HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/09/2005 - UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE RESOURCE RECOV DATE: August 9, Zoos WORK SESSION ITEM
STAFF: John Armstrong FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Update Council on Community Planning and Environmental Services / Natural Resources
Department activities related to the Resource Recovery Farm, including the lease to Frontline
BioEnergy and the Resource Recovery Farm Planning Concepts Project.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
General direction, reactions, thoughts, and ideas about the different planning scenarios.
BACKGROUND
Frontline BioEnergy Lease
Frontline BioEnergy moved into a portion of the office/ shop building at the Resource Recovery
Farm in mid-April 2005 per the lease approved by City Council on March 1, 2005 (following
recommendation by the Natural Resources Advisory Board in February). Frontline BioEnergy is
researching the production of hydrogen from biomass, specifically chipped tree branches. To date
much of the work has been centered on construction of a prototype gasifier and developing methods
to test the gas cleaning process.
Planning Concepts Project
When City Council instructed the Natural Resources Department to purchase the Resource Recovery
Farm in 2003,the property was not included in any of the Natural Areas Program land conservation
plans in effect at that time;however,the property was identified in the I-25 Subarea Plan as an area
that should be maintained as open space. Therefore, the Natural Resources Department is seeking
guidance from Council about how to manage the property in the long term. The Resource Recovery
Farm is a particularly unique part of the Fort Collins open space program given the existence of very
specialized building infrastructure, its proximity to I-25, and its prominent role as a viewshed and
community gateway. Planning activities related to the Resource Recovery Farm are being pursued
due to the singular qualities of this particular site and are not considered applicable to other natural
areas.
In early 2005, Community Planning and Environmental Services/Natural Resources Department
contracted with Clarion Associates(Fort Collins)to prepare preliminary scoping,evaluate potential
uses,and help prepare broad-brush planning scenarios for the Resource Recovery Farm. This study
was completed in July of 2005.
August 9, 2005 Page 2
The goal of this project is to evaluate potential uses of the property that are compatible with various
City policy objectives, while retaining essential aspects and functions of open space.
This project is a preliminary step to a more formal master planning process and is therefore general
and broad-brush in nature. No site planning has occurred and planning scenarios to-date are
conceptual.
The project consists of four main parts:
1. Preliminary scoping and establishment of planning context
2. Development of Management Zones
3. Evaluation of potential uses
4. Broad-brush planning scenarios
For the purpose of brevity, only the planning scenarios are summarized here. The scenarios are
designed to explore a range of potential future activities and management approaches for the
Resource Recovery Farm. The scenarios range from full ecological restoration of the site to
moderate-intensity development of some areas. The planning scenarios are not,however,site plans.
That is,the scenarios should not be regarded as static planning recommendations,but rather studies
in clustering uses, building massing, and ways to balance potential uses with the retention of open
space characteristics. They also are additive, in that elements of low-intensity use can be used in
scenarios with higher-intensity use. Thus, they are not mutually exclusive and it may well be that
a final master plan would contain elements of several scenarios.
Scenario 1 —Restoration
In this scenario, all infrastructure would be deconstructed and as much of the resulting material
salvaged as possible and removed from the site. Interior roads would be removed if possible and
the property would be selectively re-contoured, effectively restoring the site to shortgrass prairie.
If anything, the viewshed characteristics of the site would be enhanced in this scenario. Traffic, if
any, would be limited to access by trucks to Boxelder Sanitation and no improvements to
transportation infrastructure would be required.
Scenario 2—Low-Intervention
This scenario essentially continues the existing pattern of leasing agricultural fields and space in
existing buildings to appropriate organizations or businesses. Structures could be gradually removed
as their usefulness deteriorates. Under this scenario, opportunities to lease or otherwise use the
property are approached as they arise.
Very little change to the current viewshed will occur under this scenario. Currently, Frontline
BioEnergy estimates 4-6 automobile trips per day. When wood chip deliveries commence in 2006,
Frontline estimates 2-4 small truck trips per week.
