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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/2016 - Planning And Zoning Board - Agenda - Work SessionPlanning and Zoning Board Page 1 September 2, 2016 Kristin Kirkpatrick, Chair Conference Room A Gerald Hart, Vice Chair 281 N. College Avenue Jennifer Carpenter Fort Collins, Colorado Jeff Hansen 80524 Emily Heinz Michael Hobbs Jeffrey Schneider Planning and Zoning Hearing will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016, in City Hall Chambers. Regular Work Session September 2, 2016 281 N. College Avenue – Conference Room A 10:00am - 2:00 pm Consent: 1. August 11, 2016, P&Z Hearing Draft Minutes 2. North College Drive-Thru (Shepard) 3. Timberline Storage MJA (Frickey) 4. Cache la Poudre River Enclave Annexation (Kleer) Discussion: 5. West Side House Fraternity – Extra-Occupancy FDP#160021 and Modification (Holland) Policy and Legislation: • Land Bank Program (Frickey/Beck-Ferkiss) Board Topics: • Food Truck Vendors – Update (Wray) • Introduction to Annual Land Use Code Changes (Shepard) • Change of Use/Small Project Requirements (Gloss) • Status Reports – Projects within the TOD (Gloss) • Old Town Planning Projects (Gloss/Wray/Overton) • 2017 Annual Work Plan Projected Time 10:00 – 10:30am 10:30 –11:00am 11:00 – 11:30am 11:30am - 2:00pm (Lunch break @ noon) Planning and Zoning Board Work Session Agenda 1 Downtown Plan: Draft Principles, Policies and Action Items Urban Design Vision: “As Downtown continues to evolve, Fort Collins embraces its rich heritage of design by preserving historic structures and creating new buildings that would merit designation as future landmarks or contributing buildings. A variety of distinct character districts are recognizable within the downtown, each evoking its own sense of place. Streets, sidewalks and public spaces create a comfortable setting in each of the character districts. Transitions between downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as between different character districts, are harmonious. Downtown gateways provide an inviting sense of arrival. Principle Policies Actions UD-1: Recognize and promote differences and defining characteristics in the varied character districts that make up the Downtown. UD-1a: Unique Character Districts. Support the unique qualities within each Character district by defining which characteristics should be preserved and enhanced. UD-1a (1): Amend the Land Use Code to include new Downtown Character district boundaries UD-1a (2): Amend the Downtown (D) Land Use Code provisions to incorporate desired building character and site design for each character district, including ground floor activity, private open space, floor area ratio (FAR), solar access, parking location, building materials and appearance. UD-1a (3): Develop Land Use Code regulations that set specific building mass, bulk and scale standards unique to each district. UD-1a (4): Establish appropriate building setbacks within each district. UD-1a (5): Establish guidelines for character district improvements that support the unique identity of the district. UD-2: Allow larger buildings in appropriate character districts while maximizing compatibility through appropriate design. UD-2a: Maximum Building Height. Maintain building heights consistent with the maximum building heights map as a baseline, and requirements to ensure compatibility with the adjacent context. UD-2a (1): Amend existing Land Use Code building heights map exhibit to reflect the expanded Downtown boundary. UD-2a (2): Evaluate Land Use Code regulatory height incentives in exchange for more sensitive building massing. UD-2b: Building Stepbacks. Use upper-story stepbacks to ensure a sense of openness, access to sunlight and a pedestrian scale. UD-2b (1): Develop Land Use Code building stepback regulations based upon results of a pro forma analysis and desire to enhance the pedestrian environment. UD-2c: Design Incentives. Provide incentives for enhancing building design and compatibility. UD-2c (1): Evaluate the economic impact of building design standards regulating FAR, height, massing, materials and façade design, and develop performance incentives. UD-2d: Building Massing. Mitigate the impacts of larger buildings and additions through massing techniques that respond to positive, defining patterns in the surrounding area. UD-2d (1): Develop FAR and building massing regulations in the Land Use Code based upon results of a pro forma analysis. UD-2e: Transitions between Character Districts. Provide appropriate transitions in building mass, bulk, and scale between character districts that have a different desired building scale, and at the edge of Downtown adjacent to the Old Town Neighborhoods. UD-2e (1): Develop Land Use Code regulations that set specific building mass, bulk and scale transition standards to ensure scale compatibility between character districts. UD-2f: Compatibility of Larger Development Projects. Clarify compatibility requirements for mitigating the impacts of larger development projects, and the effect they have on the surrounding area. UD-2f (1): Develop Land Use Code regulations that set specific building mass, bulk and scale standards to ensure scale compatibility between character districts. UD-2g: Building Towers. Articulate requirements for 2 Principle Policies Actions UD-3: Promote high-quality building design and materials UD-3a: Context Sensitive Building Design. Clarify City requirements for the design character of new buildings to be context sensitive, drawing on existing repetition and patterns in the surrounding area. UD-3a (1): Develop Land Use Code regulations that set specific design metrics in which to base design compatibility within its context. UD-3b: Ground Floor Activity. Activate the ground- level experience of buildings with high quality materials, transparency, and active, non-residential uses. UD-3b (1): Establish appropriate setback requirements and utility easements throughout the downtown. UD-3c: Building Materials and Fenestration. Clarify City requirements for building material and fenestration compatibility, while acknowledging the need for designs that are unique to the contemporary era of development. UD-3c (1): Revise the Land Use Code to include greater specificity on the range of appropriate building materials and glazing options. UD-4: Preserve resources that contribute to the historic character and authenticity of downtown. UD-4a: New Buildings/Additions to Historic Buildings. Design new construction and building additions to individually designated buildings with in the Downtown Historic District to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and adopted historic preservation standards. UD-4a (1): Revise the Land Use Code standards to protect and complement the unique character of historic downtown buildings and the historic district UD-4a (2): Inventory designated and eligible historic resources throughout the downtown. UD-4a (3): Revise the definition of adjacency as it relates to the physical separation of buildings to historic structures. UD-4b: Historic Building Retention and Reuse. Retain and reuse historic buildings that positively contribute to Downtown character. UD-4b (1): Update and distribute the Downtown Buildings historic building inventory UD-4c: Historic Commercial Signs. Restore existing historic signs and allow for the re-creation of previous historically-significant signs. UD-4c (1): Revise the Sign Code to include provisions to re-create historic signs if sufficiently documented UD-4c (2): Provide grant opportunities for historic sign rehabilitation or re-creation. UD-5: Continue to develop a framework of attractive streetscapes. UD-5a: Street Level Interest. Street level space is activated with building entrances, openings, windows and outdoor spaces for people. UD-5a (1): Develop Land Use Code regulations that identify performance standards for design elements that activate buildings and private outdoor spaces along public streets. UD-5a (2): Amend Sign Code to require pedestrian-oriented signs UD-5b: Streetscape Design. Continue a program of improving sidewalks along Downtown streets with paving details, street trees, pedestrian and landscape lighting, benches, planters, and other street furnishings appropriate to each character district. UD-5b (1): Finalize enhanced streetscape design for Linden Street (Walnut to Jefferson) UD-5b (2): Construct Jefferson Street Streetscape Enhancements project (Mountain-College Ave) UD-5b (3): Finalize engineering and landscape design from Mason Corridor streetscape design competition and construct improvements UD-5b (4): Adopt streetscape hierarchy map depicting desired parkway widths and landscaping, hardscape and building setbacks UD-5c: Surface Parking Design. Site surface parking lots to minimize gaps in the continuous ‘street 3 Principle Policies Actions UD-5e: Access Management. Limit curb cuts, driveways, and drop-off areas, and restrict drive- through facilities that interrupt the continuity of pedestrian movements. UD-5e (1): Uphold adopted Access Management Plans for State controlled streets Downtown and amend the Land Use Code to ensure that all Article 3 site, parking area design and engineering standards match the intent of this policy UD-6: Invest in new public gathering spaces and Improvements to existing public spaces. UD-6a: Public Gathering Spaces. Support the creation of public plazas, pocket parks and temporary installations that promote social interaction and programmed and informal events. UD-6a (1): Create an Urban ‘Micro-Space’ Design Plan. UD-6b: Downtown Alley Improvements. Convert key downtown alleys into shared streets and vibrant walkways. UD-6b (1): Design and construct alley enhancements (incl. trash/recycle enclosures) within Old Firehouse Alley (East) UD-6b (2): Design and construct alley enhancements (incl. trash/recycle enclosures) within the 100 Block