HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 4/14/2020 - Memorandum From Tom Leeson And Rebecca Everette Re: Read Before Memo - Agenda Item #1 - Items Relating To Remote Participation In Certain Meetings1
Planning, Development & Transportation
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.221.6760
970.224.6134 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 13, 2020
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Planning, Development and Transportation Director
FROM: Tom Leeson, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director
Rebecca Everette, Development Review Manager
RE: Read-Before Memo – Agenda Item #1: Items Relating to Remote Participation in
Certain Meetings
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to questions raised at Leadership Planning Team
on April 13, 2020 related to Agenda Item #1 (Items Relating to Remote Participation in Certain
Meetings) at the Adjourned Meeting scheduled for April 14, 2020.
State and County Stay-at-Home Orders
Leadership Planning Team asked for clarification as to whether the definition of “essential
activities” in the State and Larimer County Stay-at-Home Orders includes planning, development
review and related professional services.
Construction is considered an essential activity in both stay-at-home orders. Staff has confirmed
with Larimer County that the County interprets the stay-at-home orders to not differentiate between
construction and those activities that support construction, including professional services (real
estate, architecture, engineering, legal, land use planning, and related services). Government
activities that are a precursor to construction, including planning and development review, have
also been deemed essential by the State and County.
Upcoming Hearings and Neighborhood Meetings
Pending quasi-judicial hearings and neighborhood meetings that have been scheduled for March,
April, May or June and are currently at risk of delay is provided in the agenda materials and below.
Some hearings and neighborhood meetings were scheduled for March or April and have already
been delayed one or more times. A continued delay of quasi-judicial items would further impact the
timelines for those projects, and other projects that are “in the queue” could delayed as well.
If remote hearings and neighborhood meetings are not approved, there could be added pressure
on boards, commissions, and staff to conduct extra hearings (e.g., increase to 2 per month) or
neighborhood meetings (e.g., increase to 3-4 per week).
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Meeting Type Pending Projects/Decisions
City Council Hearings 3 rezoning decisions related to properties within City limits – 2 pending
Planning & Zoning Board recommendations
4 initial zoning decisions related to recent annexations (second reading)
6 landmark designation decisions (voluntary) – 3 pending Landmark
Preservation Commission recommendations
Planning and Zoning
Board Hearings
1 City of Fort Collins neighborhood park
1 child care center
162 multi-family dwelling units (2 projects)
2 duplexes (4 dwelling units)
2 industrial buildings
1 enclosed mini-storage building
1 new parking lot with drive-thru ATM for a bank (Addition of Permitted
Use)
1 convenience store with fuel sales
1 community solar project
2 appeals of Minor Amendment decisions
2 recommendations to City Council related to rezoning decisions
Development Review
Administrative
Hearings (Hearing
Officer)
1 hotel (150 rooms)
1 wireless telecommunication facility (cell tower)
1 accessory dwelling unit (carriage house)
Zoning Board of
Appeals
2 sign variances
1 setback encroachment variance
Landmark Preservation
Commission
1 design review/recommendation for a development project
5 recommendations to City Council on landmark designations (voluntary)
Building Review Board 1 decision related to a suspended contractor license
Neighborhood Meetings
(Development Review)
2 affordable housing projects
Senior housing facility (36 memory care units, 63 assisted/independent
living units)
New restaurant
New manufactured housing community
Conversion of existing industrial building to a place of worship
New mixed residential community
Technological Considerations
A team of staff have been working to identify an online meeting platform and meeting procedures
to ensure that quasi-judicial meetings can be effectively conducted remotely. Information
Technology has thoroughly reviewed and vetted a number of platforms to replace WebEx, with
input from the City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, City Manager’s Office, and Community
Development and Neighborhood Services.
Zoom has emerged as the recommended platform for remote hearings and regular City Council
meetings. Staff plans to switch from WebEx to Zoom in time for the April 21 City Council Meeting.
This platform was selected with the following considerations:
Zoom provides outstanding public accessibility compared to other platforms (web browser,
smartphone, or dial in)
Security issues have been addressed by the company
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A version of Zoom will be used that allows for formal moderation and control of meeting
participation
User settings will be adjusted to greatly reduce risk of cybersecurity threats (e.g.; Zoom
Bombing)
Resources are being developed to help support and train Council, board and commission
members, members of the public and staff
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