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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/24/2018 - CITY PLAN UPDATE - SCENARIOSDATE: STAFF: July 24, 2018 Ryan Mounce, City Planner Aaron Iverson, Senior Transportation Planner Cameron Gloss, Planning Manager WORK SESSION ITEM City Council SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION City Plan Update - Scenarios. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to update Council on the upcoming scenarios phase of City Plan. Staff will review the purpose, goals, and general direction of the three scenarios as well as communication and engagement strategies for discussing the scenarios with the community. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. What feedback does Council have regarding the general direction of the three City Plan scenarios? 2. Does Council have questions or feedback on next steps in the City Plan scenarios phase? BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION City Plan Overview City Plan is an update to the City’s comprehensive land use plan, transportation master plan, and transit master plan. Collectively, these plans set a general vision for the future and provide high-level policy guidance to inform decision-making for the community’s land use and transportation frameworks. The next City Plan update will provide guidance towards the year 2040. During City Plan’s visioning phase earlier this spring, feedback was collected on community values and priorities to help refine the existing City Plan vision. This input is also being used to inform the scenarios phase of City Plan this summer and fall. Final City Plan content is anticipated to be completed winter 2018/2019, with consideration of adoption by Council in spring 2019. Upcoming Phase: Scenarios The next phase of City Plan is focused on the development and evaluation of three scenarios. Each scenario represents a collection of potential changes and strategies to the community’s existing land-use, transportation, and policy frameworks designed to achieve and strengthen community priorities and values. A thorough analysis and evaluation of each of the scenarios will provide information about the expected impacts, costs, and potential tradeoffs of these changes. The analysis of the scenarios and input received from community discussion will be used to inform policy direction in City Plan. Community Values and Priorities Each scenario will reflect an alternative future condition that is shaped by community feedback on values and priorities. While the overall community goals and values will not change from scenario to scenario, the three options will differ in the expected amount of resources available and the prioritization of various strategies. A brief recap of relevant results from the visioning phase is below. Community goals and values that will be incorporated into the scenarios include: July 24, 2018 Page 2 LIVABILITY SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY •Quality of life •Safety •Ease of getting around •Affordable •Access to jobs/education •Clean environment •Ensuring a viable future, especially environmentally and financially •Carbon neutral •Managing growth •Triple bottom line •Friendly, neighborly, community pride •Inclusive, respectful of diversity •Spaces for interaction and celebration •Open communication Community members also indicated two priority areas Fort Collins should focus on in the coming years: Housing • Attainable housing for average wage earners and those on fixed incomes • Maintaining existing affordable housing stock and increasing the number of new affordable units • Greater access to different kinds of housing and greater housing choices Multimodal Transportation • Taking the next steps in community’s commitment to travel by foot, bike, or transit • Management of vehicle roadway congestion • Improved regional connections • Improving bicycle and pedestrian access between neighborhoods and services for shorter trips Scenarios - General Direction The specific nature of changes and strategies to be included in each scenario will continue to be refined throughout July and August; however, the general direction and assumptions that will underpin each scenario are outlined in the table on the following page. Several themes heard from community members, City staff, Boards & Commissions, and Council provide a general direction for all of the scenarios: Themes: • Enjoyment of the community’s overall direction Many community members enjoy the overall direction in which Fort Collins is already headed. As a result, the scenarios represent variations on established policies and priorities rather than imagining dramatic new options. One scenario (‘baseline’) continues our existing vision and land use/transportation framework. • Striking a balance between aspirational and pragmatic Community members desire options that are realistic and implementable, and recognize that funding and resources are a constraint to achieving all the community’s priorities. Two of the scenarios (‘baseline’ and ‘targeted adjustment’) assume funding and resources that are consistent with existing levels. Where additional resources are shown in the third scenario (‘stretch goals’), they are realistic and potentially achievable. • Make additional progress implementing existing goals and plans