HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/12/2009 - DRAFT SOUND STANDARDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINME DATE: May 12, 2009 WORK SESSION ITEM
STAFF: Ted Shepard FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Draft Sound Standards for the Downtown Entertainment District.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The primary purpose of this work session is to update Council on the progress to date regarding the
Draft Sound Standards for the Downtown Entertainment District. This item was presented to
Council at a work session in April 2007. Since there is a new Council, and with new information,
a progress report is in order.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council have any questions regarding the basic direction of the project?
2. Does Council agree with the work plan that includes continued public outreach and data
gathering over the course of the outdoor concert season?
3. Does Council have any concerns about the long term vesting provision for concert venues
whose maximum permissible sound levels have been properly calibrated, tested and
approved?
BACKGROUND
1. Summary of the 2007 work session
In April 2007, Council provided the following direction:
• Council indicated general support for the concept and boundary of the Downtown Cultural
District(now referred to as the Downtown Entertainment District).
• Council expressed that staff needs to understand the social and behavioral response to sound
levels in addition to the science behind the noise levels and methods of measurement.
• Council directed that special events(New West Fest,Farmer's Market,Taste of Fort Collins)
should be regulated differently than permanent concert venues.
• Council emphasized that in addition to maximum allowable sound decibels,concert venues
should consider performance-based mitigation measures such as building orientation,sound
walls and hours of operation.
May 12, 2009 Page 2
2. New Name—"Downtown Entertainment District"
The purpose of mapping a geographic boundary is to place a physical limit on where a concert venue
that seeks the higher decibels afforded by the draft Sound Ordinance could locate. The old name,
"Downtown Cultural District," implied that all manner of cultural activities and special events
(including Beet Street) would take advantage of the increased sound levels afforded by the draft
Sound Ordinance. This is not the case.
Since April 2007, it became evident that there are only two possible concert venues that would
invest in the necessary technology to undertake the commissioning process that would result in
being allowed the higher decibels. This process involves implementation of a precisely calibrated,
electronic sound monitoring system. If properly commissioned, a concert venue then earns the
status of being "qualified." These are:
• the Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) site at the northwest corner of West
Mountain Avenue and Mason Street;
• Bohemian Foundation's Oxbow site at the southeast corner of Linden Street and
Buckingham Street.
Staff could not find any other cultural facilities or special events interested in becoming a qualified
project. It is more accurate, therefore, to refer to the area as an "Entertainment" district versus a
"Cultural" district.
3. Boundaries of the Downtown Entertainment District
The boundary of the District has not changed since 2007. It is not as large as the DDA district. For
example,the District does not include Wal-Mart. Note that the easterly boundary is First Street and
the westerly boundary is Howes Street. The Downtown Entertainment District is a working draft
and has not yet been formally adopted by the Planning and Zoning Board or the City Council.
4. Draft Ordinance/Resolution—Legal Review Pending
The draft Ordinance contains the parameters of the allowable sound levels per zone district per day
of the week. This section also addresses the review and submittal process,monitoring and reporting
and enforcement and fines. This will be in Ordinance form.
The Resolution is the technical manual which defines the methodology of how a qualified project
can be properly commissioned and approved so that the maximum permissible operating levels at
the receiving property line are not exceeded. This will be in Resolution form.
5. Planning and Zoning Board Work session—January 9, 2009
Staff briefed the Planning and Zoning Board at its work session on January 9, 2009. After this
briefing,the City Attorneys' Office indicated that further legal review would be necessary and asked
staff to delay any further public outreach efforts until authorized to proceed. As of this writing,the
latest draft is circulating between the attorneys representing the DDA and the Bohemian Foundation
and the City awaits their comments. Upon receipt of these comments, the City Attorneys' Office
May 12, 2009 Page 3
will review the draft and then authorize the public outreach team to begin the citizen participation
process. A public outreach team is in place.
