HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning And Zoning Board - Minutes - 08/16/2018Jeff Schneider, Chair
City Council Chambers
Jeff Hansen, Vice Chair City Hall West
Jennifer Carpenter 300 Laporte Avenue
Michael Hobbs Fort Collins, Colorado
Christine Pardee
Ruth Rollins Cablecast on FCTV Channel 14 &
William Whitley Channel 881 on Comcast
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Regular Hearing
August 16, 2018
Chair Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Hansen, Hobbs, Rollins, Schneider and Whitley
Absent: Carpenter, Pardee
Staff Present: Everette, Yatabe, Tatman-Burruss, Mapes, Frickey, Gloss, and Gerber
Chair Schneider provided background on the board’s role and what the audience could expect as to the order of
business. He described the following procedures:
• While the City staff provides comprehensive information about each project under consideration, citizen
input is valued and appreciated.
• The Board is here to listen to citizen comments. Each citizen may address the Board once for each item.
• Decisions on development projects are based on judgment of compliance or non-compliance with city Land
Use Code.
• Should a citizen wish to address the Board on items other than what is on the agenda, time will be allowed
for that as well.
• This is a legal hearing, and the Chair will moderate for the usual civility and fairness to ensure that
everyone who wishes to speak can be heard.
Agenda Review
Development Review Manager Everette reviewed the items on the Consent and Discussion agendas, stating that
all items will be heard as originally advertised.
Planning and Zoning
Board Minutes
Planning & Zoning Board
August 16, 2018
Page 2 of 6
Public Input on Items Not on the Hearing Agenda:
None noted.
Consent Agenda:
1. Draft Minutes from the P&Z June 21, 2018 Hearing
2. Draft Minutes from the P&Z July 13, 2018 Special Hearing
3. Draft Minutes from the P&Z July 19, 2018 Hearing
Public Input on Consent Agenda:
None noted
Chair Schneider did a final review of the items that are on the consent agenda and reiterated that those items will
not have a separate presentation unless pulled from the consent agenda.
Member Hobbs made a motion that the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board approve the Consent
agenda for the August 16, 2018 Planning and Zoning Board hearing as originally advertised. Member
Whitley seconded the motion. Vote: 5:0.
Discussion Agenda:
4. Century Wireless Telecommunications Facility, PDP170017
Project Description: This is a request for a Project Development Plan to build a telecommunications tower
housed within a 1,600 sq. ft. wireless facility. This facility will house wireless telecommunications equipment to
provide wireless service to the surrounding area. The proposed tower would be 55 feet tall and disguised as a bell
tower. This tower and facility will be used for structural support of up to three wireless providers. Each provider will
install antennas and on-the-ground base station equipment. The site is located in the Low Density Residential (RL)
zone district and, as such, is subject to review and approval by City Council. Wireless telecommunications facility is
not an allowed use in the RL zone. City Council approved an Addition of Permitted Use (APU) to allow a wireless
telecommunications facility on this parcel on July 17, 2018. The Planning & Zoning Board will then decide on the
Project Development Plan application.
Recommendation: Approval
Secretary Gerber reported that no citizen emails or letters had been received and that photo simulations and zoning
review documentation provided by applicant were added to supplemental documents.
Staff and Applicant Presentations
Comprehensive Planning Manager Gloss gave a brief verbal/visual overview of this project.
Ken Bradtke, Director of Operations for Atlas Towers provided a verbal/visual presentation that included the design
and matching process, provided examples of past projects and what the proposed project will look like when
finished.
Public Input (3 minutes per person)
None noted
Staff Response
Comprehensive Planning Manager Gloss responded that there was no further staff input.
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August 16, 2018
Page 3 of 6
Board Questions / Deliberation
Member Hansen feels that the bell tower design should be more slender, smooth and painted white at the top. Ken
Bradtke confirmed that this current design is from feedback at a neighborhood meeting. Chair Schneider wants the
Board to be cognizant of what the neighborhood wants based on their meetings.
Member Hobbs made a motion that the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board approve the Century
Wireless Telecommunication Facility PDP170017 based on the agenda materials, the information and
materials presented during the work session, this hearing and the Board discussion on this item. Member
Whitley seconded. Chair Schneider appreciates what the design team has done. Vote: 5:0
5. Country Club Reserve PDP170008
Project Description: This item was continued at the June 21 hearing. This Project Development Plan (PDP)
proposes 160 single family detached residential lots on an 80-acre property at the southwest corner of Turnberry
and Douglas Roads, at the northern edge of the City’s Growth Management Area (GMA). Zoning is Urban Estate
(U-E). The lots are configured as a residential cluster development with over 50% of the property to be open
space. The open space includes required oil well buffer yard areas for five wells, one of which is plugged and
abandoned. A Modification of standards is requested for the buffer yard setback dimension around the plugged
and abandoned well.
