bus system. ■ Larger buildings and retail complexes have been built at Centerra and the event center, including an 8 story hotel near the fairgrounds. • The ownership/development team of J. Stoner has proposed to annex and work with the city on a large mixed use, urban pedestrian district and transit center at Harmony and I-25. They are proposing to reshape the entire landscape of the gravel pit so that the floodway would be confined into a waterway by raising the land out of the floodplain, resulting in an amenity to development • Clark Mapes shared some issues he thought would be of particular interest to Natural Resources: o Two separator studies were conducted in 1999 and 2003 that identified land between Fort Collins, Timnath and Windsor that could be cooperatively used without purchase. However, a competitive development market and sales tax environment has grown instead in northern Colorado, and as a result, the separator plan will probably never happen. o Two years ago Timnath amended their comprehensive plan to include regional commercial development east of I-25, including a Super Wal Mart shopping center is currently planned on the NE corner of I-25. o Timnath, Larimer County and the ownership team met and the ownership team approached Fort Collins to collaborate on an urban mixed -used development south of Harmony which would include multi -story buildings, pedestrian walks, shared parking lots, waterways, canals, bridges, parking structures, served by transit, regional and CDOT shuttles. 11 ■ Their vision is to create something like the San Antonio water district with canals, walkways, commercial and high rise residential, from 6 to 15 stories high. They plan to offer a type of urban living that doesn't currently exist in Ft. Collins. • Clark pointed out that the magnitude of development here would be similar to the Denver Tech Center south of Denver. ■ Clark pointed out the development would also redo the cell tower, gas station and nursery and, once Wal Mart is finished, the floodplain will be filled and gravel pit restored. The scenic views of the mountains as a projection of Ft. Collins civic values would be gone. o Clark voiced his concern that if Fort Collins does not collaborate on this project, the ownership company will approach Timnath and build it anyway on the east side of I-25. ■ The group discussed if the development was in Timnath, would the standards be lower than if Fort Collins collaborated in the development. o Clark Mapes related the Ft. Collins planning staff is concerned how to handle the edge along I-25. ■ The group discussed the fact that the current plan has 1/4- '/2 mile green area next to the highway, CDOT's plans to expand I-25 and the impact this would have on the Poudre school district. o City council will discuss this on January 22, as part of a larger discussion regarding I-25 development. ■ The decision for city council is to keep the current plan or respond the changes proposed. ■ The ownership group has filled out the petition for annexation of the land but are waiting for the council's decision because they prefer to be in Fort Collins. They have even hired the world's leading wetlands restoration company to be on their team. Clark then described the Fort Collins Harmony Gateway District Vision as it would be affected by this amendment, since changing conditions have put pressure to recast it as a regional center and transit hub. o Under the proposed amendment, urban development would create a unique shopping/employment/living destination in the region and state. o The primary goals are to emphasize and capitalize on the opportunities of reclaiming the existing gravel mine landscape, to create a high quality gateway, to create a focused node of business activity and to create a pedestrian district with mutually supportive mixed uses and a district sense of place. The district would in turn mutually support evolution of public transit on the two corridors and at the Transportation Transfer Center as a future transit hub. ■ The gravel pit would be reshaped to create waterways, canals and bridges as centerpieces for development. • The Gateway District would be a pedestrian district with multi- story urban development, diverse businesses, urban styles of housing and amenities for pedestrians and would support public transit and connection to I-25 rapid transit. 12 ■ Building heights up to 6 stories would be allowed, with a possibility of a few taller towers up to 15 stories. ■ The large cell tower, existing gas station and landscape business would be redeveloped to compliment the Gateway concept. ■ Redevelop the Transportation Transfer Center on the north side of Harmony as a future transit hub. Clark mentioned the three main aspects of the amendment would hit all the goals. • An open landscape separator south of Harmony involving natural areas. ■ Fill to restore the gravel pit could come from Eagle View Natural Area and a waterway from Arapahoe Bend to Eagle View would be created for the benefit of wildlife and to maintain heavily landscaped area and a possible trail under Harmony Rd. ■ The sustainability of an urban transit hub for mixed -used multi- story buildings. The group discussed the lack of infrastructure in Timnath as a basis of being a blighted area of urban renewal, the desire of Ft. Collins not to have such development in or near it and the impact of the view of the mountains that higher buildings would have on the landscape. The group discussed whether it is best to have input on the project or directly oppose it, the impact this would have on the Arapahoe Bend Natural Area, the desire to increase wildlife habitat at Eagle View Natural Area and the real possibility of 3 miles of solid development along the I-25 corridor. Glen Colton stressed that regional cooperation would be important here and that the city council needs to strongly address issues facing the city such as uranium mines, taking water from the river and the issue at hand of urban construction along I-25. Clark Mapes pointed out tonight's presentation was for discussion only and to inform the Natural Resources Advisory Board of what was going to be presented to Ft. Collins City Council on January 22 as part of a work session about the city's whole paradigm of the I- 25 corridor. If the NRAB wants to make a recommendation, and the amendment proceeds to hearings with City Council, Clark will return to the NRAB meeting in February or March to talk to them. New Business Clint Skutchan asked about a new community exchange program on the internet www.fortcollinscommunitvexchange.com where citizens can communicate with each other and trade goods and services. John Armstrong pointed out this is a private grass roots initiative and is not being run by Fort Collins. The city was approached by this group to help advertise it and the city agreed to link to this site from the Fort Collins recycling site. Clint also suggested that, in addition to recycling, that staff provides the board with an update on what the city does to provide information on how to re -use things, rather than discard them. John Armstrong agreed there are aspects of re -use that could be used. 13 Discussion of January meeting agenda: • Regarding the Trash Services issue, John Armstrong announced the council will discuss this at the January 8, 2008, work session and suggested the NRAB watch this session on Channel 14. This is in a very early stage and it may be premature to put it on the NRAB January agenda. • Sustainability plan • Elections • Board annual report for 2007 - due January 31. • Sub -committees • General board issues Ryan Staychock announced Rob Petterson has resigned from the board due to an overcommitted work load. On behalf of the board, he thanked Rob for his service, dedication and work, especially on solid waste. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 pm Submitted by Alexis Hmielak Administrative Secretary I Approved by the Board on 200$ Signed / A 'nistrative Secretary I Extension: 6600 .t i/ O $ Date 14