6. Ordinance History
The maximum allowable decibels per zone district, divided between day-time (higher) and night-
time (lower), was adopted in 1981. In 1997, the City Manager directed that noise ordinance
enforcement be updated. In 1998,the City Manager assigned meter-based noise enforcement to the
Health and Safety Division. (The primary catalyst for the update was the complaints of clanging
steel pipes from the Bredero Price Pipe Factory which, at that time, was located in the County but
impacted the Parkwood East and Parkwood neighborhoods.)
In 2001, Chapter 20, Article II was significantly updated:
• Enforcement procedures were enhanced and clarified;
• New zone districts were added to reflect the new zone districts created by City Plan;
• Day-time noise limits were extended from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The main point here is to acknowledge that the maximum allowable decibels, on a per zone district
basis have not changed since 1981.
7. Key Policy Issue
As of today,the maximum allowable sound level in 12 residential zone districts,between 8:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m. is 50 decibels (dB A). The draft Sound Ordinance proposes, at this time, that
maximum sound level at a residential zone receiving property line be raised to 70 decibels up to
10:30 p.m. during the week and 11:00 p.m. on weekends. It is important to note that these higher
levels would only be allowed in conjunction with a qualified concert venue located within the
Downtown Entertainment District.
While there seems to be a degree of consensus that 50 decibels may be too low,the question remains
as to the appropriateness of 70 decibels. Is 70 decibels too low,just about right or too high? Our
team endeavors to address this issue.
8. The Long Term Vesting Issue
Before a concert venue is allowed to operate,the sound system must be tested and calibrated so that
maximum permissible sound levels have been measured. Any sound levels that exceed this
maximum are then electronically captured by the sound monitoring software. This is known as the
commissioning process. Reports are then forwarded to the City to determine compliance.
The working draft includes a provision that once a concert venue is properly commissioned, then
the maximum permissible sound levels would be vested for an extended period of time. This time
frame has not been determined yet but could range from 15 to 25 years.
May 12, 2009 Page 4
The venue operators have indicated that long term vesting of the sound system is important for
establishing a viable business model, obtaining financing and the ability to book acts in advance.
A predictable working operation depends on the regulatory framework being consistently applied,
but only if the sound system does not change.
Council needs to be aware that long term vesting of the maximum permissible sound levels is a
provision in the draft Ordinance. As proposed, if Council desires in the future to adjust the
maximum permissible sound levels after a concert venue has been commissioned, then the new
levels would apply only to any subsequent concert venue and the original venue would be
grandfathered-in.
9. Work Plan
As we approach the outdoor concert season, staff is evaluating the logistics of gathering data from
such concert venues as Old Town Square, Farmer's Market/Civic Center Park, and special events
such as Taste of Fort Collins. We anticipate that such data will contribute to our understanding of
various sound pressures levels in real time under a variety of conditions. Until we have an accurate
and understandable set of data that people can experience,we will not be able to make an informed
recommendation on allowing increased decibels for qualified projects.
10. Sound Demonstration
The Bohemian Foundation has conducted a series of neighborhood meetings with the Buckingham
neighborhood. From these meetings, the idea of conducting a sound demonstration on the Oxbow
property has been raised.
All parties agree that a sound demonstration would be valuable. We are in continual discussions
with DDA and Bohemian Foundation on establishing the proper logistics and methodology. We
are asking that the acoustical consultants for the City, DDA and Bohemian Foundation collaborate
to establish a practical and useful methodology by which to evaluate the sound pressure levels
(decibels) associated with outdoor amplified music.
At this time, the demonstration has not been scheduled. We plan to continue the discussion of
setting up a valid and useful sound demonstration in conjunction with the DDA and Bohemian
Foundation. In the mean time,we plan on gathering data from live outdoor performance during the
upcoming concert season.
11. Internal Outreach
Since January 9, 2009,we have met and will continue to confer with the following internal groups:
• Zoning Department
• Neighborhood Resources Department and Code Enforcement Officers
• Neighborhood Task Force
• Police Services—District One
May 12, 2009 Page 5
12. Public Outreach
The public outreach team is prepared to ask for public input on both the establishment of the
proposed Downtown Entertainment District and the Draft Sound Ordinance. The outreach strategy
includes:
• Meeting directly with affected neighborhoods.
