Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 11/19/2019Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting November 19, 2019 11/19/2018 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL EDWARD Reifsnyder, Vicky McLane, Joseph Piesman, Andrea Elson, Kelly Ohlson, Alycia Crall, Raymond Watts, Mike Weber Excused: David Tweedale Unexcused: NAD Staff: Julia Feder, Mark Sears, Dave Myers Guests: Scott Schorling, Operations Services; Claire Shapiro, CSU student; Stephanie Blochowiak, Community Development and Neighborhood Services 3. AGENDA REVIEW JOE Piesman suggested discussion regarding the memo that went out to all board members, from the City Clerk’s office, regarding the restructuring of Boards and Commissions. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Alycia Crall made a motion to approve the September LCSB meeting minutes. Ray Watts seconded the motion The motion was unanimously approved 8-0 6. COMMUNICATION AND BOARD MATTERS: 7. NEW BUSINESS: ACTION ITEMS 1807 East Mulberry – Quit Claim/Easement Exchange Mark Sears, Scott Schorling Dave presented a proposed Quit Claim Deed conveying to DD&B Investment Group a portion of Kingfisher Natural Area in exchange for a non-exclusive access easement for access to Kingfisher Natural Area. NAD has been using a portion of the parking area to access Kingfisher NA through an existing gate. No recorded access agreement or easement exists between DDB and the City that allows for such uses. The Quit Claim Deed granted by the City to DDB will be in exchange for an access easement granted by DDB to Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 11/19/2018 – MINUTES Page 2 the City of at least equal value. Vicky McLane made a motion recommending that City Council approve a Quit Claim Deed conveying to DD&B Investment Group, LLC a portion of Kingfisher Natural Area historically used for parking and access associated with the businesses occupying 1807 East Mulberry Street in exchange for a Non-Exclusive Access Easement from DDB to the City for access to Kingfisher Natural Area. Andrea Elson seconded the motion The motion was unanimously approved 8-0 Soaring Vista – Sewer Line Easement Request Dave Meyers Dave presented, to the Board, a potential conveyance of a non-exclusive permanent easement to Interstate Land Holdings, LLC (ILH) on Soaring Vista Natural Area to install, monitor and maintain a 10” sewer line. ILH has explained to staff that the existing 10” sewer line to the south of their property was at capacity and the only option for them to connect to sewer is to tie into the existing 10” line on Soaring Vista. Dave presented the proposed alignment for the sewer line and associated maintenance road. The proposed sewer line will also service Thayer/McCreery located east of the ILH property when it is developed. The Permanent Easement Fee would be a one-time fee of approximately $15,680, with is 50% of the value of the 2-acre easement. Discussion: Board members were generally against the easement request. They felt the fragmentation caused by the maintenance road on the property would be too significant and encouraged staff to consider placing the sewer line on the east side of the property. Dave explained That any future agricultural purposes for the land would need a maintenance/service road and the road could also be used potentially as a trail. Dave felt that if ILH was awarded the easement they would gravel the road which could in turn be used for that type of road in the future. Board members encouraged staff to explore alternatives for the sewer line easement. The Board felt that the developers should pay 100% of the of the property value, increasing the amount to $30K versus the proposed 50%. Vicky McLane made a motion that City Council not approve conveyance of a utility easement to Interstate Land Holdings LLC, on Soaring Vista Natural Area. Kelly Ohlson seconded the motion After careful consideration the Board rescinded the motion to deny the easement and decided to not make a recommendation and asked staff to explore other options and address Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 11/19/2018 – MINUTES Page 3 board concerns and bring a new recommendation back to the board. Maxwell Natural Area – Waterline Easement Request Dave Myers Dave presented the request from Fort Collins Loveland Water District (FCLWD) for a new waterline easement across a portion of the Maxwell Natural Area to replace an existing waterline which is failing due to age. The new easement alignment would be less impactful to the site and the old easement would be vacated once the new line was installed. Discussion: The board briefly discussed the request, noting that the proposed easement alignment was better than the existing alignment. Andrea Elson made a motion recommending that City Council approve conveyance of a utility easement to the Fort Collins Loveland Water District (FCLWD) on Maxwell Natural Area, with the condition that the current FCLWD easement on Maxwell Natural Area be vacated in place of the new pipeline construction. Mike Weber seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved 8-0 DISCUSSION ITEMS Nature in The City and Land Use Code integration Claire Shapiro and Julia Feder Colorado State University student, Claire Shapiro, presented the summary of her master’s degree capstone project. Through her studies in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and research for this project, Claire sought to identify opportunities to further incorporate requirements for Nature in the City elements into the City Land Use Code (LUC). Key elements include the protection and enhancement of natural features, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and human access to nature. During the LCSB presentation, Claire provided a summary of the foundation of her project, the methodologies employed, and summarized the findings of her outreach efforts. She provided options for code changes, NIC program management and best practice considerations. LCSB Retreat Debrief Board members discussed the Board retreat. Kelly led the discussion on the retreat review. His notes reflect conversation of making land acquisitions a priority for the department. He feels that staff doesn’t have the same urgency as the Board does in terms of purchasing land. Mark expressed confidence that the Department is comfortable with the flow of land purchases, although support from Real Estate Services (RES) has been on the lean side due to major changes in staffing. Land Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 11/19/2018 – MINUTES Page 4 purchases take time in terms of building relationships with property owners and staff time dedicated to the actual purchase process. With limited real estate staff Mark feels confident land purchases are balanced with the staff resources available. A handful of Board members urged staff to seek out options and ideas to increase real estate staff within the department. They feel easements and acquisitions should be a priority. Mark stated that he and John are working with RES to regain their full support. Ray suggested expanding opportunities to identify future land needs that will meet both economic and population growth. In order to maintain a standard, (so many acres per capita), what does that translate to in terms of financial needs? Joe suggested the Board provide feedback during the upcoming BFO process to bolster land conservation staff. 2020 LCSB Workplan Joe explained that the 2020 Workplan is due at the end of the month. The Board reviewed the workplan and made a handful of changes. It was agreed that Board members would send their feedback to Joe for any additional changes. Ray suggested adding a line item to emphasize the Board’s desire to prioritize land acquisition and explore, with the City, the possibility of financing acquisitions and easements. Land Conservation Updates Dave Myers and Mark Sears provided updates on three potential land acquisitions. Executive Session: Joe Piesman moved under Section 2-712(b), and 2-31(a)(3) of the City Code, that the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board go into executive session to discuss real property acquisitions. THE BOARD COMMENCED EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:00 P.M. The Executive Session concluded at 8:47 p.m. The Board commenced Regular Session 8:47 p.m. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 11/19/2018 – MINUTES Page 5 9. OTHER BUSINESS: Joe announced that he and Vicky McLane’s Board term will expire at the end of December. December 10th City Council will host a Work Session to discuss the future of Boards and Commissions. Board members agreed to send a letter to City Council announcing the LCSB’s dislike for the potential change in structure of Boards. 10.ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned at 8:53 p.m.