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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 02/11/2015Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 1 LAND & CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP BOARD MINUTES 6:00 PM CITY OF FORT COLLINS DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 LOCATION: 1745 Hoffman Mill Road/Nix Farm Natural Areas Department TIME: 6:00 PM For Reference: Kent Leier, Chair 631-2361 Kathryn Grimes, Vice Chair 214-8959 Trudy Haines, Communications 225-2760 Mark Sears, Staff Liaison 416-2096 Ross Cunniff, Council Liaison 420-7398 Board Members Present: Kent Leier, Kathryn Grimes, Kelly Ohlson, Trudy Haines, Edward Reifsnyder, Gail Dethloff, Greg Owens Excused: Marcia Patton- Mallory, Raymond Watts Guest: Justin Scharton, Karen Manci, Melissa Hovey, Jeffrey Boring, Lindsey Ex, David Tweedale, Rebecca Everett Call meeting to order: 6:05 p.m. Introductions: Attendees introduced themselves Agenda Review: Mark indicated that the Land Use Code agenda item would not be discussed as it will not be going to City Council as originally planned. Mark indicated he would still give a report on the topic at the conclusion of the meeting. Approval of Minutes: Kent indicated that there were some minor grammatical errors in the minutes that Marcia Mallory-Patton had identified. Michelle Vattano reported that she had made the appropriate changes and corrections to the minutes. Edward Reifsnyder made a motion to approve the LCSB January 2015 meeting minutes. Kathryn Grimes seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 2 Public Comments: None Action Items: Dust Control Manual – Melissa Hovey Due to an increase in development in the city and more and more complaints about dust City Council requested the City Environmental Services Division propose code changes to the current regulations to implement the best practices outlined in the Dust Prevention and Control Manual. Health and environmental impacts from particulate matter are causing this to be a priority for the department to close the gap in regulations and enforcement actions. Environmental Services is seeking LCSB support for the municipal code change, a Dust Guidance Manual and an internal policy and public outreach effort. No new fees would be implemented; this is using existing staff in the field to respond to complaints. This is less active than some of enforcement procedures so it’s mostly based on a complaint and enforcement actions. This does not require any new permits, additional inspections, extra requirements or additional fees. We are not expecting zero dust, but the enforcement would address whether or not you are following dust control guidelines. Applicable activities that would most affect the Natural Areas Department would be any and all earthmoving activities, track out/carry out activities, unpaved roads and haul roads. Melissa listed the site where a dust control survey can be taken by the general public http://www.fcgov.com/airquality/fugitive-dust.php . Kelly reported that this issue isn’t going before Council for a year and wanted to know why. Melissa – I don’t know why, but I did inquire as to whether or not that was accurate and was told yes. We are hoping that maybe after April that we can bring this issue back. Kelly proposed it might be brought back to the table after the election. Melissa reported that there has been much industry push back, specifically with the regulations because most industry has their own dust control management practices in place and feel the code to be duplicative of what they are currently doing. Kathryn – Would it be helpful to have the general public write in to Council supporting the issue? Melissa- We are directing the public to go to Fort Collins Access and make an initial record of it versus just writing a letter. Kathryn – At what level is dust classified as fugitive and how do you define the term fugitive and then how do you go about measuring this? Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 3 Melissa – The word fugitive means that it does not come from a stack chimney or vent, it’s just out blowing around. We use EPA guidelines to help us measure it. Trudy - Would it be helpful to submit a letter, from the board, to Council asking them to put the item back on the agenda? Kelly – It seems like there has to be a better way to get people to comply with the regulations and I understand the goal is compliance, but it’s not punitive. Melissa – The goal is to get someone from our staff, on the property to enforce the rules. Kathryn – How do you prove infraction? Melissa – Basically we are asking if you are doing this type of activity then are you using these management practices. There is an assumption that dust emissions transferred over the property line and if that’s the case then dust control measures must be in place. Kelly – I would really like the LCSB to support this in the strongest way possible. Where is the push back coming from? Melissa - The larger guys that have worked out of state understand the regulations, but the smaller size businesses that have only operated in northern Colorado are unfamiliar with this, they are fearful of it, it’s new and they are quickly reading a 40 page manual and simply can’t afford it. We’ve been very successful meeting with these smaller companies. It’s an education hurdle to overcome but after we talk with them and give them the information they become supportive of the idea. Kathryn - I support this because of the health implications, especially for children. The asthma rate is very high right now and seems to be getting worse. Edward – Would there be a need