• Preparing a press release and packet for the media, including a fact sheet and a frequently
asked questions document with appropriate graphics.
• Meeting with leadership groups such as the Chamber of Commerce,Convention and Visitors
Bureau, UniverCity Connections, Downtown Business Association and the Downtown
Development Authority Board and other interested groups.
• Providing user-friendly web access under"Your Voice."
13. Buckingham Neighborhood
We have begun a dialogue with the Buckingham Neighborhood and we have attended the last two
neighborhood meetings sponsored by the Bohemian Foundation. A recent Coloradoan opinion
column by Ms.Betty Aragon-Mitotes is attached(Attachment 2). The neighborhood representatives
are well-informed and raise valid concerns. We acknowledge the fact that Buckingham is across
First Street from the Oxbow site. We plan on continuing these outreach efforts. The participation
of the Buckingham is ongoing component as this project moves forward.
14. Post Event Enforcement
Both the Buckingham Neighborhood and Police Services—District One have raised the concern of
crowd control outside the venue. The venue operators have committed, in principle, to providing
resources to the City to assist in crowd control measures. The level of participation,whether in-kind
or financial, or any combination thereof, has not been finalized.
15. Status of the Two Proposed Concert Venues
Within the last few months,both the DDA and the Bohemian Foundation have announced that their
respective projects are officially on hold. Both organizations have indicated that due to current
economic conditions, development applications for the two concert venues will not be forthcoming
in the near term. While the two concert venues have not been abandoned, neither DDA nor
Bohemian Foundation has indicated when their projects will be resurrected.
16. Schedule
Staff is continuing to work on the Ordinance/Resolution. As mentioned, the Draft Ordinance is
undergoing legal review. Upon receiving authorization to proceed, the schedule is as follows:
May 12, 2009 Page 6
May:
• Complete the legal review for public outreach purposes.
• Brief the Planning and Zoning Board at its May 15, 2009 work session.
May- June:
• Create "Frequently Asked Questions"with DDA and Bohemian Foundation
• Continue to work with the consultants to educate the team on acoustic principles and
sound metering.
• Begin public outreach.
• Establish the logistics and methodology of the sound demonstration.
• Brief the Planning and Zoning Board at its June 12, 2009 work session.
May — September:
• Gather data from live, outdoor, amplified music.
• Brief the Planning and Zoning Board at its July 10, 2009 work session.
• Continue public outreach and media contacts.
May— September:
• Council work session—May 12, 2009.
• Continue to gather and analyze the data.
• Revise Ordinance accordingly.
• Tentative Planning and Zoning Board consideration of Ordinance— September.
December:
• Council work session - December 8, 2009.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Summary from April 24, 2007 work session.
2. A recent Coloradoan opinion column by Ms. Betty Aragon-Mitotes.
3. Notes from January 14, 2009 Neighborhood Meeting, conducted by the Bohemian
Foundation.
4. Powerpoint presentation.
5. Map of proposed DDA and Bohemian concert venues.
ATTACHMENT 1"
Commuitity Planning and Environmental S_rvices
Current Planning
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City of Fort Collins
MEMORANDUM
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TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
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FROM: Anne Aspen, City Planner
THRU: Darin Afteberry, City Manager_;_
Joe Frank, Interim Director, P.D.T'
Cameron Gloss, Director, Current PIAnning
Ted Shepard, Chief Planner
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DATE: April 25, 2007
RE: Worksession Summary
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This memo is a summary of the April 24, 2007 City Council worksession
regarding the Spring 2007 Land Use Code Update.
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1. Item 763—Create Uses, density and compatibility standards for the
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone.
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Council's direction is that we should proceed with TOD-supportive land use code
changes. Council specifically supports the height-related performance.incentive, I`
if carefully crafted with objective performance standards to achieve policy
objectives we want in exchange for the additional height and if the maximum
allowable height is calibrated to align with the context of the area. is
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Council is interested in standards that are truly functional at attracting and ?
achieving successful transit-oriented developments. Council urged staff to aim
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for very high level of quality with the performance incentive. For example, j
Council suggested removing side parking from the standards, especially in ;
relation to qualifying for the incentive.
