HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 - Planning And Zoning Board - Work PlanCommunity Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
TO: Wanda Nelson, City Clerk
FROM: Andy Smith, Chair
Planning and Zoning Board
DATE: November 8, 2013
SUBJECT: Planning and Zoning Board Work Plan - 2014
During 2013, the Planning and Zoning Board continued to see an increase in the number of
development applications and has reviewed; a 31% increase over last year. Some notable
projects include: Foothills Mall, Woodward, Feeder Supply, Crowne on Timberline, LDS
Temple, Carriage House Apartments, Remington Row, Max Flats, Harmony Campus Cancer
Center, Banner Health Medical Campus, Avago Technologies Building Four, Pateros Creek,
Morningstar Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility, Old Town Flats and Terra Vida II
Apartments. Fewer projects (5) were appealed during this year compared to 2012 (8) and most
were appealed early in the year.
In 2014, there will continue to be a major effort to identify and recommend code revisions to City
Council to implement principles of Plan Fort Collins, as well as other plans and policies.
Council’s preference for important code changes is to bring changes on an as-needed basis,
rather than waiting for the annual update package. This will result in the Board being asked
more frequently to make recommendations to City Council on code amendments, including the
following items:
Transit Overlay District parking or alternative compliance standards; the current
minimum parking standard sunsets in 2014.
Whether or not to extend the PDOD pilot ordinance.
Any LUC changes related to the Phase II Historic Preservation Code amendments.
Any LUC changes related to the PZ Board’s recommendation on Addition of a Permitted
Use (APU).
LUC standards for renewable energy production
Procedural clarification of Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) applications for public
projects.
The Board also met in a joint work session with City Council to review emerging issues. Council
agreed with the Board to provide recommendations to Council in 2014 related to parking
standards or alternative compliance methods for the TOD and to evaluate changes to the APU
Ordinance and/or mixed-use standards in multi-family buildings.
The Board also reviewed and recommended approval of the Mail Creek Annexation. A number
of LUC amendments were reviewed by the Board in 2013, including sections to implement the
Eastside/Westside Character Study, vested rights extensions, parkway landscaping, urban
agriculture, an expanded definition of large-base industry, and an update to the non-native trees
2013 Planning and Zoning Board Work Plan
November 15, 2012
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section clarifying mitigation measures. The Board also reviewed the Affordable Housing
Redevelopment Displacement Mitigation Strategies, the Mid-town Plan, 3-Mile Plan and the
Trails Master Plan.
Anticipated projects for 2014 include additional student housing projects, and mixed-use
developments emerging in the Northeast area of the City. Outreach to the community on
development proposals increased in 2013 and included the formation of a PZ Committee to
work with citizens interested in revising the current Addition of a Permitted Use (APU).
In addition to reviewing and evaluating development proposals, the Board will address important
land use policy issues during 2014, including:
Lincoln Avenue Corridor Strategic Plan – This plan will provide a community-supported vision
and strategies to implement that vision for the corridor area. A series of fall community
engagement activities, including public workshops and online survey, have wrapped up. This
project is expected to finish in March 2014. Planning efforts are intended to create a cohesive
identity and specific steps for improvements and change along Lincoln Avenue between
Jefferson Street and Lemay Avenue.
Nature in the City – This project was originally identified from the City Plan update and is
intended to encourage the integration of unique landscape features into the design and
architecture of development and capital projects. It expanded scope during 2013 and will now
be focused on developing a strategy for preserving the remaining, informal open areas within
the community.
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Regulations – This project has been set aside due to a
voter-passed moratorium against the use of Hydraulic Fracturing in the city or on city-owned
lands. Staff, however is working closely to ensure compliance with the current operator
agreement and the board expects to review subdivisions that are adjacent to the Fort Collins
Field in 2014. As those projects are reviewed new LUC that was implemented in 2013 will apply
to those residential subdivisions including reciprocal set-backs.
Planning Development Overlay District (PDOD) – In 2013, the PDOD tool was refined by staff
and a six-month Pilot Project was extended to confirm whether the tool would work as intended
and to assess interest from the development community. So far, there have not been any
developments interested in using this tool, however staff continues to look for opportunities.
The extension will expire in 2014 and the board will make a recommendation to Council as to
whether the pilot program should continue.
West Central Neighborhoods Plan Update - The West Central Neighborhoods have undergone
significant changes over the last 14 years since the Plan was adopted. Residents are seeing
new building construction and intensification within these established neighborhoods, and on
the Colorado State University South Campus and the adjacent Main Campus, that are changing
the face of the area. The City’s Planning staff will lead management of the project, oversee
community engagement, and revise the Plan document. Technical expertise in land
use/transportation/parking modelling and urban design will be provided by a consultant selected
through a competitive process. The board will be reviewing the project at regular intervals and
will make a recommendation to the Council.
The board is also interested in continuing to monitor issues related to the TOD and Mason
Corridor, including but not limited to parking, pedestrian/bicycle connectivity and design as well
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November 15, 2012
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as examining sub-areas of the community that are beginning to experience significant market
interest; including Mountain Vista, East Mulberry and the River District.
cc: Planning and Zoning Board Members
Mayor Karen Weitkunat, Council Liaison
Karen Cumbo, PDT Director
Laurie Kadrich, CDNS Director