August 9, 2005 Page 3
Scenario 3 —Reuse and Limited Activity
This scenario maximizes use of existing infrastructure(including buildings and agricultural fields)
in an integrated manner. New infrastructure also might be added, clustering use in and around
existing buildings. For example, this scenario could be approached as an eco-industrial park
allowing the integration of resource recovery-related uses in an efficient, cohesive manner.
Appropriate uses might include: yard waste drop-off,architectural salvage,biofuels research,fuels
crop cultivation, and possibly native plant stock propagation for city restoration activities.
Scenario 4—Reuse and Moderate Activity
This scenario is similar to Scenario 3, but considers the northern-most portion of the site as a
moderate-intensity use area. Under this scenario,the site contributes somewhat to the development
of the I-25 interchange and associated transportation infrastructure. To accommodate this type of
use, it is likely a portion of the site would be sold and rezoned.
HOW DO SCENARIOS ACCDMPLISH CITYWIDE GOALS?
Natural areas,open Environmental Quality Economic Vitality i
space,viewsheds, and Solid Waste
Scenario and separators Reduction
Restoration ■
Low Intervention O ■ 0,
Reuse and Moderate Activity(Resource
ecovery Related) ■ ■
Reuse and Moderate Development IN
Business Cluster) ■ ■
KEY To RATINGS
❑ = No it Does Not
❑e = Somewhat
■ = Yes it Could
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation slides
2. Map showing Resource Recovery Farm site location and context
3. Map showing Resource Recovery Farm current conditions
4. Planning scenario maps (4)
August 9, 2005 Page 4
Staff presentations for Work Session items have been video taped in advance of this meeting.The presentations will
be broadcast on City Cable Channel 14 at the following times:
Thursday,August 4 7:00 p.m. Monday,August 8 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon
Saturday,August 6 9:00 a.m. &8:30 p.m. Tuesday,August 9 4:00 p.m.
Sunday,August 7 9:00 a.m. &8:30 p.m.
Videos of the presentations will also be available via a high-speed internet connection at www.fceov.com by 5:00
p.m., Friday,August 5.
ATTACHMENT
Resource Recovery Farm
Planning Concepts
9 August 2005 — City Council Work Session
John Armstrong AICP, Environmental Planner
CStvut tort c�w,� City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department
1
Setting the stage
■ City Council instructed
NRD to purchase RRF
in 2003 based on 1-25 .,�� `
Corridor Plan
■ RRF unique part of OS
program
• Planning activities
pursued due to singular
qualities of site (e.g.,
specialized
infrastructure)
■ NRD seeking general
direction, thoughts, and
ideas from Council
9 August2005 2
2
Presentation overview
■ RRF Planning Concepts
Project
■ Frontline BioEnergy
update
9 August 2005 g
3
RRF Planning Concepts
Project
• Preliminary scoping and
planning context
■ Broad-brush planning
scenarios
9 August 2005 4
4
RRF location and planning
context
• 150-acre property located
off Prospect Rd at 1-25
■ Bounded by Boxelder Creek _......
and Running Deer Natural
Area to west
■ City Archery Range to south
■ Former biosolid composting
facility owned and managed
by City Utilities
■ Acquired by NRD in 2003
based on City Council
recommendation
9 August 2005 5
5
Conditions
■ Original farm-related, and
composting structures
remain (including
underground delivery
infrastructure)
■ Currently zoned P-O-L =---
(which allows resource
recovery) =--
■ Frontline BioEnergy lease:
researching generation of
hydrogen fuel from
biomass "ati
9 August 2005 g
6
Conditions (cont'd )
■ Single point of access to site
from SW Frontage Rd off
Prospect Rd (no traffic signal
currently)
■ Development of interchange
requires that additional
improvements be made,
estimated to cost $15 million
• Southwest "quadrant" of =
interchange currently for sale
by City, zoned Commercial
----
9 August 2005 7
7
Planning scenarios
• Scenarios show range of use
intensities while maximizing
opportunities for reaching
community goals and maintaining
OS characteristics 3 II
• How does building massing
(including size and number of
structures) affect visual quality of
site?
