HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020CV30580 - City Of Fort Collins V. Board Of County Commissioners Of Larimer County, Colorado And Streetmediagroup, Llc - 001A - Exhibit A - Intergovernmenal AgreementINTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
(Regarding Cooperation on Managing Urban Development)
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this ..!2.!.:_ day of A.iru~111 bc
2000, by and between LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO, a body politic _organized under and
existing by virtue of the laws of the State of Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the "County," and
THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as
the "City".
RECITALS
WHEREAS, continued growth in the Fort Collins area suggests that coordination between
the county and City can result in better management of development; and
WHEREAS, maintaining and enhancing areas of urban development in a thoughtful and
deliberate way involves cooperation in land use and transportation planning, implementation of
growth management policies, and the identification and preservation of open space and natural areas;
and
WHEREAS, concentrating urban development in areas designated for such development
affords greater efficiency in the delivery of such services as water, storm water, and sanitar; sewage
disposal systems, transportation, fire and police protection and other services, and also affords a
measure of predictability to landowners and residents concerning where future services will be
provided and urban development will be permitted; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 29, Article 20, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, the
General Assembly of the State of Colorado has found and declared that in order to provide for
planned and orderly development within Colorado and a balancing of the basic human needs of a
changing population with legitimate environmental concerns, the policy of the State of Colorado is
to clarify and provide broad authority to local governments to plan for and regulate the use of land
within their respective jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 29, Article 20, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, the
General Assembly of the State of Colorado has designated certain powers to local governments,
among them the powcer to regulate the location of activities and developments which may result in
significant changes in population density, the power to provide for phased development of services
and facilities, the power to regulate the use of land on the basis of the impact thereof on the
community or surrounding areas, and the power to otherwise plan for and regulate the use of land
so as to provide planned and orderly use of land and protection of the environment in a manner
consistent with constitutional rights; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to said Title 29, Article 20, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended ,
the General Assembly of the State of Colorado has authorized and encouraged local governments
to cooperate or contract with other units. of government for the purpose of planning and regulating
EXHIBIT A
DATE FILED: August 25, 2020 3:09 PM
FILING ID: C6398199960F8
CASE NUMBER: 2020CV30580
the development of land, including but not limited to the joint exercise of planning, zoning ,
subdivision, building, and related regulations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the citizens of Larimer County and the City of Fort
Collins for the County and the City to enter into an intergovernmental agreement for the purposes
of implementing their respective master plans, establishing effective means of joint planning and
management of urbanization within their jurisdictions, assuring that urban development occurs only
as urban level facilities and services are able to be provided, assuring that urban development that
occurs in the unincorporated portion of Larimer County in the vicinity of the City of Fort Collins is
annexed to the City as soon as possible, providing effective means for the appropriate maintenance
of public improvements intended to serve urban development, and assuring that urban development
in the vicinity of the City ofFort Collins does not negatively impact road and storm drainage systems
in unincorporated Larimer County, or appropriately mitigates those negative impacts; and
WHEREAS, the agreements and understandings set forth below will promote increased
coordination between the City and County and result in better management and control ofurban level
development in the Fort Collins area.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and obligations herein expressed,
it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Growth Management Area Established. The parties agree that the Fort Collins Growth
Management Area (GMA) is contained within the boundaries identified in Exhibit 1 attached hereto . The
parties acknowledge that the County has adopted the GMA as an overlay zoning district pursuant to
Section 4 .2 of the Larimer County Land Use Code. The GMA, and the areas inside the city limits of the
City represent the areas that the County and City agree are appropriate for urban development with urban
levels of public services and facilities. Except for areas that are contained within the incorporated limits
of the City itself, areas outside the GMA are not appropriate for urban development and will not be
provided public services and facilities at urban levels.
2 . Development Review. The City and County agree that the Fort Collins Urban Growth
Area Review Board (UGARB) shall act as the single recommending body to the Larimer County Board
of Commissioners concerning development applications for properties located in the Fort Collins GMA.
The UGARB shall consist of seven members, two members appointed by the Council of the City of Fort
Collins, two members appointed by the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, and three members
appointed by mutual agreement of the Council of the City of Fort Collins and the Larimer County Board
of Commissioners.