Recommendation: Approval
Secretary Gerber reported that a few citizen emails and letters had been received and are as follows:
• Kathleen Kilkelly opposes the project in its current form but would support a design that better respects
the surrounding, existing character of the area.
• Marsh & Robert Lotz opposes the project, particularly the connectivity pathway due to its proximity to
their property. Six of their neighbors also signed the letter.
• Robert Blinderman opposes the project, citing incompatibility with surrounding property uses, traffic
issues and environmental concerns due to the oil production facilities.
• Updated Staff Report added to packet.
Staff and Applicant Presentations
Planner Mapes gave a brief verbal/visual overview of this project.
Mike Tilley with George Shock, owners/partners, provided a verbal presentation speaking to and responding to
previously raised concerns regarding setbacks and the new larger setbacks, the number of trees added to the
properties, the increased open space, and increasing some lot sizes. Mr. Tilly also spoke to their request for
reduced setbacks in regard to oil and gas wells.
Planner Mapes gave a brief verbal/visual overview of this project.
Public Input (3 minutes per person)
Kathleen Kilkelly, 920 Inverness Rd., opposes the project as she does not believe the lot sizes are what fits true
urban estates and is not compatible.
Marsha Lotz, 3501 Juanita Rd., does not believe the developer has a feel for the property. She feels it is an urban
squash.
Cyndi Merris, 395 Windcrest Lane, feels as though this project does not have the space and character and would
like for them to consider the space in figuring lots sizes.
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Staff Response
Planner Mapes responded by showing Hearth Fire and the consistency with this project. He spoke to reducing the
density with larger lots and the characteristics of the land and development.
Mr. Tilley responded to the fencing. There will be fencing which will be determined at a later date, he does not
have a distance as of yet. Lot sizes and distances to neighbors has been taken into consideration and has ended
at this current design.
Board Questions / Deliberation
Member Whitley asked how many lots were lost to the increased lot sizes. Mr. Tilly and Planner Mapes confirmed
there were no lots lost, just reconfiguration.
Member Hobbs asked Planner Mapes to remind him and others what the height limitation for the Urban Estate.
Chair Schneider responded 30’.
Member Hansen asked Mr. Tilley about the available open space which includes the setback. Member Hansen
asked how close can people get to the wells. Planner Mapes responded that the exact design has not been
submitted and that the request has been given to the developer. His understanding is that the developer will fence
the lots.
Chair Schneider asked if with urban estate are cluster developments allowed. Planner Mapes responded that if the
requirements were met, yes.
Chair Schneider asked why there was no guaranteed fence distance at this point and if fenced it should not be
counted as area. Planner Mapes responded that the codes states there is not already fencing, and the well is
within 500’, then the developer has to install fencing at the property boundary between the operation and the
development to restrict public access to the operation. Member Hansen hopes that there is access into the open
spaces for the residents and in doing the math, there should be fences up to 180’ radius and still meet the 50%
open space. Planner Mapes does not believe that the fences should take the space below the 50%. Chair
Schneider asked about putting a condition in place and Planners Mapes felt that could be done if needed.
Member Hobbs feels the Board should be more concerned about the fencing around the oil and gas operations.
He feels it has not been defined yet as there could be changes on the operations. Safety should be the defining
factor. Mr. Tilley believes in the future Prospect Energy will require 3 acres to secure well improvements. Member
Hobbs feels the 3 acres will need to be addressed further as there is a possibility that all 4 well sites could be active
at some point. Development Review Manager Everette reviewed her conversation with the Oil and Gas
Commission and explained that Prospect Energy has submitted a request for permits to recomplete the well. This
is not a new drilling operation, but rather to access a different formation from the same well. This is for the Western
most well on the site. Mr. Tilley made a correction to the acreage from 3 acres to 1 acre per site. Planner Mapes
feels there may be a dilemma with enforcement down the road.
Member Hansen asked about the guide wire radius. Planner Mapes believes it is roughly 180’ and that the
operator does not feel that the guide wires and anchors need to be fenced.
Member Rollins asked about the pads around the site; her understanding is that they would be graded and mowed.