to put in the letter what the stakes are, in this, for the Natural Areas Department or are we just voicing an opinion on this. Mark – We have a huge stake in this issue. Rick Bachand and Justin Scharton reviewed this as well because we have some operations that this affects. We do a lot of earth moving projects and agricultural projects so we certainly have concerns. We didn’t think there was anything in the manual that we wouldn’t live up to. Those concerns are also listed in the Dust Control memorandum that was sent out. Trudy – Wasn’t it clear in the memo you sent out how this affect the Natural Areas Department? Mark – Yes. Trudy Haines made a motion to send a letter to City Council recommending the item be put back on the March agenda and that City Council approve the proposed Code changes to implement the best practices outline in the Dust Prevention and Control Manual developed by the Environmental Services Department.. Kathryn Grimes seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 4 Mark agreed to leave the memorandum as is and just add the language to encourage the item to be placed on the March City Council agenda. Devil’s Backbone Management Plan – Jeffery Boring Fort Collins Natural Areas (NAD) and Larimer County Department of Natural Resources have a history partnering in the acquisition and protection of lands around Fort Collins. Devil’s Backbone is comprised of several separate acquisitions, one of which is the Indian Creek parcel. This parcel is largely owned by NAD (75% interest) and is surrounded by lands owned by LCDNR. LCDNR and NAD entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement that designates LCDNR as the managing authority but requires any management plan created for the property to be signed by the Fort Collins City Manager The original management plan for Devil’s Backbone was adopted in 1999 and updated in 2004; the 2014 update is the second update to the original plan. Visitor use has dramatically increased since the original plan. A 2002 trailhead traffic count revealed over 27,000 vehicles visited the site in one year. A survey of conducted in 2014 revealed over 70,000 visitors that year. The Devil’s Backbone Trailhead parking lot provides 64 spaces and all overflow parking is along Hidden Valley Lane. Visitors parking along Hidden Valley are parking illegally, and more importantly are parking in an area that is not safe for accessing the trailhead. Further, it is difficult to limit parking and visitation in this situation. The expansion of the trailhead parking is to accommodate the current level of visitation and provide safe access from the parking area to the trailhead. Larimer County Natural Resources Department (LCDNR) recently completed an update to the Devil’s Backbone Open Space Management Plan. Major changes to the plan include development of a new multi-use trail through Hidden Valley and the designation of the existing Wild Loop Trail as foot-traffic only. In addition, the Devil’s Backbone Trailhead will be expanded from 64 to 99 parking spaces. In response, the plan calls for the addition of the new Hidden Valley Trail and use restrictions (no bikes or horses) placed on the existing Wild Loop Trail to reduce trail congestion, separate users, and improve the visitor experience to the site. Natural Areas staff (Daylan Figgs) participated on the Technical Advisory Team created for the plan update. We started this project last February and we’re hoping to complete the project by the end of this month, so this project has taken a long time. Kelly – My concern is for the ecosystem and the habitat, I could care less about the bikers. Why would I be excited about a new trail cutting through an existing habitat, right down the middle? Isn’t that a large fragmentation? Meegan- One of our goals with this property is to really identify areas that where the most critical natural resources are, which is the northwestern area, where the hogbacks are. We are Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 5 trying to avoid those areas, but it’s already a high impact area? The experience of being out on the trail will still be pleasant without impacting the area too much. Kelly – In my values it needs to be as minimal as possible, I guess that’s what I’m trying to say. Kent – The Red Trail is the most ecologically sensitive, is that right? With erosion and the raptors wouldn’t that benefit more, on the Red Trail system? Meegan - Nesting raptors have moved to areas close to the trails. There’s a log hogback adds some visual buffers. What we’ve seen with the raptors, they have actually moved closer to the trail, which is interesting. We haven’t seen a displacement. Kelly – I don’t know the lay of the land. Are there any opportunities in the future land acquisitions? Meegan – On the westside? No there’s a lot of houses there. Possibly maybe near the mountain. We’ve done some conserve. Easements north of the parcel we own with the city. Kent – I’d like to ask a question. You said you want 99 parking spaces and I’m sure you have looked at the area and decided that was an appropriate number for that space, is that correct? Jeffrey - I guess the best way to address that is we’re expanding or capping the parking lot, but we are not building a new parking lot. Kent – I would hope that would be the maximum parking spaces that would be put there. If you add more parking spaces the impact would be catastrophic Meegan - Horsetooth and Devils’ Backbone are at capacity so we are just trying to figure out how to address capacity without adding an additional parking lot and avoiding safety problems. We are currently using our VRAs as parking lot