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281 North College Avenue • (?O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020
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Council also expressed concern that the neighborhoods and existing business
owners continue to be engaged in all aspects of creating an effective, market-
supported redevelopment district.
Council acknowledges the tight timeline for this initiative and will consider
approving as much as we are able to finalize in June, knowing that some
standards may come at a later date.
2. Item 772—Create Downtown Cultural District Noise Standards.
Downtown Cultural District Noise Boundary: The Council stated its general intent
to support the Downtown Cultural District Noise Standard boundary as proposed.
Specific Council suggestions were made relative to the labeling of venues and
the graphics depicting various elements on the draft map.
Public Outreach Process: The Council deferred giving staff specific direction on
the exact methods to communicate with property owner potentially impacted by
the noise standards. Instead, the Council directed staff to focus on the manner in
which information is exchanged with area residents and owners. It was
acknowledged that the staff needs to understand the social and behavioral
response to noise in addition to the science behind noise levels and methods of
measurement. Information gleaned from the public process would then be folded
into recommendations made to City Council at the time the noise standards
come under official consideration.
Special Events versus On-Going Events/Facilities: There was general consensus
among Councilmembers that special events should be regulated differently than
on-going events/facilities.
Train Horn: Much of the Council comment pertained to on-going train horn noise
violations along the Mason Corridor and the significant negative impact it has on
the downtown. Council directed staff to analyze present state and federal
regulations, and railroad policies related to train horn use and prepare options for
mitigation. Specific comments suggested approaches to reducing train horn
sound levels, including use of different horns and limitations on auto use along
Mason Street when trains are operating.
Emphasis on Mitigation Measures to Reduce Sound:ln addition to the maximum
noise levels, Council directed staff to consider performance-based mitigation
measures aimed at reducing noise impacts. Suggestions were made about the
use of facility orientation, sound walls, and hours of operations as potential
methods.
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Item 772 Create New Noise Standards Pertaining to the Downtown Cultural
District
Problem Statement: .
The City's noise ordinance is not well-suited to the development of downtown
Fort Collins as a cultural center nor is it consistent with noise standards applied
by the Federal government as well as some states and municipalities.
In many instances, existing noise levels do not comply with the present
ordinance. Background noise associated with train horns, industrial operations,
truck and vehicle traffic, and other street activities violate the standards on a
regular basis. Many successful downtown events, such as New West Fest, Tour
de Fat, Sustainability Fair, and open air performances at the Oak Street Plaza,
Justice Center and Lincoln Center, which operate under a special event permit,
are also non-compliant.
Under the present standards, music—offered at all the outdoor events above—is
further penalized by a five decibel reduction, going as low as 55 decibels at the
boundary of non-residential properties and 50 decibels at the boundary of
residential properties. For comparison purposes, the following normal, everyday
activities all exceed the 50 decibel level: television noise, conversation, interior
office noise and dogs barking. In addition, most Federal noise standards
(including those adopted by HUD for residential uses) utilize a more reasonable
day-night average in measuring noise.
There are many projects and programs envisioned for the downtown, in addition
to the existing events, which further the mission for downtown as a cultural
center, including the Beet Street concept, which could be jeopardized unless
more realistic standards for noise impacts associated with downtown events and
projects is created.
Proposed Solution Overview.-
Create an opportunity for slightly higher noise levels associated with certain
public and/or non-profit activities within the Downtown area with cultural, musical
and educational value provided that mitigation efforts are employed.
The proposed change departs from the standard "nuisance-type" regulations
toward a more performance-based analysis of sound generating uses and
activities.
Code Change:
3.4.4 Noise and Vibration
(A) General Standard The proposed land uses and activities shall be
conducted so that any noise generated on the property will not violate the
noise regulations contained in the City' s Noise Control Ordinance
( Chapter 20 , Article II of the City Code ) , and so that any vibration created
by the use of the property will be imperceptible without instruments at any
point along the property line . Noise generated by emergency vehicles and
airplanes are exempted from the requirements of this provision .