of S. College Ave. (S. of W. Mountain) UD-6b (3): Design and construct alley enhancements (incl. trash/recycle enclosures) within the 500-600 Block of S. College Ave (east side of College) UD-6c: Connected Open Space Design. Locate private open space amenities where they will best activate the street (e.g. gardens, courtyards, pocket parks, plazas, paseos, etc.). UD-6c (1): Amend the Land Use Code to clarify the required quantity and location of private open space amenities. UD-6c (2): Fund and create an art walkway streetscape fronting on east side of Jefferson Street, linking with artist live/work/retail area. UD-6d: Open Space Solar Orientation. Orient private open space areas to maximize solar access during winter months. UD-6d (1): Amend Land Use Code to include shadow analysis for all private outdoor spaces and ensure limited shading during winter months. UD-7: Provide clear and inviting Downtown Gateways UD-7a: Gateway Corridors. Use redevelopment, urban design and signage to identify major gateway corridors into Downtown (e.g., Riverside, North College at the River). UD-7a (1): Downzone developed single family residential parcels west located with of the Riverside Gateway presently zoned Downtown to Neighborhood Conservation Medium Density (NCM) and place into the Old Town Neighborhoods Plan area boundary UD-7a (2): Develop final engineering and landscape design for the Riverside (Mulberry to Mountain) Streetscape Improvements UD-7a (3): Obtain grants for art/sculpture/wind technology to be incorporated into Riverside Streetscape Improvements UD-7a (4): Acquire the railroad ROW parcel between curb and rail line at the northeast corner of Mulberry and Riverside UD-7a (5): Finalize engineering and landscape design for the Riverside Streetscape Improvements capital project and construct improvements UD-7a (6): College Avenue (500-600 block) install banners to highlight CSU campus UD-7a (7): Finalize engineering and landscape design from Mason Corridor streetscape design competition and construct improvements UD-7b: Gateway Intersections. Improve key intersections that function as gateways and transitions within Downtown UD-7b (1): Design and install additional plantings on City-owned lot at NW corner of Cherry and College UD-7b (2): Design and install landscape and hardscape gateway improvements at the northwest corner of the Riverside and Mountain intersection UD-7b (3): Design and install landscape gateway improvements at the northwest corner of the Mulberry and College intersection UD-7b (4): Design and install landscape gateway improvements at the Linden and Buckingham Street intersection. 4 Transportation & Parking Vision: In 2035, people who want to go downtown have multiple choices for modes of travel. Bus service to downtown is frequent and comfortable. There are multiple low-stress (low-traffic, low speed) routes for cyclists with ample, convenient parking near destinations, and the sidewalk network is connected and in good condition. Vehicle parking offers multiple options—well-marked structures for longer-term and convenient on-street and off-street lots for shorter trips. Once downtown, it is easy for all ages and abilities to navigate without a car, whether on foot with a stroller or mobility device, by bus, or by bike. Principle Policies Actions TP-1: Provide safe, convenient, and comfortable travel options to, from, and around downtown for all modes of travel and people of all ages and abilities, with a special focus on biking, walking, and riding transit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions TP-1a: Complete Pedestrian Network: Continue to develop a complete pedestrian network that meets Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act standards, especially completing sidewalks in areas with gaps. TP-1a (1): Continue to implement the Pedestrian Improvement Program, including identifying potential improvements in coordination with Street Maintenance Program (SMP) and other capital project opportunities. TP-1a (2): Continue to implement the Pushbutton Accessibility Improvement program. TP-1a (3): Evaluate pedestrian bulb-outs to enhance walkability/reduce crossing distance at key intersections. TP-1b: Complete Bicycle Network: Continue to develop and implement the Low-Stress Network from the Bicycle Master Plan, and strive to add bike lanes or provide alternate routes for areas with bike lane gaps. TP-1b (1): Building off the Bicycle Master Plan, prioritize key corridors to improve both north-south and east-west bicycle connections (e.g., Magnolia, LaPorte), coordinating with updates to the Transportation Master Plan. TP-1b (2): Identify intersection improvements needed for cyclists (e.g., Loomis, College). TP-1b (3): Identify funding opportunities for cycling-related improvements (e.g., grants, etc.). TP-1b (4): Coordinate with the Street Maintenance Program (SMP) and other capital projects to add/improve bicycle facilities when opportunities allow. TP-1c: Multi-modal Intersection Improvements: Identify key intersections for improvements to the function, operations, safety, and comfort for all modes. TP-1c (1): Building off the Arterial Intersection Prioritization Study, do a more detailed analysis within the Downtown area to evaluate and prioritize potential improvements for all transportation modes at all intersections. TP-1c (2): Identify funding opportunities for multi-modal intersection-related improvements (e.g., grants, etc.). TP-1d: Multi-modal Corridor Improvements: Identify key corridors for redesign/improvements to accommodate the travel, parking, and access needs for all modes of transportation. TP-1d (1): Explore concepts for reshaping corridors in the next Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update including but not limited to: Howes, Mason, Vine, Mountain (east of College), and Canyon (building off updated design in Urban Design section). TP-1e: Adopted Corridor Plan Implementation: Work towards implementation of various adopted corridor plans in the Downtown area. TP-1e (1): Construct the full design of Lincoln Corridor Plan. TP-1e (2): Update and implement the Riverside Access Control Plan (with updated design from Downtown Plan; see Urban Design section). TP-1e (3): Implement the Jefferson Street Design. TP-1f: Mobility Sharing Programs: Incorporate and integrate mobility sharing programs (e.g., bike share, car share, ride share) into Downtown planning. TP-1f (1): Identify potential hotspots for future car share and/or bike share stations. TP-1f (2): Amend the Land Use Code to integrate car share and/or bike share to reduce required on-site parking. TP-1f (3): Explore ways to support ride share activity Downtown. TP-1g: Downtown Circulator. Explore regularly- scheduled transit service to connect key destinations in the downtown area. TP-1g (1): Develop a scope and budget for a Downtown Circulator as part of the biennial City budget process TP-1g (2): Perform an analysis of future circulator performance including ridership using Transfort’s transit model. 5 Principle Policies Actions route alignments as well as the potential for new routes to serve downtown. TP-1h (3): Update funding recommendations in the Transfort Strategic Operating Plan to reflect proposed enhancements. TP-1i: Additional park-n-Rides: Explore additional parking opportunities outside of downtown for transit routes that serve downtown. TP-1i (1): Develop a Citywide Parking Plan, including a menu of options outlining parking and access district typologies, funding mechanisms, organizational structure and stakeholder involvement (e.g., parking benefit district). TP-1i (2): Develop station area plans for all MAX stations. TP-1i (3): Identify funding mechanisms for joint development/shared use opportunities (e.g., public/private partnerships). TP-1j: Downtown Transit Center (DTC) Access Improvements: Explore improvements to the Downtown Transit Center and surrounding streets that make bus arrivals and departures safer and more efficient. TP-1j (1): Develop potential design improvements, particularly for exiting off Maple and turning south onto Mason. TP-1k: Bus Stop Improvements: Continue to implement the Transfort Bus Stop Improvement program to upgrade bus stops to Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards and to provide amenities for patrons. TP-1k (1): Continue implementing the Bus Stop Improvement Program. TP-1l: Downtown-Specific Transportation Improvement Funding: Explore additional funding sources for parking and transportation improvements specific to downtown. TP-1l (1): Identify a funding mechanism for transportation improvements Downtown (e.g., General Improvement District or potential parking benefit district; see also paid parking revenue policy in TP-2f:;). TP-1m: Monitoring Travel Behavior: Monitor mode split and travel behavior downtown to assess trends. TP-1m (1): Regularly compile and analyze signalized intersection counts by mode and transit ridership. TP-1m (2): Compile travel survey data (e.g., from ClimateWise, etc.). TP-1m (3): Establish mode split baseline and goals. 