HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 06/25/2024 - Memorandum from Ginny Sawyer re June 11, 2024 Work Session: Hughes Site Use Plan (2)City Manager’s Office
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 18, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
From: Ginny Sawyer, Senior Project Manager
Subject: June 11, 2024 Work Session: Hughes Site Use Plan
_________________________________________________________________________________
BOTTOM LINE
Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis and Councilmembers Pignataro, Potyondy, Gutowsky, and
Ohlson were present with Canonico being absent. Staff presented background on the Hughes property
to date and past engagement. Staff was seeking direction on guiding principles and outreach.
DISCUSSION
Guiding Principles
Staff presented the following two guiding principles that are intended to set expectations for future
public engagement.
1. Develop a plan that meets the ballot language, is contextually appropriate for site location, and
can be implemented over time.
2. Create integrated, multi-use spaces that can serve the community year-round.
There was overall support for the principles with some question if number 2 is necessary.
Ballot Language
There was also discussion on the ballot language and whether all items mentioned (parks, recreation,
and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration) are required or if they are the only
allowable uses. Full ballot language is included in memo. Upon review of the referring ordinance and
the ballot language the listed uses are the allowable uses.
The Land Use Code defines Public Open Lands (POL) zoning as a designation or district for Natural
Areas, publicly-owned Parks, and open lands which have a community-wide emphasis. It further
defines Parks, Recreation and Open Lands as “natural areas as described in the Natural Areas Policy
Plan, parks and recreation facilities as described in the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan whether such
DocuSign Envelope ID: 23019EBE-545E-44D6-96EB-165D4967F068
CC: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Sylvia Tatman-Burruss, Senior Project Manager
facilities are owned or operated by the City or by another not-for-profit organization, environmental
interpretation facilities, outdoor environmental research or education facilities, or public outdoor places.”
Given these definitions within the ballot and the zoning designation some type of building/structure for
wildlife rescue/rehab, restoration, education, interpretation and research could be allowed on the
property through a development process.
Engagement
Staff presented information on a “Civic Assembly” engagement process and ensured that regardless of
process a site plan recommendation will be brought to Council in June/July 2025. Key discussion points
included:
• Engaging a 3rd party for outreach would be good for this project.
• Interest in ensuring the Civic Assembly process does create a representative group.
• Questions regarding how the public would interact with the Assembly.
• An expressed interest in ensuring that the final plan and recommendation reflects what the
community wants.
NEXT STEPS AND FOLLOW-UP
Staff has scheduled an appropriation on July 16, 2024, on discussion, for the purpose of engaging in a
Civic Assembly. Staff from the American Public Trust will be available via Zoom to answer questions
and provide details on the process.
BALLOT LANGUAGE
Shall the City enact an ordinance requiring the City Council of the City of Fort Collins to immediately
rezone upon passage of the ordinance a 164.56-acre parcel of real property formerly home to the
Hughes Stadium from the Transition District to the Public Open Lands District, and requiring the City to
acquire the property at fair market value to use said property for parks, recreation, and open lands,
natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration, and further prohibiting the City from de-annexing,
ceasing acquisition efforts or subsequently rezoning the property without voter approval of a separate
initiative referred to the voters by City Council, and granting legal standing to any registered elector in
the City to seek injunctive and/or declaratory relief in the courts related to City noncompliance with said
ordinance?
DocuSign Envelope ID: 23019EBE-545E-44D6-96EB-165D4967F068