( B) Downtown Cultural District Standards. In the Downtown Cultural
District area shown in Figure I , the requirements of paragraph A shall be
met to the maximum extent feasible , but under no circumstance shall
noise levels exceed XX dBA at the property line or YY Ldn equivalent of
the noise generating property within said area . This exception from the
general standard is available only for publicly sponsored or supported
events , or events sponsored or supported by bonafide non-profit
organizations . Techniques shall be implemented to reach compliance with
the general standard to the maximum extent feasible , utilizing , by way of
example, and not limited to the follpW pg
1 .` Noise attenuating' structures , including , but not limited toinialls
berms , landscaping or same combination ;
2 ., Facility placement anc grientation ;
3 . Other acoustic desi n 'techni ' ues aimed areducing
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'g � q � t redd ucing Horse ldvels ,
4. Limited hours, of opei anon.
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ATTACHMENT 2
TOPIC : PROJECT ON HOLD FOR NOW
Music venue concerns ne hors
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On Feb. 6, the front %,. levels would be measured
page of the Coloradoan at the nearest receiving
read, "Plans for,2 down- property line. In other
town music venues ,-, words, it's not the noise
shelved." A!'890t1 that's produced from the
My concern is with the "' Soapbox site but the noise that is -4
music venue proposed by heard at the houses that is
the Bohemian Foundation _ measured'. .
for the Oxbow, property, -: ' Because decibel levels '
ad directly across T .
the street are` difficult to understand,
from Buckingham; our prime real estate. Many of the city has agreed to a
small neighborhood of 80 us are concerned about sound demonstration.
homes. The original pro- losing our identity, and we We're looking forward to
posal was for, an ."open-air worry about what might_ that demonstration, and e
theater, but the most become of our neighborhood. we appreciate the city
recent plans are fora : As the Feb. 6` article understandm 1& value g
closed venue; similar to pointed out, the Bohemian in getting all of the stake
the Lincoln Center, only Foundation is keeping its holders - The
roughly twice as big:;There Oxbow property,with an Buckingham G:
would be an outside ter- eye toward moving for . Neighborhood, Pat Stryker
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race where amplified ward with a music venue . '. and the Bohemian
music would be performed, sometime in the future. `' Foundation, the Planning
The Buckingham neigh- The Oxbow site is part of and Zoning Board, City
borhood has a rich and what became designated Council and city planners
proud heritage, but we've last November .as, the to understand what our , '
had our share of pam Downtown Cultural neighborhood is really
that comes with discrimi- District which is roughly being asked to endure in 1
nation. At the beginiung of a square that extends terms of noise. Without the
the last century; from the Lincoln• Center to sound demonstration, f
Buckingham provided New Belgium. There is a there is no way of knowing. s
housing;;for people work- draft city ordinance that Sound is only one con- s:<
ing in the sugar beet would allow potential sideration. Parking and
. fields. Predominantly a music venues inside of the crowd control also will
Hispanic neighborhood, DCD, once they met cer- impact the neighborhood.
along with Andersoriville taro criteria, to raise the While there are other com ;d ..
and Alta Vista, we were allowed noise level from 50 munities that have such b
known as Tres' Colonias, to 70 decibels in residen music venues near neigh-
but to, many in the city;w-e tial areas until 10 or 10 : 30 borhoods; we have yet to
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were the barrio. Our p.m. , depending on the day be shown a music venue of t<
neighborhood vas thought of the week. this magruttude that is
of as "the other` side of the Additionally,, 60 decibels dire�CtIY ac oss the street
' tracks.",Our homes cur i)would be allowed for 1 %2 r6Mf ' neighborhood1. .' dl;:
rentl com rise some of ,,, ` '
sours after performances
Y p W p 0°� a "-1 of the oc
the least-affordable hous � , to allow for the crowd to iis3ti s Ibelieve that `this
ing neighborhoods in Fort �y, the site, for tractor ,music�venue will, probably P�
Collins. trailer diesel trucks to run not be compatible with our u
Ironically, now that Old and pack up and for gener- neighborhood. tt
Town is booming, people al cleanup. An important fc
are starting to see component of the noise Betty Aragon lives in the Buckingham
Buckingham as some ordinance is that sound neighborhood of Fort. Collins.
