HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/12/2013 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAYDATE: February 12, 2013
STAFF: Karen Cumbo, Laurie Kadrich,
Megan Bolin
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 4
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Planned Development Overlay District Pilot.
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 024, 2013, Amending the Land Use Code by the Addition of a Temporary
Planned Development Overlay Zone District.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 025, 2013, Amending the Land Use Code to Add or Clarify Certain “General
Standards” and “Purpose” Statements Related to the Planned Overlay Development District.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD) is a new zoning tool designed to provide contextual land use and
design flexibility for infill development and redevelopment projects. Since it is new and unique, a pilot is being
proposed as a way to test the PDOD prior to considering permanent adoption. The pilot would establish a six-month
application period allowing up to five application submittals; only projects within the PDOD pilot boundary would have
the option to apply. Based on public outreach, the PDOD pilot boundary has been modified since originally proposed
to include commercial areas along College Avenue, east Mulberry, and west Elizabeth. Properties within 1,000 feet
of the Poudre River or that are within a designated historic district have been removed from the pilot.
Ordinance No. 025, 2013 makes several amendments to Article 3 of the Land Use Code (LUC). These amendments
are directly related to the PDOD, but would be permanent amendments to the LUC and thus require a separate
Ordinance.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Development of a flexible zoning tool for infill development and redevelopment is listed as a “near-term action” in the
2011 City Plan update and was a priority project in the Planning and Zoning Board’s 2011 work program. Staff has
worked closely with stakeholders and the Planning and Zoning Board throughout 2011-2012 to assess the challenges
associated with infill/redevelopment in terms of the existing Land Use Code (LUC) and review process. Based on
these discussions, staff has crafted the Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD), a new regulatory approach
that offers performance-based development flexibility.
What is the PDOD?
The Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD) is intended to provide an alternative to conventional land
development regulations and permit a creative, holistic approach that takes the context of surrounding development
into consideration. It blends the planning concept of Planned Unit Developments (also known as “PUDs”) with
performance-based zoning to provide flexibility to infill development or redevelopment projects challenged by existing
site constraints. A unique aspect of the PDOD is how it infuses the principles of City Plan into private sector
development using a performance matrix. The matrix is a menu of site and building considerations that encourage
an applicant to think beyond minimum LUC regulations and incorporate the community’s broad sustainability goals
into the project. Additional detail about the purpose of the PDOD and how it is designed can be found in Attachment
1.
Pilot Details
Until spring 2012, the intention was to consider adopting the PDOD permanently as a new, optional zoning overlay.
However, because the PDOD is a new and unique tool for Fort Collins in terms of regulating infill/redevelopment
projects, staff is proposing that it first be tested on a temporary basis as a pilot. The benefits of pursuing the pilot
include the following:
• Allows for real-life project test-cases that will provide staff and stakeholders the opportunity to make a valuable
evaluation of the review process.
February 12, 2013 -2- ITEM 4
• Provides time to consider any necessary changes to the PDOD that would improve it.
• Determines whether the PDOD is a viable tool for infill/redevelopment.
Adopting the pilot Ordinance allows for temporary implementation of the PDOD. Projects that are within the defined
boundary area would have six months to submit a Detailed Development Plan (DDP - the PDOD equivalent to a
Project Development Plan). The ability to submit a DDP would end after the six month period and, at that point, the
focus would be on completing the review process for those projects and evaluating whether the PDOD process worked
as intended. Six months was chosen because it is a reasonable timeframe for eligible projects to submit but, at the
same time, is restrictive enough that the City would not be overwhelmed with PDOD projects. Furthermore, the pilot
limits the number of applications accepted within the six month pilot. Only five DDP applications will be accepted, and
the Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director has the ability to no longer accept applications if
staff’s capacity to adequately review the projects is reached.
Additional highlights of the Ordinance include:
• Establishes the option for City Council to extend the pilot should there be an insufficient number of projects
submitted to properly evaluate the PDOD.
• Commits staff to report to City Council after the pilot projects are evaluated on the effectiveness of the PDOD.
Pilot Evaluation
The primary purpose of pursuing the pilot would be to evaluate whether the PDOD is functioning as intended, and staff
is proposing to create a task force of stakeholders to meet and evaluate all PDOD pilot projects. While a specific time
period of six months is proposed for up to five DDP applications, the evaluation period will not have a specific end date
primarily because it is unknown how long it will take projects to complete the review process. However, staff will
commit to providing a preliminary report to City Council by first quarter 2014. The task force will work with staff to
collect as much information as necessary to draw reasonable conclusions about the viability of the PDOD. If
necessary, the task force will make recommendations for ways to improve PDOD and would report to City Council.
Evaluation of the PDOD pilot would be inclusive of those applicants who choose the PDOD and those who do not.
It will be valuable to understand what reasons, if any, eligible PDOD projects choose the standard review process.
For those projects that do choose the PDOD, evaluation would include quantitative and qualitative data from the
perspective of staff, P&Z, the applicant, and residents/affected property owners. A list of potential evaluation questions
is provided in Attachment 2. These questions will be further refined with the task force.
In summary, key features of the proposed PDOD pilot include:
• Only projects within the boundary can apply.
• Up to five Detailed Development Plan (Project Development Plan equivalent) submittals will be accepted
during the six-month pilot period.
• The term of vested rights upon approval of a Detailed Development Plan (Final Plan equivalent) would be 3
years, which is the same term as any standard development.
• While some flexibility is afforded for certain Sections of Article 3 (General Development Standards), three
specific Sections must be complied with in their entirety:
N 3.4.1 Natural Habitat and Features
N 3.4.7 Historic and Cultural Resources
N 3.6.2 Streets, Streetscapes, Alleys, and Easements
• PDOD projects do not have to comply with Article 4 (Districts).
• In addition to compliance with Article 3 standards, PDOD projects must achieve a total of 45 points within 4
out of 7 categories on the performance matrix.
• The modification of standards process will not apply to PDOD projects.
• City Council could extend the pilot if an insufficient number of projects submit during the six-month application
period.
Pilot Boundary
Prior to the proposed pilot, the PDOD was originally intended to apply to any project within a specified boundary area
(the original boundary was drawn to be consistent with the City’s targeted infill and redevelopment areas and the
February 12, 2013 -3- ITEM 4
Transit Oriented Development Overlay); additionally, it allowed for properties outside the boundary to “opt-in” provided
certain site criteria was met.
During public outreach meetings, concerns were raised by some over certain areas that were included in the originally
proposed PDOD boundary. Specific concerns include the potential negative impacts on historic resources, established
residential neighborhoods, and the Poudre River. Although PDOD projects are required to meet the majority of
existing standards, it is unknown how the flexibility provided in terms of land use and dimensional regulations, e.g.,
height, setbacks, would affect the project itself and surrounding properties. The primary intent of the pilot is to allow
for real projects to use the PDOD to examine whether these concerns are justified. Thus, certain areas specifically
raised as concerns are proposed to be removed from the pilot, and the “opt-in” feature would not be offered.
The following areas would be excluded from the Pilot:
• The Laurel School Historic District
• The Old Town Historic District
• Neighborhood Conservation Medium Density Zone District
• Neighborhood Conservation Buffer Zone District
• 1,000 feet on both sides of the Poudre River; and
• Properties owned by the State of Colorado and Colorado State Research Foundation located south of
Prospect Road and west of South College Avenue.
While this limited boundary is proposed for the pilot, the evaluation will explore whether this tool should be expanded
to other areas of Fort Collins. See Attachment 3 for a map of the proposed PDOD pilot boundary.
Ordinance Amending Article 3 “General Standards”
Ordinance No. 025, 2013, amends several Sections of Article 3 of the Land Use Code (LUC). These amendments
are directly related to the PDOD, but would be permanent amendments and thus require a separate Ordinance. The
PDOD provides some flexibility from existing Article 3 standards by requiring that only the “General Standards” of
certain Sections apply. Upon close examination of Article 3, staff found that not all Sections have a “General
Standard”. Therefore, to provide consistency and also to create the proper development standards for potential PDOD
projects, the amendments in this Ordinance create “General Standards” where they were missing, and make some
revisions to existing “General Standards” for clarification purposes.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The purpose of the PDOD is to reduce barriers for infill and redevelopment projects, which directly implements
Economic Health Policy 4.2 from City Plan. Additionally, the performance matrix provides the opportunity for the
economic benefits of a project to be considered; this is unique and not something that existing development review
can take into consideration.
Concern was raised during public outreach that complying with the PDOD (specifically, the performance matrix) may
add cost to a development project. While it is true that the performance matrix rewards projects for going beyond
minimum LUC standards, it is very difficult to provide an accurate analysis of costs for a PDOD project because of the
trade-offs and variety of options an applicant has to comply with the performance matrix. Financial impact is
something the pilot will evaluate to determine whether the concerns raised are justified.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Implementing the PDOD pilot would facilitate infill development and redevelopment projects throughout the boundary
area, which may or may not have environmental issues to address. Article 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code, Natural
Habitats and Features, must be complied with in its entirety, which maintains existing environmental protections from
development activity. Additionally, the performance matrix provides the opportunity to reward projects that go beyond
code minimums in terms of environmental protections and green/sustainable building/site design; this is a unique
feature of PDOD that the existing development review process does not consider.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
February 12, 2013 -4- ITEM 4
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on First Reading.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On June 21, 2012, the Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend that Council adopt both
Ordinances (Attachment 4). In terms of the boundary for the PDOD pilot, the Board recommends removing the
following from the boundary area:
• Laurel School Historic District
• Neighborhood Conservation Medium Density (NCM) zoned land
• Neighborhood Conservation Buffer (NCB) zoned land
• Properties owned by the State of Colorado and Colorado Research Foundation at Prospect and College.
At its June 13, 2012, meeting, the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) voted unanimously to recommend that
Council adopt the PDOD Pilot (Attachment 5). With regard to the boundary, the LPC recommends removing the
following from the boundary area:
• Laurel School Historic District
• Old Town Historic District
• Neighborhood Conservation Medium Density (NCM) zoned land
• Neighborhood Conservation Buffer (NCB) zoned land
• Properties owned by the State of Colorado and Colorado Research Foundation at Prospect and College
• Properties within a 1,000 foot buffer of the Poudre River
On June 20, 2012, the Economic Advisory Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Council adopt the
PDOD Pilot (Attachment 6). With regard to the boundary, the Commission recommends maintaining the boundary
as originally proposed by staff.
At its meeting on May 16, 2012, the Transportation Board voted unanimously to recommend the PDOD Pilot. At the
time of this meeting, boundary revisions were not being considered; therefore, the Transportation Board did not have
the opportunity to make a recommendation regarding changes to the boundary (Attachment 7).
On May 21, 2012, the Air Quality Advisory Board voted 5-1 (one member abstained) to recommend the PDOD Pilot.
Like the Transportation Board, boundary revisions were not being considered at the time of this meeting; therefore,
the Board did not have the opportunity to make a recommendation regarding changes to the boundary (Attachment
8).
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Over the past year, input has been solicited on the PDOD from a variety of stakeholder groups. General sentiments
of support and concerns are summarized below. Note that whether an item reflects support or concern may vary
depending on the perspective of the stakeholder.
Support
• Does not restrict land use to the underlying zoning.
• Provides flexibility from prescriptive, metric standards.
• Allows the context of sites to be taken into consideration during design.
• Considers and rewards projects that incorporate public benefits or go beyond code minimums.
• Removes the need to apply for separate modifications of standards or an addition of a permitted use.
• Encourages infill development and redevelopment in targeted areas.
• Provides developers the option to meet with P&Z prior to submitting an application.
Concerns
• Reduces predictability in terms of land use.
• Relies on subjective verses metric interpretations of development standards.
February 12, 2013 -5- ITEM 4
• Requires all projects to be processed as a Type 2 (Planning and Zoning Board) review.
• Mandates that projects go beyond minimum standards and include public benefits which may add cost.
• Diminishes the effectiveness of existing regulations, e.g., historic preservation or river buffers, by providing
a flexible application of other development standards.
• Developers can “game” the point system on the performance matrix.
A public open house was held on May 7, 2012 in order to solicit input on the PDOD and introduce the pilot concept.
A summary of comments received is included in Attachment 9.
Additionally, the following stakeholders were consulted in the development of the PDOD:
• City Council
• Planning and Zoning Board
• Developers/Brokers via the Urban Renewal Authority luncheon
• South Fort Collins Business Association
• Landmark Preservation Commission
• Air Quality Advisory Board
• Local Planning Consultants
• Climate Wise Business Partners
• Natural Resources Advisory Board
• Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Affairs Committee
• Fort Collins Board of Realtors
• Transportation Board
• Save the Poudre, see letter to City leaders (Attachment 10)
• North Fort Collins Business Association
• Economic Advisory Commission
• City staff
ATTACHMENTS
1. Detailed PDOD Background Information
2. PDOD Pilot Evaluation Questions
3. PDOD Pilot Boundary Map
4. Planning and Zoning Board minutes, June 21, 2012
5. Landmark Preservation Commission minutes, June 13, 2012
6. Economic Advisory Commission minutes, June 20, 2012
7. Transportation Board minutes, May 16, 2012
8. Air Quality Advisory Board minutes, May 21, 2012
9. Public Meeting Feedback, May 7, 2012
10. Save the Poudre letter, June 5, 2012
11. City Council Work Session Summary, June 14, 2011
12. City Council Work Session Summary, January 31, 2012
13. Powerpoint presentation
ATTACHMENT 1
Planned Development Overlay District – Overview
February 2013
1
Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD)
Problem Statement
The prescriptive nature of the Land Use Code (LUC) routinely hinders infill development and/or
redevelopment. As Fort Collins matures in its development pattern and shifts from greenfield
(previously undeveloped sites) to infill development, unique and more frequent design
challenges are presented that require greater innovation and flexibility to achieve desirable, high-
quality projects.
Why is PDOD Needed?
The Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD) originated from the desire to provide an
alternative, flexible development review process for infill development and redevelopment.
Infill and redevelopment projects tend to be more complex than greenfield projects due to unique
engineering and design challenges created by existing infrastructure, buildings, and an
established neighborhood context. While a prescriptive LUC works well for greenfield sites,
often times infill/redevelopment projects simply can not meet quantitative standards because of
existing site conditions. The Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) has recognized the need for
flexibility for some time, as evidenced by the Board’s 2011 work plan item, which states: “The
Board believes a flexible zoning tool would be useful in ensuring that Fort Collins continues to
develop in a high quality fashion while addressing the various issues and interests related to infill
development that presents unique challenges.” City Council also recognized the need for
flexibility and adopted policy EH 4.2 in City Plan which speaks to the need to develop a new,
flexible tool for infill/redevelopment.
What is the PDOD?
The PDOD would be a new overlay zone district within the LUC that would provide an
alternative to conventional land development and permit a creative, holistic approach that takes
the context of surrounding development into consideration. The PDOD blends the planning
concept of Planned Unit Developments (also known as “PUDs”) with performance-based zoning,
and emphasizes collaboration between applicants, affected property owners, neighbors and City
staff during development review processing.
This tool would be most effective in infill/redevelopment areas that are challenged by existing
site constraints such as irregular lot shape or size, topography, and/or context. The PDOD
boundary was drawn to include areas previously identified as targeted infill and redevelopment
areas in City Plan, as well as the area defined as the Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
overlay because of its emphasis on creating a more urban and less auto-oriented environment
along the spine of the city. For the pilot, an applicant within the PDOD boundary would have
the option to use the PDOD process; the pilot period would be six months long, and up to five
Detailed Development Plan (the PDOD Project Development Plan equivalent) applications
would be accepted.
How is the PDOD Different?
There are several characteristics of the PDOD that set it apart from standard LUC development
review.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planned Development Overlay District – Overview
February 2013
2
Development Standards
One difference is the design flexibility afforded to PDOD development. Design flexibility is
sometimes needed for infill/redevelopment due to pre-existing conditions, such as existing
infrastructure, buildings, and neighborhood context. In some cases, it can be next to impossible
to fit a new project into a well established area; and certainly more difficult than to “start fresh”
on a greenfield site.
Currently, projects must comply with Article 4, Districts, which regulates permitted uses, and
Article 3, General Development Standards. Article 4 contains the majority of the prescriptive,
metric/dimensional standards that can create challenges for infill/redevelopment because no
consideration is given for the context or constraints of a site. In order to provide maximum
design flexibility, PDOD projects would be exempt from complying with Article 4 standards.
Article 3 covers all of the basic elements of development and provides standards for
considerations such as site planning and design, buildings, environment, natural areas, and
transportation, among others. Within each of the Article 3 Sections is a “General Standard”,
typically followed by more prescriptive standards that specify exactly how to meet the “General
Standard”.
The following is an example of an Article 3 “General Standard” and prescriptive standard from
Section 3.5.2, Residential Building Standards:
General Standard: Development projects containing residential buildings shall place a
high priority on buildings’ entryways and their relationship to the street. Pedestrian
usability shall be prioritized over vehicular usability. Buildings shall include human
scaled elements, architectural articulation and, in projects containing more than one
building, design variation.
Prescriptive Standard: A minimum lot width of 50 feet shall be required for any single-
family detached dwelling if the garage and/or driveway is served by access from the
abutting street, unless such lot also adjoins an alley or is located at the corner of two
public streets.
PDOD projects will be required to comply with Article 3; however, to provide additional design
flexibility, projects will only need to comply with the “General Standard” of certain Sections.
Specific Sections to be complied with in their entirety include:
3.4.7 Historic and Cultural Resources;
3.4.1 Natural Habitats and Features; and
3.6.2 Streets, Streetscapes, and Alleyways.
A unique aspect of the PDOD is how it would infuse the principles of City Plan into private
sector development. In addition to meeting the “General Standards” in Article 3, PDOD projects
must achieve at least 45 points in 4 out of 7 categories on a performance matrix. The matrix was
modeled after several examples of similar tools being used in other communities and
ATTACHMENT 1
Planned Development Overlay District – Overview
February 2013
3
sustainability-focused organizations. It is designed to provide a quantifiable aspect of PDOD
projects to supplement the broad, qualitative “General Standards”.
The matrix is a menu of site and building features/techniques that would requires applicants to
incorporate public benefits into their project. It is divided into seven categories that mirror the
seven components of City Plan. The following describes the general concepts for
encouragement for each category:
Culture, Parks and Recreation – public art, historic preservation, recreation opportunities
Economic Health – job creation, targeted redevelopment
Environmental Health – energy efficiency, natural resource protection/conservation
High Performing Community – civic engagement, participation in City programs
Livability – mixed-use, building form/design
Safety and Wellness – community gardens, floodplain and fire safety
Transportation – connectivity, multi-modal options, parking
Each item within the categories is weighted depending on its value in terms of accomplishing the
goals of City Plan. Items that are less valuable may receive 1 or 2 points; more valuable items
may receive 2 or 4 points. Within each category is a blank criterion that is designed to reward
applicant innovation or outstanding performance. The applicant innovation component is
intended to acknowledge that staff, at the time of the PDOD pilot, could not possibly have
included every potential design/process technique that provides a benefit to the community. As
such, the blank criterion was created to allow the applicant to be creative and incorporate
something new/different than what is available to choose from within the matrix. Furthermore,
points may be rewarded for outstanding performance. This component is intended to provide
extra points for an applicant that goes above and beyond within a particular category; for
example, an applicant that provides all residential units to low income households could gain an
extra 8 points for outstanding performance in terms of providing affordable housing.
Land Use
An additional distinction of the PDOD is that applicants would have flexibility in the land uses
they include in their project. There are currently 25 distinct zone districts, each with a list of
permitted uses. PDOD projects would be able to include any use that is allowed within the
underlying zone district where it is located, but would also be able to include uses that are
permitted in other zone districts throughout the city. This is not intended to allow for any use
anywhere; uses not expressly permitted by the underlying zone district must meet additional
criteria to be added by PDOD projects to ensure it is designed and/or mitigated appropriately.
Review Process
A final variation that distinguishes the PDOD relates to the review process. PDOD projects
would have a similar, yet separate process with different names for each of the plan types. The
PDOD plan types would be called a Detailed Development Plan and Complete Development
Plan. The table below shows how the nomenclature compares:
ATTACHMENT 1
Planned Development Overlay District – Overview
February 2013
4
Table 1: Comparison of Plan Type Nomenclature
PDOD All Other Districts
Detailed Development Plan Project Development Plan
Complete Development Plan Final Plan
There are several steps in the current review process for each plan type. Generally, those steps
include:
1. Conceptual Review/Preliminary Design Review
2. Neighborhood Meeting
3. Application Submittal
4. Type 1 Review (decision-maker is a hearing officer) or Type 2 Review (decision-maker
is P&Z)
PDOD projects would not be subject to any additional review steps other than what is already
required; however, these projects would have the option to participate in a pre-application
informational session with the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z). The optional session with
P&Z would provide the applicant the opportunity to present basic concepts of the project and
receive feedback from the Board. This is modeled after the existing pre-application hearing that
applicants can have with City Council for certain development applications. The intent is to
provide the applicant with preliminary feedback about the project in hopes of identifying any
major concerns that can be addressed before the formal submittal.
Another difference is that all PDOD projects would be processed as Type 2 reviews, meaning
that P&Z would decide whether or not to approve the project. Type 2 reviews are typically
reserved for more complex development projects, and staff anticipates that infill development
and redevelopment projects using PDOD would benefit from this level of review.
ATTACHMENT 2
1
Planned Development Overlay District Pilot – Evaluation Questions
For all eligible PDOD applicants within the six-month pilot:
1. How did you first hear about PDOD?
2. Based in Fort Collins?
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Are you or your client interested in trying PDOD? If not, please explain.
5. If PDOD isn’t appropriate for this project, could you see you pursuing it for a different
project?
6. What seems most appealing about PDOD?
7. What seems most concerning?
For submitted PDOD pilot projects:
1. What is the gross acreage of the site?
2. What is the total square footage of building space proposed?
3. What is the floor area ratio (FAR)?
4. What uses are being considered?
5. How tall is the building(s) being proposed (measured in feet)?
6. What are the characteristics of the site that make it challenging to develop?
7. Describe the surrounding development/context of the site.
8. What modifications of standards would be required for this project if the standard review
process was used?
9. Which matrix items are sought and how many points are anticipated?
10. How long did the development review process take from Detailed Development Plan
(DDP) submittal to public hearing?
a. If there were unanticipated delays, describe the causes.
11. Did the project take advantage of the pre-submittal meeting with P&Z? Why or why not?
12. Did the project add land uses not otherwise permitted by the underlying zoning?
13. Was it challenging to apply Article 3 to the project, e.g. were there significant
discrepancies in how the developer and staff interpreted compliance with a general
standard?
For affected property owners:
1. Did you have an opportunity to provide feedback on the project at the neighborhood
meeting?
2. Do you feel that your feedback was taken into consideration by staff or the developer and
incorporated into the project?
3. Do you think the project will be a benefit or detriment to the neighborhood? Please
explain.
4. If applicable, did you attend the pre-submittal meeting with P&Z and voice your
feedback on the project?
5. What, if anything, would you like to change about the project?
ATTACHMENT 2
2
For staff:
1. What worked well?
2. What were the most challenging aspects of reviewing a PDOD project?
3. Did you feel you had greater leverage/flexibility to negotiate with the applicant?
4. What, if anything, would you change about the PDOD review process?
5. Was it challenging to agree on the interpretation of matrix points and general standard
compliance?
6. Was reviewing a PDOD project easier or harder than standard development review?
Please explain.
For PDOD applicants:
1. Were you satisfied with the PDOD? Please explain why or why not.
2. What were the biggest challenges?
3. What worked well?
4. Did PDOD save time and/or money?
5. Would you use PDOD again or recommend it to another developer? Why or why not?
6. What would you change/improve about the process?
For the Planning and Zoning Board:
1. If the applicant participated in the pre-submittal meeting with P&Z, did you find that
opportunity helpful to give feedback to the applicant?
2. What were the most challenging aspects of reviewing a PDOD project?
3. What worked well?
4. Was it challenging to implement PDOD development standards (Article 3 and the
Performance Matrix)?
5. Did you receive more, less, or the same amount of input from adjacent property owners?
6. Would you change anything to help in your decision-making process?
INTERSTATE 25
S SHIELDS ST
E VINE DR
S TAFT HILL RD
S COLLEGE AVE
S TIMBERLINE RD
E PROSPECT RD
E DRAKE RD
E HORSETOOTH RD
N SHIELDS ST
N TAFT HILL RD
W DRAKE RD
LAPORTE AVE
ZIEGLER RD
E HARMONY RD
RIVERSIDE AVE
W HARMONY RD
W MULBERRY ST
N COLLEGE AVE
N LEMAY AVE
W HORSETOOTH RD
W VINE DR
KECHTER RD
MOUNTAIN VISTA DR
S LEMAY AVE
Planned Development Overlay District - Pilot Boundary
Major Streets
Planned Development Overlay District Pilot Boundary O
1 inch = 3,250 feet
ATTACHMENT 3
ATTACHMENT 3
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 4
Member Campana said the enrollment seems quite small compared to a typical charter school. He
thinks because this is a commercial site and the roads have been designed to handle the traffic, it’s
far better than having the school embedded in a neighborhood.
Member Schmidt made a motion that the Planning & Zoning Board approve Mountain Sage
Community School, 2170 W. Drake Rd, SPAR, #SPA120004 based on findings of facts and
conclusions on page 6 of the staff report. Member Campana seconded the motion. The
motion passed 7:0
_______
Project: Planned Development Overlay District Pilot with Related LUC
Amendments
Project Description: The Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) is asked to make a recommendation
to City Council regarding an Ordinance to adopt the Planned Development
Overlay District (PDOD) pilot. The pilot would establish a six-month
application period providing developers the option to use the PDOD. The
PDOD is a new zoning tool designed to provide contextual land use and
design flexibility for infill development and redevelopment projects. Since it
is new and unique, the pilot is being proposed as a way to test the PDOD
prior to considering adopting it on a permanent basis. Concerns have been
raised during recent public outreach, however, regarding the boundary area
for the PDOD pilot. As a result, several boundary options are being
presented to P&Z in order to provide a recommendation to City Council.
A second Ordinance is also presented for a recommendation which would
make several amendments to Article 3 of the Land Use Code (LUC). These
amendments are directly related to the PDOD, but would be permanent
amendments and thus require a separate Ordinance. The PDOD provides
some flexibility from existing Article 3 standards by requiring that only the
“General Standards” of certain Sections apply. Upon close examination of
Article 3, staff found that not all Sections have a “General Standard”.
Therefore, to provide consistency and also to create the proper development
standards for potential PDOD projects, the amendments create “General
Standards” where they were missing, and make some revisions to existing
“General Standards” for clarification purposes.
Recommendation: Approval
Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence
City Planner Megan Bolin said the prescriptive nature of the LUC hinders infill development and
redevelopment. As Fort Collins matures in its development pattern and shifts from greenfield to
infill, unique and more frequent design challenges are presented that require greater innovation
and flexibility to achieve desirable, high-quality projects. She said the challenges were: policy
which encourages infill/redevelopment, reality that infill/redevelopment is challenging, and the
existing LUC. Bolin said the solution may be PDOD (Planned Development Overlay District) which
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 5
is an optional zoning overlay. It provides design and land use flexibility and is performance based.
PDOD will have several differences from the current process. Those differences are primarily in
land use, the review process, and development standards and she provided a comparison of
current practices to PDOD. Bolin said with PDOD, all of Land Use Code Article 3, General
Standards would apply, although some are given flexibility by only having to comply with the
“General Standard” of certain Sections. only some sections apply. Most sections apply in entirety
including natural habitat, historic and streets/alleys.
