HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-158-11/20/2001-EXPRESSING COUNCIL'S ENDORSEMENT OF THE LARIMER COUNTY OPEN LANDS MASTER PLAN AND URGING THE APPROVA RESOLUTION 2001-158
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S ENDORSEMENT OF
THE LARIMER COUNTY OPEN LANDS MASTER PLAN
AND URGING THE APPROVAL OF SAID PLAN BY THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LARIMER COUNTY
WHEREAS, in Fall 2000, Larimer County staff began the planning process to update
Larimer County's 1993 master plan for parks,which addressed the need for the County to establish
an open space program; and
WHEREAS, working with the planning consultant DHM Design Corporation, Larimer
County staff has developed a proposed Larimer County Open Lands Master Plan, dated October
2001 (the "Master Plan"), which plan has been the subject of extensive public outreach, comment
and input; and
WHEREAS,in addition to numerous public meetings,Larimer County has surveyed County
residents to further identify issues, concerns and preferences regarding open space and regional
trails, has disseminated newletters to the public regarding the planning process and the proposed
Master Plan, and has gathered citizen input on setting of priorities for protection strategies and
regional trails; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2001, the Larimer County Open Lands Advisory Board
considered the Master Plan and recommended approval of the Master Plan to the County Planning
Commission and Board of County Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County have in the past and continue to
work closely on land conservation efforts, including the preservation of lands that have been
identified as critical community separators consistent with the Intergovernmental Plan for the Region
Between Fort Collins and Loveland previously entered into by the City of Fort Collins, Larimer
County,and the City of Loveland, in accordance with Resolution 95-82, adopted by the Council on
June 20, 1995 (the "Joint Plan for the Region"); and
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins has entered into a number of joint property purchases,
planning agreements and other related intergovernmental agreements with Larimer County,as well
as with the City of Loveland,many of which advance the general purposes of the Joint Plan for the
Region; and
WHEREAS,the Master Plan incorporates the objectives and priorities of the Joint Plan for
the Region, including the identification of key separator properties to be preserved in order to
advance the goals and objectives of the Joint Plan for the Region; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan reflects the overwhelming support for open lands protection
that has been expressed by Larimer County voters, including in particular Fort Collins voters,
throughtheir support oftwo separate ballot initiatives for Larimer County open space tax provisions;
and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan is consistent with the high priority that the City has assigned
to land conservation and complements the City's Natural Areas Policy Plan and City Natural Areas
programs; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Master Plan by the Board of County Commissioners of
Larimer County will help to facilitate the ongoing cooperative efforts of the City and Larimer
County in the area of land conservation, and will further advance the Joint Plan for the Region and
the various existing intergovernmental agreements between the City and Larimer County in this
regard.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City Council hereby endorses the Larimer County Open Lands Master Plan,dated
October 2001,and urges the County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners to
adopt the Master Plan in accordance with the recommendation of the Larimer County Open Lands
Advisory Board.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 20th day of November,
A.D. 2001.
Mayor �-
ATTEST:
City Clerk