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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/05/2011 - RESOLUTION 2011-054 NAMING THREE ALLEYS WITHIN THEDATE: July 5, 2011 STAFF: Ted Shepard AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 20 SUBJECT Resolution 2011-054 Naming Three Alleys Within the Block Bounded by South College Avenue, West Laurel Street, South Mason Street and West Olive Street. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is preparing a capital improvement project to enhance three alleys in the block bounded by South College, West Laurel, South Mason and West Olive. In conjunction with this project, the City of Fort Collins is preparing to name these three alleys. The three proposed names are “John Coltrane Alley,” “Ella Fitzgerald Alley” and “Billie Holiday Alley.” The selection of these three names is based on a public outreach process that resulted in a winning theme of eclectic music and art. If approved, the alley naming will simplify way-finding for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, delivery personnel and emergency responders. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Downtown Development Authority is continuing its alley improvement program for the 2011 construction season. Similar previous efforts resulted in improved alleys that are attractive, brighter, safer and more heavily traveled. Providing names for these alleys helps the public navigate the City’s urban area and contributes to an overall sense of direction. Naming these alleys is consistent with past practice: Trimble Court, Tenney Court, Old Firehouse Alley, and Montezuma Fuller Alley. Review of the request to name these three alleys has followed the Current Planning Department’s procedures for street naming. Since the alleys fall below the classification of arterial and collector streets, the names do not need to be derived from the approved list of names established by City Code Section 24-91. All directly affected property owners were notified, as well as surrounding property owners. The Poudre Fire Authority and all affected utilities, City departments, and various mapping agencies were notified. All respondents indicated that there are no problems or concerns with the proposed names. The public outreach and name selection process included meetings and mailings with surrounding property owners beginning with a public meeting on March 30, 2011. Participants were first asked to prioritize a theme. Four themes were offered. These themes and their final rank order in the voting, were eclectic music and art, trains, Colorado State University, and history. The process is explained more completely in the Public Outreach section below. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS There are no negative financial impacts to City of Fort Collins as the cost of installing new street signs will be borne by DDA’s capital project fund. The overall economic health of the City will be enhanced with improved alleys that will benefit the safety and mobility of business owners, employees, customers and the general public. Maintenance of the alleys will be similar to that for the other improved downtown alleys, and funded through the existing contract between the DDA and the City of Fort Collins Parks Department. These improvements may provide a catalyst for private property owners to re-invest and upgrade their properties. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The environmental impacts are positive. Enhanced alleys will improve drainage, encourage multi-modal travel, and add landscaping. Overall aesthetics will be significantly increased, thus deterring the accumulation of trash and litter. July 5, 2011 -2- ITEM 20 STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The DDA Board of Directors’ recommendation/direction was to allow the stakeholders (property owners, business owners, and tenants) to make the decision, and to facilitate the selection through an open house meeting, several letters announcing themes and names, various other contacts, and finally, by a voting process. PUBLIC OUTREACH The public outreach and name selection process consisted of a kick-off public meeting on March 30, 2011 which established four themes as a method for narrowing down the options. A variety of names were suggested for each theme. These themes, and their final rank order in the voting were: eclectic music and art, trains, Colorado State University, and history. This was followed by numerous contacts with the surrounding property owners and included a mail-in survey to 55 stakeholders. Survey results were eclectic music and art - 7 votes, trains - 4 votes, Colorado State University - 4 votes, and history - 1vote, and resulted in the winning theme and three names. Finally, a mailing to affected property and business owners within approximately 800 feet of the subject alleys was sent to inform them about the proposed Resolution on the July 5, 2011 City Council agenda.. RESOLUTION 2011-054 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS NAMING THREE ALLEYS WITHIN THE BLOCK BOUNDED BY SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE, WEST LAUREL STREET, SOUTH MASON STREET AND WEST OLIVE STREET WHEREAS, following extensive public outreach and the favorable recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority, City staff has brought to the City Council for its consideration the naming of three alleys within the block bounded by South College Avenue, West Laurel Street, South Mason Street and West Olive Street; and WHEREAS, the naming of the alleys within this block does not implicate the requirements of Section 24-91 of the City Code pertaining to the naming of collector and arterial streets because the alleys do not qualify as collector or arterial streets; and WHEREAS, the Downtown Development Authority has proposed that the alleys in this block be named on the basis of eclectic music and art and that, accordingly, the alleys be named “John Coltrane Alley”, “Ella Fitzgerald Alley” and “Billie Holiday Alley”; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the naming of the alleys in this block as above-provided is in the best interests of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the alleys within the block bounded by South College Avenue, West Laurel Street, South Mason Street and West Olive Street be named “John Coltrane Alley”, “Ella Fitzgerald Alley” and “Billie Holiday Alley” as more particularly shown on the map attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as Exhibit “A”. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 5th day of July, A.D. 2011. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk EXHIBIT A