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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-07/27/1993-AdjournedADJOURNED MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO Council -Manager Form of Government July 27, 1993 6:15 p.m. An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on Tuesday, July 27, 1993, at 6:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the City of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll call was answered by the following Councilmembers: Apt, Azari, Horak, Janett and Kneeland. Councilmembers Absent: Councilmembers McCluskey and Winokur. Staff Members Present: Burkett, Davis and Roy. Mayor Azari welcomed Mr. Bomotti to Fort Collins. Gerry Bomotti, Vice -President of Administrative Services at CSU, informed Council and the audience that there were models of the project available in the lobby area. ' Chief Planner Sherry Albertson -Clark clarified staff has been working with CSU since the fall of 1992 on the proposal. She stated CSU has been very cooperative and has been willing to listen to staff recommendations. She stated the plan is supported by the City's Land Use Policies Plan as well as the Land Development Guidance System criteria. She stated staff supports plans for the northwest and southeast sites. Randy Reed, 717 Skyline Drive, spoke of the tremendous increase of traffic on Skyline Drive and expressed his concerns with last minute changes to the project prior to the beginning of construction. Evelyn Jacobi, representing the Moore School Parent Advisory Board, spoke of concerns regarding open access onto Skyline Drive. She stated the roads and sidewalks are narrow which is a great safety concern. She urged that the originally proposed emergency access be reconsidered. Karen Ray, Crossing Guard at Orchard and Skyline, spoke of the safety hazards. She stated it was not a safe intersection to begin with and spoke of the high volume of pedestrians and vehicles at peak times. She opposed the access due to potential safety hazards. Gail McKee, 1832 Orchard Place, stated the Skyline access would initiate traffic from various surrounding areas. She stated CSU's original design reflected neighborhood concerns. Mf I1: July 27, 1993 ' Stan Ulrich, 2313 Valley Forge Court, spoke in support of the project commenting that CSU is a great asset to the City. He stated the University should be commended for constructing affordable housing units. Bill Volz, 1816 Orchard Place, questioned if the model of the project had been shown on television and if a neighborhood survey had been conducted. He stated he was opposed to the Skyline access due to safety concerns. Chris Zell, representing the Larimer County Affordable Housing Task Force, spoke in support of the project and supported the neighborhood and CSU's original recommendation to grant only emergency access. Maida Christner, 1833 Orchard Place, questioned why affordable housing units have been concentrated in her neighborhood. She stated Skyline Drive should be used for emergency access only. She commented that she did not have much confidence in the City's traffic control. Lou Stitzel, 1212 Lynnwood Drive, spoke of her involvement with the Larimer County Affordable Housing Task Force. She stated there is a need for affordable housing around the University and commented that placement of the project would cut down on the traffic due to students being able to walk or bike. Janet Miller, member of the Moore Parent Advisory Board, spoke in favor of the , housing project but stressed the need for safety of the children. Ward Luthi, 1630 W. Swallow Road, requested an extension to the three minute speaking rule, stating it was the last opportunity for residents to participate in public input on something that would impact the quality of life as well as neighborhood safety. Jerry Abergast, residing on Broadview Place, stated the project would violate his privacy and obstruct his view of the mountains. He spoke of declining property values in relationship to the project. Karen Bridges, 1833 Broadview Place, stated she supported the project even though property values would decline, but she spoke in opposition of the Skyline access. David Lauer, member of the Education and Advocacy Committee for Larimer County Affordable Housing Task Force, spoke of housing concerns and stated the project was a good beginning toward the solution of affordable student housing in the area. Sandra Wolf, City Park Avenue, spoke in favor of the housing project. She commented that CSU has been a good neighbor. She stated property values would rise due to constant upgrades CSU would make to the property. 