The scenarios will illustrate the continued implementation of existing community goals and plans, such as Nature in the City and our climate action goals, while planning for anticipated future trends. July 24, 2018 Page 3 General Direction and Assumptions: SCENARIO 1 SCENARIO 2 SCENARIO 3 Baseline scenario carries forward existing land-use and transportation plans and policies. Illustrates what our current framework and funding is likely to achieve in the future. •Resources and funding match existing levels. •Continues existing land-use plans and policies, with a focus on continued buildout along the MAX corridor. •Continues existing trends for density, mix of uses, and housing types. Assumes slightly lower densities than what is allowed under existing zoning and development standards, consistent with current development trends. •No major new multimodal transportation infrastructure beyond what is envisioned in current plans; focus on maximizing existing investments. •Includes new policies supporting emerging mobility trends (e.g. electric and autonomous vehicles). Adjustments to land use and transportation in targeted areas to support multimodal transportation, increased housing supply, and a better mix of housing options. •Resource and funding match existing levels but funding may be reprioritized. •Adjustments to zoning and development standards in existing or planned multimodal corridors. •Higher densities and mix of uses in new projects along multimodal transportation corridors, consistent with existing zoning and development standards. Some flexibility for new housing types in select areas of the community. •Re-prioritizes funding for multimodal transportation, such as additional high frequency transit service in select areas, emphasizing first/last mile connectivity to transit. •Includes new policies July 24, 2018 Page 4 Communication and engagement during the scenarios phase will also stress that a selection of a single scenario by itself is not the primary objective. Feedback and input on individual scenario elements and the general direction of each scenario will be used to help inform and update City Plan policy direction this fall. Both visual and narrative based communication will be important in sharing information about scenarios with the community. Traditionally, comprehensive planning represents land-use changes through color-coded zoning maps. These maps can be difficult for community members to understand as they may not be aware which zone district they live or work within, and what types of land-uses and buildings are permitted in each zone district. Instead, the City Plan scenarios propose to use “place types” when describing potential land-use and built environment changes. Place types are a visual way to describe areas of the community with common characteristics. These illustrations will show community members what a particular place type (for example, an employment district) might look and feel like. Annotations will describe the predominant types of activities and characteristics of each place type. This approach is modeled after the ways in which many people already talk about the community. In the scenarios phase, 11 place types will be described and illustrated. Place types will be organized into three main categories: neighborhoods, districts, and protected lands. A brief description of each place type is listed below. Final names for each place type are still under review. Neighborhoods • Semi-rural Neighborhood: Low density areas with large lots and more rural characteristics and activities, such as agriculture and the keeping of farm animals. Tend to be located on the edges of the community. • Single family Neighborhood: Areas predominantly composed of single-family detached houses with supporting uses such as neighborhood parks and schools. • Mixed Neighborhood: Areas with higher housing densities and a mix of housing types, such as duplexes, townhomes and apartments. Tend to have closer proximity to services and transit. Districts • Downtown: Historic commercial core of the community with a diverse mix of land uses, activities, densities, and building forms. • Urban Mixed Use: Higher intensity areas with mixed-use developments, taller structures, and enhanced access to multimodal transportation options. • Suburban Mixed Use: Lower intensity areas with a mix of uses such as retail, medical offices and auto dealerships with surface parking lots and more limited access to multimodal transportation options. • Neighborhood Mixed Use: Smaller commercial areas serving nearby neighborhoods with goods and services. Mostly commonly experienced as a grocery-anchored retail center. • Employment: Areas with higher concentration of employment uses such as office, research, or manufacturing. Supporting uses such as restaurants and hotels may also be located nearby. • Industrial: Higher concentration of uses, businesses, and activities engaged in industrial work which may feature outdoor storage and impacts such as noise or odors. Predominantly located away from residential areas. • Campus: Areas with concentrated institutional and educational uses, such as Colorado State University or Front Range Community College. Other: • Protected Lands: Large areas of protected open space, both private and public, including natural areas, conservation easements, floodplains, golf