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ATTACHMENT 3
B ❑ H E M I A N
F ❑ U N D A T 1 O N
January 27, 2009
Ted Shepard
P.O. Box 580
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
Dear Ted:
Thank you for joining us at El Burrito on January 141h for our 4`' neighborhood meeting. We appreciated
the opportunity to bring you up-do-date on our plans to build a music center at the Oxbow site.
Notes from the meeting are attached. Here are a few key points from our discussion:
• While we are still considering various outdoor elements, we will not be pursuing a large outdoor
seating component as part of the design for the center.
• The main music space will be fully enclosed, with walls on all sides and a roof on top.
• Because our main music space will have fewer seats, there will be fewer people coming to the site
for performances, meaning less traffic and lower demand for parking.
• Outdoor elements we are still considering will be on a smaller scale and include openings off the
lobby, openings off a small indoor music space,and places on the site for art as it relates to music
and small outdoor concerts such as music at lunchtime.
We thank you for your feedback on the preliminary site diagram and will take it into account as our
design work moves forward. We may not be able to address every concern about the music project, but
hope the decision to not have the main music space open to the outdoors demonstrates that we are
listening and intend to be a good neighbor.
At our neighborhood meeting last October,the community asked that we provide updates when we have
something new and important to share. Our design team has a great deal of work to do, and it may be
several months before we have another update for you. In the meantime, if you have questions or
comments, we welcome them via email at: music n,bohemianfoundation.or¢or through regular mail at
our address listed below. Thanks again for meeting with us and we look forward to our continuing
dialogue.
Best regards,
Merry Hummell
Bohemian Foundation
1 03 WEST MOUNTAIN AVENUE, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO BO 524
T970.4B2.4642 F970.492.6139 WWW.BOHEM IAN FOUNOATION.ORG
BHA Design Incorporated MEETING MINUTES
1603 Oakridge Drive
Fort Collins', CO 80525
voice: 9.70.223.7577
fax: 970.223.1827
The Oxbow Music Project
ATTENDEES: MEETING DATE:
January 14, 2009
PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: Neighborhood Meeting to
BHA Design announce removal of large outdoor
seating space, present concept
diagram and answer questions from
attendees
COMMENTS:
Is there a .timeline established for construction?
Not really. We are restarting this process, and will be
establishing a new timeline.
What is the size of the small venue?
This is being designed as d flexible space with standing room
of up to 500 people. Outdoors we envision a small deck space
with doors opening to the outside where people can go catch
some fresh air. We think. the outside space will be a little
larger than the size of the Lincoln Center Terrace but with the
same type of character.
Parking_ - will you be able to block people from parking in our
neighborhood?
We will take measures to address this during design,
incorporating things such as a landscape buffer to deter
people from parking in the. neighborhood. We feel the
orientation of the building, location of parking and sidewalks
also help to accomplish this. We believe the city will require us
to have an operational plan that will help deter people from
parking in the neighborhood.
With the two proposed walkways into Buckingham Park: I am
concerned about people walking that way to enter the
building, and the resulting proximity of crowds to our
landscape architecture I planning I urban design
neighborhood.
Wehear`you..,.We will continue to .discuss fhese..options. with
youfo address this -concern_ and"will work with th,e .neighbors in
future meetings to reach 'a coriclusion. (Different opinions
were offered by neighbors with some people really liking the
walkways options and others not).
I appreciate the music not being pumped outside. I still don't
feel this is the place for this venue. I envision open space or
affordable housing going on this property. Is there still
acoustic or loud music being pumped outside at the small
space? The parking at Matrix, does it truly accommodate 2500
seats? For example, with the Tour de Fat there is a huge
negative impact of crowds of people, resulting in
bottlenecking.
The site is zoned by the city for a use such as this.