3. Final Authority. The City agrees that after review of development proposals by the
UGARB and the recommendation for approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval is forwarded
to the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners, the final authority regarding approval or
disapproval of development proposals shall rest with the Board of County Commissioners .
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4. Comprehensive Plans for the GMA. The County agrees to use the City's Comprehensive
Plan as a guideline for development inside the GMA. The City's Comprehensive Plan includes any plans
for land use, parks, transportation, drainage, natural resources or other elements deemed necessary by the
City to act as a guideline for development inside the GMA. The City agrees to make its Comprehensive
Plan specific enough to give clear guidance through maps and text to the County and property owners and
developers as to the types, densities and intensities ofland use acceptable to the City on any given parcel
of land in the GMA.
The City shall forward to the County for recommendations any proposed revisions to the
City's Comprehensive Plan for areas within the GMA at least thirty-five (35) days prior to final
action by the City. The City shall notify the County of any revisions it ultimately adopts within ten
(10) days of adoption.
5. Development Regulations. The City acknowledges that the County has adopted
certain land use regulations to implement the prior Intergovernmental Agreement for the GMA
entered into between the parties on May 5, 1998. These regulations are contained in the Larimer
County Land Use Code at Section 4.2.1 (Growth Management Area Overlay Zone District), Section
8.9 .11 (Large Retail Establishments), and the Technical Supplement (Larimer County Development
Standards for the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area in the Fort Collins GMA and Definitions) (hereinafter
"the GMA regulations"). The City acknowledges and agrees that the County through exercise of its
legislative authority and discretion may amend these GMA regulations from time to time .
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the County acknowledges that its adoption of the above
referenced GMA regulations in their current form was a substantial inducement and consideration
for the City's entering into this Agreement and the prior May 5, 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement.
The County agrees, therefore, that it shall not legislatively amend or fail to follow the GMA
regulations and any subsequently adopted agreed upon GMA regulations until it has first referred
such proposed amendment or action to the City for its recommendation . The City shall provide its
written recommendation to the County within ninety (90) days ofreceipt of the referral for legislative
amendments and within thirty (30) days of receipt of the referral for other actions, unless the parties
mutually agree upon a longer or shorter time period . In determining whether or not to adopt the
proposed amendment or action, the Board of County Commissioners shall give great weight to the
recommendation of the City and the extent to which the proposed amendment or action promotes
or impairs the purposes of this Agreement, and the various components (elements) of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
In the event the County legislatively amends or fails to follow the current or subsequently
adopted agreed upon GMA regulations without the City's approval, the City Council may elect to
exercise any or all of the following remedies:
A. Terminate this Intergovernmental Agreement upon giving sixty (60) days
advance notice to the County.
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B. Refuse to annex any lands or specific parcels of land into the City.
C. Cease to maintain any public infrastructure improvements which the City has
theretofore agreed to maintain under Section 9 of this Agreement.
D. Cease to enforce or attempt to enforce reimbursement agreements for the
benefit of the County.
E . Cease to collect (and remit to the County) funds as may be levied by the City
for county-wide/regional improvements, including, without limitation, regional impact fees .
These remedies shall not apply to those occasions when the County modifies such GMA regulations
under the provisions and criteria for "Modification of Standards" as contained in the Land Use Code.
6 . Applications for Development Within the GMA Zoning District.
A. Except as provided in Section 6(B) of this Agreement, the County agrees it
will not accept any development application, as defined in Section 4.2. l(B) of the Larimer County
Land Use Code, for property which has any contiguity to the City limits and, thus, can be made
eligible for voluntary annexation to the City whether through a series of annexations or otherwise .
The owner of such property shall instead be required, prior to development, to seek annexation to
the City. The County also will not accept a development application for any property in the GMA
which was part of a parcel eligible for annexation as of December 18, 2000 but which is no
longer eligible because of subsequent land divisions resulting in a break in contiguity, except land
divisions created by court order from probate, dissolution of marriage or eminent domain
proceedings.