attendants when they could be out on the trails assisting rangers. Gail – So you were seeing about 35 cars parking along the road and there are currently 64 parking spaces. Is that where you came up with the 99 parking lot space? Meegan – Yes, that’s what you can fit along the road is 35. Jeffrey – Yes and we want to keep our footprint down as well. Trudy – I support this plan for several reasons. I like this idea and the alternative trail. I think it will be very well used and I like the idea that the parking lot will be the only place to park. The 70,000 participants a year is a lot of people. I like parking is limited and additional trail in a heavy use area already. Good job on this project. Kent – I think adding the trail will benefit the habitat and make the trail system better for everyone. Discussion Items Nature in the City of Fort Collins – Justin Scharton and Lindsay Ex Staff is pleased to present the Nature in the City Strategic Plan. The goal of this item is to solicit the Board’s feedback on the project’s overall plan and specifically on the proposed vision, goals, policies, and implementation strategy. Kathryn Grimes made a motion that the City Manager sign the 2014 Devil’s Backbone Management Plan Update. Greg Owens seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 6 The Draft Plan will be released for review by the public (online) on February 9 th , and staff seeks to solicit feedback from the Board as a part of numerous outreach efforts planned in February to ensure the Plan is aligned with the goals of the community and feedback heard to date. Staff plans to bring the final plan to the LCSB meeting in March for a formal recommendation prior to Council adoption on March 17. Nature in the City completed Phase I of the project in November 2014 which consisted of an inventory and analysis of social, economic, and environmental data. Phase II of the project has begun and includes drafting the Strategic Plan. The attached draft of the Nature in the City Strategic Plan is a result of comprehensive outreach to a number of City boards and commissions, City staff from numerous departments, and citizen input from workshops and a Citizen Advisory Committee. Staff anticipates the content of the draft Plan will evolve over the next four weeks during the final outreach effort prior to Council adoption. The Board’s review of the draft Plan is a component of that evolution. Specifically, staff asks the Board to consider: • Are there any policies that appear to be missing? • Does the Board have suggestions for effective implementation of these policies or on the proposed cost estimates? • Are there any areas where the wording or organization could be improved? • Are these sections understandable and easy to use? • What would be your highest priorities? Justin also discussed and explained some of the key outcomes for the project such as flexible Land Use Code requirements for open space and neighborhood scale projects and urban agriculture projects. NITC could also potentially align with current city practices and policy coordination (i.e. city mowing and spraying operations). The Night Sky policy is also in the process of seeking a night sky standards, enforcements and maybe International Dark Sky certification for Soapstone Natural Area. Current funding for the project will hopefully come from Building on Basics, but there is hope that additional funding could also come from general funds or other areas of the city. . Edward – What are you thinking about landowners, business owners and others when it comes to existing neighborhoods and developments? How will they adapt to this concept? Justin – We would try and seek out existing or potential HOAs that might have the connectivity where we can prioritize our efforts or add connectivity. If that’s not possible then we would like to find projects within green areas where there might be cost sharing program where we could utilize enhancements funds. Maybe design considerations could help with that as well. Edward – It seems like in order for this to success there has to be wide partnerships. Lindsay – There was a huge community support for these types of projects on the neighborhood side of all this. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 7 Trudy – From an ongoing funding situation has there been discussion about why this project isn’t funded by general fund money and not a tax situation? To really make a difference we really have to invest in this. Kelly – On adoption on this plan would encourage a full time employee to work on this project full time. Kathryn – They really need to hire someone full time for this project. Justin- We agree and detail out where projects can be done with existing staff members and where we need resources. Trudy – None of the request is for NAD money right? Are you trying to say fund a person now and hire them out to Nature in the City? It’s crazy to put this in to BoB, this really needs to be general fund money. Mark – Some of the funding may be on the light side, and I do think the funding may be easy to come by; but we can never get staff approved. Trudy – Land acquisition was listed as a priority, but that’s why I agree with Mark’s statement that it may be light, but one of pieces of feedbacks I have is that some of these pockets are going to be gone. We need money now to buy some of these pockets, even if it takes time to do something with this land; we have this limited opportunity right now. Kelly - There’s actually not going to be any spots left, if you drive around in you can figure that out. Justin – It’s important to know that land acquisition in Nature in the City is smaller areas