HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/20/20171 | P a g e
MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Location: Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Ave.
Time: 6:00 pm
For Reference
Bob Overbeck, Council Liaison 970-988-9337
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison 970-221-6317
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
Nancy DuTeau, chair Ling Wang
Bob Mann Katherine de Leon
Elizabeth Hudetz
John Bartholow
Drew Derderian
Luke Caldwell
Jay Adams
Staff Present
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison, Environmental Services
Tina Hopkins-Dukes, Minute Taker
Stephanie Blochowiak, Environmental Planner, Community Development and Neighborhood
Services
Rebecca Everette, Sr. Environmental Planner, Community Development and Neighborhood Services
Sean Carpenter, Climate Economy Advisor, Economic Health Department
Mark Grant, FCTV
Guests:
David Tweedale, Land Conservation and Stewardship Board
Johanna Hudge, CSU Student/Community Member
Chase Bellin, CSU Student/Community Member
John Skogman, Community Member
Cassidy Dodds, CSU Student/Community Member
Levi Loria, CSU Student/Community Member
Grace Ota, CSU Student/Community Member
Mark Houdashelt, AQAB
Meg Williams, CSU Student/Community Member
Veronica Travers, CSU Student/Community Member
Elena Eidson, CSU Student/Community Member
Evan Hievus, CSU Student/Community Member
Call meeting to order: 6:05 pm by Nancy DuTeau, chair
Public Comments: None
Approval of the Minutes: Elizabeth moved and Drew seconded the motion to approve the July
minutes. Motion passed unanimously 6-0. Luke was not present at the time of this motion.
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AGENDA ITEM 1—Environmental Protection Requirements for Development and
Construction Projects
Rebecca Everette, Sr. Environmental Planner with Planning, and Stephanie Blochowiak,
Environmental Planner will present to discuss the current Land Use Code standards and their
impact to provide environmental protections for development and construction projects. They will
also share other best practices and lessons learned experienced in the 20 years these requirements
have been in place.
Rebecca talked about the priorities for development which include:
Protect and enhance natural habitats & ecosystems
Mitigate for loss of sensitive natural resources
Contain development to Growth Management Area (GMA)
Promote infill and redevelopment in targeted areas
Maintain efficient and fair system of fees and requirements
Rebecca discussed how development review works and mentioned that it is a 12 step process and
involves over 30 departments within the City. Step one is the ecological characteristic study which is
a detailed map of the site and must be developed by an Environmentalist or Conservationist and
submitted prior to the submission for review of a project.
The Natural Resource Protection Standards are as follows:
Direct development away from sensitive resources (example- buffer area near streams,
creeks, etc.)
Minimize impacts and disturbance (example- soil compaction from equipment or runoff into
wetlands.)
Enhance existing conditions (example- ditch corridors)
Restore or replace resource value lost (mitigation) (example- replace trees)
Significant natural features include streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, irrigation, ditches, forest, native
grassland, native shrub land, prairie dog colonies, fox and coyote dens, wildlife concentration areas,
nests, species of concern, etc.
Payment-in-lieu is another form of mitigation. If an area has a large concentration of prairie dogs
then a payment-in-lieu may be required to compensate for the loss of prairie dog colonies.
One of the most important pieces of the development review is establishing natural habitat buffer
zones. The purpose is to protect an existing, significant resource from development impacts. Design
standards include:
Preserve or enhance natural habitat/feature
Allow for wildlife movement within & across site
Protect from noise, lighting, traffic, runoff & other impacts
Integrate with existing topography
Enhance ecological characteristics of site
Provide for appropriate human access
Habitat enhancements may include native landscaping and invasive species removal; increased
species diversity, wildlife-friendly fencing, and restoration of degraded resources.
Stephanie discussed the implementation process. She mentioned a Development Agreement which is
unique to Fort Collins. This agreement allows inclusion of unique natural resource language and
exhibits. Fort Collins also monitoring requirements of up to three-years which includes weed control
or weed management plans. The City collects securities of 125% cost for installation and monitoring.
Once the success criterion has been met the securities are released.