In addition to Article 3, the Performance Matrix quantifies sustainable principles and offers a points-
based menu of items in seven categories that are aligned with City Plan. The applicant must
achieve 45 points total in at least 4 categories. The matrix rewards public benefits and projects
that go beyond Code minimums.
The pilot allows test-cases which provide an opportunity for evaluation of the system. It provides
time to make improvements and helps us determine how viable PDOD could be as a tool.
Pilot details are:
• 6-month application period to submit Detailed Development Plan (Project Development
Plan equivalent)
• 3-year term of vested rights
• Council has opportunity to extend application period
• Open-ended evaluation period
• Must be within boundary
Bolin reviewed the 7 boundary options:
• Option 1 – Boundary – no change
• Option 2 – No Laurel School Historic District Inclusion
• Option 3 – Includes the entire Laurel School Historic District
• Option 4 – No Historic Districts
• Option 5 – No NCM and NCB Zoned Land
• Option 6 – No CSU Land at Prospect/College
• Option 7 – Remove 1000 feet on either side of the Poudre River
She outlined other board and commission feedback and asked the Planning and Zoning Board to
make a recommendation to City Council on the following items related to the Planned
Development Overlay District (PDOD):
1. Ordinance establishing the pilot. This would provide a six-month application period where
developers within the PDOD boundary can submit PDOD projects;
2. Ordinance adopting several amendments and additions to the “General Standards” within
several Sections of Article 3 of the Land Use Code; and
3. Preferred boundary option.
Board Questions
Chair Smith complimented staff. He thinks they’ve done a great job with the outreach and in
getting so many different stakeholders to weigh in.
Member Schmidt asked if we’re creating a section in Article 4 (Section 4.29) that will be the PDOD
section, that it’s not technically true that PDOD is exempt completely from Article 4– is that correct?
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 6
Bolin said correct, because PDOD is an overlay district, placing it in Article 4 with the other Districts
made the most sense, but that none of the other Sections of Article 4 would apply to PDOD.
Member Schmidt said Bolin mentioned something about the evaluation period being open ended
but will City Council do some sort of evaluation before they consider making PDOD permanent.
Bolin said there is nothing formal in the ordinance as it reads now. Council has an option to extend
the 6 month application period. We do anticipate that staff would bring it forward to City Council.
Public Input
Mark Anderson lives at 704 Mathews. He believes there are many significant problems with this
proposal. He thinks it totally “guts” section 4 which means a person that lives in the PDOD district
could have a 10 story apartment building pop up across the street. He said if you’re in the NCM
zone and it doesn’t allow for a bar; you could take a section of zoning anywhere else and you can
apply that. His second concern is the matrix has some serious logic problems. He said you’re also
allowed as a developer to write in your own test questions. He thinks the scoring is really
subjective. Sometimes you get 2 points, sometimes you get 4. He thinks this opens the city up to
litigation problems
Anderson said his last concern has to do with relying on neighborhood meetings. He’s found that
neighborhood meetings don’t work. Twenty five people might show up for a meeting and they may
feel like they’ve been heard. But really, they are just talking to a city staff person. He said the
problem is people think they’ve been heard so they don’t show up for the planning and zoning
meeting. He thinks there’s a systematic problem with neighborhood meetings.
Bill Jenkins lives at 710 Mathews Street. He’s read some of the materials and from the
presentation he thinks there may be an extra layer added to the process. He said flexibility is not
really defined here—which standards (height, etc). He said it would be interesting if you could
come up with examples of a current project that had gone through PDOD. It’s hard for him to tell
what the real differences are. He thinks there should be some extra time assigned to public input.
He said this looks like a possible way to get around some rules. He likes the option where the
Laurel Historic District is left out.
Lisa Demberg lives at 425 E. Laurel Street. She said it wouldn’t make sense to take the “jewel of
Fort Collins” – old town and other historic districts and put to them into a pilot program in which
nobody quite knows how it’s going to work. There are issues about preserving the character of
those neighborhoods that take a greater understanding. She thinks the other problem to keeping
them in the pilot program is the fact that the Eastside/Westside groups are just starting to be
reconvened. To people participating, it becomes a worthless process if this happens before that
has even gotten underway. It seems like a lot of decisions will be getting made. She thinks it’s
disingenuous to continue with that input because it really won’t matter anymore. She would
encourage the board if they recommend the pilot that they also keep the historic districts out of it.
Steve Mack lives at 420 E. Laurel Street. He said he has properties on both the east and west
sides of College. His concern is boundaries. His concerns relate to that we have two concomitant
processes in the system at the same time. We’re looking at reinitiating Eastside/Westside Study—
looking at the desirable aspects to the two neighborhoods. At the LPC, he recommended they put
forward a proposal to exclude historic districts from PDOD. His concern is with historic district is
why would you have two boundaries—one the Laurel School Historic District and another for
PDOD which overlaps. It allows for the potential to “gut” some of the momentum that the historic
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 7
district is now gaining. If you do go ahead and recommend PDOD with the historic districts
included, it could cause irreparable harm on what is really a pilot project.
Charles Clarke lives at 327 E. Magnolia. He said it seems silly to say we are not weakening the
standards, they aren’t required to use PDOD, and minimums are becoming maximums. He thinks
they are weakening the standards—they are being allowed to pick and choose what they want.
He’d like to know why a developer would use the new “stuff”.
Doree DuFresan lives at 325 E. Olive Street. One of her concerns is that she hadn’t heard of this
before and she lives in an area that would be impacted. One of the aspects of this project
appeared to be public input to the modification of standards. It seems public input has not been
adequately been asked for this process. She’d like to ask the board to consider further public
input.
Nick Haws lives at 2221 Sandbur Drive. He’d like to discuss the boundaries. He thinks the original
boundary was very thoughtful. It took into consideration multiple boundaries that had evolved over
time with the TOD (Transit Oriented District) and targeted infill and redevelopment areas from City
Plan and Fort Collins updates. Perhaps some subtleties such as the floodways, CSU properties,
and splitting a historic district were inadvertently missed. A couple of options that really disturb him
are the NCB and NCM area and particularly the Poudre River. With the underlying Article 3
standards remaining, particularly the natural features area, he doesn’t see how PDOD would offer
any addition jeopardy or compromise to the Poudre River. He thinks an additional 1000 foot buffer
is completely unwarranted when we’re already protected with the underlying Article 3 standards.
He said the downtown river corridor is already particularly a targeted infill redevelopment area.
PDOD further incentivizes and raises the bar to insure what might redevelop there is to the highest
standard. He thinks there are some good points about the historic districts but as he’s
understanding it, all the Article 3 historic preservation standards would still remain in place.
Craig Russell lives at 4524 Skyline Drive. He said this has been an ongoing problem in Fort
Collins—how to accommodate and encourage redevelopment and infill. In 2005 he worked on a
project with the city planning office called Refill Fort Collins. The objective of that was to identify
barriers to redevelopment and infill. This notion is getting toward something he thinks can work for
the city overall. He used an example of a project at the corner of Drake and Lemay that was
developed using the Land Use Guidance System (LDGS). Under that system there was a lot more
creativity and flexibility. It represents how PDOD could really result in some fantastic projects.
End of Public Input
Bolin said she’d like to correct an incorrect perception of the point system on the matrix. It has
always been proposed that a project has to receive a total of 45 points in at least 4 of the 7
categories. Bolin said in the matrix there is a place where you can get points if you have an
eligible historic structure that you are preserving or establishing as a designated landmark. It also
rewards projects that have historic buildings that go through the Landmark Preservation
Commission design review process.
Bolin said in terms of public involvement, an applicant can also receive points if they hold extra
neighborhood meetings or hold a workshop. If that route is taken, they would also provide an
assessment of what the outcomes of those meetings had been.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 8
Chair Smith noted one citizen’s reference to sufficient public outreach. He asked about what type
of neighborhood outreach took place for this process. Bolin said they held a public open house on
May 7 advertised through standard communication processes: the city’s web site, a press release,
and social media (Facebook/Twitter). It was intended to be community wide (beyond the PDOD
boundary).
Member Carpenter asked if in the amount of time this has been going on, it seems like there has
been more than one public meeting. Bolin said not a full open house—there was only the one in
May. Carpenter asked if the other meetings were for stakeholders. Bolin said yes. In the
beginning there were meetings with focus groups.
Member Schmidt asked if there had been any mailings to people who live within the boundary.
Bolin said no there have not been any mail notifications. Member Stockover said that is basically
how government works. We don’t take the entire population of Fort Collins to the capitol building to
make our laws. We rely on citizen participation and our elected officials. Many have been
working on this including the Planning & Zoning Board and City Council, developers, brokers,
South Fort Collins Business Association, Landmark Preservation, Air Quality Advisory Board – and
that’s not even half the list. He said he thinks city staff has reached out. Government doesn’t work
if you have 140,000 people voting on every decision.
Chair Smith said notice under a policy discussion is very different from when a project is proposed.
He asked what the notice requirement is once there is a sign in the yard that something’s going to
happen. Bolin said the notification notice is an 800 foot perimeter around the project.
Bolin said we will be hiring a Development Review Outreach Coordinator –essentially a liaison
who’ll provide that connection between neighbors and affected property owners and the
development process. She said we’ve also established a development review outreach meeting in
which staff works with affected property owners without the applicant present. It’s their opportunity
to talk about the process at different stages of development review. We also have a citizen’s guide
to development review.
Member Schmidt said relative to Mr. Anderson’s comments about the performance matrix 45 points
and then you win; we have tried very hard to show that once you establish the 45 points you’d be
allowed to start using the PDOD system. You’d then have to meet all the standards in Article 3. It
gives you an idea of where you would fit in using that system. She just wants to dispel the myth
that getting 45 points does not require any further effort by the applicant to develop a good project
Member Campana said he’d like to follow up on that. It just sets the stage for the discussion that
staff and the board would have in reviewing it. He said this is a big change for people who haven’t
been involved in the process for as long as the board has. He said three retreats back they
identified infill and redevelopment as a potential challenge moving forward. He said they’ve been
involved in these discussions for several years and have had at least 6 presentations as the policy
has evolved. He said the board does not write the code, staff does-- they advise staff and make
recommendations to City Council. The board then applies it. He said we are pretty well vested in
this process.
Campana said the Land Use Code is pretty prescriptive. It’s good in that you know what to expect
but you could almost end up with the very same development on each corner. Creativity may be
handcuffed at some level. He thinks using the LUC as the basis and then adding PDOD makes a
lot of sense.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 9
Director Kadrich said a citizen testified earlier that if the code has been weakened, why would a
developer want to use it? She said the answer to that is the tradeoff with the matrix. There are
sections of the code, if this is adopted and we move forward, that someone with a PDOD project
would not have to comply. But the matrix then requires additional standards to be met in the hopes
that the community receives a benefit if portions of the code are not followed. She believes that is
what we’re trying to say when we state it does not weaken the code. She said it’s just a different
benefit the community receives for a developer not having to follow all elements of Article 4.
Board Discussion
Member Schmidt said she thinks it is possible to do really great things under the current code
evidence the recent Bucking Horse development but it did require some modifications and some
additions of a permitted use which if PDOD would have been in place, we may have gotten the
same thing without having to go through those extra steps. She said an applicant would be
allowed more creativity and could think outside the box. We’d like to know this is taking us to the
next level so when we’re doing infill; we’re really getting something that meets the needs of the
citizens and the community.
Schmidt said relative to the comment that developers can write their own test questions. She said
we don’t know every new thing that is coming up. We want to leave it open for people to come to
the table and say “x” is a good idea and get some credit for it. She’s glad we’re doing a pilot
project so hopefully citizens will continue to be active and use that time to make comments as to
the process.
Member Carpenter said as relates to public input under PDOD. She was around when we had
LDGS and she would have to say there was really a lot more public input given under LDGS than
under City Plan. One of the reasons we went to more prescriptive was that it also gave developers
a sense of what they could expect/do. She’s hopeful that what will happen with PDOD is that we
get to have more public input. She knows the board and staff will be looking very carefully into
getting the outcome we want. She said it is a pilot project so we’ll have the opportunity to make
adjustments along the way. For that reason she does feel a little uncomfortable about having the
historic district included. She thinks when we start applying to our historic districts we should have
it down pat and know what we’re doing. For that reason she’d feel more comfortable if we pull the
historic districts out.
Member Kirkpatrick said she’s the newest member and was not here at PDOD’s inception. She
can see from a public standpoint how the process can look enormously complicated and a little
subjective. She thinks it’s really important that we are being a little more nuanced in the things that
we’re wanting above and beyond for creativity and flexibility. She also thinks that LUC has not
quite caught up to what has been outlined in our policies. This allows us a tool to bridge what we
as a community have said we want. She agrees with Member Carpenter that Laurel School District
should be excluded from the boundary.
Member Schmidt said she attend the May 7th Open House and some of the neighbors there were
very concerned about PDOD in their neighborhoods. She said since this is a pilot, she’s with the
Landmark Preservation Commission. She thinks we should leave the boundary in the area where
we’d like to see a lot of creativity – maybe the Midtown Corridor and some of North College. She’d
vote for keeping a pretty firm boundary until we see exactly how this is going to work. She would
support the requests from all the groups that asked for exclusions from the PDOD boundary.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 10
Chair Smith said in reviewing Bolin’s June 14th memo there is a statement, “while the PDOD would
adhere to the entire Section of Article 3 that governs Natural Habitats and Features (3.4.1), there is
concern that the flexibility afforded to other standards would put the river at risk. Of particular
concern is the waiving of floor area ratios and density standards contained in Article 4 of the Land
Use Code.” He asked what other types of risks would we be talking about. Bolin said the primary
concerns were density and height. Not having the metrics standards that would be established by
the Article 4 districts was the concern. There is also concern about intense development that could
be perceived as inappropriate.