The large outdoor seating space, which was planned for
approximately 2000 people is now gone and we will work to
buffer the neighborhood from the other, smaller, outdoor
gathering spaces which we are still working on. We envision
some acoustic music outside, and some amplified. We will work
to locate these elements to the west side of the building,
which takes small, _outdoor performances as for as possible
away from the neighborhood.. We. plan. to have a strategy to
keep parking awayf.rom .your r)e.ighborhood and. keep traffic
moving away from_ you.
I'm concerned ab,o.ut. gentrification. Also. I'm still .concerned
about a`ny amplified music being opened up. outdoors.
We are listening to, your concerns, noting them, and will be
trying our best to address the project related concerns we can
manage.
This looks like a good design. I'd like to see the path that
connects to Buckingham Park not appear as amain entrance
into the site. How many" to be seated in the large venue, small
venue, and how much parking will be required to
accommodate? Will you be providing sidewalks?
We envision roughly 2000-2250 in the main music space. In the
small space, (which is being designed to be a highly flexible
space) there could be between100 to at most 500 (standing
room) . We could possibly have multiple events going on at the
same time We don"t know yet about parking. The City
`regulates-that there be a m% aximum of one1 . sp'ac.e 'f'or every
- three seats in the venue. We are'situated right along .the, bike
path, `and will-b'e "en c-ouragin'g 'dlt`ernative transportation: We
plan to provide bike parking and are also exploring
landscape architecture I planning I urban design
alternatives such as a looped trolley to downtown parking
st"ructures''for 's'us'talna.ble parking solutions.,.Yes we :Will .be
providing sidewalks and also lmp.roving. con:d"itlons,;alon.g First
Will the older trees along" Fir`s't Street be repIac-ed?
We will meet with the City forester, and he will determine
which trees should go away. We will mitigate for the loss of
any trees, and in addition will be adding new trees ,and
landscaping to this area.
Will-there be a median along First Street,' and a buffer for
parking? Will the tree boundary between the park and the
facility remain? I would like to see it more contiguous, and
have a free flow between the park'and music facility. Then it
could feel like one big park. Could the city look at a median
along First, and landscaping to make it a more beautiful
venue.
These are all great comments and are duly noted.
Do you still need a change to the sound ordinance here if
you're 'no Vonger doing' the' outdoor" seating space?'.
While we do not think any sound Ievels .oufside will be that
Loud, we still support the change t"o the;ordinanc.e;_for, creating
a" more "vibrant -dbvwntown' area `cYrid supporting the overall
good of economic vitality for the crfy of Fort Collins.
Will there"be' any other type`'of "buffer fot'sound at `#he."small
venue? We're still'talking 70db at the"receiving' prop.erty lin.e.
We will, do everything we can to buffer sound and by planning
on placing the outdoor elements to the West'of the building,
we expect that the building itself will be a significant sound
barrier. The Cultural District encompasses all of the downtown
area, but we are here tonight to discuss the Oxbow site-The
City will, have"a separate Land Use Code outreach process to
discuss the sound levels and the proposed district.
Why doesn't the building shift towards Linden Street?
We will push it as close as possible, yet also provide the
amenity of park space between the building and Linden, which
must still function properly. The .site has. ma re1.strictio.n,s,
including ahe river etc. Additionally, we,fe.el if,w.e, put t.00
much open space on th;e neighborhood side,.,i,t encourages
more 'traffit and ':more 'p 1.eopJe to c.ongr.egate :there.. .By',placing
the b'ullding toward is' street, It he,l.p.s,,t.o pr.otect_th.e .
neighborhood.
landscape architecture I planning I urban design t
It will .be difficult to get People to come from,1-25 to your site.
I like this plan being presented, it's a great addition, but take
the time; t;o; get,logistics: ,w.ork•ed,,ou.t ,ri,g•ht
Duly..noted; th:a.nk y,ou ,for t,h.is com;ment. ;.
Are .you working with ahe City for. the placement of... sidewalks?
We will be submitting a site plan to the City indicating
sidewalks.
Are you still running as a non-profit organization?
