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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 1/21/2020 - Memorandum From Delynn Coldiron Re: Item #18 - Public Hearing And Second Reading Of Ordinance No. 138, 2019, Hughes Stadium Site Rezoning (Packet #2)From: Cameron Gloss To: Delynn Coldiron Cc: Tom Leeson Subject: FW: please read: Hughes Stadium site -- rezoning vote Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 10:23:49 AM Delynn, I assumed you saw this message, but I’m sending it on just in case you hadn’t. Another one for the record. Cameron From: gabriele rearick <gsz05@msn.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 10:20 AM To: Cameron Gloss <cgloss@fcgov.com> Cc: gabriele rearick <gsz05@msn.com> Subject: Fwd: please read: Hughes Stadium site -- rezoning vote Hi Mr. Gloss, Please see fyi below. Best regards, Gabriele From: gabriele rearick <gsz05@msn.com> Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020, 10:56 To: cityleaders@fcgov.com; gabriele rearick Subject: please read: Hughes Stadium site -- rezoning vote Dear honored and respected Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fort Collins City Council, This letter is with regard to your vote on the rezoning of the former Hughes Stadium site. We would like to ask you to vote on rezoning in such a way that the developer would like to choose to walk away from the contract with CSU. The CSU Stadium site is an absolutely unique Foothills location adjacent to significant open space that, in our opinion, constitutes one of Fort Collins’ signature attributes. We find it unwise to consider handing over this gem to a private nationwide developer driven by maximizing shareholder value rather than keeping the best interests in mind for the City of Fort Collins. In your elected roles as the guardians of our city’s future, we appeal to you to vote on the side of sustainability and quality of life and preservation of nature over short-term financial gain. There is plenty of other lands near the city better suited for development; please don’t sacrifice this one-of-a-kind location to become just another subdivision. We strongly think there are much more viable alternatives and forward-looking opportunities with different use cases, not involving medium or high-density housing! Consider Boulder’s Chautauqua Park area: it is a bridge between existing residential areas and hiking trails, much like the Hughes site, and includes an auditorium and is an anchor for the Interurban park area with high-tech facilities nearby. We believe that this very different vision than just another Lennar neighborhood is a more sustainable development opportunity which would: create significant income streams for the City of Fort Collins, preserve the uniqueness of the land, be in balance and satisfy the needs and wishes of citizens to maintain the uniqueness of this beautiful area and nature, be accomplished in a sustainable, renewable energy and thus lighthouse project fashion which could enable Fort Collins to be a leader in adopting sustainable, new energy concepts, and potentially give several local developers business and income. We understand that CSU needs about $10 million. We think that this could be accomplished via a crowdfunding initiative and/or a City-backed plan to rezone the land appropriately, repurpose it in a sustainable and forward-looking way, and mandate renewable energy usage! Perhaps CSU itself would be interested in being a partner in this vision as a way to enhance their image as a leader in 21st -century science and engineering. This approach would allow our citizens to see the future preservation and prospects of the land in balance with their usage model, all while the City could maintain various income streams. We are hoping you will vote according to your conscience and do everything you can to protect this unique land instead of sacrificing it to a national faceless developer to become just another tract of generic housing. Thank you for your consideration. Warmest regards, Jeff and Gabriele Rearick. From: Holcombe, John - SSC To: City Leaders Cc: csusboard@colostate.edu Subject: Former Hughes Stadium Development Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 9:13:32 AM Dear City Leaders, Apparently CSU and the City sold out to Lennar Development company to build a mix of residential units at the former Hughes site. This was a huge mistake and sad day for the parcel of land that was a gateway into the foothills and a corridor for wildlife and open space for the residents of Fort Collins. Since this huge mistake has already been approved, please consider limiting the amount of development on that land so that it does not look like the Lennar development that is currently being built on the northeast end of town. The lack of foresight on the former Hughes property is disgusting and makes me sick, so much that I want to pack up my family and leave Fort Collins. With all of the current development and proposed development on that area off of Overland trail, I can only predict that the foothills trail, nature and community around that area will be impacted negatively forever. If only the City would stop the madness, find the funds and purchase the land as open space. The corridor along the foothills is more important to this City than packing in as much as possible in an area that is extremely important for the future of this City and the environment. Please share. Thanks John Holcombe From: Trish Babbitt To: City Leaders Subject: A Plea to Reverse the Vote on Hughes Stadium Zoning Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 10:46:04 AM Dear City Council Members, Before I say more, I want to thank council members Ross Cunniff and Susan Gutowsky who listened carefully to and voted on behalf of their constituents last week, when they expressed concerns about the Montava development proposal— which included some good ideas, but which also is slated to be a Metro District. Ross and Susan seem to understand how devastating Metro Districts can be to whole communities— especially to those seeking affordable and attainable housing. In all likelihood, if Lennar obtains the Hughes site, they will create a crowded Metro District and a terrible mess at the same time, all the while displacing wildlife that has depended on this land for years. A poor