6 Principle Policies Actions TP-2: Manage on-street and structured parking facilities for all users - including primary employment, ground floor retail, business services and visitors - that adequately balances supply and demand, and provide parking infrastructure to support future growth. TP-2a: Bicycle Parking: Provide adequate bicycle parking and management of facilities. TP-2a (1): Develop bike parking management plan, including monitoring rack condition/usage and potential land use code updates. TP-2a (2): Work with employers and business owners to ensure there is adequate bike parking to serve their employees and customers. TP-2b: Parking Utilization Data: Implement a system to collect parking utilization data on occupancy and turnover, and communicate parking availability to the public. TP-2b (1): Develop a technology specification, research vendors (including initial investment, maintenance costs, installation, and integration with other parking technologies like pay by phone), identify implementation area and develop a comprehensive stakeholder education and communication plan. TP-2b (2): Develop strategies to provide parking utilization data to the public in both online and mobile application form. TP-2c: Parking Enforcement Adjustments. Explore adjusting enforcement of the 2-hour limited parking spaces to weekends and evenings after 5 p.m., and limit 2-hour parking to a specific district. TP-2c (1): Explore staffing and technical needs to extend enforcement hours after 5 P.M. on weekdays (Monday – Friday). TP-2c (2): Explore staffing and technical needs to extend enforcement hours into the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). TP-2c (3): Explore staffing and technical needs to create a zone that would require people to move outside the zone or to a parking structure after two hours thus encouraging people to choose the parking location (on-street or structure) that best aligns with their particular trip (short or longer-term stay). TP-2d: Parking Demand Reduction. Research creative options that reduce parking demand, educate the parking public about alternatives to driving alone, and provide greater options to businesses and employees. TP-2d (1): Create a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program and TDM Plan. TP-2d (2): Develop car share programs throughout Downtown to support employees and visitors. TP-2e: Partnerships. Engage in public-private partnerships to use under-utilized private parking lots and in parking structures. TP-2e (1): Work with the DDA to develop an inventory of private lots, including occupancy, rate and lease information. TP-2e (2): Develop an online “marketplace” that allows customers to purchase parking in private facilities, as available, or utilize existing services like “ParkHound” to curate a “one-stop shop” for parking spaces in Downtown. TP-2f: On-Street Paid Parking. Implement an on- street paid parking program that further manages parking demand and generates revenue to invest in future parking infrastructure at the time that parking utilization data indicates occupancy has met its threshold. TP-2f (1): Work with the Parking Advisory Board to identify thresholds based on parking utilization data that would warrant initiation of an on- street paid parking system. TP-2f (2): Research and identify preferred vendor and type of meter desired (e.g., single-space or multi-space; pay by space, pay by license plate; cell phone only). TP-2f (3): Develop a technology specification, research vendors (including initial investment, maintenance costs, installation, and integration with other existing parking technologies). TP-2f (4): Identify implementation area, and develop a comprehensive stakeholder education and communication plan. TP-2f (5): Identify specific use of revenue generated from on-street paid parking fees that support city policies. TP-2g: Parking Structures. Develop additional parking structures in locations identified in the 2013 Parking Plan, and continue to evaluate additional locations throughout Downtown. TP-2g (1): Identify conditions that warrant the development of new parking structures. 7 Principle Policies Actions that dictate off-site and parking structure leasing for new development, private citizens, and Downtown employees in lieu of providing on-site parking, and policies that dictate the locations and quantity of time- limited parking spaces (15 minute, 2-hour, loading zones, and similar limited spaces). TP-2i (2): Analyze appropriate triggers for removing on-street parking in favor of bike parking, car share, and/or bike share spots in the context of the overall supply and availability of parking. TP-3: Provide timely and informative communications about real-time travel/parking conditions and options TP-3a: Real-Time Travel Information: Explore opportunities to continue, enhance, and add real-time travel information (e.g., transit, parking availability). TP-3a (1): Continue to provide real-time transit information, and identify opportunities for improved communication. TP-3a (2): Explore parking applications (free and paid) that provide information about parking availability (on-street and in parking garages) to consumers. TP-3a (3): Explore the development of a comprehensive, integrated mobile app (“Downtown at a Glance”) that provides information for different modes of travel and parking (including street closures, construction info) TP-3b: Bicycle and Vehicular Wayfinding: Continue to implement wayfinding for all, including parking garages and other key destinations. TP-3b (1): Continue to implement the Bike Wayfinding Program. TP-3b (2): Explore variable messaging signage for parking garages (e.g., availability of spaces). TP-3b (3): Explore other opportunities to provide wayfinding to parking garages. TP-3b (4): Convene all interests to define new installations. TP-3b (5): Refer to the City’s Downtown Wayfinding Sign System Schematic Design document as a unifying guide, and coordinate messaging with pedestrian wayfinding and any related digital information for consistency. TP-3c: Marketing: Market downtown as a destination that is easy to reach and get around. TP-3c (1): Distribute/provide information about travel options, parking locations. TP-3d: Employers: Work with employers to provide information on travel options to employees. TP-3d (1): Provide information on travel options and special programs (engagement, incentives) to employers via the Transportation Demand Management (see also TP-2d (1):) and ClimateWise programs to promote the use of public transit, biking, and walking. 8 Market & Economy Vision: Downtown Fort Collins is a key economic engine for the region and one of the most distinctive small downtowns in the nation. Downtown has become a diverse employment center where retail, finance, technology startups, government, and services thrive. Residents and visitors experience downtown as a center for creativity featuring a wide variety of unique retail shops, high-quality dining and entertainment options, and a strong local business community. A broad range of housing types is available to meet the needs of diverse age groups, lifestyles, and incomes. Downtown is also recognized as a center for innovation, where businesses partner with Colorado State University to advance knowledge-based industries. Principle Policies Actions ME-1: Strengthen downtown’s business mix by addressing market opportunities in the residential, commercial, retail, industrial, and visitor sectors. ME-1a: Marketing: Support downtown businesses with marketing and promotions that highlight retail and dining offerings to local, regional, and visitor markets. ME-1a (1): Explore creation of a Business Improvement District, housed within the Downtown Business Association, to provide supplementary marketing and promotional support to downtown businesses. This entity should include initiatives to encourage local spending and support small and local businesses. ME-1a (2): In Campus North, encourage a business mix that is oriented to students and visitors to CSU, downtown employees, and CSU employees. ME-1b: Commercial Space: Increase the supply of high-quality commercial space in the downtown area. ME-1b (1): Review the Land Use Code (LUC) to identify opportunities to provide regulatory relief, density bonuses, and/or expedited processing for desired business types ME-1b (2): Allow higher densities and intensities for mixed-use and commercial developments in appropriate character districts. ME-1b (3): Work with existing downtown businesses that are interested in relocation; facilitate opportunities for adaptive reuse and redevelopment ME-1c: Employment: Strengthen primary employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the downtown area. ME-1c (1): Identify potential redevelopment opportunities that could be prime employment sites; analyze the suitability and availability of land zoned for employment uses in the downtown area. ME-1c (2): Continue to support Fort Collins’ downtown business incubation programs and industry cluster groups as key elements of both innovation and future employment growth in the City. ME-1c (3): Support the enhancement of the community’s economic base and job creation by focusing on retention, expansion, incubation, and recruitment efforts that bring jobs and import income or dollars to the community. ME-1c (4): Foster regional innovation to fuel business development and job creation by leveraging local assets including human capital, research institutions, industrial base, physical infrastructure, and quality of life. ME-1c (5): Invest in the physical assets (sidewalks, utilities, buildings) necessary to support entrepreneurship in parts of downtown that currently lack adequate physical infrastructure. ME-1c (6): Support the development of larger floorplate office and commercial spaces to attract incubator graduates and growing primary employers. ME-1c (7): Invest in placemaking efforts that further enhance downtown’s unique attributes, create vibrant “third places,” and provide amenities that help businesses attract talented employees. ME-1c (8): Emphasize proximity to open space (i.e. the Oxbow District) to encourage and support primary employment uses. ME-1c (9): Support the evolving primary employment, creative and innovation economies in the Innovation and River Districts by addressing economic and infrastructure challenges to redevelopment in these districts. Consider strategic incentives and partnerships to encourage redevelopment. Identify low-cost, low-amenity spaces that can provide opportunities for start-up firms and businesses to transition from incubator spaces into Downtown space for their businesses. Facilitate uses including arts/creative spaces, start-up incubators and tech hubs. In particular, support