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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 09/11/2019Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Chair, Joseph Piesman Vice Chair, Raymond Watts Regular Meeting September 11, 2019 09/11/2018 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Joseph Piesman, Raymond Watts, David Tweedale, Kelly Ohlson, Alycia Crall Excused: Vicky McLane, Andrea Elson, Edward Reifsnyder Unexcused: NAD Staff: Brian Meyer, Jennifer Roberts, Heidi Wagner, Mike Auciello Guests: Cameron Gloss, Planning, Development & Transportation; Heidi Hansen, Dan Evans; Utilities Department; Kelly Smith, Arlo Schumann; Community Development & Neighborhood Services 3. AGENDA REVIEW: 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Raymond Watts made a motion to approve the LCSB August meeting minutes. David Tweedale seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0 5. COMMUNICATION AND BOARD MATTERS: 6. NEW BUSINESS ACTION ITEM: DISCUSSION ITEM: Land Use Code Changes/Dark Skies Kelly Smith/Arlo Schuman Kelly Smith introduced the preliminary stages of the Lighting Code update. Part of the intent of the code update is to protect night skies and natural areas from light pollution. Her presentation summarized the definition of light pollution, why an ordinance is needed, what the current code looks like and the objectives of the code update. One of the main goals for the ordinance is to protect the night sky by controlling light pollution, through updating standards for things like glare, unnecessary lighting and brightness of lights within the city. The current code is outdated in terms of technical standards, criteria and language. Community Development and Neighborhood Services (CD&NS) is just kicking off the public Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 09/11/2018 – MINUTES Page 2 engagement portion of the process. They anticipate a draft in the Spring of 2020 at which point they will come back to the related Boards and Commissions for recommendations. Discussion: Many of the Board members were concerned about how glare is being measured and what type of measuring instrumentation was being used. The Board suggested that measuring to create a baseline would help determine and set goals. Kelly explained one of the current goals is to deploy several monitors throughout the city to monitor lighting levels as well as some air pollution. Currently there are two monitors within the City; one at the Hilton on Prospect and the other is located at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Spacing them throughout the city will be a good way to create a baseline. The goal is to reduce that baseline after the new code has been implemented. Board members felt it would be difficult to set any standards if the current light projections couldn’t be measured. The Board was concerned that the Utilities Department was not involved in the code update and had yet to provide any feedback to CD&NS. They felt that City Council would want to be confident that the Utilities Department was supportive. The Board suggested CD&NS meet with the Utilities Department to begin a conversation about streetlight standards as well as partner for future Board presentations. Harmony Gateway Amendment Cameron Gloss Cameron Gloss explained that 30 years ago a Master Plan was created for the Harmony Corridor. It has become a major employment area for the City where farms were at once located. About ten years ago a development plan was proposed at Harmony and I-25 but didn’t move forward. The Harmony-Gateway stretches a half mile south of Harmony and a mile to the north. Fast forward to today much of the work that was supposed to be done was not done. The new development proposal for Harmony and I-25 is requiring us to reevaluate the Gateway Master Plan. Cameron provided a framework for the analysis of four alternative future scenarios for the Harmony ‘Gateway” area. The framework builds on discussion with City Council at a recent work session and from recent public events with community stakeholders. All scenarios require that impacts to the Poudre River floodplain be mitigated and evaluated through applicable local, state and federal permitting processes. Cameron explained each scenario and their implications. Cameron and staff will present this to City Council at the Work Session on October 22nd. Once all the public comments and Board comments have been collected, he will bring the issue back to the LCSB for a final review and recommendation. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 09/11/2018 – MINUTES Page 3 Foothills Draft Plan Discussion: Jennifer Roberts/Heidi Wagner Jenny and Heidi provided an update on the Foothills Plan. The draft Plan went out to the general public for feedback. In general, there was great support and different opinions about certain things. Discussion: Board members were very complimentary to NAD staff on the new format for the draft plan. The storyboard format was easy to follow and provided user interaction during the review, creating an easier way to review the draft. Joe referenced the “comment” box at the end of the survey and asked if public comments included conservation and habitat versus recreation. Jenny reported there wasn’t enough feedback specific on those two issues to compare. John reported that City Council has not provided any feedback, but NAD has kept them updated. Kelly suggested a motion to demonstrate support for the Plan to City Council. Kelly made a motion that the Board supports the Natural Areas Department Foothills Management Plan Update 2019 as presented on September 11, 2019. David seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved 5-0 Retreat Agenda: John has contracted a facilitator, Karina Branson, https://www.conversketch.com/ to help with the retreat. He will send her bio out to the Board. John, Joe and Ray brainstormed around some ideas. All agreed the Master Plan Update and Open Space Yes Renewal were two topics to discuss. John thought considering aspirations for 2050 should be the primary discussion. John suggested the Board draft an agenda over the next week or so to give members an idea of what to prepare for. OTHER BUSINESS 7. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned at 8:05 p.m.