and not a lot of money, but on a minimal scale of acquisition I think we’ll be in partnership with NAD. Trudy – Staffing and identifiable opportunities for plots should be your priority. The cost of these little parcels is huge. Edward – Are there any examples of acquisitions that you are discussing? Lindsay – Our mapping is running behind the strategic plan so I’m hoping to get the key gap areas and look for opportunity areas. The work that NAD is doing with Strategic Planning of the next ten years and how this is working together. I don’t have a great example yet. Greg – Have you looked at several parcels already? Lindsay – Yes, and because we are not key on those ecological issues that NAD might have, we might have some flexibility in those purchases. Kelly – I’m assuming that this is something that is going before Council? Lindsay – Yes on March 17 th . Trudy Haines made a motion that City Council approve the Nature in the City Strategic Plan. Kathryn Grimes seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 8 Kelly – We should have staff member draft a memorandum to City Council and then have the Chair and the Vice Chair check it over to explain why we think it’s important. We don’t have to word it tonight, but I think it’s a good idea. Lindsay – We’ve heard a lot about diversified funding, staffing and acquisition. Kent – I would recommend that you put together some wording, send it out to our board and then send it off to Council. Lindsay – A goal would be March 4 th . Trudy – Lindsay if you take a shot at the rough draft I’ll put the final memorandum together. Kent – If March 4 th is the deadline I don’t ‘think we’ll have time for board review so Trudy and Lindsay you both work on it and send it out. West Central Area Plan – Rebecca Everett The West Central Area Plan is an update to a previously completed planning effort, the West Central neighborhoods Plan, which was adopted in 1999. The West Central area generally encompasses the neighborhoods south and west of the CSU Main Campus. The Plan incorporates new information from related planning efforts and will serve as a guide for land use and neighborhood character; transportation and mobility; and open space networks. We’ve been coordinating with Justin and Lindsay on Nature in the City and our project and will be hosting an Open House from 4-7 at the Senior Center if anyone would like to come. Kelly – I haven’t seen the final draft, but board members can still get recommendations to you, is that correct? Rebecca - Public review and comments are welcome until February 22 nd . You can e-mail to me at reverette@fcgov.com. We also have an on-line comment form. The next plan is to work on east side and west side neighborhoods near Old Town. NA Updates and Announcements - Mark Kent – The board should recognize that Mark has been a Master Naturalist for 15 years and was just recognized at this year’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Mark – We had over 1,500 volunteers serve our Natural Areas last year. That equates to 6.7 full time employees and if you factor in all the vacation and holidays you’d have to have over 8 full time employees. The other thing for volunteers is that you only need those people at peak times. Our volunteer effort has really paid off. We do that with a skeleton staff and I’m very proud of that. Arapaho Bend trail – Mark Mark report that NAD owns about a mile of property along Straus Cabin road where we were going to build a 30 car parking lot. The way the current land use code reads we would have had to pay for street oversizing and street connections in the amount of $2M. The $2M in road improvements for about a $200K parking lot, didn’t really make any sense. The LUC changes Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Page 9 would have limited that mile of frontage road area to 400’ and not required the street connection. It was going to Council in March; but Darin directed staff to not take it to City Council at this time. I don’t know think there’s going to be any expectation for NAD to pay for all those road improvements. We will likely take this issue to a work session and discuss it. Trudy - Are you worried, should we be talking to some of the Council members? Mark – No, I think that’s premature. Kelly – I would try and resolve this without a work session. Mark – The GoCo grant we were awarded was going to provide the work for an overpass over I- 25 behind Walmart. We met with GOCO this morning to ask if they would let us modify this grant. Our deadline was June 19 th , GOCO felt it was fine to extend the deadline and the modify the project scope. So we were pleased about that. The plan now is to connect the trail to Harmony and continue north through Arapaho Bend. The new reservoir that we have been working with Utilities for water augmentation will add a chunk of land to Arapaho Bend and we plan to build a loop trail around the reservoir; The paved Poudre Trail will be built around the north side and a gravel trail/access road will be constructed around the south side. Miscellaneous Trudy – Mark if you have a six month agenda for the board could you send that out to everyone please? Mark – Sure. I know we discussed a LCSB retreat, maybe we could do something like that in late March or early part of April, aside from our regular board meeting. The board agreed to the retreat and time. Meeting Adjourned: 9:05 pm ______________________________________________________________________ Submitted by Michelle Vattano Natural Areas Department Administrative Clerk II Approved: ____________________________, Chair ____________________Date ____________________________, Secretary