the development of creative live/work spaces along Jefferson Street and around the Quonset huts. ME-1d: Retail Mix: Encourage local retail businesses and strategically recruit regional and national retail to maintain a healthy mix of downtown shopping options. ME-1d (1): Encourage the development of small-format retail spaces in infill and redevelopment projects to provide opportunities for small, unique retail businesses. ME-1d (2): Promote existing retail-focused programs and improve awareness of existing resources 9 Principle Policies Actions ME-1d (3): Support programs that encourage residents to spend dollars locally. ME-1d (4): Support the retention and recruitment of retailers or development projects that have a high potential impact on sales tax generation, specifically focused on increasing the amount of retail sales generated within the downtown area. ME-1d (5): Encourage the development of a year-round marketplace with opportunities for multiple small vendors in the Civic/North Mason or Innovation Districts ME-1d (6): Celebrate iconic local businesses in the Campus North district to maintain the area’s eclectic, funky vibe. ME-1e: Mixed-Use Development: Encourage mixed- use buildings in the downtown area. ME-1e (1): Review the Land Use Code (LUC) to identify opportunities to provide regulatory relief, density bonuses, and/or expedited processing for mixed-use buildings that incorporate sustainable design and/or increased affordability ME-1e (2): Identify potential redevelopment opportunities that could be appropriate for multi-story, mixed use buildings. ME-1e (3): Examine fee structures for redevelopment (permits, capital expansion, street oversizing, planning, etc.) to encourage the development of mixed-use buildings with smaller, more affordable units. Ensure that fee structures reflect the unique context of downtown development. ME-1e (4): Market the development incentives and financial assistance programs the City currently operates to encourage production or rehabilitation of affordable housing units. ME-1e (5): Encourage redevelopment near the Poudre River to face and engage with the river to build more activity along riverfront, while maintaining appropriate setbacks. Overlooks, decks facing the river, and restaurant patios are a few possibilities. ME-1f: Housing: Increase the supply of housing in the downtown area and encourage diverse housing types, including housing choices for a variety of income levels, demographics and lifestyles. ME-1f (1): Build housing at higher densities in key areas downtown (for example, the Mason corridor) to increase the supply of housing in the downtown area. ME-1f (2): Identify potential redevelopment opportunities that could be appropriate for multi-story, mixed use buildings ME-1f (3): Review the Land Use Code (LUC) to identify opportunities to provide regulatory relief, density bonuses, and/or expedited processing for desired housing types ME-1f (4): Support reform of the construction defects claim legislation to encourage development of for-sale condominiums. ME-1f (5): Evaluate and adjust neighborhood compatibility standards and parking standards in order to encourage higher densities in key areas of downtown. (Cross-reference to parking/other relevant principles) ME-1f (6): Examine fee structures for redevelopment (permits, capital expansion, planning, etc.) to encourage the development of buildings with smaller, more affordable units. ME-1f (7): Public-private partnerships should be used to achieve key community objectives, including parking, sustainable design, and affordability. ME-1f (8): Market the development incentives and financial assistance programs the City currently operates to encourage production or rehabilitation of affordable housing units. ME-1f (9): Investigate the opportunity to encourage affordable creative live/work space along College, north of the Music District. ME-1f (10): Encourage live/work, mixed use and studio spaces in the Civic and North Mason Districts to encourage activation of civic areas at all times of day. Identify opportunities for more residential development. ME-1f (11): Increase housing in strategic character districts downtown – Innovation/Oxbow, Lincoln/Poudre/Entryway, Campus North, River 10 Principle Policies Actions ME-1f (12): Encourage affordable studio, live/work, and living space as redevelopment occurs in the River, Lincoln, Poudre, and Entryway Districts. ME-1f (13): Build housing at higher densities in key areas downtown (for example, the Mason corridor) to increase the supply of housing in the downtown area. ME-1g: Government Facilities: Continue to centralize government facilities and services downtown. Bring life to civic areas at all times of day. ME-1g (1): Encourage multiple uses near or inside government facilities to generate pedestrian traffic outside of typical business hours ME-1g (2): Re-evaluate the current Downtown Civic Center Master Plan to avoid creating a dead zone after business hours. ME-1g (3): North Mason should develop into a distinct district focused on residential uses that is walkable and has significant market activity. The redeveloped street car barn should serve as a future focal point. ME-1g (4): Encourage live/work, mixed use and studio spaces to encourage activation of civic areas at all times of day. Identify opportunities for more residential development. ME-1h: Economic Metrics: Monitor, evaluate, and adjust to changes in the downtown economy over time. ME-1h (1): Anticipate potential impacts of the sharing economy and ensure that policies for land use, municipal regulation, and economic development are reviewed as needed. ME-1h (2): Identify key metrics and data sources (i.e. an economic dashboard) to appropriately evaluate and monitor downtown’s economic health. ME-1h (3): Update market conditions and trend analyses every five years and make appropriate adjustments to the Downtown Plan and key metrics. ME-1h (4): Regularly share downtown economic information with the public, business owners, and property owners in multiple formats. ME-2: Identify and create sustainable funding sources to incentivize desirable development, including unique retail, employment centers, diverse housing types and high-quality design. ME-2a: Funding: Investigate alternative funding mechanisms to prepare for the expiration of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) resources. ME-2a (1): Conduct in-depth research that considers several scenarios for 1) continued public investment in downtown infrastructure, public space, and redevelopment and 2) adequate funding for ongoing downtown maintenance and operations after the expiration of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in 2031. ME-2a (2): Educate the public and stakeholders in the City organization about the impact of investments that have been funded through TIF resources. ME-2a (3): Develop a long term strategy to maintain public investment (after the expiration of the DDA’s TIF authority) in the Historic District. ME-2b: Special Districts: Strategically expand public investment in the Downtown Plan area through the General Improvement District (GID) and other special districts. ME-2b (1): Evaluate the current operations and efficacy of the General Improvement District (GID); consider expansion of the GID boundary to appropriate character districts (e.g. the River District) as development moves further from the Old Town area when appropriate. ME-2b (2): Ensure that public improvements are equitably distributed throughout the downtown area. ME-2b (3): Evaluate the feasibility of establishing a downtown economic development fund to further support public-private partnerships in the downtown area. ME-2b (4): Ensure that future public investment supports the Innovation District, River District, and other emerging economic catalyst areas within Downtown. 11 Principle Policies Actions ME-3: Encourage new investment in Downtown while continuing to ensure that new development fits into the overall downtown context. ME-3a: Density and Intensity: Encourage increased density and intensity in strategic locations. ME-3a (1): Develop new policies and modify current policies, procedures, and practices to reduce and resolve barriers to infill development and redevelopment. Emphasize new policies and modifications to existing policies that support a sustainable, flexible, and predictable approach to infill development and redevelopment. ME-3a (2): Analyze development review requirements that are in conflict with community goals, among City departments, or that do not reflect the context of downtown and make appropriate changes to the development review process. ME-3a (3): Develop and maintain development fee schedules that account for differences between redevelopment and greenfield development costs, and aim to provide fair and equitable apportionment of cost for the different types of development. ME-3a (4): Consider implementing payment-in-lieu alternatives to meeting public space/plaza and parking requirements in the Downtown area. ME-3a (5): Apply fees in the Historic District only if applicable and put back into the Historic District. For example: street oversizing fees – should have a rational nexus and geographic application. ME-3a (6): Encourage multiple-story buildings in the Campus North and Canyon Avenue districts, especially along Mason, College, and Mulberry ME-3a (7): Look at underutilized parking lots as opportunities for redevelopment in the Canyon Avenue District for both buildings and parking structures ME-3a (8): Encourage additional density and intensity in the Civic and North Mason districts ME-3a (9): Identify potential redevelopment sites that could be prime employment opportunities; identify and address barriers to redevelopment of these sites 12 Arts & Culture Principle Policies Actions AC-1: Develop the Creative Ecosystem for artists, creative people, and creative businesses