Stephanie discussed the benefits of development review which includes protecting private lands
features, supplementing City open spaces, collecting money to ensure success, and keeping City staff
engaged throughout the process (design, implementation, monitoring). She also discussed the
challenges which include the difficulty involved in ecological restoration, long-term monitoring,
ownership/management changes, and lack of data regarding buffers and how they support
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conservation goals. Some best practices and lessons learned include managing by site and scale,
addressing transitions in management, and managing expectations. The City serves all residents and
therefore it can be difficult as some residents have a different idea of how things should look. Some
people want a more manicured look.
Some highlights of success to-date: (since 1997)
30+ (documented) buffer zones created to protect sensitive features
Significant buffers along the Poudre River, Spring Creek, Boxelder Creek, major
wetlands/water features, etc.
Habitat enhancement along irrigation ditch corridors
Data collection and monitoring are the new focus for the City. With the help of Nature in the City
citizen-science program, we now have four years of data.
Discussion/Q&A:
Do they relocate the prairie dogs?
o Yes. The most recent relocation was for a development off Lemay and Lincoln. The
prairie dogs were relocated to Cathy Fromme Natural Area.
What is the cash value for payment-in-lieu?
o One example is Aspen Heights. There were a large amount of prairie dogs on this site so
the developer paid around $900 per acre to the City which was used for grassland
restoration. This was several years ago so the cost is higher now.
What if Spring Creek changes its bed?
o We understand that rivers and streams change and we are addressing this in areas where
the Poudre River flooded recently. We require a 100 ft buffer (300 ft along the Poudre
River) so the development is not built right up against the creek and may help to alleviate
the change in creek bed. We will respond as needed to these changes.
What is weed control? Are we using pesticides or chemicals?
o There are biological, chemical, and physical processes for weed control. Usually, it is
physical which would consist of mowing, trimming or cutting and some use of chemical
treatments. The City does not have authority to regulate the use of pesticides or
herbicides that is done by the State Department of Agriculture.
Since we have Home Rule can’t we require the use of natural or less toxic kinds of
pesticides/herbicides?
o We looked into this to see if we could regulate use in natural buffer areas and the City
Attorney’s Office said no.
What did you say the buffer zone is?
o The standard buffer zone is 50 feet from the edge of the top of the bank.
What about the Land Use Code? Is that custom or regulated by the State or County?
o Yes it is all custom and specific to Fort Collins. In addition the City updates the Land Use
Code annually as needed which is not the usual practice for other organizations.
Do you have a lot of Ash trees in these areas?
o We are not allowing new Ash trees to be planted. That is a good thing for us to go look at
in terms of areas that were developed a decade ago. We haven’t done an inventory of that
but I will make note of that.
What in the design promotes water conservation?
o The City’s Utilities department does a lot of the advocacy for water conservation. One of
our standards is that we have a water budget which is 15 gallons per square feet. Every
developer is required to stay in that budget and cannot exceed the water budget for
irrigation and maintenance which means they cannot plant all turf or all pavements. Fort
Collins has the highest standards for developers.
Where can I find Building Code information?
o Fcgov.com/planning is where you can find Land Use and Building Code information.
You can also call our office and we can help answer your questions.
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AGENDA ITEM 2—Overview of City of Fort Collins Climate Economy Plan
Sean Carpenter, Climate Economy Advisor with the Economic Health Department, will provide an
overview of the recently drafted Climate Economy Action Plan. This plan has identified opportunities
in the local economy to support an increase in clean energy jobs and private sector-led energy
efficiency upgrades of commercial and residential buildings. There will be a work session on the
topic on October 10th.
Primary purpose of the Climate Economy Advisor is to engage external expertise in developing
innovative Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) & related projects to support achievement of Climate
Action Plan (CAP) objectives. The external objectives are to obtain expertise which will aid
evaluation, development, and implementation of PPP’s. Secondly, internal/external objectives are
education and outreach. These objectives include eliminating/reducing regulatory, process and policy
barriers; to forge connections to new and existing capitol providers and markets; to attract private
sector investment; to provide support and consultation for City demo projects; and for development
of business, marketing and operational plans, as necessary. Sean discussed why this work is
important stating quality of life and changing times in which clean energy jobs are the fastest
growing in Larimer County’s job market. Sean said that without PPPs we cannot meet our capitol
goals. 50% of our capitol goals are related to heating and cooling. The dollar amount needed is
around $265 Million. Sean explained what maintaining superior quality of life in Fort Collins means,
stating the following:
Foster clean energy/sustainable jobs
Advance equity objectives
Triple helix approach
Link to City as a platform recommendations
Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
Sean explained that equity means helping homeowners lower utility cost for renters. It’s an incentive
to do what is right and not having to change people’s values or opinions. He explained that in Fort
Collins, the triple helix refers to Colorado State University, City of Fort Collins, and private business.