B . The County may accept development applications for lands located within any
area that is part of a "receiving area" established through an adopted subarea plan for any Larimer
County Transferable Density Units Program. At such time as the County requires a landowner in
a receiving area to request annexation to the City, the City will process the annexation petition such
that the annexation, if approved by the City, will be completed within thirty-five (35) days following
the County's approval of the final plat.
C. If the City denies an annexation petition required to be submitted to it pursuant
to Section 6(A), the County may accept the application and process and rule on it in accordance with
the Larimer County Land Use Code, unless the City has denied the annexation petition because it
contained conditions deemed by the City to be unacceptable, in which case the County will not
accept the application. If a property owner whose annexation petition was denied by the City
because of unacceptable conditions contained in the annexation petition contends that the resulting
inability to develop his or her property in either the City or the County constitutes an unlawful
taking, the City and County shall make available to such property owner the takings determination
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process contained in the City's Land Use Code, which process shall be administered by the City but
shall be modified to include both the County Manager and City Manager ( or their designees) as the
decision makers. If a review of the property owner's claim under the takings determination process
results in a determination by either the City Manager or the County Manager that denial of the
annexation petition, coupled with the inability to develop the property under the County's
jurisdiction, would constitute an unlawful taking of the property owner's property, the County shall
thereafter accept the application and process and rule on it in accordance with the Larimer County
land use regulations .
D. The County and City agree that appeals, interpretations and variances from
zoning provisions of the GMA District which are applied at the building permit stage shall be
forwarded to the Larimer County Board of Adjustment as provided for in the Larimer County Land
Use Code.
E . The County agrees that it shall refer to the City for review and comment all
development applications, as· defined in Section 6(A), for properties located within the GMA. The
City shall advise the County whether or not the proposed development complies with the City's
Comprehensive Plan and the GMA regulations in the Larimer County Land Use Code. The City
shall provide its comments to the County in writing within the time required for county referrals
established by State Law. Except to the extent that the City notifies the County through its written
comments that the development does not comply with the standards, the County may assume that
the proposed development complies with all applicable standards and the County shall have no
responsibility to further review the proposed development for compliance with the . standards .
7 . Development Outside of the GMA. The County agrees to use the Larimer County
Master Plan as a guideline for development outside the GMA. The County shall forward subsequent
revisions to the Master Plan to the City for recommendations at least thirty-fi v e (35) days prior to
final action by the County. The County shall notify the City of any such revisions that it ultimately
adopts within ten ( 10) days of adoption .
8. Annexations .
A. It is the City's intent to annex properties within the GMA as expeditiously as
possible consistent with the terms of this Agreement. Except as provided in Section 8(B), the City
agrees to consider the annexation of any parcel or parcels ofland located within the GMA which are
eligible for voluntary annexation pursuant to the provisions of Title 31, Article 12 Colorado Revised
Statutes .
B. To the extent permitted by law, the City agrees it will not annex property
south of County Road 32 (also known as the "Fort Collins/Loveland Corridor") or an y property
within the portion of the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan which is located east of County Road 11
(Timberline Road) and South of County Road 36 unless the County either requires the landowner
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to petition for annexation or requests that the City consider annexation. The foregoing limitations
on annexation shall not apply to the annexation of publicly owned open space, trails or parklands .
C. The City agrees to annex all County Road rights-of-way, easements, etc .,
adjacent to a voluntary annexation in accordance with Title 31, Article 12 Colorado Revised
Statutes; provided, however, that the City may decline to annex such County roads and rights-of-way
if annexation of such roads and rights-of-way would impede future annexations anticipated by the
City to be accomplished by the use of a "flagpole" configuration or if such County road is primarily
used by County development. In the event the City declines to annex any such roads or rights-of-
way, it shall provide a written explanation in the annexation impact reports provided to the County
outlining the City's reasons for not annexing such roads or rights-of-way.
D . The City agrees to pursue involuntary annexation of any parcel that becomes
eligible for involuntary annexation.
E . The City agrees to pursue annexation of any parcel whose owner has signed
an annexation agreement.