zoning choice on the Hughes property could result in irreparable damage to a piece of land that is worth much, much more than the mere $10 million that CSU has promised to sell it for to Lennar Homes. A recent Denver Post article discussed the devastation that Colorado homeowners in Metro Districts faced when the taxes for the homes they bought at an “affordable” price soared in less than a year. One homeowner said that her taxes went from $812 the first year to almost $3,500 less than a year later and $4,400 two years after that. Even though she felt she could afford the mortgage, it was the taxes that were creating unanticipated financial hardships for her. On Sunday, I spent a few hours talking with people in City Park and the City Park neighborhood (in Emily Gorgol’s District 6) to hear their ideas about the potential development. Many people said that the Hughes Stadium site is a prime example of the natural areas that make people want to live in and visit Fort Collins. They wished that CSU would find a different way to cover its debts and keep the land as open space. But if this isn’t “in the cards”, they agreed that the 100% RF zoning option seemed to be the next best scenario. If I had more time, I would have tried to get signatures from more people in other Districts—where I know many people who want to see the land stay as open space. We still hope that CSU and its Board of Governors will finally see the light, start making fiscally sound and truly green decisions, and stop moving in the reckless, unsustainable way that has been going on in recent years. Some of the people with whom I spoke wanted to attend tonight’s City Council meeting but had other commitments. They thanked me for the opportunity to sign a special T-shirt to represent their voices at tonight’s meeting. We hope that tonight, more of our City Council members will show the courage that Ross and Susan showed last week to vote on behalf of their constituents, rather than buckling to the pressures of CSU’s Board of Governors and Lennar Homes. Thank you, Patricia Babbitt, 80521 January 21, 2020 To: Fort Collins City Council Members, Cameron Gloss, CSU Board of Govenors CC: Matt Blum, KUNC While the meeting tonight is a zoning hearing, it is clear that the city’s proposed plan, the CSU/Lennar Agreement and the comments of many City Council members focus on how the property will be developed and therefore it is difficult to separate zoning and development. Additionally, some of these questions may seem too global, however, they ultimately relate to the City Plan. Council members refer to the City Plan in discussions of identified growth areas, including Hughes, and the impact zoning will have on this area forever. We feel it is important to ask and receive answers to the following questions: Cameron Gloss 1. Why after the P & Z Board recommended 100% RF did you completely disregard their recommendation and you presented your recommendation to City Council with just the briefest mention that the P & Z Board recommended 100% RF? 2. Why are you saying 500 - 550 units would be built on the Hughes property? We all know that you worked with CSU regarding the zoning. We also know that the agreement CSU signed with Lennar states a minimum of 600 units and provides incentives for every unit built over 625 and also includes additional bonuses as units are sold? 3. What is the exact number of units that can be built on the Hughes property with the LMN/RF zoning you have recommended? Not what you think, but the ACTUAL number. Please breakdown the number down by LMN and RF. 4. Why was the City Plan with identified growth areas implemented after CSU and Lennar signed their agreement regarding the Hughes Property? 5. Why after all of the feedback from the community to the City and CSU regarding the Hughes Property did you and your team only present housing development options for consideration? 6. Why if there is not a formal plan from Lennar for the Hughes Property, why are people meeting at the city building discussing the infrastructure issues for 550 units on the Hughes Property? 7. Why hasn’t the concept of a Public/Private/Philanthropic Partnership been explored? Colorado State University 1. Cameron Gloss stated in a City Council Meeting that CSU refused to consider selling the Hughes Property to the City. Please explain why this decision was made. 2. The Hughes Property was a land grant for and by the people. The community should have a say in what happens to this property. The community has been very clear, time and again, regarding the use of the Hughes Property. Why did you completely discount the public input on the Land Grant Property? 3. Why, after CSU has been so vocal regarding affordable housing for your workforce, did you not make workforce housing a requirement of the sale? City Council 1. When will City Council start demanding answers and information for example, when will the studies the community has requested be completed and results “published” a. Ecological Characterization Study b. Emergency Response and Rescue c. Traffic study from Drake to LaPorte d. Educational Capacity e. Air Quality f. Structural Engineering Impact Study to the Reservoir g. Environmental Assessment Study 2. Many people in the community believe the Zoning for Hughes is a done deal. They find it hard to believe in transparency in government when secret meetings and communications continue between players. The realtors and were informed that the 2nd Hughes reading would not take place on November 19, 2019 hours before City Council voted to delay the vote. Mayor Troxell stated at the start of the City Council Meeting that he had not had the opportunity to speak with his fellow council members so how could the Realtors already know? 3. Some council members continue to assert that affordable housing is desperately needed and believe it will be built on the Hughes parcel. The community would like to know, by approved housing developments currently be built and/or considered exactly how many affordable and attainable units will be built in each development. 4. Once zoning is approved, what control does the city have over how many affordable and/or attainable units are built if the plans submitted by a builder meet all codes and regulations? 