Chair Smith said so in and of itself density that is restricted now would be seen as being bad for
the river—is that the basis of the risk? Bolin said the concern is if the standards would be applied
differently with PDOD. Director Kadrich said what we’re trying to say is that is what the testimony
was; we are not stating that is a fact. Smith said he’s just trying to get to what staff heard. He
asked if there were any representatives of Save the Poudre present. There were none.
Chair Smith said he doesn’t want to put anyone (stakeholder or staff) on the hot seat. He said we
have a proud history of being data driven.
Smith said he doesn’t want to say it’s “scary” unless we can get to some concrete examples of
what might happen. Then go a little further to evaluate if it’s bad in the context of other things that
might be coming along that are good in a project that no longer has minimums and maximums.
Staff member Lindsay Ex said she was at the meeting when staff met with the Board of Save the
Poudre. She said their concerns related to the river and were like the concerns the Landmark
Preservation Commission had relative to historic preservation. She said there is an uncertainty
with the pilot surrounding the density, the land uses, and the intensity. They supported being
conservative on how it’s applied.
Member Schmidt said if someone wanted to do a project in that corridor they could still use the
current code and ask for modifications or addition of permitted use. They could go through the
process we have now. She said she doesn’t think we’re cutting off potential development in that
corridor. Smith said the Poudre River through town is not a natural state where no development
occurs at all and then all of a sudden we’re going to have “hog rendering facilities on the banks”.
He just wants to get this to a reality check. He said it doesn’t seem to be a scary as it might be for
some folks.
Member Campana asked how we would evaluate a height modification any differently than we’d
evaluate height that would come in on a PDOD project. We’d have the same discussion as a
Board—we’d still have shadow analysis and we’d still look at compatibility. He just doesn’t see the
watering down factor by not having all that criteria in Article 4. We’d still be evaluating it the same
way. It just gives us a broader scope to evaluate.
Bolin said you’d have the ability to evaluate the project based on context with Article 3. She said
the main evaluation tool then is the performance matrix—there are places where you could
increase habitat buffer or planting more native trees, etc.
Member Campana said the risk to a developer is that the board could deny a project using PDOD
without having criteria to deny but with the standard LUC it’s basically check the box. He thinks it
gives the board a lot more flexibility. He said he personally does not any issue with the originally
proposed overlay district.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 11
Member Carpenter asked to view the consolidated options map that Bolin mentioned. She wants to
be sure we don’t hamper being able to evaluate the pilot if we make the area too small. Bolin
reviewed the map. Member Stockover asked if there was copy of the map in the materials
distributed to the Board. Bolin said no. Stockover indicated it appears that it’s showing the
consolidated options 4 – 7 (no historic districts, no NCM and NCB zoned land, no CSU land at
Prospect/College, and remove 1000 feet on either side of the Poudre River).
Chair Smith said if there’s a concern the historic preservation sections in the Municipal and Land
Use Code are not adequate on their own, is this a PDOD issue or should we be revising our
historic preservation standards. Director Kadrich said her understanding comes from the many
hours of conversation with the LPC. They believe their standards are very strong particularly in the
historic districts. What they feel would happen if part or all of the district is left in is they would
become the group that has to say no (as appropriate) to folks looking to make application for a
PDOD project. They were thinking, particularly for the pilot project, they wouldn’t feel comfortable
being in that position to get this process off to a good start.
Chair Smith asked what is the makeup of commercial versus residential in the downtown historic
district. Bolin indicated on a map that the downtown and river areas were primarily commercial.
Smith said with residences over some businesses in the downtown he thinks it’s purely mixed use
and commercial. Staff agreed. Smith said it goes beyond Jefferson to areas slated for
redevelopment. Bolin said correct. Smith asked would that be a prime place for PDOD to be
tested because of the character of that district. Bolin said it could be beneficial.
Member Campana asked when studies were done on the targeted infill redevelopment areas; how
many of those areas were in the Laurel School Historic District. Bolin said the targeted infill and
redevelopment areas weren’t drawn precisely so they don’t follow zoning or parcel lines. It does
follow the commercial corridor all the way down. She doesn’t know specifically how far it goes into
the Laurel School Historic District but it does extend east on Mulberry. Member Campana said
he’d be okay with removing Laurel School Historic District but he thinks we should leave everything
else.
Member Stockover said he thinks the Boards should consider removing the historic districts. He
said he’s on the fence about the sliver on College Avenue on the west side of the historic district.
He’d be okay with staying away from that for the pilot. With regard to the Poudre River, more than
half of that area is public owned open space with the exception of the golf course. He said there
are a lot of properties along East Mulberry which could benefit from this pilot. When he looks at
that whole area he can’t think of a project that would really be that controversial. He thinks there
are a lot of opportunities there. He has no problem with excluding the CSU land because it is
predominately floodplain. He said with regard to NCB and NCM it indicates to him that if they
started taking everybody out that we have the wrong project. He thinks we have enough protection
that this really should work city wide. He doesn’t think those zones (NCB and NCM) have made a
case like the historic districts and he thinks they should not be excluded.
AMENDED: Member Schmidt made a motion to recommend to City Council the approve the
Planned Development Overlay District Pilot and related Land Use Code amendments with a
vote on boundary options to be considered separately and a recommendation that the
ordinance would be in effect as long as it is needed for PDOD projects submitted in the six
month period to complete the review/approval process. Member Campana seconded the
motion
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 12
Member Schmidt said she doesn’t understand the motion because staff is requesting
recommendations related to establishing the pilot, adopting several amendments and additions to
the LUC, and supporting the preferred boundary option. She asked if it was Member Stockover’s
intent to put everything into one pot. Stockover said his motion is to recommend approval of the
ordinance related to the pilot, the LUC amendments, and the preferred boundary option. He’s
thinking that combination of Options 4 and 6. Member Schmidt suggested the Board separate the
boundary options because she can’t support the motion. She thinks we’d have a different vote on
the boundaries.
Member Stockover said he’d accept a friendly amendment to vote on boundary options separately.
Member Campana seconded the amendment.
Member Stockover said he thinks the board should come to a consensus on which boundary
options we’d like to recommend. Member Carpenter asked if they could separate the elements
and vote separately on the boundary options. Member Stockover said he’d like to put the first two
elements “to bed” and then vote separately on the options.
Member Schmidt asked Bolin if it says anywhere in the ordinance about how once the pilot is
adopted, City Council will progress to reviewing. She’s not had a chance to review the document
distributed with the presentation and she just wants to know if there’s verbiage that addresses that.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman said it’s in Section 18 near the last page. “This ordinance should
terminate and be of no further force and effect at close of business on January 18, 2013 unless
extended by ordinance of the City Council.” Eckman had a question with regard to the motion. He
wondered if the motion is to recommend both ordinances. Board members said yes.
Member Stockover said an applicant can apply up to that date. Bolin said yes. Eckman said it’s
become a bit of dilemma. Eckman said the state statute regarding vesting rights provides you get
the law in effect at the time you filed your application for a site specific development plan. In Fort
Collins, we have defined it as the final plan. He said once you get a PDP (Project Development
Plan) approved under the current code, you must move forward with your final plan to be fully
vested.
Eckman said technically we could change our LUC prior to the approval of a PDP and the
developer would have to comply with the new changes—even though they had a plan in process.
He’s not sure that’s the way we’ve always handled it in the past. He said a legal argument could
be made as to why you should get the law in effect at the time the PDP was approved. He said we
may need to do a little changing of our LUC in general if that’s not the policy we’d like. He thinks
that something we should be discussing with staff.
Member Schmidt said she’s now totally confused. She thought there was an obligation to follow
through when you have the approval. If someone in these times for financial reasons could not
follow through; they would have been approved under the PDOD but nothing ever happens and the
pilot program goes away. Eckman said if they have an approved DDP (Detailed Development
Plan) that is good for 3 years. They can move to final plan (Complete Plan in PDOD) within that 3
year period. If the final plan is approved that is then vested for another 3 years under state law.
Member Campana said the challenge is you’re in the middle of an application and the code
changes; the code that was being applied at the time of application stays in effect. Eckman said
he’s not sure that’s what the code says and we’ve not always been consistent on that.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 13
Member Carpenter said if we only have 6 months in this pilot, is there going to be enough time for
people to get a plan in and get it to approval in that amount of time. Are we so constricted here
that the pilot will not really tell us much? Member Stockover said he believes City Council has the
right to extend if an insufficient number of projects are submitted in that six month application
period. Bolin said it was never their intention that a project would have to be approved within six
months. The six months is the application period. Eckman said you could recommend a longer
application period or change the code so that it’s more clear that you can use the law in effect at
the time you file an application.
Member Schmidt said we basically want PDOD to stay in effect through the period of review; we
just want the submittals to terminate. Deputy Kadrich said rather than the six months ends the
ordinance, the six months should end the application period. The ordinance would be in effect as
long as needed to complete the pilot projects. Eckman said they would need to re-craft some of
the words in the ordinance to say that before we go to City Council. Member Campana said that
would be in line with what we’ve been thinking.
Member Stockover said he’d accept a friendly amendment to recommend the ordinance would be
in effect as long as is needed for PDOD projects submitted in the six month period to complete the
review/approval process. Member Campana seconded the amendment.
The amended motion was approved 7:0.
Options
Option 1 – Boundary – no change
Option 2 – No Laurel School Historic District Inclusion
Option 3 – Includes the entire Laurel School Historic District
Option 4 – No Historic Districts
Option 5 – No NCM and NCB Zoned Land
Option 6 – No CSU Land at Prospect/College
Option 7 – Remove 1000 feet on either side of the Poudre River
Chair Smith summarized what he perceived was consensus on how the board wanted to proceed.
Member Stockover said the board is in agreement that Option 1 (no change) is out. Chair Smith
thinks all agreed Option 3 (Laurel School Historic District) and Option 6 (CSU land at
Prospect/College) would be excluded from the overlay district. He thinks the options to discuss
and debate are options 2, 4, 5, and 7.
Member Schmidt said if the board recommends Option 4 (no historic districts) that would cover
Option 2. Chair Smith said he’d like to get a read on whether that’s what the board wants to
recommend.
Member Stockover made a motion to recommend to City Council that Option 1 and Option 3
are not desirable. Member Schmidt seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7:0.
Member Stockover said it might be a good idea to get the read on how the board feels about
Options 2 (no Laurel School Historic District) and 4 (no historic district).
Member Carpenter said she can go with either option. She does not see the reason for the
Downtown Historic District because it was developed under LGDS (Land use Guidance
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 14
Development System). It had much more flexibility than PDOD. It’s commercial but she can go
either direction.
Member Kirkpatrick said she’d like to see the old town historic district kept in the PDOD boundary
because of the site east of Riverside would potentially have some good applications. Smith agreed
for the same reasons.
Member Stockover made a motion that Option 4 not be recommended to City Council.
Member Campana seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7:0.
Member Stockover made a motion to recommend to City Council that Option 6 be included
in the final map -- that would disallow CSU land at Prospect and College. Chair Smith
seconded the motion.
Member Schmidt wanted to make sure there’s an understanding that it doesn’t matter who owns
the land--CSU or the foundation. Bolin said there’s a mixture of both the state and the research
foundation owning land there.
Motion was approved 6:1 with Member Hatfield dissenting.
Member Stockover made a motion to recommend to City Council that they consider Option
2 as one portion of the final map. Member Schmidt seconded the motion. Motion was
approved 7:0.
Member Stockover said relative to removing 1000 feet on either side of the Poudre River; he
believes all the pristine areas are already protected by open space and city owned lands. Most of
what is not city owned lands is already a concrete irrigation ditch. It’s not really pristine river. He
thinks if we eliminate these areas we take too much of what would be a great representation of this
project off the Mulberry Street Corridor and Jefferson Street.
Member Stockover made a motion to recommend to City Council Option 7 not be
considered. Member Carpenter seconded the motion.
Member Schmidt said she’s against the motion because of the years she’s been on the board,
she’s been burnt by this kind of thing. She used an example of the small scale event center and
UE. She doesn’t feel comfortable going with it on a pilot. Once we have things worked out, then
certainly because we have some protections in place; we’d have a better chance of enforcing what
we want to enforce.
Member Stockover understands Member Schmidt’s concerns but he thinks the protections are
there.
Member Kirkpatrick said with the Article 3 standards and our Environmental Planner on staff; she
thinks it would be difficult to do something that would have a negative impact. She thinks if we
don’t include it, it would be difficult to evaluate the pilot. She thinks it will help to do a better job of
infill in that area--being sensitive to the river and ecological needs. Kirkpatrick said she would
support keeping it in.
ATTACHMENT 4
Planning & Zoning Board Minutes
June 21, 2012
Page 15
Member Carpenter said while it would make a very long meeting, a project would be Type II and
would come before the board. Anything that would have a negative impact on the river would be
scrutinized.
Member Smith said he agrees. He thinks we have the protections in Article 3. He thinks this
process will promote innovation and in having better projects than might normally occur. The fact
is development has been occurring along the river corridor. It has a lot of great protections as it is.
There is prime opportunity for signature projects that do nothing but enhance the river corridor and
protect the resource that it is.
Member Schmidt said that if someone wanted to do a signature project we could do it under the
current code because she thinks the board would support it.
Motion was approved 5:2 with Members Hatfield and Schmidt dissenting.
Member Stockover thinks we have adequate protections for NCM and NCB.
Member Schmidt said she doesn’t see what protections NCM and NCB zones have except for
compatibility. They are not like a historic district or the river which have some basic protections in
Article 3. From her perspective, the public outreach was somewhat limited. That was the main
concern expressed by citizens who attended the open house. She thinks she needs to support
those concerns. In a pilot they would rather not see the neighborhoods included.
Chair Smith said simply because the Eastside/Westside neighborhood discussions are coming
back up; he’s okay with excluding these two zone districts.
Member Carpenter agreed.