Yes, we are planning to operate the center as a non profit
organization with a focus on. sharing the gifts of music .with the
community.
.Would you be offering free tickets to Buckingham"
neighborhood residents?
No promises, but we think we can figure something out.
Will the large semi trucks be left outside running for long
periods of time?
This is an operational issue yet to be addressed, but we're
aware of this potential issue. .We will offer.additional design
details .as we get further along.
Will there be scheduling available for events other than
music?
We envision this to be an. active, destination type site, .being
used in .the daytime as,wellCa.s, evening. At present.,w;e:are still
programming specific activities that would occur: ,
I feel community events and programs would be great,
including daytime activities for children.
Duly noted, and we will be talking about this.
Could the small venue be used for local banquets or
weddings?
Full programming details have yet to be worked out, but we
envision events with a focus on music and/or in support of the
community, such as breakfast meetings, non profit functions or
similar; probably not weddings.
Thank you for being communicative. New Belgium doesn't
really respond to our concerns, so thank you. Do you intend to
continue this listening to us after `the facility is built?
We don' t want you to be unhappy after the center is built. Our
intentions are to continually be good listeners and
communicators. Perhaps quarterly meetings as a
landscape architecture planning I urban design
neighborhood would be in order to maintain communication.
In regards to the r'unnin`g' semi 'trudks I'hdv`e�n't noticed the
smells of diesels left rurini`ng- whi'le; making 'd'e'I'iveries 'at-My
restaurant.
Thank you, we will continue to address this at future meetings.
I for one do have sensitivity to these types of smells (trucks
left running), especially in winter.
Comment is noted and we'll follow up.
The small .space could be seating up to 500, plus 2000 people
in the large space? Is this a realistic number? This is the first
time I've heard that there .was to be 2000 inside and another
2000 outside, making 4000 total in the-large venue alone..
The small venue capacity will vary, depending on the type of
use, such as table seating or standing space, but up to 500
people standing is the current projected capacity for this
space. We don' t recall specifically saying any exact numbers
in total for the large venue. We will review past notes, and we
apologize for any miscommunication that might have
occurred. (NOTE from Bohemian: we reviewed previous
meeting minutes and found t_he. following information stated at
the May '07 meeting:
QUESTION "About how many seats will there be ?"
ANSWER: "We ha-ve not yet det'e'rm:ined capacity; but: we
are estimating 1 ,500' to 2,000 indoor-:seats plus a':ye.t to be
determined number of outdoor Fawn seating. ")
It will probably be a few months before our next neighborhood
meeting. Thank you for coming tonight, and for offering your
comments and concerns.
landscape architecture planning urban design
ATTACHMENT
Draft Sound Standards
Downtown
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Ordinance History:
• 1981 - Chapter 20 - Article II - City Code
• Established Sound Limit per Zone per Day / Night
• Updated in 2001
• Enforcement Procedures Enhanced
• Introduced Sound Meter Enforcement
Ci'y of
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2007 Worksession Summary
• Support for the concept of the D.E.D.
• Acknowledge Social and Behavioral
Response to Sound
• Not Applicable to Special Events
(New West Fest)
• Consider All Sound Mitigation Techniques —
Not Just Decibels
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Draft Ordinance:
• Performance Based
• Objective Criteria
Existing Ordinance:
• Nuisance Based
• Unreasonable Noise
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Applicable To:
• Qualified Venues Only
• Must be in the D.E.D.
• Venue must be Commissioned
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Venue must meet 5 of 8 Criteria
Derived From:
• City Plan
• Downtown Strategic Plan
• Downtown Development Authority Plan
• D.D.A. Beet Street Purpose Statement
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Does Not Apply to Special Events:
• New West Fest
• Old Town Square Civic Center Park
• Oak Street Plaza Farmers Market
• Sustainability Fair
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A Qualified Project Must
• Comprehensive Acoustic Report
• Commissioned per Technical Manual
• Approval Prior to C.O.
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•Monitoring and Reporting is
Automatic
•System of Enforcement and Fines
•Cannot Apply for a Special Event
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