5. Why aren’t affordable/attainable units being included in developments within the City Core which already has access to transportation and needed amenities? 6. Many of the cities starting out on the “Top Ten Places to Live” quickly lost their place because increasing population became more important than livability. The Fort Collins community wants Livability what does the City and the City Council want? If you decide to support the recommendation of LMN/RF recommended by the City Planners, it will ultimately destroy the night sky’s, wildlife habitats and access to Horsetooth Reservoir, also referred to as the “Crown Jewel of Fort Collins”. Safety in the foothill’s community will also be impacted since the City Plan identifies floods and wildfires as an ever-increasing threat as climate changes continue to occur. Residents in the area prior to the Ponds and Bella Vira developments report that RF Zoning was fervently promoted and supported by the City to obtain buy-in that the buffer to the foothills would always be maintained. Subsequently, home buyers in this same area have relied on this promise. We ask that you vote no tonight and not support LMN/RF for Hughes. Rather, support the P & Z Boards’ recommendation of RF as a compromise between the Community, CSU and The City. Sincerely, Tamra and Robert Meurer 80525 Rex and Lonna Miller 80526 Alexis Coover 80526 Mary Grant 80521 Marc and Codi McKee 80526 Jeralyn Davis 80526 Glenn and Mary Wemhoff 80526 Doug and Pat Macallister 80521 David Thompson 80521 From: Anna Goldetsky To: City Leaders Cc: Ross Cunniff Subject: Vote NO to the City Planners zoning proposal at Hughes Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 4:00:29 PM Fort Collins City Council members, As citizen of district #5, I ask you to vote NO to the city planners zoning proposal and support the Planning and Zoning boards recommendation of 100% RF zoning at Hughes. The Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation is a solid middle-ground for both progress and protection. Progress towards building out a robust community while protecting the integrity of Fort Collins character and the social, economic, and health benefits we reap from its unique attributes. As stated in the Nature in the City Strategic Plan, properties in close proximity to natural areas yield a 10% price premium. So please steer clear of the false logic that affordability/attainability will be a product of greater density. Final build-out costs and road improvements, combined with demand and scarcity, will ultimately drive price point; not your zoning decision. Furthermore, preserving the character and serenity of the surrounding neighborhoods (your constituents homes) should be your primary goal; not continuity with the surrounding housing types. Development of any kind is going to bring more noise pollution, vehicle emissions, network- wide traffic congestion, light pollution, etc... so consider carefully your decision and how it contributes to the quality of life here in Fort Collins. Your vote against the City Planner's proposal is most appreciated. Regards, Anna 1 Sara Gonzales From: Sarah Kane Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 5:01 PM To: Delynn Coldiron; Sara Gonzales Cc: Cameron Gloss Subject: FW: City Council Meeting Public Opinion Statement What do we do with this? Packets are already done. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Kane Executive Administrative Assistant to Deputy City Manager Jeff Mihelich and Mayor Wade Troxell 970-416-2447 office From: Jessica C <underthemidnightskies66@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 4:56 PM To: Sarah Kane <SKane@fcgov.com>; Wade Troxell <WTroxell@fcgov.com>; Kristin Stephens <kstephens@fcgov.com>; Susan Gutowsky <sgutowsky@fcgov.com>; Julie Pignataro <jpignataro@fcgov.com>; Ken Summers <ksummers@fcgov.com>; Ross Cunniff <rcunniff@fcgov.com>; Emily Gorgol <egorgol@fcgov.com> Subject: City Council Meeting Public Opinion Statement Hello, I am unable to attend the City Council Meeting tonight, 1/21/2020. But I would like to express my opinions on discussion item #18 “Second Reading of Ordinance No. 138, 2019, Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Fort Collins by Changing the Zoning Classification for that Certain Property Known as the Hughes Stadium Site Rezoning and Approving Corresponding Changes to the Residential Neighborhood Sign District Map”. I do not agree with the current proposal to make the Old Hughes Stadium Space a high‐density subdivision. I feel this is an unwise and unnecessary use of this most precious space. It would be far more appropriate to utilize this space as a Residential Foothills Low‐Density Mixed‐Use Neighborhood zone district. Keeping this space low‐density is not only safer for the local ecology, but also for the residents who do and would come to live in that area. As community safety, climate concerns, and natural open spaces are pinnacles of the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County values it is paramount that we keep these values at the core of every decision we as a city make. Please do not let other ideas compromise the morals and values of this city, its citizens, and its community. We are a people who love the outdoors, open spaces, wildlife, and nature. There are other, safer, more efficient places to build high‐density housing, but the Old Hughes Stadium is not the right place. Please also consider the inclusion of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in this geographic area. As stewards of the planet it is our duty to care for the wildlife that lives alongside us humans. By not having a center that is solely dedicated to their welfare and rehabilitation we are doing a great disservice to local wildlife and the local community. These rehabilitation 2 centers provide care for wildlife as well as public education which improves community safety by lowering public contact with injured, lost, or otherwise distressed animals where either party can become injured. In conclusion, please listen to The Planning and Zoning Board, there is value in their recommendation. Make the Old Hughes Stadium a Residential Foothills Low‐Density Mixed‐Use Neighborhood zone district. Please vote tonight with the community’s wishes and the local ecology’s and best interests in mind. Thank you, Jessica Cunningham 970‐237‐9345 Fort Collins Resident since 2008