HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/05/2006 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 191, 2006, AMENDING ITEM NUMBER: 13
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: December5, 2006
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: John Stokes
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 191, 2006, Amending Chapter 23, Article IX of the City Code to
Allow More Site-Specific Regulation of Certain Activities in Natural Areas.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Natural Areas Program will officially begin managing Gateway Park on January 1, 2007. Two
minor City Code changes are proposed to facilitate the transfer.
BACKGROUND
City Council's proposed budget for 2007 shifts management responsibility for Gateway Park from
the Parks Department to the Natural Areas Program. To prepare for the transfer, staff is proposing
two minor changes to the City Code. These changes will allow the City to manage Gateway as a
natural area in alignment with natural area standards. One change clarifies the definition of what
constitutes a"group event" that may require a reservation to use a site. The other change clarifies
that balls and flying discs may be thrown in areas that are signed for such use.
ORDINANCE NO, 191 , 2006
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 23 , ARTICLE IX OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS TO ALLOW MORE SITE- SPECIFIC
REGULATION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN NATURAL AREAS
WHEREAS , in 1999, the City Council adopted Ordinance No . 027, 1999, enacting certain
requirements and regulations related to the use by the general public of the City ' s Natural Areas
which are codified in Chapter 23 , Article IX of the City Code ; and
WHEREAS , Chapter 23 , Article IX of the City Code has subsequently been updated to
address and clarify points of concern related to use by the general public of the City ' s Natural Areas;
and
WHEREAS , in preparing the City' s budget for 2007, staff has determined it is in the best
interest of the City to convert Gateway Park to a natural area to be managed by the Natural Areas
Program effective January 1 , 2007 ; and
WHEREAS , two minor amendments to Chapter 23 , Article IX of the City Code are
necessary to allow the Natural Areas Program to manage Gateway Natural Area in a manner
consistent with the public uses contemplated for that Natural Area; and
WHEREAS , the City Council has determined that the amendments proposed by City staff
will allow the management of Gateway Natural Area to align with the Natural Areas Program
standards, and will also allow the Natural Areas Program to make site-specific decisions regarding
the management of certain limited activities in natural areas generally as appropriate .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows :
Section 1 . That Section 23 - 192 ofthe Code ofthe City ofFort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows :
Sec. 23 - 192 . Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Article, shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:
Group event shall mean an event such as an athletic event, class, fair, or
festival, or other activity, ' that is planned or reasonably expected to
include fifteen ( 15 ) or more persons, that will include activities other than those
expressly authorized in a particular location, such as picnicking in a posted picnic
area, and that is reasonably expected to :
( 1 ) include fifteen ( f 5 ) or more persons ;
(-21 ) Obstruct, delay or interfere with the normal use of any natural area or any
trails, viewing stations or other facilities located therein;
(12) Present a risk of negative impact to animal or plant life, or the ecology of any
natural area; or
(43 ) Constitute an event or other special event as the same are defined in § 23 . 5 -2,
in which event any applicable requirements of Chapter 23 . 5 shall also apply.
Section 2 . That Section 23 - 193 (a) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended by the deletion of subparagraph (6) and all subsequent subparagraphs to be renumbered
accordingly as follows :
Sec. 23 -193. Prohibited acts ; permits .
(a) It shall be unlawful to :
o( 6) Rick, hit or throw a flying disc , ball or Onto or over a natrral
area, except within a fenced area designated and posted to allow dogs
ff--
leash .
Section 3 . That Section 23 - 193 (b) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended by the addition of a new subparagraph (6) which reads in its entirety as follows :
(b) Unless a sign has been posted by the Service Area that the particular natural
area or a portion thereof is open for such use, it shall be unlawful to :
(6) Kick, hit or throw a flying disc , ball or boomerang in, onto or over a natural
area, except within a fenced area designated and posted to allow dogs off-
leash.
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 5th day of
December, A.D . 2006, and to be presented for final passage on the 19th day of December, A.D .
2006 ,
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 19th day of December, A.D . 2006 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
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