Planner Mapes responded that there has been no discussion about grading. The applicants responded that the
intent would be to do a mowed area through the pastures yet keeping the character of open spaces. Member
Rollins asked if the one going up to Wanita would be graded, Planner Mapes confirmed this was correct. Member
Rollins wanted to know what the density in Hearth Fire was. Planner Mapes responded 1.4, it’s so low due to the
entry drive and central internal pond. Member Rollins is mostly concerned with compatibility to Serramonte.
Development Review Manager Everette added that from the Assessors site the lots are listed as ½ acre or larger.
Member Hobbs asked Planner Mapes if he or the applicant could describe the vision for the build out of the project,
or if it was going to be left to the contractors of the different filings. Planner Mapes responded that was the idea,
this plan just enables the lots at the allowed density. Chair Schneider added that the modern design in mind is
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August 16, 2018
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three-story. Planner Mapes responded that they could do three-story homes. Chair Schneider’s concern is that
when you go to 7 or 8 thousand square foot lots, with the Urban Estates setbacks, you’re now building smaller,
taller properties in order to get the square footage. Planner Mapes responded that the cluster is exempt from
Urban Estate setbacks, so we would default back to Citywide setbacks within the cluster.
Development Review Manager Everette made a code clarification. The three-story height requirement is for Urban
Estate non-clustered subdivisions with a provision in the cluster portion which states that the maximum height
would be two and one-half stories.
Member Hansen asked what the average lot size being proposed. Planner Mapes responded 50’ X 110’, 5500 sq.
ft.
Member Whitley asked for clarification if all of the wells were opened and had to get equipment, that would still be
below 50%. Member Hansen responded that according to the map if they need an acre for each well they would be
losing a total of 4 acres from their open space and if they are at 59% currently, they are 7.2 acres over the 50%.
Member Hansen commented on the connectivity to Wanita Lane. He had heard in the work session that it may not
be needed. With the citizen comments received, it is his understanding that currently there is a lot of foot traffic and
that there is already a need for pedestrian connection to Wanita Lane. Member Hobbs asked Member Hansen if he
is ok with what Planner Mapes has proposed; that is a graded and natural grass slope for now. Member Hansen
agreed as long as it is maintained. Chair Schneider read that they do not have this, and they do not want this, and
this is why it was discussed to grade it out in the instance there became a need. Member Hansen feels that instead
of people creating their own path which happens to go across private property, we could provide a public path, thus
reducing the conflict. Member Whitley commented that horses use the pathways, and he likes the f graded
pathways.
Chair Schneider is concerned with the fencing and having that count. He would like to know if a condition should
be added. Member Hansen feels the Land Use Code allows, as long as there is 50%.
Member Rollins asked what the setback was on the North side. Chair Schneider recalls 25’. Member Hansen
added that this has been designed per the Land Use Code, and that the concern is whether or not these are
desirable lots for people to be purchasing. This is based on the business model not the Land Use Code. Chair
Schneider agreed and added they are looking at the compatibility of surrounding developments. Member Whitley
added that if he were living in Serramonte that he would not mind having that much green space. Member Hobbs
added he is glad to see that Planner Mapes and the applicants are doing the minimum on the connection to Wanita.
On the other side of that, it is a public right-of-way and it would be reasonable that there is a graded public egress.
He is glad that there is not a street connection.
Member Hansen made a motion that the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board approve the Modifications
of Standards to 3.8.26(c) based on the staff report. Member Whitley seconded. Vote: 5:0
Member Hansen made a motion that the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board approve the Country Club
Reserve PDP170008 with the condition that any fencing installed around the existing open wells does not
reduce the total open space of the development to less than 50%. This approval and the six (6) conditions
are based on the agenda materials, the information and materials presented during the work session, this
hearing and the Board discussion on this item with the following findings:
- The PDP complies with all the applicable Land Use Code requirements as stated in the staff report
prepared for this hearing and contained in the agenda materials. The information analysis, findings of
facts and conclusions contained in the staff report, included in the agenda materials for this hearing
are adopted by this Board.
Member Whitley seconded. Chair Schneider appreciates the citizen showing and input. Vote: 5:0
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August16,2018
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Other Business
None
Adjournment
Chair Schneider moved to adjourn the P&Z Board hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm .
..
Minutes respectfully submitted by Shar Gerber.
Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on: f-,-r-ftJ· 1/3 .
Re ecca Everette, Development Review Manager