courses, and areas to be protected as sensitive natural features from nearby development. July 24, 2018 Page 5 Place types will utilize illustrations, photos from the community, and annotated drawings to demonstrate common characteristics and the transitions from one place type to another. Because place types transcend zoning districts, they can also be used to show how areas of the community could change over time based on scenario elements. For example, one scenario may indicate an area as a ‘suburban mixed-use’ place type, but in another scenario, based on the potential for additional transit or land-use changes, the area may evolve in to something closer to an ‘urban mixed-use’ place type. Community members could then compare the two place types to understand key differences and provide feedback on the benefits and drawbacks of the proposed scenario changes. Next Steps Continued development of scenario elements and their evaluation will continue to take place throughout July and August. Community activities and engagement on scenarios is anticipated to begin in late August and into September. Staff anticipates significant discussions on scenarios with a large variety and number of community stakeholders followed by additional Council discussion and direction. The next City Plan Council Work Session is scheduled for November 13th. Water Scenario Modelling Utilities has received a grant to fund two Growing Water Smart workshops facilitated by the Sonoran Institute that will consider water impacts of the City Plan scenarios. The first workshop on August 15, will present the draft scenarios and the concept of integrating water cost/availability into the equation. A second workshop in October will examine the best ways to implement a preferred water management strategy. All three of the community’s water providers will participate in the process. ATTACHMENTS 1. PowerPoint Presentation (PDF) 1 City Plan Update - Scenarios Cameron Gloss 7/24/18 ATTACHMENT 1 2 Overview City Plan includes updates to: • Coordinated Engagement Opportunities • Integrated Policies Comprehensive Plan Transportation Master Plan Transit Master Plan Phases 3 1 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS Trends, issues & opportunities, community priorities VISIONING Update & reconfirm a shared community vision for the future 3 SCENARIOS Evaluate different community scenarios to achieve vision & priorities 4 DRAFT PLAN & POLICIES Develop policies & plan document 5 ADOPTION Share, reconfirm & update draft plan with the community Direction Sought 1. What feedback does Council have regarding the general direction of the three City Plan scenarios? 2. What feedback does Council have on the communications strategy for scenarios? 4 Scenarios 5 Scenarios Overview  Develop three City Plan scenarios  Each represents a collection of land-use, transportation, and policy ideas & strategies  Designed to achieve & strengthen community priorities & values  Scenario direction derived from community input & feedback Scenarios 6 Scenarios: Purpose & Goals  Evaluation exercise to determine the impacts, costs & potential tradeoffs of changes  Communication tool for conversation & deliberation  Feedback will be used to inform refinements to City Plan policy direction Recap: Community Values 7 Key Drivers – Community Values Livability Sustainability Community Quality of life Safety Ease of getting around Affordable Access to jobs/education Clean environment Ensuring viable future Steward of natural environment Carbon neutral Managing growth Triple bottom line Friendly, neighborly, community pride Inclusive, respectful of diversity Spaces for interaction & celebration Open communication Recap: Community Priorities 8 Housing  Attainable housing for average wage earners / fixed incomes  Maintaining / increasing affordable housing units  Housing choices & access to housing types Recap: Community Priorities 9 Multimodal Transportation  Taking the next steps to achieve goals for travel by foot, bike & transit  Roadway congestion management  Improved regional connections  Improved access from neighborhoods to services for shorter trips All Scenarios – Place Types 10 • Rural Lands • Urban Estate • Residential Foothills • Low Density Residential • Low Density Mixed-Use • Medium Density Mixed-Use • Neighborhood Conservation Low Density • Neighborhood Conservation Medium Density • Neighborhood Conservation Buffer • High Density Mixed-Use • Transition • Public Open Lands • River Conservation • Downtown • River Downtown Redevelopment • Community Commercial • Community Commercial North College • Community Commercial Poudre River • General Commercial • Service Commercial • Neighborhood Commercial • Harmony Corridor • Employment • Industrial * Neighborhoods Semi-Rural Single Family Mixed * Districts Downtown Urban/TOD Suburban Mixed Use Neighborhood Mixed Use Employment Industrial Campus * Other * Final names TBD Open & Protected Lands Scenarios – Place Types 11 • Simplified approach to describe and illustrate the general character of an area for community members based on elements such as: - existing development - dominant land-uses - zoning & development standards - access to amenities/transportation - potential for change through each scenario Scenarios – Place Types 12 Source: Norman, OK Place Type: Single Family