Member Kirkpatrick said she thinks its also interesting if we take out the Laurel School Historic
District, that takes out almost all of the NCM and NCB residential sections except for a tiny pocket
north of CSU on the outskirts of the TOD (Transit Oriented Development) where you are already
having development pressure regardless of whether we do PDOD or not.
Member Schmidt agrees with the pressure – concern about multi family development. She thinks
we’re telling people on the west side it’s okay to leave them in even though the east side had been
excluded.
Member Stockover made a motion to recommend to City Council Option 5 (no NCM or NCB).
Member Schmidt seconded the motion.
Member Campana said he doesn’t think it needs to be removed nor does he think it would be
detrimental to the pilot if it was. It’s a pretty small area.
Motion was approved 7:0
ATTACHMENT 4
ATTACHMENT 9
1
Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD)
Feedback from Public Meeting on May 7, 2012
Questionnaire Reponses
1. Do you support the City’s pursuit of a flexible zoning tool for infill/redevelopment?
Yes – infill development has unique constraints where a one size code does not
fit all circumstances. Great idea!
Yes
Yes – allowing for flexibility not only encourages healthy development, but also
acts as a great tool for economic development.
Maybe – it sounds like P&Z feels they can’t get a good project downtown
because of the inflexibility of the LUC. The LUC does well for 95% and PDOD
would help with the last 5% ‐ is this to force a square project through a round
hole? Is that really a good thing?
Yes, with conditions – refine the overlay zone and no opt‐in feature.
Maybe – if it doesn’t infringe on the adjoining property use!
Maybe – I support infill and redevelopment in general, but zoning changes
adjacent to residential neighborhoods should have a higher level of scrutiny.
People buy their homes with the expectation that residential zones will continue
into the future. When and if PDOD changes the zoning adjacent to especially
single family residential, it creates big problems and I wouldn’t support PDOD.
Maybe – like to hear more about where problems exist with specific examples.
Maybe – this process increases uncertainty for residents. It makes it possible to
build developments that were not previously allowed. For the developer, this
uncertainty presents increased opportunity. For neighbors, this uncertainty
introduces terror; single, lifetime i?? in houses are threatened. The charette
style invariably diffuses citizen input further.
No – we need to focus on problems that exist. PDOD is a response to
hypothetical problems.
Yes – the only reasonable way to accommodate and manage a growing city.
We’ll enliven and renew downtown.
2. Do you think that testing PDOD through a pilot program is appropriate?
Yes – what better way to work out the bugs than try it out.
Maybe
Yes – in hope that there is more than 1 project submitted to analyze, the six‐
month period seems appropriate.
Yes – seeing the intent in action will help see why this is needed, and make sure
no group or community is trampled.
Yes
Yes – you won’t know if it will work unless you test it.
Maybe – limit it to redevelopment that is the same sue as the current zoning.
Have flexibility but don’t change the zoning.
ATTACHMENT 9
2
Yes
Maybe – the pilot program will be construed as a land rush.
Yes
3. Any additional comments about PDOD?
It seems likely that this tool will promote better infill projects with less brain
damage for the developer.
Expand the flexibility even more. I support the effort to provide more flexible
City review processes.
One additional component to think of is an added incentive cost incentive for the
developers. The flexibility component is an incentive, but how are you attracting
development? How much influence will the public input component have on the
outcome/future progress of development?
The community (neighborhood) is primary – it’s imperative the community is
brought in close to the beginning. The points have to show better thresholds –
too subjective. Are we encouraging development of historical areas incorrectly?
That this end up being an abuse of power?
You should include parking standards in flexible zoning.
For roughly 20 years the city had the land development guidance system that
was an alternative to traditional zoning. It basically stated that any land use
could be anywhere as long as it could be “mitigated”. It was a points for
performance similar to what’s proposed by PDOD. The problem was that the
residential neighborhoods had to consistently battle proposed non‐residential
uses and both neighborhoods and developers found the system was not
predictable, which is why the City Council in the 1990’s changed to City Plan and
a more prescriptive approach to bring more predictability. Residential land
owners should not have to be continuously vigilant to have to protect their
property values from “unplanned/unknown” uses that aren’t in the zoning and
land use code.
Very complicated if you are not involved in process on day‐to‐day basis. Is
getting points in four categories a good thing? Should require points in all if they
are important.
There is a clear impression that this process is being implemented to serve
development and developers and reign in neighborhood efforts. This may not be
true, but the “loosening” of codes will make more of the impression that citizens
are going to be cut out.
You don’t follow the LUC and City Code as written now –why worry about
changing it?
I think it exemplifies the City’s desire to get out in front of a density issue that
without proper planning could cause a beautiful downtown area to continue to
deteriorate.
What’s the notice distance for neighborhood meetings?
Will neighborhoods be given notice of the pre‐application meeting with P&Z?
Will this apply to scrape offs and existing single family historic homes?
ATTACHMENT 9
3
General Comments
You don’t follow the LUC as written, why bother changing it?
Distinction between high and low quality design.
‐ Concerned we don’t know what high quality is.
‐ Problem is we don’t have a good way to incentivize quality
‐ We don’t observe our existing LUC
Section 4…pick and choose?
‐ Staff comment: Article 4 does not apply to PDOD projects.
Centennial High School – hesitant to rely on neighborhood meetings.
Need to improve neighborhood engagement
Better feedback early on – where are the controls?
More neighborhood notice
Instead of opening up for six months, open up for 3‐4 projects.
6‐month window is seen as a potential land rush.
Elected officials – excused from…?
‐ Staff should be representing the needs of the citizens
‐ Citizens put in a position of defense
‐ Really control this process to the “gold standard”
What if nobody applied?
Can you limit the # of projects that use the pilot?
Why aren’t we working on providing student housing?
This process could be exactly what we need
‐ Having 4‐5 modifications just seems like it’s too far off
Finds that the City Plan and LUC sometimes conflict
Wants more assurances we’ll get great projects.
Is the LUC not fast enough? Projects not good enough? What is the problem?
‐ Staff comment: we are not evading, all projects still meet general standards,
eliminates need for modifications
So, I could propose a mall outside of a zone where it’s currently allowed?
Does the map cover the residential districts?
‐ Staff comment: yes.
What’s the flexibility?
‐ Staff comment: you don’t have to adhere to Article 4 (Zone District); only adhere
to the General Standards in Article 3, and some you only have to comply with the
“General Standard” within certain Article 3 Sections.
Is the opt‐in still being considered? Questions why you would include residential
districts.
‐ Staff comment: no; opt‐in is not available for the pilot.
Post‐denial re‐submittal delay; there will not be a delay during the pilot. Does not agree
that the post‐denial delay be removed if a project is denied.
How much would it take to re‐submit if you were denied?
‐ Staff comment: could take up to two months
ATTACHMENT 9
4
This is a powerful tool; in certain cases, zoning standards should apply, especially with
residential zones.
Where is compatibility?
‐ Staff comment: Article 3 has standards for compatibility.
Who assigns the points?
‐ Staff: the applicant submits and scores themselves; staff reviews the points; P&Z
is ultimate decision‐maker.
So the points are more subjective? The thresholds aren’t clear, e.g. what is a 2 vs. 4?
What criteria was used to draw the boundary and why wasn’t Riverside included?
LEED, evolution, LUC has evolved – it needs to be handled carefully.
Define an area, stick with the LUC and say there will be more modifications in these
areas. Concerned with subjectivity of measurements.
Neighbors, community, demo/alt notifications– bring the neighbors in early before
significant investment. Need to bring in neighbors from a different context. We need to
get better at this.
PDOD & CSU Stadium?
Informing people – subarea plans, where is this in the matrix? We need to be clearer as
staff about emphasizing subarea plans.
PDOD is a good idea; it’s for the other 5% cases because modifications aren’t always the
right tool.
What about parking? LUC is already very flexible in parking; maximum standards for
commercial projects. There is concern with overcrowding, especially in Downtown.
TOD Overlay south of Prospect – concerned with off‐site parking impacts. No parking
minimums externalize parking issues to the neighborhoods.
CSURF – is their floodplain property in the PDOD boundary? Yes – why?
‐ We should not be making it more flexible for people to build in the floodplain.
‐ Asks that that parcel be removed from the PDOD boundary.
Bike parking – it’s too low (the current standard).
‐ Staff comment: the City is in the process of reviewing the bike parking standard.
TOD minimum parking – good idea, but?
Generally supportive of the pilot:
‐ Like the taskforce and open ended evaluation period
‐ Like that opt‐in is not an option for the pilot
What would happen if we got 20 applications?
Concerned with less predictability
Reminds him of a planned unit development (PUD); see LIV 5.2 – does this conflict?
Subarea plans – should we revisit these? Go to the neighborhoods and ask if it’s
compatible with the subarea plan.
Concerned with preserving Old Town and neighborhoods. Doesn’t want the quality of
life ruined.
Doesn’t address whether “growth is good”.
This is a responsible development plan for the City. If we’re going to grow, this is where
it should be.
We could adjust the boundary based on feedback.
ATTACHMENT 9
5
‐ We could illustrate the zoning districts better.
One way to refine – look at the plans and see where it’s appropriate
The structure of the pilot program for PDOD seems reasonable. In particular the focus
on only the defined overlay district is appropriate. It should be made clear that the six
month pilot period is only to receive proposals. Processing these will likely take longer
than that time line. In addition, making revisions to the matrix and evaluating the pilot
means that City Council will not vote on adoption of PDOD for some time. Creating a
stakeholder evaluation team for the pilot program is a very good idea as all perspectives
can be heard with the likely result of a better final product.
Refine the boundaries of the overlay district. Presently the boundary is based on two
layers‐TOD and activity centers. Add more layers to further define the boundary: 1)
remove unbuildable sites due to floodplain issues and environmentally sensitive areas
along the Poudre river; 2) remove any areas in conflict with City Plan policy LIV 5.2‐this
could include the areas north of Mulberry and east of College.
City Plan encourages targeted infill and redevelopment and is meant to focus along the
community spine. It specifically states that it is not intended to target established
residential neighborhoods adjacent to the community spine.
Strengthen the matrix. City Plan emphasizes that redevelopment must follow the
Community and Neighborhood Livability Chapter (Principle E4, Policy EH4.1 and LIV 5.1).
Neighborhood compatibility regarding redevelopment is referenced in City Plan
(Principle LIV 6 and Policy LIV 6.2. The matrix should more closely reflect the ideas in
this chapter. The elements in the matrix and the categories should more strongly
emphasize neighborhood preservation.
The use of Neighborhood (sub area) Plans as articulated in the Principles and Policies of
City Plan should be more clearly articulated as an absolute criteria in application of
PDOD. The idea is to highlight the existence of sub area plans and the requirement that
they be referenced in developing and reviewing a PDOD proposal.
When final adoption of PDOD occurs, maintain the Post Denial Re‐Submittal Delay. This
feature was recently added to the design review process after careful consideration.
There is no basis for exempting PDOD from this requirement.
June 5, 2012
To: City of Fort Collins
From: Save the Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper
RE: PDOD (Planned Development Overlay District)
Hello City of Fort Collins,
We previously sent you a letter about PDOD, which was on the Council agenda back on
1/31/2012.
Since that time, we have had the opportunity to meet with your staff regarding PDOD. We’d
like to provide the following input as PDOD works its way through your policy process.
1. Save the Poudre strongly opposes PDOD because it:
a. Eliminates zoning and allows developers to propose any size or type of building on any
property within the PDOD boundary, including along the Poudre River. (PDOD
eliminates Article 4 – “Districts” of the Land Use Code, and instead relies on subjective
interpretations of other City building standards.)
b. Eliminates current density standards and allows developers to propose any amount of
buildings containing any amount of people on any property within the PDOD boundary,
including along the Poudre River. (PDOD eliminates Article 4 – “Districts” of the Land
Use Code, and instead relies on subjective interpretations of other City building
standards.)
c. Places extremely onerous requirements on the public (including public interest groups
such as Save The Poudre) to keep track of and evaluate every proposal through the
development review process. Because prescriptive development requirements for
zoning and density would be eliminated, PDOD would require extreme vigilance on the
part of the public for every proposal to ensure community involvement.
ATTACHMENT 10
d. Essentially negates the Poudre River buffer and natural function of floodplain, both of
which could be proposed to be filled with buildings of any size and density.
e. Relies on a “Performance Matrix” scoring system which requires 45 points on 4 of 7
performance categories for approval. This system flies in the face of the City’s formerly
adopted “Triple Bottom Line” approach. In this new matrix, the “environment health”
category could score a “0” and the development could still be approved. We cannot
accept a new development system that potentially completely sacrifices our
community’s environmental health at the expense of other goals.
2. Save the Poudre requests that a 1,000-foot buffer along the Poudre River corridor be omitted
from PDOD in order to preserve the ecological health of the Poudre River. This buffer will help
ensure that the river is not thrown into the shadows of tall buildings or overwhelmed by dense
buildings and inhabitants. Inside this buffer, current zoning and development regulations
should be maintained.
Thank you for considering our input. Respectfully,
Gary Wockner, PhD, Director
Save the Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper
http://savethepoudre.org
970-218-8310
ATTACHMENT 10
ATTACHMENT 11
ATTACHMENT 11
ATTACHMENT 12
ATTACHMENT 12
1
Planned Development Overlay District
(PDOD) Pilot
City Council
February 12, 2013
ATTACHMENT 13
2
Action Items
• Ordinance establishing the PDOD pilot
• Ordinance making amendments to Land Use
Code (LUC) Article 3 “General Standards”
3
What’s our Challenge?
• Policy – encourage infill/redevelopment
• Reality – infill/redevelopment is constrained
• LUC – prescriptive, difficult to respond to context
4
PREDICTABILITY
REVIEW PROCESS
What
Citizens
Want
What
Developers
Want
LAND USE
CODE
L.D.G.S.
