HomeMy WebLinkAbout141 - 09/02/2025 - EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CIVIC ASSEMBLY AND ADOPTING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKE.The City Council identified adoption of a general plan for use of the Hughes
Site as one of its priorities for the 2024-2026 term.
F.Through this Ordinance, City Council expresses its support for the Civic
Assembly's recommendations to be included in the plan for development of the Hughes
Site. The City Council further, through this Ordinance, elaborates upon those
recommendations by setting acreage limitations for certain uses, discussing best
practices for design, use and management, and acknowledges that flexibility in the
development and management of City-owned land is necessary to meet the changing
needs of Fort Collins over time. City Council also notes that it will be the work of future
City Councils to implement the vision for the Hughes Site established in this Ordinance.
In light of the foregoing recitals, which the Council hereby makes and adopts as
determinations and findings, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that the City Council directs City staff to create development and
management plans for the Hughes Site in accordance with the following principles:
1)Development and management of the Hughes Site will align with its
zoning as Public Open Lands;
2)The City will consult with Native American tribes and the Indigenous
community throughout the development of the Hughes Site;
3)The City will cultivate predominantly native and xeric vegetation and the
Hughes Site will feature a naturalistic architectural palette;
4)The City's Natural Areas Department will acquire, maintain and restore a
portion of the Hughes Site as a Natural Area, not to exceed 60 acres;
5)On a portion of the Hughes Site not to exceed 30 acres, the City will
provide environmental education and wildlife conservation par tnership
opportunities, to include but not be limited to, wildlife rescue and
rehabilitation and zoning-appropriate structures;
6)The City will develop and manage the remaining acreage as a park, to
include but not be limited to the following amenities:
a.Connective trail system throughout the Hughes Site;
b.Bike park features, not to exceed 35 acres;
c.A community gathering space, available for reservation by permit;
and
d.Any necessary supporting facilities, including restrooms, shade
structures, trash collection, and parking;
7)Existing uses such as the disc golf course and sledding hill may continue
in appropriate locations according to the plans for the site;
8)The City will manage features of the developed Hughes Site
appropriately in light of their respective lifecycles;
9)Development and redevelopment of the Hughes Site will proceed over
time as planning, design and funding allow;
10)City projects to develop the Hughes Site will proceed through the
applicable components of the City's development review process to
-2-
ensure compliance with all current standards (e.g. stormwater, lighting,
etc.); and
11)The City will manage the Natural Area in accordance with City laws and
policies regarding Natural Areas. The City will manage the park in
accordance with City laws and policies governing parks.
Introduced, considered fav orably on first reading on August 19, 2025, and
approved on second reading for final passage on September 2, 2025.
ATTEST:
Effective date: September 12, 2025
Approving Attorney: Ted Hewitt
Exhibits: None
-3-