It is the thought that those three make Fort Collins unique and by working together they can achieve
these goals. Sean explained that City as a platform relates to communication and technology and how
the two can work towards our advantage to gather data and help us become an even better City. Sean
introduced the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance which is launching next week. It is an alliance of 14
cities along the Front Range and Fort Collins will be a founding member. The concept is that by
coming together they form a common market almost like a “Costco” of Cities. Having all the
municipal resources in one place would entice technological companies to come to Colorado.
Sean explained some of the tools to help attract private sector businesses is called C-PACE or
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy finance. Although recently approved in the state of
Colorado, this type of financing has not yet been approved in Larimer County. This is a commercial
loan with zero money down and the loan can be used as equity capital. The repayment mechanism
goes through property tax payments. Any bank can become a PACE lender and offer energy efficient
loans to businesses and developers. Others tools are CSU Green Revolving Fund (GRF), and
Efficiency Loan Programs (CECU) which are virtual banks or Clean Energy Credit Unions. These
types of institutions conduct all transactions online and do not have any brick and mortar locations.
They loan money to people who do not own commercial buildings and want to make energy efficient
upgrades to the property they rent or lease. Crowd funding is another tool but instead of crowd this is
more of a group or community funding tool. Environmental Impact Bonds are another great tool.
Financial entities like Rockefeller Foundation and others will buy down the interest on bonds that
meet strict requirements by meeting or exceeding certain benchmarks.
Discussion/Q&A:
What does PACE stand for?
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o Property Assessed Clean Energy. The assessed part is where the special financing comes
in and you pay on the loan every six months with your property taxes not making
payments to the government and not to the bank.
When will this be approved?
o I would hope to see this approved as early as the end of the year.
Is this something we should talk to council about?
o I think it would be even more helpful to talk to the County Commissioners.
Why is this tied to property tax rather than some state program?
o Because this loan is tied to property taxes, the government will always be involved. This
offers the bank a high degree of confidence that they will get their money making this
type of lending successful and attractive to bankers.
FYI…October 24, 2017 there will be a presentation for energy efficient contractors who want to
learn about PACE
Who decides what the loan money can be used for?
o The PACE office which is a private energy efficiency contracting company. They go in
and help design the project, assess quality control, and return on investment.
Can you give an example of a municipality using this type of Environmental Impact Bond?
o Washington DC used this type of financing for stormwater abatement.
Updates and Announcements
Last night at City Council they voted to join The Compact of Colorado Communities. This is
a new network of about 27 communities who work together to drive the climate community
and help us meet our climate action goals.
Five out of six applicants were funded at the FC Innovates program last month. To see the
recoding you can go to fcgov.com/innovate. It is on YouTube.
Luke sent out a white paper encouraging the Board to read. He presented the information in
his paper to the Transportation Board. The paper was in regards to allowing Ebikes on trails.
Luke said the main issue is capacity and whether trails should be used for recreation or
transportation.
Elizabeth suggested expanding the size of trails to accommodate Ebikes. She suggested
Ebikes may be used instead of cars for older populations and low-income residents.
Bob suggested a pilot for Ebikes. Luke said he had thought of this originally. Bob also talked
about the concerns around the speeds of Ebikes.
Jay suggested having Rangers use the Ebikes and experience them first hand.
Bob and Nancy are a part of the Regional Wasteshed Planning Group. The group consists of
about 40 people. The purpose is to find ways to reduce waste in an economical way. Some
things they are working on include finding options to the landfill closure in 2025 such as
increasing our diversion rates; waste reduction; Cogen- digesters. The group is on hold for
the next two and a half months.
John followed through with the NISP memo
Christine Macrina from the City Clerk’s Office sent out an email regarding attendance rules
for Board members.
Susie Gordon would like to know when we would like to tour the Hoffman Mill Rd site.
Board members will decide on a date through email. John presented a photo he took of the
Hoffman Mill site which shows an excessive amount of dust being produced by a machine.
Elizabeth discussed reasons why we do not want to allow the damming of our rivers talking
about the methane gases and permafrost issues.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:09 pm
Next Meeting: October 18, 2017