PDOD
Discretion/Neighbor Input
LEAST MOST
Prescriptive zoning
MOST
Flexible zoning
LEAST
5
How Does PDOD Work?
Flexible application of LUC
development standards
Performance
Matrix
Foundation – existing
Land Use Code
Rewards public
benefits and projects
that exceed
minimum Code
requirements
6
Review Process
Existing
• Project Development Plan
• Final Plan
Conceptual Review
Neighborhood Meeting
Submittal
Type 1 or Type 2
PDOD
• Detailed Development Plan
• Complete Development Plan
Conceptual Review
Neighborhood Meeting
Optional Pre-Submittal Meeting
with P&Z
Submittal
Type 2
7
Land Use
Existing
• Use determined by zoning
• If a use is not permitted:
– Apply for Addition of a
Permitted Use; or
– Re-zone the property
PDOD
• Uses permitted by
underlying zoning
• Other uses considered as
part of review process
8
Development Standards
Existing
• Article 3, General Standards
• Article 4, Districts
• Modifications required if a
standard can not be met
PDOD
• Article 3, General Standards
– Some Sections, only
“General Standards”
apply
– Most Sections apply in
entirety
• Natural Habitat
•Historic
• Engineering
• Performance Matrix
– Minimum 45 points
9
PDOD
What it is…
• Alternative option for
infill/redevelopment
• Grounded by existing
Code
• Considers context and
compatibility
• Encourages creative
solutions
• Rewards public benefits
What it isn’t…
• Mandatory
• Fast-track for approval
• Solely points-based
• Abandonment of
fundamental standards
• A proven concept
10
Pilot Details
• 6-month application period (Mar-Sep 2013)
• Up to 5 applications accepted
• Council may extend application period
• Evaluation during and after pilot with taskforce,
report to Council first quarter 2014
• Must be within boundary
11
Pilot
Boundary
• Green = original
proposal
• Red = pilot
boundary
Prospect
Harmony
Vine
Lemay
Shields
Horsetooth
12
Board/Commission Recommendations
• Adopt PDOD Pilot
– Planning & Zoning Board
– Economic Advisory Commission
– Transportation Board
– Landmark Preservation Commission
– Air Quality Advisory Board
13
Staff Recommendation
• Adopt Ordinance establishing the PDOD pilot
• Adopt Ordinance making amendments to Land
Use Code (LUC) Article 3 “General Standards”
14
Thank You
1
ORDINANCE NO. 024, 2013
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING THE LAND USE CODE BY THE ADDITION OF A TEMPORARY
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on March 18, 1997, by its adoption of Ordinance No. 051, 1997, the
City Council enacted the Fort Collins Land Use Code (the "Land Use Code"); and
WHEREAS, at the time of the adoption of the Land Use Code, it was the
understanding of staff and the City Council that the Land Use Code would most likely be
subject to future amendments, not only for the purpose of clarification and correction of
errors, but also for the purpose of ensuring that the Land Use Code remains a dynamic
document capable of responding to issues identified by staff, other land use professionals
and citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, in February 2011, City Council adopted City Plan Policy EH 4.2
which directs staff to develop new policies, procedures, and practices to reduce and
resolve barriers to infill development and redevelopment with emphasis on a sustainable,
flexible, and predictable approach to such development; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Planning and Zoning Board’s 2011/2012 Work
Program, which identifies a need for a flexible zoning tool, primarily for redevelopment,
City staff has prepared the Planned Development Overlay Zone District (“PDOD”),
which provides such flexibility while also ensuring that the City’s broader sustainability
goals are met; and
WHEREAS, the PDOD is being proposed as a pilot program to give the City an
opportunity to analyze its viability and, accordingly, is limited to a period of six months
for projects applying for the equivalent of a Project Development Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council will have the opportunity to extend the proposed
PDOD in the event that, during the six-month term of its existence, there have been
insufficient development proposals presented to the City within the boundaries of the
PDOD map to adequately inform the City Council as to the viability of the District; and
WHEREAS, City staff will evaluate the pilot program during and after its
existence and will report the outcomes to City Council; and
WHEREAS, based on City staff’s report, City Council will determine whether the
PDOD should be continued, amended, or terminated; and
WHEREAS, City staff and the Planning and Zoning Board have reviewed the
proposed Land Use Code changes regarding the PDOD and have recommended to the
City Council that they be adopted; and
2
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the recommended Land Use
Code amendments are in the best interest of the City and its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That Section 1.4.9 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of a new subsection (M) which reads in its entirety as follows:
(M) Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD) References. In applying
the provisions of Division 2.15 and Division 4.29 of this Land Use Code,
the term project development plan shall be deemed to mean a detailed
development plan, and the term final plan shall be deemed to mean a
complete development plan. This Land Use Code shall be administered
accordingly unless, with respect to a specific provision, the subject matter
or context requires a different interpretation.
Section 2. That Section 2.2.11(D)(9) of the Land Use Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
(D) Final Plan and Plat and Other Site Specific Development Plans.
. . .
(9) Post denial re-submittal delay. Property that is the subject of an
overall development plan or a project development plan that has been
denied by the decision maker or denied by City Council upon appeal,
or withdrawn by the applicant, shall be ineligible to serve, in whole or
in part, as the subject of another overall development plan or project
development plan application for a period of six (6) months from the
date of the final decision of denial or the date of withdrawal (as
applicable) of the plan unless the Director determines that the
granting of an exception to this requirement would not be detrimental
to the public good and would: (a) substantially alleviate an existing,
defined and described problem of City-wide concern; or (b) result in a
substantial benefit to the City by reason of the fact that the proposed
project would substantially address an important community need
specifically and expressly defined and described in the City's
Comprehensive Plan or in an adopted policy, ordinance or resolution
of the City Council. The provisions of this section shall not apply to
applications filed under Division 2.15.
Section 3. That Section 2.8.1 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
3
2.8.1 Purpose and Applicability
The decision maker is empowered to grant modifications to the General
Development Standards contained in Article 3 and the Land Use Standards and
Development Standards contained in Article 4 and any separation or proximity
standards that are established as a specific measurement of distance in the District
Permitted Uses contained in Article 4, either for: (1) overall development plans
and/or project development plans which are pending approval at the time that the
request for proposed modification is filed; (2) overall development plans and/or
project development plans which the applicant intends to file, provided that such
plans are in fact filed with the Director as development applications within one
(1) year following the determination of the decision maker on the request for the
proposed modification; or (3) development plans approved under prior law and
which are sought to be amended (either as a minor or major amendment) pursuant
to Section 2.2.10. This modification of standards process shall not apply so as to
allow any modification of the requirements contained in Division 4.29 of this
Land Use Code.
Section 4. That Article 2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of a new Division 2.15 which reads in its entirety as follows:
DIVISION 2.15 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT
(PDOD) REVIEW PROCEDURES
2.15.1 Detailed Development Plan
(A) Purpose. The detailed development plan shall contain descriptions of the
uses of the land, the layout of landscaping, circulation, architectural
elevations and buildings and shall include the plat (when such plat is
required pursuant to Section 3.3.1 of this Code). Approval of a detailed
development plan does not establish any vested right to develop property
in accordance with the plan.
(B) Applicability. Upon completion of the conceptual review and preliminary
design review meetings and after the Director has made written comments,
and after a neighborhood meeting has been held, an application for a
PDOD detailed development plan review may be filed with the Director.
(C) Process. A detailed development plan shall be processed according to, in
compliance with, and subject to the provisions contained in Division 2.1
and Steps 1 through 12 of the Common Development Review Procedures,
as follows:
(1) Step 1 (Conceptual Review/Preliminary Design Review):
Applicable.
4
(2) Step 2 (Neighborhood Meeting): Applicable.
(3) Step 3 (Development Application Submittal): All items or
documents required for detailed development plans as described in
the development application submittal master list shall be
submitted. The Director may waive or modify the foregoing
submittal requirements if, given the facts and circumstances of the
specific application, a particular requirement would either be
irrelevant, immaterial, redundant or otherwise unnecessary for the
full and complete review of the application.
(4) Step 4 (Determination of Sufficiency): Applicable.
(5) Step 5 (Staff Report): Applicable.
(6) Step 6 (Notice): Applicable.
(7) Step 7(A) (Decision Maker): All detailed development plans will
be processed as Type 2 reviews.
Step 7(B)-(G) (Conduct of a Public Hearing, Order of Proceedings
at Public Hearing, Decision and Findings, Notification to
Applicant, Record of Proceedings, Recording of Decisions and
Plats): Applicable.
(8) Step 8 (Standards): Applicable. A detailed development plan shall
be consistent with Division 4.29; and, when a detailed
development plan is within the boundaries of an approved general
development plan, the detailed development plan shall be
consistent with the general development plan.
(9) Step 9 (Conditions of Approval): Applicable.
(10) Step 10 (Amendments): Applicable.
(11) Step 11 (Lapse): Applicable. Except that the term “detailed
development plan” is referred to as “project development plan”,
and except that the law in effect at the time of filing of the
application shall govern, unless the director determines that it is in
the best interest of the City that this provision be waived.
(12) Step 12 (Appeals): Applicable.
(13) Optional Step A (Pre-application session). Applicants for
approval of detailed development plans in the PDOD are
5
encouraged to participate in the following optional review
procedure:
This optional review is available to applicants that have completed
their conceptual review and neighborhood meeting. Such review is
intended to provide an opportunity for applicants to present
conceptual information to the Planning and Zoning Board about
the ways in which they intend to deal with site constraints, issues
of controversy or opportunities related to the development project.
Applicants participating in such review procedure should present
specific plans showing how, if at all, they intend to address any
issues raised during the initial comments received from staff and
the affected property owners. All pre-application sessions under
this provision will be held in accordance with the provisions
contained in Steps (6), (7)(B), and (7)(C) of the Common
Development Review Procedures, except that the signs required to
be posted under Step (6)(B) shall be posted subsequent to the
scheduling of the session and not less than fourteen (14) days prior
to the date of the session. The Board may, but shall not be required
to, comment on the proposal. Any comment, suggestion, or
recommendation made by any Board member with regard to the
proposal does not bind or otherwise obligate any City decision
maker to any course of conduct or decision pertaining to the
proposal. Only one (1) optional review session may be requested
for any detailed development plan.
2.15.2 Complete Development Plan
(A) Purpose. The purpose and applicability of a complete development plan is
contained in Section 2.1.3(D).
(B) Process. A complete development plan may only be submitted after
approval of a detailed development plan for the subject property or
concurrently with a detailed development plan for the subject property.
For consolidated applications for a detailed development plan and a
complete development plan, the applicant shall follow both the detailed
development plan and complete development plan review procedures.
A complete development plan shall be processed according to, in
compliance with and subject to the provisions contained in Division 2.1
and Steps 1 through 12 of the Common Development Review Procedures
(Sections 2.2.1 through 2.2.12, inclusive) as follows:
(1) Step 1 (Conceptual Review): Not applicable.
(2) Step 2 (Neighborhood Meeting): Not applicable.
6
(3) Step 3 (Development Application Submittal): All items or
documents required for complete development plans as described
in the development application submittal master list shall be
submitted. The Director may waive or modify the foregoing
submittal requirements if, given the facts and circumstances of the
specific application, a particular requirement would either be
irrelevant, immaterial, redundant or otherwise unnecessary for the
full and complete review of the application.
(4) Step 4 (Determination of Sufficiency): Applicable.
(5) Step 5 (Staff Report): Not applicable.
(6) Step 6 (Notice): Not applicable.
(7) Step 7(A)-(C) (Decision Maker, Conduct of Public Hearing, Order
of Proceeding at Public Hearing): Not applicable, and in
substitution therefore, the Director is hereby authorized to, and
shall, review, consider and approve, approve with conditions or
deny the development application for a complete development plan
based on its consistency with a valid detailed development plan for
the subject property and its compliance with all of the standards
established in Step 8 of this Section. The Director may, but is not
obligated to, confer with the applicant or other city staff to obtain
clarification or explanation, gain understanding, suggest revisions,
or otherwise discuss or learn about the development proposal and a
complete development plan, all for the purpose of ensuring a fully
consistent and compliant complete development plan.
Step 7(D) (Decision and Findings): Not applicable, except that
Step 7(D)(3) shall apply.
Step 7(E) (Notification to Applicant): Applicable.
Step 7(F) (Record of Proceedings): Not applicable, except that
Step 7(F)(2) shall apply.
Step 7(G) (Recording of Decisions and Plats): Applicable.
(8) Step 8 (Standards): Applicable. A complete development plan
shall comply with Division 4.29 and be consistent with the detailed
development plan.
(9) Step 9 (Conditions of Approval): Applicable.
(10) Step 10 (Amendments): Applicable.
7
(11) Step 11 (Lapse): Applicable. Except that the term “complete
development plan” is referred to as “final plan”.
(12) Step 12 (Appeals): Not applicable. The Director’s decision shall
be final and no appeal of the Director's decision will be allowed;
however, the Director may refer the decision to the Planning and
Zoning Board when the Director is in doubt as to the compliance
and consistency of the complete development plan with the
approved detailed development plan. If the Director refers the
decision to the Planning and Zoning Board, the decision of the
Planning and Zoning Board shall be final and shall not be
appealable to the City Council, notwithstanding any provision of
the City Code to the contrary.
Section 5. That the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the addition of a new
Division 4.29 which reads in its entirety as follows:
DIVISION 4.29 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT (P-D-O-D)
(A) Purpose and Applicability.
(1) Purpose. The Planned Development Overlay District
(“PDOD”) is a district within certain areas of the City designed to
provide an optional process for reviewing an applicant’s
compliance with the applicable land use, design and development
standards established by underlying zone districts and Article 3 of
this Land Use Code. The district is intended to further the City’s
sustainability goals as set forth in City Plan, and to provide
flexibility in the design of development to best utilize the potential
of sites that are characterized by exceptional geographic features,
topography, size, shape and/or the constraints of existing
development. The district is intended to provide a development
review process that encourages heightened dialogue and
collaboration among applicants, affected property owners,
neighbors and City staff.