in downtown. AC-1a: Networks: Establish and sustain networks for artists and creatives AC-1a (1): Create formal partnerships with organizations involved with arts and culture such as Colorado State University, Poudre School District, Bohemian Foundation, Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Business Association, and the City of Fort Collins AC-1a (2): Support informal networks to enhance collaboration and innovation AC-1a (3): Develop an industry partnership to engage all creatives and forward the industry AC-1b: Around the Clock: Recognize and support downtown’s 24-hour creative economy AC-1b (1): The Downtown Business Association (DBA) will implement a 24-hour program that provides resources (information and marketing) that cater to the different times of day. AC-1b (2): Expand public transportation into evening and weekend hours AC-1b (3): Consider a “cultural trolley” that can circulate around downtown to the various cultural facilities AC-1c: Collaborative Decision-making: Involve creatives in decision making and policy creation. AC-1c (1): Consult with the proposed Director of Creative Culture - as a representative of the creative community - to fully consider arts and culture when making decisions on investment and regulations. AC-1c (2): Intentionally engage artists and creatives in policy creation and decision making. AC-1c (3): Involve creatives in the City Plan update in 2017 (example: Intermedia Arts and the City of Minneapolis) AC-1d: Sustainability: Recognize culture as an element of sustainability AC-1d (1): Audit the City’s approach to sustainability thinking and explore opportunities to incorporate Culture as a defining component alongside environment, economic, and social. AC-2: Support the creation of an Office of Creative Culture and centralized resources for the creative industries and community as an essential component to achieving the vision. AC-2a: Creative Culture Office: Create an Office of Creative Culture and support a staff position that will be dedicated to supporting creative industry professionals, implementing collective goals to forward the industry, coordinating with various resources, and bringing all resources/information into one centralized location. AC-2a (1): City of Fort Collins will hire a Director of Creative Culture within the Cultural Services Department with connectivity to the Economic Health Office. AC-2a (2): The Office of Creative Culture will be housed in the Creative Community Center in the historic Carnegie building. AC-2b: Creative Industry Partnership: An organizational structure will be created by the Director of Creative Culture that will engage a membership of creative industry professionals. AC-2b (1): The Director of Creative Culture will convene regular meetings of creatives to garner a complete understanding of their needs, assist and provide resources that support those needs, engage creatives in policy discussions, and provide a united voice for the arts and culture community. AC-2c: Community Creative Center: Develop centralized resources for creatives at the Community Creative Center at the Carnegie Building The Carnegie Building is already dedicated to community arts and cultural uses. The City will also facilitate the creative culture centralized resources within the Carnegie Building AC-2d: Business Education: Support business education for creatives as vital to the mission of the centralized resource. AC-2d (1): Support business education for creatives through partnerships with existing organizations such as SBDC, FRCC, CSU, or other providers. AC-3: Support arts, culture, and creative enterprises with facilities, promotion, expanded program opportunities, 13 Principle Policies Actions AC-3b: Cultural Marketing: Promote and market the downtown arts and culture scene AC-3b (1): The City will cooperate with the Downtown Business Association, Visit Fort Collins and the Downtown Creative District to create a campaign that will facilitate interest in downtown’s art and culture scene. AC-3b (2): Support and embrace the value of the State-certified Downtown Fort Collins Creative District in promoting downtown and supporting the creative industry [use actual district map] AC-3c: Innovative Arts: Support the creation of innovative and risk-taking arts programs to enhance creative placemaking downtown. AC-3c (1): Support existing and future efforts and partnerships to create innovative programming downtown (PIC: Art Cart in Old Town Square) AC-3c (2): Explore upstarting a kiosk or pop-up art studio program AC-3c (3): Review and revise policies that might unintentionally limit this type of programming AC-3d: Cultural Tax Support: Support the creation of a regional sales tax or other funding mechanisms to support and sustain arts and culture [SCFD, GID, BID, 1% voluntary sales tax (Crested Butte)] AC-3d (1): AC-4: Improve affordability and availability of live/work and studio space for artists and creative people. Downtown benefits greatly from creatives being fully integrated into downtown to ensure vibrancy in the future. AC-4a: Partnerships: Support public-private partnerships for development of creative start-up spaces and affordable live and work spaces for creatives AC-4a (1): Invest in public-private partnerships to develop affordable creative spaces. AC-4a (2): Pursue partnership with ArtSpace to develop live/work space in downtown; complete Phase I Feasibility Study to understand and the extent of need in for live/work space in downtown. AC-4a (3): Inventory existing spaces that could be used for start-up, live or work space. AC-4b: Incentives: Explore ways to educate and incentivize creative live/work spaces, venues, and galleries in development AC-4b (1): Audit the Land Use Code for opportunities to encourage or incentivize arts and cultural uses AC-4b (2): Explore connecting the use of flexible funding streams for arts and cultural uses AC-4b (3): Provide data/information to developers and landlords on the value of retaining a mix of creatives in downtown AC-5: Explore opportunities to incorporate more art into downtown properties, businesses, and public spaces AC-5a: Public Spaces to Support Art: Develop a plan for better utilization of public spaces and alleys to support arts and culture related uses AC-5a (1): Inventory micro-urban space such as alleys, parking lots, and other utility areas to incorporate art. AC-5a (2): Develop public and/or private art programs that take advantage of micro-urban spaces AC-5a (3): Program “convertible” streets that can be used for art events (Canyon Avenue, 200 block of Linden, 200 block of Howes). Public Art Initiative: Develop and expand public arts initiatives that results in more art installations throughout downtown. AC-5b (1): Evaluate the City’s Art in Public Places Program for potential expansion, greater opportunities for artists, and increased public engagement. AC-5b (2): Explore opportunities to collaborate with the Neighborhood Connection Program to develop a neighborhood-based public art program. AC-5b (3): Convene all stakeholders to explore opportunities and structure that could support additional public and/or private arts initiatives. AC-5c: Subcultural Art: Explore opportunities for expression through subcultural art, such as graffiti, flier-art, busking, and performance and impromptu art. AC-5c (1): Audit and remove city rules that may unnecessarily limit expression in downtown AC-5d: Incorporating Art in Development: 14 Energy & Environment Vision: “Downtown Fort Collins actively pursues natural resource protection and energy conservation in all operations and in development. Downtown is exemplary of city-wide climate protection efforts, having incorporated innovative strategies for energy conservation, production and enhanced mobility. From anywhere Downtown, people can easily access the Poudre River, parks, and natural areas. The presence of nature is felt even in Downtown’s most urban spaces, as it is cultivated as an essential amenity. Recreational access to nature is balanced with the need to preserve and protect natural resources, while stormwater management and utility infrastructure ensure existing and future needs are met.” Principle Policies Actions EE-1: Celebrate, preserve and enhance the Poudre River Corridor and other unique natural resources EE-1a: Poudre River Resource Protection: Protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Poudre River corridor as a valuable and irreplaceable resource as it flows through Downtown. EE-1a (1): Amend the Land Use Code to add review criteria that consider the impacts of development projects on significant public views to the Poudre River. EE-1a (2): Continue to conserve land along the Poudre River to protect floodplain areas and optimize carbon sequestration through floodplain requirements and natural habitat buffers. EE-1b: Urban Transition to the Poudre River: Create a transition in the character of the Poudre River corridor from the higher intensity Downtown core to a more naturalized context away from the core. EE-1b (1): Support implementation of specific projects identified in the Poudre River Downtown Master Plan, such as the Poudre River History Walk, river restoration projects, pedestrian connections, and the downtown kayak park. EE-1b (2): Utilize Land Use Code requirements to ensure new development creates a transition between Downtown and the river. EE-1c: Connections to the Poudre River: Strengthen visual and pedestrian connections between Downtown and the river. EE-1c (1): Create additional sidewalks, trail connections and gathering places along the river that allow people to view and experience the Poudre River corridor while minimizing impacts to sensitive natural resources. EE-1c (2): Incorporate public art, cultural heritage and Nature in the City features and educational information into the Poudre River History Walk. [River District] EE-1c (3): Identify opportunities