• Scenarios are NOT site plans
and do not specify uses
9 August 2005 8
8
Scenario 1 — "Restoration"
■ Buildings removed,
usable material recovered
■ Some areas re-contoured
■ Restoration of short-grass -
prairie
9 August 2005 9
9
Scenario 1
(Concept, from north 1-25)
I
t -
9 August 2005 10
10
Scenario 1
(Concept, from south 1-25)
�JpT �' yybu.✓' �.. yM' � �` ./ .M�r u�b+�. .hwm....iYr.Mw+ y,
9 August 2005 11
11
Scenario 2 — "Low-Intervention"
■ Continuation of current
uses
■ Building space and
agricultural fields leased
as opportunity arises -
x
t�
9 August 2005 12
12
Scenario 2
(Concept, from north 1-25)
44
1
9 August 2005 13
13
Scenario 2
(Concept, from south 1-25)
9 August 2005 14
14
Scenario 3 — "Medium-Intensity
Use"
■ Maximize use of existing
infrastru
cture
■ Develop modest amount of _
new infrastructure,
clustered around existing =y=.
buildings
• Natural area gradient and .
small-scale restoration
9 August 2005 15
15
Scenario 3
(Concept, from north 1-25)
i
IAIIIYY �
9 August 2005 16
16
Scenario 3
(Concept, from south 1-25)
9 August 2005 17
17
Scenario 4 — "Higher-intensity
Use"
■ Considers commercial
development of northern-most
portion of site along SW
Frontage Rd g.--
■ How might site contribute toM.
interchange upgrades? _ --
rSt
9 August 2005 18
18
Scenario 4
(Concept, from north 1-25)
lig
_ .
a
9 August 2005 19
19
Scenario 4
(Concept, from south 1-25)
9 August 2005 20
20
How might scenarios accomplish
city-wide goals?
Scenario Nat Areas, OS, Env Quality, Economic
Viewsheds, Solid Waste Vitality
Separators Reduction
1: Restoration 0 El
2: Low Intervention �. �.
3: Reuse & Moderate ❑.
Activity
4: Reuse & Moderate �.
Development
Key to Ratings
❑=No it Does Not
91=Somewhat
■=Yes it Could
9 August 2005 21
21
Frontline BioEnergy
■ Assumed occupancy of portion
of office / shop building in mid-
April per lease approved in
March 2005
■ Frontline is researching the m`
conversion of biomass (chipped
tree branches) to hydrogen for
use in fuel cells
■ Prototype gas cleaning
technologies are currently
being constructed and tested
on site
9 August 2005 22
22
Next steps
■ Master planning process to
detail management of site
for long term
Potential recruitment of
key resource recovery-
related operations .
n Components of plan (e.g.,
leasing of existing space)
will likely require NRAB
guidance and Council
approval
9 August 2005 23
23
ATTACHMENT 2
Ya
I
dckL' 333
a. Access Road To
_ '. Boxelder Sanitation .: ('if- of Foil ('ollins
Y District Water
Treatment Facility
Commercial > -. SITE LOCATION
Interchange
qq *� AND CONTEXT
Area
r '"4 Colorado
' Visitor :b n,: LEGEND
r.4 - Center
l ~' C_v�12 Resource Recovery Farm Site
Hydrology
4111111111 1-25
'f Future Rest r= Commercial Interchange Area
Area Sim '....,._.__._.._- .. - DNR lands
t , s
1`� Source: Cary of Fort Collin GIS,DNR,
_ • i o0Aaaoc alas
June
un
one2005
i
Gravel Mining and Truck Weigh Station
g Restoration Amu
l Boxelder Sanitation .