(2) Applicability. Any property located within the PDOD (Figure 22)
shall be eligible to develop according to the standards set forth in
Section D at the option of the developer. This Division 4.29 shall
be applicable only to an application for approval of a detailed
development plan which has been filed with the City on or before
September 1, 2013, unless said deadline has been extended by
subsequent ordinance of the City Council. No more than five (5)
applications shall be received and accepted for processing during
the effective term of this ordinance, which term ends on September
1, 2013; and the Director may determine to close the acceptance of
8
applications prior to September 1, 2013, if necessary in order to
properly and adequately process and administer the applications
received.
(a) In order to utilize the PDOD zone district regulations, the
proposed development must be under single ownership or
control to ensure that there is a single entity responsible for
completing the project. The applicant shall provide
sufficient documentation of ownership or control to
indicate the development will be completed in its entirety
by a signal entity as proposed.
9
Figure 22
(B) Permitted Uses.
(1) Any use permitted in the underlying zone district is permitted in
the PDOD.
10
(2) Any use permitted in any other zone district of the City will be
permitted, but only if such use conforms to all of the following
conditions:
(a) Such use is designed compatibly with the other listed
permitted uses in the underlying zone district to which it is
added;
(b) The impacts of such use will be mitigated to the maximum
extent feasible; and
(c) Such use, whether a use permitted in the underlying zone
district or a use permitted in any other zone district of the
City, complies with the land use standards contained in
paragraph (D) of this Section.
(C) Prohibited Uses. There are no expressly prohibited uses in the PDOD
zone district except those uses listed in Section 4.28(C)(1 through 9) of
this Land Use Code, and uses that are not listed as permitted uses in any
zone district of the City.
(D) Land Use Standards. Development in the PDOD shall comply with the
following:
(1) Divisions 3.3 and 3.7 through 3.11 of Article 3 of this Land Use
Code in their entirety;
(2) The “General Standards” of all Sections in Divisions 3.2, and 3.4
through 3.6;
(3) Section 3.4.1 Natural Habitat and Features in its entirety;
(4) Section 3.4.7 Historic and Cultural Resources in its entirety;
(5) Section 3.6.2 Streets, Streetscapes, Alleys, and Easements in its
entirety; and
(6) Any development in the PDOD must also score at least forty-five
(45) points from at least four (4) categories as established on the
PDOD performance matrix (Figure 23).
Figure 23
11
Application of the Planned Development Overlay District
(PDOD) Performance Matrix
The following provides clarification as to the way in which projects will be evaluated
under the Planned Development Overlay District Performance Matrix and provides more
detailed definitions for the performance criteria contained in the matrix.
The performance criteria established in this performance matrix are not intended to
supersede any requirements established in other documents governing public rights-of-
way such as the Municipal Code, Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, and the
City’s Streetscape Design Standards and Guidelines. Any proposal to implement
performance criteria within public rights-of-way is subject to additional review under the
criteria previously established within the appropriate other documents.
Performance Matrix Evaluation
An applicant may choose which of the performance criteria to incorporate within the
development project and will be assigned a score. A minimum of forty-five (45) points
must be obtained from at least four (4) of the seven (7) performance categories in order
for the development project to be approved.
An applicant may receive a score of 0, 2, or 4 if a particular criterion has been established
in the matrix as being of significant value to the City. The numerical score is assigned
based upon the following:
0 Failure to implement the criterion.
2 Minimal implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
4 Standard implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
An applicant may receive a score of 0, 1, or 2 if a particular criterion has been established
in the matrix as being of lesser value to the City. The numerical score is assigned based
upon the following:
0 Failure to implement the criterion.
1 Minimal implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
2 Standard implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
Some of the criteria are worded such that they will either be implemented or not.
Therefore, there are no degrees of implementation for these criteria. Depending upon the
12
value of the criterion to the City, the numerical score is assigned based upon the
following:
0 Failure to implement the criterion.
1/2/4 Implementation of the criterion given the constraints and opportunities of the
site.
Applicant Innovation or Outstanding Performance
Within each performance category is a criterion that is intentionally left blank and can be
completed by the applicant. The purpose of this criterion is to encourage innovative
techniques not otherwise identified within the performance matrix. An applicant must
clearly describe the proposed technique and how it will promote established City policies
relevant to the particular category. Furthermore, an applicant may receive points for
performing exceedingly well in a particular category. There is no limit to the number of
“applicant innovations” within each category. The numerical score for an innovation or
outstanding performance is assigned based upon the following:
0 Failure to implement the criterion.
2 Minimal implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
4 Standard implementation and/or quality of the criterion given the constraints and
opportunities of the site.
8 Maximum implementation and/or outstanding performance in the category given the
constraints and opportunities of the site.
Definitions:
Environmental Health
3.5 See Section 3.2(E)(3) of the Land Use Code that details the considerations
associated with waterwise, or xeriscape, landscaping.
3.15
See the Land Use Code definitions in article V: Tree, significant shall mean any
tree with a DBH of six (6) inches or more. Section 3.2.1(F) describes in detail
what a significant tree is within the City of Fort Collins.
Economic Health
2.2
&
2.3
Primary job shall mean a job that derives fifty (50) percent or more of its income
and purchases outside of the City and sells fifty (50) percent or more of its
products or services outside of the City.
2.8 Underdeveloped or underutilized – shall mean a parcel/lot with less than twenty-
five (25) percent of its total land area developed or utilized.
Culture, Parks, and Recreation
1.4
Natural play area shall mean a natural playground, natural playscape, green
playground or natural play environment is an area where children can play with
natural elements such as sand, water and wood. Natural play areas must be
13
designed for active play and preferably by a landscape architect.
Safety and Wellness
7.7
Floatable material shall mean any material that is not secured in place or
completely enclosed in a structure, so that it could float off site during the
occurrence of a flood and potentially cause harm to downstream property owners,
or that could cause blockage of a culvert, bridge or other drainage facility. This
includes, without limitation, lumber, vehicles, boats, equipment, trash dumpsters,
tires, drums or other containers, pieces of metal, plastic or any other item or
material likely to float. Floatable material shall not include motor vehicles parked
temporarily on property for the purpose of customer or employee parking, or a
business's temporary outdoor display of inventory during its usual hours of
operation.
7.8 Fill shall mean a deposit of materials of any kind placed by artificial means.
7.9
Dryland Access shall mean a gravel, paved or concrete access route that connects
a structure to a Dry Public Street, that is constructed above the base flood
elevation, and that is of sufficient width to accommodate both emergency vehicles
and other emergency access during evacuation of the site, considering the
estimated number of people using the site and the expected mode (car, walking) of
evacuation.
Planned Development Overlay District (PDOD)
Performance Matrix
Applicant must score 45 points at minimum from at least 4 categories.
* Definitions are available in the Appendix. Points
Culture, Parks, Recreation
1.1 Incorporates art, sculpture or fountains viewable to the public. 0 1 2
1.2
Designates the site, structure(s) or object(s) determined to be
individually eligible as a local landmark designation or for
individual listing in the State or National Register of Historic
Places.
0 2 4
1.3
Provides a plaza, pedestrian mall, public square, park or other
similar public open space within the project. 0 2 4
1.4
Rather than creating play spaces dominated by turf/sod grasses,
incorporates natural play opportunities into the site.* 0 2 4
1.5
Site is located within ¼ mile of an existing (4 points) or planned
(2 points) bike or other recreational trail and provides a
pedestrian/bike connection to the trail.
0 2 4
1.6
If the site/building is eligible for local landmark designation,
participate in a complementary design review with the Landmark
Preservation Commission, and incorporate feedback into the
design.
0 2 4
14
1.7
If the site/building is eligible for local landmark designation,
participate in the Design Assistance Program administered
through the Historic Preservation Department, and incorporate
feedback into the design.
0 2 4
1.8
Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance to promote
the City’s culture, parks, and recreation policies: 0 2 4 8
Economic Health
2.1
Creates or retains at least one locally-owned business, meaning a
business enterprise (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited
liability company, corporation, or other similar business entity)
with headquarters located within a 40 mile radius from the City's
Growth Management boundary.
0 1 2
2.2 Retains existing primary jobs.* 0 2
2.3 Creates at least 5 new primary jobs.* 0 2 4
2.4
At least one (1) business created or retained by the project is
associated with one of the City’s established Targeted Industry
Clusters (Bioscience, Water, Clean Energy, Software/Hardware,
Uniquely Fort Collins).
0 1 2
2.5
At least ten (10) percent of residential units are affordable to
households earning between sixty (60) -eighty (80) percent of
Area Median Income (AMI).
0 1 2
2.6
At least ten (10) percent of residential units are affordable to
households earning less than sixty (60) percent of Area Median
Income (AMI).
0 2 4
2.7
Employs at least one (1) local contractor for
design/construction/deconstruction work, meaning a City-
licensed contractor with headquarters located within a forty (40)
mile radius from the City's Growth Management boundary.
0 1 2
2.8 Site is undeveloped, underdeveloped, and/or underutilized.* 0 2
2.9 Site is located within the boundary of an Urban Renewal Plan
Area or the Downtown Development Authority. 0 2
2.10
Locates site within one quarter (¼) mile of an existing (4 points)
or funded (2 points) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop along the
Mason Corridor.
0 2 4
2.11 Assembles two (2) or more lots/parcels. 0 2 4
2.12 Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance in
promoting the City’s economic health policies: 0 2 4 8
Environmental Health
3.1 Designs and builds at least one (1) principal building to be
eligible for LEED certification. 0 2 4
3.2
Designs and builds all buildings to exceed the City’s Building
Energy Code by at least ten (10) percent. 0 2 4
15
3.3
Uses runoff from small rainfall events (total rainfall of .5 inches
or less) for landscape irrigation and/or onsite infiltration to
exceed minimum standards in the City’s Stormwater Criteria
Manual. Exceeds minimum standards by 25% (2 points);
exceeds minimum standards by 50% (4 points).
0 2 4
3.4 Uses paving materials with a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of at
least twenty-nine (29). 0 1 2
3.5 Uses at least fifty (50) percent waterwise landscaping materials.* 0 1 2
3.6 Uses native plants for landscaping as defined in the Fort Collins
Native Plants guide. 0 1 2
3.7
In mixed-use and non-residential developments, includes recycle
containers adjacent to other waste collection receptacles in areas
accessible to the public.
0 1 2
3.8
Implements a three (3)-bin waste system by providing space for
trash, recycling, and composting accessible to residents and/or
tenants.
0 2
3.9
Restores preexisting degraded natural resources area on or
adjacent to the site, e.g. wetlands, native grasslands, riparian
forests, streams.
0 2 4
3.10
If the site is contiguous with a natural area or natural habitat or
feature, creates internally contiguous habitat opportunities on a
minimum of ten (10) percent greater than the requirements
specified in 3.4.1.
0 1 2
3.11
Designs and incorporates on-site renewable energy for at least
five (5) percent of total energy generation using technologies
such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biomass.
0 2 4
3.12
Designs and builds at least one (1) building so that it will readily
accommodate the installation of solar photovoltaic panels or solar
thermal hot water heating devices, including all necessary
conduit, chases, roof penetrations, roof pitch, and orientation.
For projects with multiple buildings, designs and builds at least
twenty (20) percent to be solar ready as described.
0 1 2
3.13
Uses any combination of solar reflective index (SRI) compliant
and vegetated roofing materials, provided they collectively cover
at least seventy-five (75) percent of the total project roof area.
0 2 4
3.14
Specifies and installs high efficiency equipment such as water
heaters, appliances, furnaces or air conditioning units in any
newly constructed or renovated buildings.
0 2
3.15
Protects valuable features including creeks, significant trees and
wetlands and, to the maximum extent feasible, integrate such
16
removal.
3.17
Re-uses deconstructed materials in the construction of new
buildings and/or other site features. 0 2 4
3.18
Provides and retrofits water quality treatment beyond minimum
requirements established in the City's Stormwater Criteria
Manual, including treatment for the original developed site, the
redeveloped portion, and any newly developed area.
0 1 2
3.19
Detains off-site runoff (identify source and provide adequate
volume of storage) beyond minimum requirements established in
the City's Stormwater Criteria Manual.
0 1 2
3.20
Coordinates with adjacent property owners to share water quality
and detention systems and/or facilities. 0 2 4
3.21 Provides on-site composting system(s) to process the site’s
organic waste. 0 1 2
3.22
Develops and implements a long-term vegetation management
plan that ensures proper training for staff, addresses weed
management and native plant establishment, and provides a
funding mechanism to address problems when they occur.
0 4
3.23
Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance in
promoting the City’s environmental health policies: 0 2 4 8
High Performing Community
4.1
Implements citizen engagement best practices throughout their
development review process such as an extra neighborhood
meeting, design-charrette with neighbors, or interactive project
blog. Provides the City with a written assessment of the needs
and concerns of the adjacent area, and indicates how those needs
and concerns are being addressed by the project design.
0 4
4.2
The business(es) occupying the development is (1 point) or will
become (2 points) a City of Fort Collins Climate Wise partner. 0 1 2
4.3
Participates in the City’s Integrated Design Assistance Program
(IDAP) administered through the Utilities Department using the
Prescriptive Approach.
0 2
4.4
Participates in the City’s Integrated Design Assistance Program
(IDAP) administered through the Utilities Department using the
Whole Building Approach.
0 4
4.5
Utilizes alternative dispute resolution processes, e.g. mediation,
to engage surrounding neighbors in the project design process and
provide the City with a written assessment of the identified
concerns, and address how those are being addressed by the
project.
0 4
4.6 Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance to promote 0 2 4 8
17
the City’s high performing community policies:
Livability
5.1
Includes two (2) or more use types. No one use shall amount to
less than ten (10) percent or more than eighty (80) percent of the
total development gross floor area. Individual phases of projects
may have a lesser mix if the applicant provides assurances
acceptable to the City that later phases will produce the required
overall mix.