to increase recreational use of parks and natural areas with concentrations of illegal activity and encampments to provide better visibility and make spaces more family-friendly (e.g., disc golf course in Gustav Swanson Natural Area). EE-1d: Brownfield Sites: Support the remediation of contaminated brownfield sites along the Poudre River corridor. EE-1d (1): Assist with the identification and remediation of brownfield sites that may impact public health, with consideration of the environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of remediation projects. EE-1d (2): In landscaping near the Poudre River, encourage the selection of plant species that remove contaminants from soils and support bioremediation. Identify a list of plants that are well-suited to the local climate and support remediation of contaminated sites; provide to affected property owners. EE-2: Demonstrate and showcase technologies, strategies and innovative approaches that advance the city’s climate action goals. EE-2a: Renewable Energy Production: Collaborate with business and institutional partners to lead the way in piloting and advancing renewable energy production, storage and use in the Downtown area. EE-2a (1): Develop informational and educational resources on renewable energy (solar, geothermal, hydropower, wind or other technologies) that acknowledge the unique constraints and opportunities Downtown (e.g., historic buildings, shared rooftops). EE-2a (2): Explore mechanisms for coordinated energy and sustainability accounting to measure overall net impact and level of performance to track progress toward citywide greenhouse gas reduction goals. EE-2a (3): Explore a variety of funding sources and creative financing mechanisms to implement Climate Action Plan priorities in the Downtown, including public-private partnerships, Colorado Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy (C-PACE), or other appropriate mechanisms. EE-2a (4): Identify buildings with the greatest and most effective opportunities to integrate photovoltaic systems. Create education, incentives, rebates, demonstrations, and partnership opportunities to facilitate participation. EE-2a (5): Explore solutions that allow multiple tenants and condo owners to produce and utilize renewable energy in shared buildings, both 15 Principle Policies Actions EE-2a (7): Promote and incentivize the use of passive urban cooling strategies, such as tree canopies, reflective roofs and pavement, living walls and roofs, and shading canopies and devices over windows, walls, parking lots and other open areas. EE-2a (8): Create ongoing awareness about climate action and encourage community members to suggest and demonstrate ideas that support greenhouse gas reduction goals. EE-2a (9): Identify obstacles and opportunities to support the development of public and/or private district energy, combined heat/power, smart grids, demand response systems, and other energy innovation projects in the Downtown area. EE-2a (10): Build on the FortZED jumpstart project by pursuing Department of Energy and other research funding opportunities to support CSU and private industry in developing, testing and deploying new solutions into the market, using Downtown as a living laboratory because of its compactness and visibility for the community. EE-2a (11): Engage innovative groups, such as the “Places of Invention Innovators’ Network,” in conversations about ways to encourage innovation, reduce risks, showcase local technologies, and pilot university research. EE-2a (12): Pursue partnerships with developers to incorporate rooftop solar production into existing and future development projects, including self-storage, warehouses, and other uses with suitable roof space. EE-2b: Energy Efficiency: Retrofit existing buildings to improve energy efficiency. EE-2b (1): Expand education and incentive programs to encourage energy efficiency retrofits. EE-2b (2): Explore the creation of a DDA program for energy efficiency retrofits, similar to the façade improvement program. EE-2b (3): Showcase deep energy renovations in Downtown buildings. EE-2b (4): Utilize historic preservation best practices and guidance to ensure that energy efficiency retrofits in historic buildings are compatible with their unique context. EE-2c: Showcase Innovation: Demonstrate, showcase, measure, and engage the community around innovative approaches to environmental stewardship and energy management. EE-2c (1): Partner with CSU’s Eco-District initiative to test and demonstrate innovative and sustainable projects in the Downtown. EE-2c (2): Continue to develop and use City facilities as demonstration projects to highlight the City’s commitment to energy and environmental innovation (including the new Utilities Administration Building, future Civic Campus, etc.). EE-2c (3): Develop a walking tour and digital guide to introduce and explain the energy and environmental innovations in the Downtown area. Connections to Colorado State University’s innovative programs and projects should be highlighted. EE-2c (4): Include educational signage regarding environmental topics as part of new development projects, at civic buildings and in public spaces. EE-2c (5): Include educational signage regarding environmental topics as part of new development projects, at civic buildings and in public spaces. EE-2d: Green Building: Encourage, support, and require above-code green building practices for all Downtown construction and development, as appropriate EE-2d (1): Require green building practices as a prerequisite for public financing of new development or redevelopment projects. EE-2d (2): Support green building projects that exceed minimum code requirements through incentives, rebates, educational programs and other initiatives. EE-2d (3): Encourage developers and property owners to utilize the Integrated Design Assistance Program. Provide technical assistance and education on the benefits and business case for green building practices. EE-2e: Building Reuse: Encourage adaptive reuse of existing buildings and consider the lifecycle of all materials in the construction and demolition process. Avoid the environmental costs of demolition and new construction whenever possible. EE-2e (1): Acknowledge the environmental benefits of existing buildings and incentivize property owners and developers to reuse or partially reuse existing buildings before redevelopment. EE-2e (2): Require new development projects and major remodels to submit a waste reduction plan prior to demolition and/or construction for both construction and operations waste. 16 Principle Policies Actions EE-2f: Environmental Quality: Support programs and initiatives to improve indoor and outdoor environmental health Downtown. EE-2f (1): Encourage best practices to detect and mitigate indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, radon and particle pollution for redevelopment projects that utilize existing buildings. Encourage best practice maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maintain healthy indoor environmental quality. EE-2f (2): Require radon testing and mitigation for new development, redevelopment, and remodels. EE-2f (3): Encourage the design, construction, and operation of buildings that meet WELL Building standards or similar measures of superior indoor environments. EE-2f (4): Apply the Transportation Air Quality Impacts Manual to projects in the Downtown to inform land use and transportation decisions. EE-2f (5): Encourage integrated pest management practices to reduce pesticide use and runoff and improve environmental health throughout the Downtown. EE-2g: Solid Waste Reduction: Work with Downtown businesses and property owners to reduce waste and more efficiently manage trash, recycling, and composting to contribute to maintenance and cleanliness in the Downtown area. EE-2g (1): Carefully design enclosures to accommodate waste, recycling, cooking oil, composting, and linen bins while maintaining aesthetic quality. Support coordination among property owners to reduce the number of enclosures and receptacles needed Downtown. Ensure all waste services have well designed signage that also takes advantage of education opportunities. EE-2g (2): Require haulers to include cleaning, maintenance, and litter clean-up as part of their service for enclosures. EE-2g (3): Pair recycling receptacles with all trash receptacles. EE-2g (4): Reduce the frequency of large waste vehicles using the area by identifying opportunities for shared resources, coordinated collection schedules, single-provider contracts, bicycle-based recycling and food waste collection, and other actions. EE-2g (5): Work with individual property owners to reduce waste and utilize best practices for waste management. EE-2g (6): Add public drinking fountains in public plazas and other areas with high pedestrian use. Explore options and technology for year- round drinking fountains. EE-2g (7): Identify and pursue improvements to waste management and recycling in the Campus North area in particular. EE-2h: Electric Vehicles: Provide infrastructure and policy support for electric vehicles in the Downtown area. EE-2h (1): Develop a business electric vehicle charging station incentive program to increase installation of EV charging stations at existing businesses and institutional facilities. EE-2h (2): Evaluate the effects of additional vehicle charging stations on grid management and existing utility infrastructure. Identify needed improvements to support demand. EE-2h (3): Update parking regulations to address growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in new development and redevelopment projects and parking facilities. Require dedicated EV and/or car sharing spaces for parking lots over a certain size. EE-2h (4): Explore opportunities for neighborhood electric vehicle (EV) programs. EE-2h (5): Identify additional EV parking areas and charging stations. EE-2h (6): Explore opportunities to provide real-time EV charging station availability information. EE-2h (7): Explore the transformation of the Mason Street Corridor from a designated “enhanced travel corridor” to a “transportation innovation corridor” that integrates and supports new transportation technologies and products (e.g., driverless cars, shared cars, electric and alternative fuel vehicles). 