181 July 27, 1993 Gene Bernard, General Manager at Ram Village, spoke in support of the Skyline access stating he believed the Plum Street access was dangerous. He stated he ,did not anticipate a large volume on traffic moving in the westerly direction. Ward Luthi, 1630 W. Swallow Road, stated he was angry and upset about the project and disagreed with previous comments regarding westerly traffic. He spoke of various housing alternatives that would not impact the neighborhood. He stated it was absurd to believe that because of the location of the housing project students would walk or bicycle. He questioned why Broadview has not been considered in the traffic impact study and commented that the City should not concede to CSU just because they have the right to .build. Karen Bridges, 1833 Broadview Place, spoke of the potential for increased bicycle/vehicle accidents if access is permitted. Mayor Azari summarized comments and concerns regarding the project as follows: quality of life, traffic control, neighborhood impacts, privacy, property values, building height, and housing needs. Transportation Planner Eric Bracke stated the original project called for emergency access to Skyline. He reported CSU was asked to conduct an amended traffic study showing the impact on Skyline Drive. He reported from a traffic ' engineering standpoint there was a negligible amount of traffic. Gerry Bomotti, Vice -President of Administrative Affairs at CSU, reported in previous neighborhood meetings, CSU and the neighborhood had agreed upon emergency access only to Skyline Drive, noting it was the City's recommendation to make a full turning access. City Manager Steve Burkett stated recommendations are based on the analysis of the traffic and housing unit design, stating the impact of the Skyline access was minor. Mr. Bomotti responded to citizen comments stating a model of the project had not been on T.V. He noted that no survey had been mailed to residents regarding the project but stated there was a mail out that invited citizens to a neighborhood meeting to discuss the project. He commented on privacy issues and building heights and stated he would follow-up on those issues. Mr. Bomotti responded to questions regarding other site locations, stating the current site best served the needs of the University. Architect Mick Aller outlined the access points and stated there would be speed bumps in the area. Eric Bracke responded to Council questions and spoke of the number of vehicles that travel through the area each day. He clarified the initial traffic study ' had been conducted in No 1992. 182 July 27, 1993 Ron Baker, CSU Planning Department, clarified that the landscaping in the parking lot exceeds City standards. Mr. Bomotti stated that CSU wants to be a good neighbor and work together more efficiently and effectively in the future. He stated he hopes that more formal lines of communication are open between the University and City staff. Mayor Azari stated it would be to CSU's advantage to allow the Planning and Zoning Board to assist them in the future. Architect Mick Aller spoke of landscape issues noting that they are meeting with the landscape architect to incorporate landscaping closer to the units to avoid shading of current residents property. He commented they are proceeding with a 6 foot chain link fence on the north property line. He noted he would be happy to meet with the neighborhood to discuss landscaping issues to assure their satisfaction with the options. Councilmember Horak made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Apt, to communicate to CSU that only emergency access to Skyline Drive be granted. The vote on Councilmember Horak's motion was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Apt, Azari, Horak, Janett and Kneeland. Nays: None. THE MOTION CARRIED. ' Councilmember Apt opposed access to West Elizabeth from the southeast site and spoke of the eventual need for traffic lights. Councilmember Kneeland spoke of the need for increased traffic enforcement in the neighborhood. Councilmember Horak concurred with Councilmember Kneeland stating the Police Department needs to ticket those parking illegally. Councilmember Kneeland encouraged CSU and the City to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement, similar to the current agreement with Poudre R-1, so that CSU projects go through the Planning and Zoning Board and citizen input processes. Councilmember Horak expressed the need for improved interaction with CSU. Councilmember Apt stated the City is dealing with several long range issues, i.e., land -use, transportation and air quality. He stated he would like to talk with CSU about developing an integrated planning strategy. Mayor Azari spoke of the importance of participating in CSU's masterplans and the importance for citizens to be able to communicate their thoughts and feelings. ' 183 July 27, 1993 Councilmember Horak suggested Mayor Azari draft a letter to President Yates expressing concerns addressed during the process. Ad.iournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ATTEST: �7 LI KK 4\-\)w a,;. -a - I City Clerk 184