HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 3/5/2024 - Memorandum From Josh Birks Re: Lpt Question: Request For Additional Details On Metro District Hearing – March 5, 2024 Council Agenda Item #9Sustainability Services
222 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6324
jbirks@fcgov.com
Page 1 of 2
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 4, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer
From: Josh Birks, Deputy Director, Sustainability Services
Subject: LPT QUESTION: Request for additional details on Metro District Hearing –
March 5, 2024 Council Agenda Item #9
This memorandum provides a response to a request for additional details of the pre-application
hearing process schedule for the Straus Lake Metro District on March 5, 2024.
BOTTOM LINE
The process closely mirrors the final application hearing process set forth in the Metro District
Policy. The primary objective of the hearing is for the applicant to put forth their intention to
establish a Metro District and to describe the public benefits included in their Letter of Interest
(LOI). Staff will provide a brief overview of the process and LOI then hand it to the applicant
before the public has a chance to comment. After closing public comment the item is returned to
the Council for questions and comments.
BACKGROUND
The Metro District Policy does not set forth a proscriptive process for pre-application hearings.
This step was added to the process during the revisions of 2021 when the Residential Scoring
system was adopted into the policy. The intent of the hearing is for Council to have a chance to
evaluate whether the Metro District fits their desired use of the tool prior to significant staff or
developer investment in a Service Plan.
The process generally follows the final application hearing set forth in the Metro District Policy
with a few adjustments.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4C17BA5A-02B0-48D3-8743-06CEB9735795
Page 2 of 2
The process will be as follows:
1. The mayor will announce the item and open the public hearing.
2. City Staff will make a presentation covering:
a. The purpose of the hearing.
b. How the hearing fits into the overall Metro District application process.
c. A brief explanation of the application and staff’s initial observations.
NOTE: Staff did not invest significant time analyzing the application, outside of
the requirements of the LOI step in the policy. Detailed analysis will occur if
formal application is submitted.
3. The applicant will present, focusing on their stated need for a Metro District and the
public benefits included in the LOI.
4. The mayor then opens public comment, which follows the standard council procedures
for public comment.
5. At the completion of public comment, the mayor opens the floor to her fellow
councilmembers to ask questions of the applicant and/or City staff.
6. After the applicant and/or City staff answer Council’s questions, the mayor may call for
comments regarding the conceptual application outlined in the LOI.
7. OPTIONAL: The mayor may call for a motion on the conceptual application (following
normal Council procedures). If a motion is made, it may express an opinion on whether
the applicant should bring a service plan forward for formal consideration. The motion
may also include any Council recommendations on items to include or not include in the
formal application. THE POLICY CLEARLY STATES WHETHER TO MAKE A MOTION
AT ALL IS WITHIN THE COUNCIL’S DISCRETION.
NEXT STEPS
Based on the outcome of Council’s discussion and recommendations, either:
1. The applicant will prepare a formal service plan for consideration incorporating Council’s
comments, suggestions, and recommendations; or
2. No further action will be taken by City staff to support a formal application.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4C17BA5A-02B0-48D3-8743-06CEB9735795