i District Water
i, Treatment Facility
Ii
.y� i•
e,' .tvli k�
Feet
RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM CONCEPTS
ATTACHMENT 3
+ CURRENT
€ jM. CONDITIONS
r
LEGEND
I°a Resource Recovery Farm Site
Hydrology
Vie. 'f 1-25
Farmhouse Irrigation Ditch
(1,900 sq.ft.) Migrant
Electric Line
i Migrant House �y
M'§ (1,100 sq.ft.) 1
ZONING
•� R Commercial
"L } North Shop .d Employment
F Garage ' (3,000 sq.ft.) - Pabllo open Lands
(600 sq.ft.) t R er Conservation
Sludge Tanks(2) , t 1}° x NATURAL FEATURES
Shed (700 sq.ft.) 45'Diameter t Y` a genr weNand
N t o Upland Plains Shmbland
iT Riparian Forest
wet Meadow
I... Office/Shop `
(7,600 sq.ft.) t Fearce; ay a Fon Collins GIS,IINR,
OaF fir ,I—/ Clan en msenmes
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o Composting Building
m (70,000 sq.ft.)
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RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM CONCEPTS
ATTACHMENT 4
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SCENARIO 1
4 .
LEGEND
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Resource Recovery Farm Site
_ Hydrology
2' 1-25
Natural Habitats
a Nk ! ri Irrigation Ditch
J_ Electric Line
T { ! I 1 SITE LJ HE AREAS
_ 3
< \ " Natural Features Buffer Area IN)
Natural v:th Nafve Gross.,(NG)
pjjl dddddd1 - v T s ! j Natural and Regraded(NR)
1
Structure Removal(SR)
�" r3 Removed Structures
rY \
m^'
DEVELOPMENT STAN DARo3
100 Electric Line Easement
245 126 Buffer
n5 125 BuHer
Natural Features Buffer
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i lune 2005
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RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM CONCEPTS
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City of Cart Collins
�A SCENARIO 2
LEGEND
a r eio Resource Recovery Farm Site
Hydrology
g1-25
Se s^ "'9 Natural Hobitots
ai r Irrigation Ditch
Electric Line
SITE USE AREAS
Agrculture(A)
� Light lndustrol/Research Will
Imo. (LI/R()1
Natural Features Buffer Area(N)
A I Viewshed(V)
1 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R
4:
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ef I ,A ; �• I \ I Y t I a', 1_ _p 245 25 Buffer
�' I l 725 uff 25 guff.
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June 2005
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RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM CONCEPTS
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N SCENARIO 3
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- � LEGEND
6 ' # Resource Recovery Farm Site
n�-
A Hydrology
1-25
Natural Habitats
f 'f Irrigation Ditch
/� ; Electric Line
V { SITE USE AREAS u/R
3� 1. Agncultere(A)
A 1 r n Agriculture/Accessory Shuct(AS)
Light Industrial/Research(LI/R)
Light Industrial/Research lnfill
(LI/R(1))
;I Natural Features Buffer Area(N)
+ A
ti 1 I
Exsting Structures
,( •I { Possible New Development
LI/RIl 1 4 rY I
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
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245'1-25 Buffer
1 1 f 1 [ 725'I-25 Buffer
Natural Features Buffer
{ LI/R(1)
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Sourm: City FW Collin GIS,DNR,
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RESOURCE RECOVERY FARM CONCEPTS
0tv of I Olt Collins
I•.� SCENARIO 4
3 LEGEND
-,' ° R Resource Recovery Farm Site
6 '
Hydrology
1-25
Natural Habitats
b i
Irrigation Ditch
A f Electric Line
n +'r i V
1
SITE USE AREAS
u/R °
L r � � ® Agriculture(A)
® Agriculture/Accessory Stract.(AS)
s A Commerc'aI Area(CA)
Light Industrial/Research(LI/R)
I
m f
Light Industrial/Research Infll
r-.
e LI RI
Q Natural Features Buffer Area(N)
�. ti( A i, 4 �1 t V ewshed(V)
If �y Existing Structures
Possible New Development
s (
a' DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
100'Electric Line Easement
1 ,4. A 1 L_; 245 I-25 Buffer
3
725'I-25 Buffer
'y, _,�� I:--- Natural Features Buffer
n� 1
,t Souru: Cityo(Fo,t Collins GIS,DNR,
Chin—Asmdmea
June 2005
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