F. The County agrees that the City, in its sole discretion, ( except as provided in
Section 8(B) of this agreement) may annex outside the Fort Collins GMA. The City agrees that
proposed annexations outside the GMA will be sent by certified mail to the Board of County
Commissioners for review and comment at least thirty-five (35) days prior to the scheduled public
hearing on the annexation before the City Council.
G. The County agrees to require a binding agreement for future annexation in the
form attached as Exhibit 2 as a condition of approval of any development application requiring
approval by the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, which is located within the GMA but is
not , at the time of development approval, eligible for voluntary annexation to the City.
9 . Improvements to and Maintenance of Public Facilities. The County agrees to require
development proposals within the GMA to make improvements to County roads consistent with the
Larimer County Urban Road Standards for the GMA which, to the extent reasonably feasible (as this
term is defined in the Fort Collins Land Use Code), will be consistent with the multi-modal and level
of service standards for road improvements required by the City inside the City limits. The City
agrees to provide routine maintenance and inspection of such public infrastructure improvements
(whether on or off the development site) which, but for the design requirements established in the
Larimer County Land Use Code for large retail establishments and for the Fossil Creek Area, would
not otherwise have been required by Larimer County Urban Standards. (Examples of such
improvements may include transit facilities , bicycle lanes, or parkway/median landscaping.)
The City agrees to apply its Off-Site Street Improvements Policy to any development within
the City limits which has an identifiab le impact on the County road system which may require the
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developer to make certain improvements to County roads outside the City limits. If impro vements
are to be made to County roads outside the City limits, the City agrees to send plans of said
improvements to the Larimer County Planning Department and Larimer County Public Works
Department for review and comment. The City also agrees to provide routine maintenance and
inspection of all such public infrastructure improvements (whether on or off the development site)
which, but for the design requirements established in the Larimer County Land Use Code for large
retail establishments and for the Fossil Creek Area, would not have been required by Larimer County
Urban Standards. (Examples of such improvements may include transit facilities, bicycle lanes, or
parkway/median landscaping.)
10. Collection of a Park Fee for the GMA Zoning District. The County shall collect a
community and neighborhood park fee-in-lieu-of-land dedication from all residential development
located withiri the GMA at the time of issuance of applicable building permits. The County shall
remit this fee to the City to be used to benefit residents of the area where it is collected .
11. Collection of a Drainage Basin Fee for the GMA Zoning District. Pursuant to Title
30, Article 28, Section 133 (1 1), Colorado Revised Statutes and Section 9 .2.4 (Imposition of
Drainage/Storm Water Facility Fees, of the Larimer County Land Use Code), the County shall co Hect
a drainage fee at the time of issuance of applicable building permits for improvements on lands
located within the GMA in the same amount as the basin fee collected by the City of Fort Collins
within the City limits. Such fee shall be used for Drainage Capital Improvements within the basin
from which the fee was collected. Drainage improvements shall be consistent with the current
Drainage Basip Master Plans and project scheduling shall be mutually agreed upon by the City and
County. The drainage fee shall be reviewed annually by the County and any needed modifications
shall be made to Section 9.2.4 of the Larimer County Land Use Code.
12. Amendments to the GMA Boundary. The City and County agree that any
amendments to the GMA Boundary shall be mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties. The
County shall implement such amendments in accordance with the procedures and requirements for
amendments to zoning district boundaries outlined in the Larimer County Land Use Code .
13 . Enforcement. Both the City and County intend that this Agreement be binding upon
them . Either party hereto shall be permitted to specifically enforce any provision of this agreement
in a Court of competent jurisdiction .
14. Term. This Agreement shall remain in force and effect for a period often years from
the date of its execution. Thereafter, it shall be automatically renewed for successive five year terms
unless, at least six -(6) months prior to its scheduled expiration , either party notifies the other party,
in writing, of its decision that the Agreement not be renewed .
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15 . Severability. In the event either party is prevented by court order from performing
or enforcing any provision of this agreement, or enforcing any regulations , both parties shall have
the option of terminating this agreement upon mutual consent.
16. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes all prior Intergo v ernmental
Agreements (Regarding Cooperation on Managing Urban Development) between the parties .
LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO
By: ~~,e4,Cfi4';4.,,44L Cair,Boar ofCounty Commissioners 1
By:
ATTEST :
Ci~~-~
APPROyfob AS TO FORM:
u@ql~-==.
Deputy C ity Attorney
8
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Date: November, 2000
PARTNERSHIP
LAND USE
SYST EM
EXHIBIT 1
or
EXHIBIT 2
ANNEXATION AGREEMENT
TO THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO:
The undersigned owner (hereinafter referred to as "OWNER") of the property, more
particularly described on Attachment "A", attached hereto, has filed an application with Larimer
County under the terms of the INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE FORT
COLLINS GROWTH MANAGEMENT AREA between Larimer County and the City of Fort
Collins (hereinafter referred to as "CITY"). It is expressly understood and agreed by the undersigned
OWNER that, if granted, the development approval shall be in consideration of and upon the
following terms and conditions, to-wit:
1. If the property shall ever be included within the boundaries of a territory which is
sought to be annexed to the CITY itself, then and in that event, the undersigned OWNER specifically
agrees to consent to and join in the annexation of such territory by the CITY; and that the
undersigned OWNER will comply with all of the legal requirements and conditions pertaining to the
annexation of territory to the CITY. It is understood by the undersigned OWNER that the primary
consideration for granting of development approval according to the terms of the
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE FORT COLLINS GROWTH
MANAGEMENT AREA is the undersigned OWNER'S covenant and the promise to consent to the
annexation of said territory to the CITY, comply with all requirements and conditions as aforesaid
and sign all petitions and maps pertaining thereto . Futhermore, the undersigned does hereby
empower and irrevocably authorize and appoint the City Clerk of the City of Fort Collins , Colorado,
as lawful attorney-in-fact, on behalf of the undersigned, to sign any such annexation petitions and
maps thereby binding the undersigned, to all of the terms and provisions of said petitions and maps
for all intents and purposes as if the undersigned had signed said petitions and maps. This power
of attorney shall not be affected by the disability of the principal. This appointment shall not
preclude the City from undertaking any other available action, which may be necessary to enforce
the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in Section 31-12-107(8)
C.R.S. 1973, OWNER hereby waives the five (5) year limitation of such power of attorney as
contained therein and agrees that this power of attorney shall be valid for a term of20 years from the
date of this Agreement, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the provisions of
Section 31-12-107(8) C.R.S. 1973 cannot be waived or modified by the OWNER, in which event
this power of attorney shall be valid for a term of five (5) years from the date of this Agreement.
2. That all terms and conditions herein set forth shall extend to and be binding upon the
heirs, assigns or successors in interest of the undersigned OWNER and be considered as a covenant
running with the Jarid described in Attachment "A". Further, it is agreed that, in accepting title to
the property described in Attachment "A", or any part thereof, any grantee, heir, assignee or
successor in interest to the undersigned OWNER expressly agrees to be bound by the terms hereof,
1
including, but not limited to, the appointment of the City Clerk as attorney-in-fact for the purposes
set forth in Paragraph (1) above.
3 . That this agreement shall be recorded pursuant to the provisions of Colorado Statutes ;
and that the CITY may undertake any action legally available to enforce the provisions hereof. In
the event the CITY is required to undertake any action to enforce the terms hereof, the undersigned
OWNER and his heirs, successors and assigns agree that the CITY may recover from the owner of
said property its reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, incurred with respect to such action .
4 . That, if any section, sections or provisions of this agreement is declared invalid for
any reason whatsoever by any competent court, such invalidity shall not affect any other sections or
provisions of this agreement if they can be given effect without the invalid section, sections or
provisions.
5 . That the following grammatical rules shall apply to this agreement: any gender
includes the other genders; the singular number includes the plural and vice versa; words used in the
present tense include the past and future tenses and vice versa, unless manifestly inapplicable; and
the words shall be constructed according to context and approved usage of language.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the applicant has hereunto set his hand and seal this __ day
of~ _________ ,20 __ _
OWNER
OWNER
STATE OF COLORADO
COUNTY OF ----
)
)ss.
)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ____ day of _____ , 2 O __ , by
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
My Commission Expires :
Notary Public
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