17 Principle Policies Actions EE-3: Incorporate opportunities to find respite and enjoy nature throughout Downtown. EE-3a: Nature in the City: Continue to implement the actions identified in the Nature in the City Strategic Plan as applicable to the Downtown area. EE-3a (1): Review the Land Use Code and propose amendments to clarify open space requirements and ensure standards allow for site- specific solutions based on Downtown context, scale and objectives. Consider payment-in-lieu options to create larger public natural spaces. EE-3a (2): Inventory existing outdoor public and private outdoor and green spaces in the Downtown area and identify ways to enhance connections with nature in these areas. EE-3a (3): Incorporate pocket parks, courtyards, safe children’s play areas, green roofs, living walls, and opportunities to enjoy nature into new development, existing properties, streetscapes, alleyway improvements and other projects. EE-3a (4): Incorporate landscaping that benefits birds, butterflies, pollinators and other urban adapted wildlife species into new development, existing properties, streetscapes, alleyway improvements and other projects. EE-3a (5): Showcase art, energy, and nature together through Art in Public Places projects and other artistic installations. EE-3a (6): Enhance Fort Collins Heritage Park to include more native landscaping, gathering spaces, and opportunities to enjoy the natural setting along the river. EE-3a (7): Incorporate setbacks or varied edges into large infill buildings to create a green edge and publicly accessible plazas, courtyards and gathering spaces. EE-3a (8): Infill and redevelopment should protect, celebrate, and engage with natural spaces and features in the Downtown (e.g., face or engage the Poudre River corridor). EE-3b: Tree Canopy: Maintain and expand the Downtown tree canopy. EE-3b (1): Continue to incorporate street trees and high-quality landscaping in all development. Continue to maintain the health and longevity of the existing, mature tree canopy Downtown. EE-3b (2): Proactively plant trees to replace those that may be lost to drought, disease (e.g., emerald ash borer), or other causes. EE-3b (3): Enhance the Riverside Corridor with additional trees and other landscaping, perhaps as a buffer between a bike/ped trail and the train. EE-3c: Night Sky Protection: Reduce the impact of Downtown lighting on dark night skies. EE-3c (1): Reduce lighting levels or “blackout” civic and institutional buildings at night using automatic timers and systems. EE-3c (2): Incorporate best lighting practices and dimming capabilities into street, pedestrian and building lighting. Minimize blue-rich outdoor lighting by using the lowest emission of blue light possible to reduce glare and health impacts. EE-3c (3): Ensure that lighting levels on existing and new development sites are adequate to protect public safety and ensure personal security while protecting natural features (e.g., the Poudre River corridor) from unnecessary light spillage. Revise the Land Use Code to reflect best lighting practices. EE-3c (4): Decorative lighting should be used in a way that does not create uplight, glare, or other adverse impacts. EE-3c (5): Complement the primary uses of various Downtown character districts with lighting that fits the context and priorities for each area (e.g., wildlife protection along the river corridor vs. entertainment in the historic core). EE-3d: Edible Landscapes: Incorporate edible gardening on vacant sites and shared community spaces to increase food access and provide education on urban agriculture. EE-3d (1): Create Land Use Code standards for edible landscaping within public rights-of-way. EE-3d (2): Encourage the planting of fruit trees as part of new development projects. EE-3d (3): Identify possible locations acceptable for limited food production in strategic locations along the Poudre River. 18 Principle Policies Actions EE-4: Ensure that Downtown utility infrastructure meets the needs of current and future property owners, businesses, residents and visitors. EE-4a: Innovation in Utility Improvements: Identify opportunities to achieve energy production, transportation, and urban design goals in tandem with utility improvements. EE-4a (1): Encourage cooperative approaches to sustainability innovations, such as renewable energy production and smart grid technologies, to pilot and test new methods and distribute financial risk among various departments, agencies and parties. EE-4a (2): Determine feasibility and reduce barriers for implementing new sustainability approaches and technologies within the right-of-way (e.g., geothermal, solar, low-impact development). EE-4a (3): Create an interdepartmental group that brings together all departments involved in construction to identify partnership opportunities, improve coordination, and reduce barriers to implementing forward-thinking approaches to utility service. EE-4a (4): Seek private and other creative funding sources for innovative capital projects that support sustainability. EE-4b: Stormwater Management: Enhance Downtown’s capacity to manage and respond to rain, snow and flood events. EE-4b (1): Continue to require, and encourage best practices and latest technology for Low-Impact Development (LID) as part of new development. EE-4b (2): Coordinate implementation of the projects detailed for the Old Town Drainage Basin in the Stormwater Master Plan with other public and private development and improvement efforts. EE-4b (3): Develop an outreach program that highlights the City's history of flooding and stormwater management efforts and what property owners can do to reduce stormwater runoff volume, reduce flooding impacts, and improve the water quality of runoff. EE-4c: Water and Wastewater Utilities: Proactively improve and replace the aging water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the Downtown area. EE-4c (1): Prioritize improvements and determine a realistic timeline for upgrades and replacement of water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the Downtown. EE-4c (2): Determine an equitable financing mechanism for upgrading smaller, deteriorated water and sewer lines. EE-4c (3): Ensure that infrastructure is sized to allow for planned or future development and adequately accounts for potential impacts to the water and wastewater system. EE-4d: Water Conservation: Incorporate water conservation techniques into both existing properties and new development sites. EE-4d (1): Encourage use of the Net Zero Water Planning Toolkit by property owners and developers to evaluate water footprints for properties, establish district goals for water conservation and water quality improvements, and track and report progress towards achieving net zero water use. EE-4d (2): Encourage public and private landscaping that utilizes xeric and wildlife-friendly plant species and management techniques. Continue to provide resources and technical assistance to property owners and developers. 19 Management & Maintenance Principle Policies Actions MM-1: Downtown’s public pedestrian space should be managed to emphasize walkability and pedestrian priority. Inviting people to walk around downtown with ease and comfort is the primary function of downtown’s sidewalks; additional uses of the sidewalk right of way add vitality and interest but need to be carefully managed. MM-1a: Encroachments into the sidewalk right-of- way. Besides the stated 7-foot minimum clearance, review each encroachment permit request considering potential needs for extra clearance in the specific context to maintain ease of movement for pedestrians, particularly mobility devices and strollers. MM-1a (1): Review and update guideline brochure for café railings in the sidewalk right-of-way. MM-1a (2): Bring encroachment requests to interested departments for comment. MM-1b: Understanding and Relationships. Maintain understanding and cooperation between City staff and private owners and managers, to ensure that sidewalks remain open and easy to use. MM-1b (1): Maintain direct acquaintance of staff and owners with outreach conversations where pinch points and other issues exist. MM-1c: Universal Access to Older Buildings. Promote portable ramps, with informed outreach to owners or managers of buildings that do not provide universal access. MM-1c (1): Add information to Downtown messaging coordinated by the DDA/DBA Alliance MM-1d: Pedestrian Wayfinding. Provide locational and directional information for visitors at key locations. Various forms of physical and digital wayfinding should be considered on an ongoing basis as appropriate for users and the urban design context. MM-1d (1): Refer to the City’s Downtown Wayfinding Sign System Schematic Design document as a unifying guide and to avoid sign clutter. MM-1d (2): Convene all interests to define an initial trial installation of physical, digital, and mobile wayfinding aids for visitors on foot. MM-1d (3): Coordinate messaging with vehicular and bicycle wayfinding, and any related digital information, for consistency. MM-2: A sense of safety and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere is crucial to of Downtown’s success. MM-2a: Problematic public behavior. Continue to recognize and manage the competing interests and disruptive public behavior that come with the broad spectrum of people and activity in Downtown’s public space during daytime, evening, and nighttime. MM-2a (1): Convene organizations and responsible parties as often as needed to understand