Neighborhood Place Type: Mixed Neighborhood Scenarios – Place Types 13 Scenarios – Place Types 14 Source: San Antonio, TX Scenario Direction 15 Overall Scenario Direction – Key Themes  Enjoyment of community’s overall direction  Scenarios are variations on our current path rather than dramatic new options  Balance between aspirational & pragmatic  Realistic and achievable options that focus mostly on funding and resources at current levels  Continued implementation of current goals and plans  Scenarios show progress towards existing goals (e.g. Nature in the City, Climate Action) Scenario One 16 Continuation of Established Policies & Plans  Similar funding  Current Structure Plan  Assumes slightly lower densities (than allowed)  A mix of TOD and non-TOD redevelopment along the MAX corridor  One new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line (West Elizabeth)  Add high frequency bus service on several key corridors  Retain low ridership coverage routes  Policies addressing emerging mobility trends Scenario One 17 Key Land Use Elements Focus Areas Zoning & Intensity Continuation of structure plan & lower densities than permitted by zoning Buildout along MAX & Downtown Key Transportation Elements Support MAX Maintain Service Low Stress Network Congestion Projects Auto Bike/Ped Transit Sidewalk Improvements Mobility Trends Scenario Two 18 Targeted Land-Use Adjustments & Transportation Adjustments  Reprioritized funding  Assumes higher density & intensity (as currently allowed)  Assumes buildout along the MAX corridor (at transit supportive densities)  First and last mile connectivity to support transit  BRT service on West Elizabeth, North College  Add high frequency bus service on more key corridors  Policies supporting emerging mobility trends Scenario Two 19 Key Land Use Elements Focus Areas Zoning & Intensity Targeted areas of higher intensities (as planned) in multimodal corridors Downtown, Commercial & Multimodal corridors Key Transportation Elements More BRT Service Expanded Service First / Last Mile Congestion Projects Auto Bike/Ped Transit Sidewalk Connections Mobility Trends Scenario Three 20 Broader Land-Use Adjustments & Transportation Adjustments  New funding sources required  Increased density & intensity in more areas  Greater flexibility for new housing types  BRT service on West Elizabeth, North College, Mulberry and Harmony  Add high frequency service on key corridors  Regional transit investments  Expanded shared transportation options (microtransit, on-demand, etc.)  Increased investment in bicycling and walking  Policies supporting emerging mobility trends Scenario Three 21 Key Land Use Elements Focus Areas Zoning & Intensity Areas of higher intensities & greater mix of uses in multimodal corridors Downtown, Commercial & Multimodal corridors. Additional housing types in neighborhoods Key Transportation Elements BRT Lines / High Freq. Expanded Regional Service First / Last Mile Congestion Projects Auto Bike/Ped Transit Walking Programs Automated Vehicles Scenario Communications 22 Planned Scenario Activities:  City-led workshops  Plan Ambassador Meetings  Community Partner Organization Events  Online questionnaire  Narrative & video-based description of scenarios for all activities Direction Sought 1. What feedback does Council have regarding the general direction of the three City Plan scenarios? 2. What feedback does Council have on the communications strategy for scenarios? 23 supporting emerging mobility trends (e.g., electric and autonomous vehicles). More significant land use and transportation changes to more fully support multimodal transportation, increased housing supply, and a better mix of housing options. •Reprioritizes funding or new dedicated sources may be required, especially for transportation investments. •Adjustments to zoning and development standards occur in more areas of the community, to complement and support additional transportation investments. •Greater densities and mix of uses in new development locations and along existing or planned multimodal transportation corridors. Greater flexibility for new housing types in more areas of the community. •Additional investment for transit frequencies and coverage, emphasizing regional transit connections and first/last mile connectivity for biking and walking. •Includes new policies supporting emerging mobility trends (e.g., electric and autonomous vehicles). Scenarios - Communication and Engagement Scenario evaluation and communication will be designed for all City Plan stakeholders. Dialogue and deliberation about each scenario and their individual elements will utilize the full spectrum of City Plan engagement activities, such as City-led workshops, online questionnaires, and numerous smaller discussions organized by City Plan Ambassadors and Community Partner organizations. In preparation for the community dialogue on scenarios, staff and the City Plan consultant team will be modeling and preparing a detailed evaluation and analysis of each scenario. Using resources such as the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) regional land use and transportation model, the Climate Action Plan model, and data collected during City Plan’s existing conditions phase, the analysis will focus on communicating the impacts, costs, and potential tradeoffs of scenario elements.