0 2 4
5.2
Locates any residential component of the project within one-half
(½) mile of at least four of the following community facilities:
school, library, childcare or daycare, health care facilities,
community centers, family and human services, community
assembly use, park, recreation facility, public safety, public
buildings.
0 2
5.3 Adapts or re-uses at least one (1) existing non-accessory building
on the site. 0 2 4
5.4 Incorporates a mix of two (2) or more uses vertically. 0 4
5.5
Uses natural stone, synthetic stone, brick and/or concrete
masonry units (solely or in combination) to cover the first floor
elevation on exterior buildings that are visible to the public.
0 1 2
5.6
Adapts and incorporates prominent or distinctive design elements
from neighboring structures, e.g. rooflines, recesses, projections. 0 1 2
5.7
Designs the first floor of mixed-use building(s) so it can
accommodate commercial/retail and residential uses. 0 2
5.8
Includes neighborhood-serving retail in the project, e.g. grocery
store, dry cleaner. 0 1 2
5.9
Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance in
promoting the City’s community and neighborhood livability
policies:
0 2 4 8
Transportation
6.1 Site is located within one-quarter (¼) mile of existing (4 points)
or planned (2 points) transit stop. 0 2 4
6.2
Provides or enhances an existing pedestrian connection from the
site to an existing or funded transit stop. 0 2 4
6.3
Provides at least one (1) preferred parking space for carpool,
shared-use, and/or other alternatively-fueled vehicles along street-
like private drives and/or parking lots for every twenty-five (25)
parking spaces.
0 1 2
6.4
Uses street-like private drives for internal roadway connections
where connections are not necessary to be public streets. 0 1 2
18
6.5
Establishes pedestrian and bicycle Level Of Service (LOS) A as
defined in the Fort Collins Multimodal Transportation Level of
Service Manual.
0 1 2
6.6
Provides at least one (1) charging station (“plug-in”) along street-
like private drives and/or parking lots for electric/hybrid vehicles. 0 2 4
6.7 Provides secured and covered bicycle storage spaces for residents
or employees. 0 2 4
6.8
Provides or enhances an existing public area and/or facility on
site for awaiting transit passengers. 0 1 2
6.9
Provides bicycle parking spaces greater than ten (10) percent of
the requirements specified in 3.2.2. 0 2 4
6.10 Provides structured or below-ground parking (reduced parking
footprint). 0 2 4
6.11
Provides employees with at least one (1) shower per gender on-
site for every thirty (30) bicycle parking spaces. 0 2 4
6.12 Devotes less than twenty-five (25) percent of site to surface
parking. 0 1 2
6.13 Site is located within one-quarter (¼) mile of a vehicle share
station (auto and/or bike share). 0 2 4
6.14
Coordinates with adjacent property owners to provide shared auto
parking facilities for the development. 0 2 4
6.15 Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance in
promoting the City’s transportation policies: 0 2 4 8
Safety and Wellness
7.1
Provides at least twenty (20) percent of the total landscaping with
plants that are edible or produce edible material, e.g. fruit or nut-
bearing trees.
0 1 2
7.2
Provides managed open space for a community garden or
composting activity with fencing and/or irrigation as needed. 0 2 4
7.3 Installs fire sprinkler systems in all single-family residential units. 0 4
7.4
Provides an emergency evacuation plan which identifies
important safety features of all buildings, such as exit routes and
internal shelter locations (in case of tornados), safety equipment
such as fire escape ladders or extinguishers, and locations of
shutoffs for gas, water, and electricity.
0 2
7.5 Locates development outside of the flood fringe. 0 4
7.6
If the site is adjacent to a culvert or bridge, relocates buildings
and/or raises the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement
and crawlspace) to minimize flood damage should the culvert or
bridge become blocked by debris during a 100-year flood.
0 2 4
7.7
Refrains from putting floatable materials on a site in the
floodplain fringe of any FEMA or City floodplain.* 0 2 4
19
7.8 Does not put fill in the 100-year flood fringe.* 0 4
7.9 Provides dryland access for 100-year flood.* 0 2 4
7.10 Demonstrates innovation or outstanding performance in
promoting the City’s safety and wellness policies: 0 2 4 8
Section 6. This Ordinance shall terminate and be of no further force and
effect at the close of business on September 1, 2013 unless extended by ordinance of the
City Council.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 12th
day of February, A.D. 2013, and to be presented for final passage on the 19th day of
February, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 19th day of February, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
1
ORDINANCE NO. 025, 2013
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING THE LAND USE CODE TO ADD OR CLARIFY CERTAIN
“GENERAL STANDARDS” AND “PURPOSE” STATEMENTS
RELATED TO THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on March 18, 1997, by its adoption of Ordinance No. 051, 1997, the City
Council enacted the Fort Collins Land Use Code (the "Land Use Code"); and
WHEREAS, at the time of the adoption of the Land Use Code, it was the understanding
of staff and the City Council that the Land Use Code would most likely be subject to future
amendments, not only for the purpose of clarification and correction of errors, but also for the
purpose of ensuring that the Land Use Code remains a dynamic document capable of responding
to issues identified by staff, other land use professionals and citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, in February 2011, City Council adopted City Plan Policy EH 4.2 which
directs staff to develop new policies, procedures, and practices to reduce and resolve barriers to
infill development and redevelopment with emphasis on a sustainable, flexible, and predictable
approach to such development; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Planning and Zoning Board’s 2011/2012 Work
Program, which identifies a need for a flexible zoning tool, City staff has prepared a Planned
Development Overlay District, which provides such flexibility while also ensuring that the City’s
broader sustainability goals are met; and
WHEREAS, in the development of the Planned Development Overlay District, certain
discrepancies were noticed within the Land Use Code regarding missing “General Standards”
within Article 3; and
WHEREAS, in order to properly implement the Planned Development Overlay District
and to provide overall consistency within the Land Use Code, City staff has prepared “General
Standards” where ones were missing or made amendments to existing “General Standards” for
clarity;
WHEREAS, City staff and the Planning and Zoning Board have reviewed the proposed
Land Use Code changes regarding the Planned Development Overlay Zone District and have
recommended to the City Council that they be adopted; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the recommended Land Use Code
amendments are in the best interest of the City and its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
2
Section 1. That Section 3.2.3 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of a new subparagraph (C) which reads in its entirety as follows:
3.2.3 Solar Access, Orientation, Shading
. . .
(C) General Standard. All development shall be designed throughout to
accommodate active and/or passive solar installations to the extent reasonably
feasible.
Section 2. That Section 3.2.5 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3.2.5 Trash and Recycling Enclosures
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to ensure the provision of areas,
compatible with surrounding land uses, for the collection, separation, storage,
loading and pickup of trash and recyclable materialsby requiring that adequate,
convenient space is functionally located at multi-family residential, commercial
and industrial land use sites.
. . .
(C) General Standard. All development, to the extent reasonably feasible, shall
provide adequately sized, conveniently located, accessible trash and recycling
enclosures to accommodate the specific needs of the proposed use.
Section 3. That Section 3.4.3 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3.4.3 Water Quality
The development shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal water quality
standards, including, but not limited to, those regulating erosion and sedimentation, storm
drainage and runoff control, solid wastes, and hazardous substances. Projects shall be
designed so that precipitation runoff flowing from the site is treated in accordance with
the criteria set forth in the Storm Drainage Design Criteria and Construction Standards.
Treatment measures may include, but shall not be limited to:
minimization of impervious surfaces
runoff spreaders
infiltration devices
extended detention
constructed wetlands
sand filters
3
water quality inlets
General Standard. Projects shall be designed so that precipitation runoff flowing from
the site is treated in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Stormwater Criteria
Manual.
Section 4. That Section 3.4.4 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3.4.4 Noise and Vibration
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 shall be exempted
from the requirements of this provision.
General Standard. 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 caused by the use of the property will be imperceptible without instruments at
any point along the property line.
Section 5. That Section 3.4.8 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3.4.8 Parks and Trails
(A) Establishment of Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Master Plan. In order to
accomplish the purposes of this Land Use Code, the location, size and
characteristics of parks and trails have been established on a plan entitled "City of
Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Master Plan" dated December
1996, as amended, which plan is hereby made a part of this Land Use Code by
reference. The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Master Plan is on file with the
City Clerk.
(B) Purpose. The compliance of development plans with the Parks and Recreation
Policy Plan ensures that the community will have a fair and equitable system of
parks, trail and recreation facilities as the community grows. Establishment of the
facilities in the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan shall generally provide the same
level of service to new portions of the community as the existing community
enjoys.
(BC) Compliance with Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Master Plan General
Standard. All development plans shall provide for or accommodate the parks and
4
trails identified in the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Master Plan that are
associated with the development plan.
Section 6. That Section 3.5.1(B) of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3.5.1 Building and Project Compatibility
. . .
(B) Architectural Character General Standard. New developments in or adjacent to
existing developed areas shall be compatible with the established architectural
character of such areas by using a design that is complementary. In areas where
the existing architectural character is not definitively established, or is not
consistent with the purposes of this Land Use Code, the architecture of new
development shall set an enhanced standard of quality for future projects or
redevelopment in the area. Compatibility shall be achieved through techniques
such as the repetition of roof lines, the use of similar proportions in building mass
and outdoor spaces, similar relationships to the street, similar window and door
patterns, and/or the use of building materials that have color shades and textures
similar to those existing in the immediate area of the proposed infill development.
Brick and stone masonry shall be considered compatible with wood framing and
other materials. Architectural compatibility (including, without limitation,
building height) shall be derived from the neighboring context.
. . .
Section 7. That Section 3.5.2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows with all remaining subsections relettered accordingly:
3.5.2 Residential Building Standards
(A) Purpose/Applicability. The following standards in this Section are intended to
promote variety, visual interest and pedestrian-oriented streets in residential
development.
(B) General Standard. Development projects containing residential buildings shall
place a high priority on building entryways and their relationship to the street.
Pedestrian usability shall be prioritized over vehicular usability. Buildings shall
include human-scaled elements, architectural articulation, and in projects
containing more than one (1) building, design variation.
. . .
Section 8. That Section 3.5.3 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended to read as
follows with all remaining subsections relettered accordingly:
5
3.5.3 Mixed-Use, Institutional and Commercial Buildings
(A) Purpose. These standards are intended to promote the design of an urban
environment that is built to human scale. to encourage attractive street fronts and
other connecting walkways that accommodate pedestrians as the first priority,
while also accommodating vehicular movement.
(B) General Standard. Mixed-use and non-residential buildings shall provide
significant architectural interest and shall not have a single, large, dominant
building mass. The street level shall be designed to comport with a pedestrian
scale in order to establish attractive street fronts and walkways. Walkways shall
be designed principally for the purpose of accommodating pedestrians and
pedestrian connections while secondarily accommodating vehicular movement.
Buildings shall be designed with predominant materials, elements, features, color
range and activity areas tailored specifically to the site and its context.
. . .
Section 9. That Section 3.5.4 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the addition
of a new subparagraph (B) which reads in its entirety as follows with all remaining subsections
relettered accordingly:
3.5.4 Large Retail Establishments
. . .
(B) General Standard. Large retail buildings shall provide a high level of
architectural interest by utilizing high quality materials and design and shall be
compatible with the character of the surrounding area. Large retail buildings shall
have pedestrian and bicycle access and connectivity, and shall mitigate any
negative impacts. Buildings shall be designed with predominant materials,
elements, features, color range and activity areas tailored specifically to the site
and its context.
. . .
Section 10. That Section 3.5.5 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of a new subsection (B) which reads in its entirety as follows and all remaining
subsections relettered accordingly:
3.5.5 Convenience Shopping Center
. . .
(B) General Standard. Neighborhood convenience shopping centers shall be
compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood utilizing high
6
quality materials and finishes, and shall be internally compatible and harmonious
with respect to quality design, aesthetics and materials, tailored specifically to the
site and its context.
. . .
Section 11. That Section 3.6.1 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of new subsections (A) and (B) which read in their entirety as follows with the current
subsections (A) through (C) relettered accordingly:
3.6.1 Master Street Plan
(A) Purpose. This Section is intended to ensure that the transportation network of
streets, alleys, roadways and trails is in conformance with adopted transportation
plans and policies established by the City.
(B) General Standard. The transportation network of any proposed development shall
be in conformance with the City of Fort Collins Master Street Plan, as well as
City adopted access control plans and the Larimer County Urban Area Street
Standards.
. . .
Section 12. That Section 3.6.2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the
addition of new subsections (A) and (B) which reads in their entirety as follows
with the current subsections (A) through (M) renumbered accordingly:
3.6.2 Streets, Streetscapes, Alleys and Easements
(A) Purpose. This Section is intended to ensure that the various components of the
transportation network are designed and implemented in a manner that promotes
the health, safety, and welfare of the City.
(B) General Standard. Public streets, public alleys, private streets, street-like private
drives, and private drives shall be designed and implemented in a manner that
establishes a transportation network that protects the public health, safety, and
welfare. Rights-of-way and/or easements for the transportation system shall be
sufficient to support the infrastructure being proposed. The transportation
network shall clearly identify construction and maintenance responsibilities for
the proposed infrastructure. All responsibilities and costs for the operation,
maintenance and reconstruction of private streets, street-like private drives, and
private drives shall be borne by the property owners. The City shall have no
obligation to operate, maintain or reconstruct such private streets, street-like
private drives, and private drives nor shall the City have any obligation to accept
such private streets, street-like private drives, and private drives.
7
. . .
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 12th day of
February, A.D. 2013, and to be presented for final passage on the 19th day of February, A.D.
2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 19th day of February, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
features into the overall design of the site as shared amenities.*
0 1 2
3.16
Provides space and equipment for shared
trash/recycling/composting activities and coordinates with
adjacent property owners to establish service sharing for waste
0 2 4