and confront problematic public behavior and promote responsible enjoyment of Downtown’s public space as intended by the community’s investment. MM-2b: Community Policing. Maintain the District One substation and continue support for the Community Policing philosophy and practice tailored to Downtown’s daily and seasonal cycles. MM-2b (1): Continue to practice and develop current Downtown policing to keep abreast of growth and dynamic needs. MM-2c: Police District 1 substation location. Identify a stable, highly functional location for effective Community Policing operations tailored to Downtown’s unique needs and anticipated growth MM-2c (1): Continue open exploration of issues and possible new locations, with collaboration and comment from all affected interests and city departments. MM-2d: Street Outreach Team. Continue Support for the development of a staffed program to proactively build relationships and understanding regarding transients and homeless-related issues, and assist in 20 Principle Policies Actions of homelessness in Downtown. MM-4b: Street Outreach Team. Support the development of a team to proactively build relationships and understanding regarding homeless- related issues, and assist in reducing conflicts in public space related to disruptive behavior. (Intrinsic to Policy 2d.) MM-4b (1): Implement and evaluate the Outreach Team initiative as envisioned and formulated. MM-4c: •Homeward 2020. Support Homeward 2020 Homelessness Initiatives. MM-4c (1): Implement, evaluate, and evolve the program in collaboration with all interests. MM-4c (2): [Anything else, regional, state, or national?] MM-5: Expand maintenance capabilities to keep up with expansion of public improvements and activity in public pedestrian space. MM-5a: Expanded Maintenance. The successful maintenance and beautification programs established by the Parks Department over the past 20 years has set a high expectation and should be supported, budgeted, and augmented by other efforts as appropriate to keep up with growth and expansion of enhanced areas downtown. MM-5a (1): Convene all funders (City general fund departments, DDA, GID, and possible future BID, special sales tax initiative to evaluate the funding framework currently and into the future considering expansion over time in areas such as Campus North, the Innovation District, Lincoln Corridor, and other areas of expansion. MM-5a (2): Prepare a report for City Councils and all other affected interests summarizing crucial budget outlook issues to inform biennial budgets and the programming of new improvement projects. MM-5b: Parks maintenance and storage shop. Identify, build, and maintain a stable, functional location for effective continuation of successful maintenance programs by the Parks Department over time. MM-5b (1): Articulate long term space needs for all Parks functions and any related opportunities (e.g., composting, recycling). MM-5b (2): Revisit and confirm preliminary findings of suitability of Streets Facility property for current and future space and operational needs. MM-5b (3): Identify a budgeting strategy MM-5c: Repairs and Replacements. Coordinate the approach, roles, priorities, and budgeting for repairs and replacements of existing pedestrian and beautification features among all responsible entities. MM-5c (1): Convene new discussions among overlapping responsible entities to ensure that aging improvements are kept up (e.g., street trees, special paving, planter walls, pedestrian lights, street furnishings, holiday lights infrastructure, irrigation, fountains, and the like); by clarifying and assigning responsibility for anticipated projects. MM-5d: Cohesive themes and character areas. Coordinate the Downtown maintenance program with the whole planning and design approach to the different character districts within Downtown. MM-5d (1): Review the maintenance program with planning staff and other interested parties to maintain a whole perspective and approach. MM-6: Address issues and tradeoffs related to community events and festivals, balancing the number and scale to avoid ‘large event fatigue. MM-6a: Overall approach. Create and maintain a philosophy and approach on number, scale, and type of events. MM-6a (1): Convene all interests to develop and state a philosophy and approach, starting with the DBA and City Events Coordinator. Address timing vis a vis important dates for commerce; event character in terms of noise, sound, alcohol issues, size, uniqueness to Fort Collins, appropriateness of Downtown vs other potential venues, capacity and function of parks and public spaces, and other key factors affecting Downtown’s overall wellbeing. MM-6b: Alternative venues. Study suitability of downtown venues for various festivals considering infrastructure and transportation needs, and suitability of potential alternative venues throughout the City. MM-6b (1): Convene all interests to evaluate suitability of venues. Consider a consultant study to aid the evaluation. MM-7: Coordinate overall communications and messaging about Downtown. MM-7a: Continue state-of-the-art coordination. Maintain and adapt the alliance between the DDA and DBA that has been developed over the years. MM-7a (1): Conduct conceptual reconnaissance with potentially interested property owners, and explore pros and cons of potential functions and boundaries. MM-8: Explore a BID. Study the feasibility of a BID – pros, cons, other implications, and layering with the DDA and GID tax districts. MM-9: If a base of initial support emerges, explore a public deliberation process with complete, transparent information to effectively discuss BID concepts and potential suitability/unsuitability to Downtown or parts of Downtown. reducing conflicts in public space related to disruptive behavior. (Intrinsic to Policy 3b.) MM-2d (1): Implement and monitor the Outreach Fort Collins Street Team as envisioned and formulated. MM-2d (2): Consider a Give Real Change Campaign program as part of a more comfortable atmosphere for those who are uncomfortable with panhandling. MM-2e: Ambassador/Host Program. Develop an Ambassador Program to boost the sense of safety and a welcoming environment, tailored to users. MM-3: Implement, monitor, and shape the program as envisioned and formulated. MM-4: Improving understanding of homeless-related issues among all those affected, and supporting efforts to address needs, are crucial to addressing the realities MM-4a: Right to be in public space. Publicize and distribute information about equal rights to be present in public space while behaving lawfully. MM-4a (1): Publish and share frequent, coordinated information about efforts to address homelessness and related issues. MM-4a (2): Continue to support evolving efforts by all service providers. residential and commercial. EE-2a (6): Develop district- or community-scale solar gardens that are available to commercial subscribers. Consider installation on top of parking garages, sites with limited development potential, and other suitable sites. Incentivize art in new development and redevelopment AC-5d (1): Audit the Land Use Code for opportunities to encourage or incentivize art in new development and redevelopment. AC-5d (2): Seek out opportunities for art work to stand in for design requirements and funding AC-3a: Cultural Facilities Plan: Invest in updating and implementing highest priority facilities outlined in the Cultural Facilities Plan AC-3a (1): Further explore the feasibility of an 1800 – 2200 seat performing arts center downtown and other recommended venues with an updated Cultural Facilities Plan expected in 2017. AC-3a (2): Support the creation of a year-round marketplace that includes arts, crafts, and makers. TP-2g (2): Explore various funding sources for development of parking structures, such as public-private partnerships, parking district, tax increment financing (TIF), parking fee-in-lieu, and on-street paid parking. TP-2g (3): Explore development of parking structures to encourage primary employment on the fringes of downtown. TP-2h: Parking Fee in Lieu. When a sustainable funding source for creating new parking supply is created, provide an option for developers to pay a fee- in-lieu instead of providing on-site parking. TP-2h (1): When a sustainable funding source for new parking is in place, explore revisions to the Land Use Code allowing new development to pay a fee-in-lieu for of part or all the on-site parking requirements. TP-2i: Public Parking Management. Create policies TP-2i (1): Create a comprehensive regulation document for public parking facilities (on-street and structured) in Downtown. TP-1g (3): Identify and pursue potential Downtown Circulator funding partnerships. TP-1h: Additional Transit Service: Explore enhancements to existing service including increased frequencies, longer span of service, and more efficient TP-1h (1): Implement the Transfort Route Improvement Project (TRIP) recommendations in the Downtown area. TP-1h (2): Perform an analysis of future performance of Downtown transit routes including ridership using Transfort’s transit model. wall’ of a block and make all surface lots subordinate to buildings and open spaces. UD-5c (1): Amend the Land Use Code to ensure that all Article 3 site and parking area design standards match the intent of this policy UD-5d: Structured Parking Design. Parking structures should be lined with an active use along the street level if it is located on an arterial or collector street. UD-5d (1): Amend the Land Use Code to ensure that all Article 3 site and parking area design standards match the intent of this policy tall and slender tower components where heights greater than 6 stories are allowed, including size limits and space between tower components. UD-2g (1): Develop incentives for taller, slender building based upon results of a pro forma analysis and impacts to solar access, view corridors, and district character.