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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-051-04/01/2003-APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN UPDATED NATURAL AREA POLICY AS A POLICY ELEMENT OF THE CITYS COMPREHENSIVE RESOLUTION 2003-051 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN UPDATED NATURAL AREA POLICY AS A POLICY ELEMENT OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, on September 28, 1992, the Planning and Zoning Board adopted Resolution PZ 92-14 of the Planning and Zoning Board, approving the Natural Areas Policy Plan and recommending the inclusion of the "Policy Element" in Chapter 5 of said Plan as an element of the City 's Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, on October 6, 1992, the City Council adopted Resolution 92-156, accepting the Natural Areas Policy Plan and Approving the "Policy Element" in Chapter 5 of said Plan as an element of the City's Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, since the adoption of the Natural Areas Policy Plan in 1992, the voters of the City have approved tax funding for natural areas and related land conservation activities in 1992, 1997 and 2002; and WHEREAS, since that time the voters of Larimer County have also approved tax funding for the County for natural areas and related land conservation activities in 1995 and 1999, a portion of which tax funding is designated for use by the City in carrying out its Natural Areas Policy Plan and trails program; and WHEREAS, in light of the various funding sources currently available for natural areas acquisition and conservation activities, and the extent to which the information and Natural Areas Program have grown and changed since 1992, City staff has proposed certain amendments to the Natural Areas policy to reflect the program's growth including an expanded scope in types of land conservation and the location of land; and WHEREAS, in 2000, Larimer County as part of the Larimer County Open Lands Master Plan updated (completed in 2001) conducted extensive public outreach, including more than 20 public meetings attended by the citizens of Fort Collins, and a scientifically valid Citizen Survey of which more than 50% of the respondents were residents of Fort Collins, which survey determined that 79% of Fort Collins respondents were in favor of purchase of open lands for public use, 68% were in favor of purchase of open lands for limited public use, and 66% were in favor of the purchase of open lands for non-public use (wildlife habitat&visual resources); and WHEREAS, in order to begin the process of updating the Natural Areas Policy Plan, City staff convened a task force of citizens and professionals, known as the Land Conservation Update Task Force, which has reviewed citizen input for land conservation, sensitive ecological areas, potential community separators, important viewsheds and floodplains, and important agricultural lands, and has identified and recommended areas of local and regional land conservation opportunities which were presented to and reviewed by Fort Collins City Council on August 27, 2002; and WHEREAS, staff has developed the proposed amended Natural Areas Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "A" (the "Updated Natural Areas Policy") based on the public input and outreach received so far, and is requesting that the Council approve it; and WHEREAS, the Updated Natural Areas Policy provides for the evaluation of natural area land acquisition and conservation decisions based on specified criteria, including willingness of current property owner to sell, ecological value and importance, geographic relationship to identified focus areas and to Fort Collins, opportunities for appropriate recreation, acquisition and long-term stewardship costs, expected threat to the integrity of the natural resource values of the property, and provides for acquisition of local and regional lands based on those criteria; and WHEREAS, the three general focus areas that have been identified as the highest priorities for the City's Natural Areas program by City staff, in consultation with the Land Conservation Update Task Force, are indicated on the map attached hereto as Exhibit`B"; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Board considered the Updated Natural Areas Policy on February 28, 2003, and voted to recommend approval of the same; and WHEREAS, the Natural Resources Advisory Board considered the Updated Natural Areas Policy on March 26, 2003, and voted to recommend approval of the same; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to approve the Updated Natural Areas Policy, in order to amend the policy element of the previously approved Natural Areas Policy Plan, and to adopt the Updated Natural Areas Policy as an element of the City's Comprehensive Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. The Updated Natural Areas Policy as shown on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby approved and shall supercede as a policy element of the Natural Areas Policy Plan the previously approved Chapter 5 of said Plan. Section 2. The Updated Natural Areas Policy as shown on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby adopted as an element of the City's Comprehensive Plan to supercede the previously adopted "Policy Element" in Chapter 5 of the Natural Areas Policy Plan. Section 3. The Conservation Focus Areas Map, attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by this reference is hereby approved as a general guide for the implementation of the Updated Natural Areas Policy so as to benefit and advance the interests of the citizens of Fort Collins. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this lst day of April, A.D. 2003. ayor ATTEST: City Clerk EXHIBIT "A" Updated Natural Areas Policy April 1, 2003 5.0 POLICY PLAN This chapter looks to the future of natural areas in Fort Collins. Its intent is to (1) summarize pertinent facts about the conservation of local natural areas through a statement of Findings, (2) establish a community vision for natural areas in a statement of Goals and Objectives, and (3) direct future City programs to achieve that vision with specific Policies. The Goals, Objectives and Policies require adoption by the Planning and Zoning Board and approval by City Council. Once adopted, these statements form the foundation of the City's position and approach to natural areas. The Goals, Objectives, and Policies provide the official direction to the City of Fort Collins regarding natural and will be used to guide the development of master plans, work plans, City programs, budget recommendations and other implementation strategies. FINDINGS The following findings regarding local natural areas are based on an inventory of natural areas, a review of existing policies and programs, research into the value of natural areas, and the comments of citizens and organizations. 1. Fort Collins, the surrounding Growth Management Area, and the broader regional area contain remarkably diverse natural areas that (1) provide habitat for the conservation of plants, animals, and their associated ecosystems, (2) aid in the management of stormwater, (3) help clean the water, and (4) provide sites for scientific research, education, art, and recreation, among other values. 2. The citizens of Fort Collins care about local and regional natural areas and expect their City government to take appropriate action to protect and preserve sensitive natural sites and ecosystems. 3. There are many opportunities and challenges that demand a multi-faceted approach to the protection and preservation of natural areas in Fort Collins and regionally. 4. Fort Collins has begun to protect, acquire, and manage land and water resource areas to protect or enhance their natural values. 5. As a home rule city, Fort Collins has the ability to regulate activities in natural areas. The City has used this authority in the past in the areas of land use, pollution prevention, and nuisance control. 6. Land use planning is being incorporated as one of the tools used in Fort Collins to protect natural habitat and features. City Plan, the City of Fort Collins 1 comprehensive plan, communicates the City's values of environmental protection and stewardship. The regulatory arm of the City Plan is the Fort Collins Land Use Code, which provides natural habitat and features protection standards along with criteria for site planning and design. The implementation of these standards provides opportunity for better integration of natural habitats and features with planned developments. 7. Several local natural areas support populations of plants and animals that are classified as endangered, threatened, or of special concern at the State or Federal level. 8. Natural areas offer outstanding opportunities for environmental education, nature interpretation, and outdoor recreation. 9. Management and maintenance programs have an important effect on both public and private natural areas. Human use, construction of facilities, landscaping, weed control, and ongoing maintenance activity may all impact the resource values of natural areas. 10. Although few local and regional natural areas are pristine, many of these areas support a high diversity of native plants and animals. Some natural areas have more severe problems with accumulated trash or debris, soil erosion, and undesirable vegetation, and could be enhanced to increase natural resource values. 11. Several species of exotic plants have invaded local and regional natural areas and threaten to out-compete native plant communities and reduce wildlife habitat values. 12. Natural areas can be sources of conflict if there are negative interactions between people and wildlife, or if areas are perceived as unattractive or neglected. Acceptable solutions can be devised by involving citizens in the development of management plans, addressing potential conflicts in site design, and combining public education, habitat management, and wildlife population control. 13. In some areas, additional information is needed to assess the status and values of local and regional natural areas, and to evaluate the results of programs to protect or enhance their values. 14. Protection and preservation of natural areas is consistent with and complements other City priorities. 15. While there is opportunity to integrate natural areas conservation into existing City programs, meeting these new needs will require a broader definition of program goals, more integrated planning, and additional resources. 16. Protection and preservation of local and regional natural areas complements the activities of a variety of other governmental entities, including, Larimer County, 2 Poudre School District, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State University, Colorado Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and others. 17. Citizens, landowners, and private organizations want to be actively involved in decisions and programs that shape the future of Fort Collins natural areas. They become involved in natural areas protection in a variety of ways: by protecting natural areas on private lands; by donating land, water, time, or expertise; and by participating in public decisionmaking. The interest and involvement of the community is a necessary resource for the protection of natural areas. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Based on the findings above, the following Goals and Objectives are recommended to capture a community vision for natural areas in Fort Collins. Goal Preserve and protect natural areas within Fort Collins, the Growth Management Area, and regionally, to provide habitat essential to the conservation of plants, animals, and their associated ecosystems and to benefit the citizens of Fort Collins by providing opportunities for education, scientific research, nature interpretation, art, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, and other appropriate recreational activities. Objectives 1. Establish a system of publicly-owned natural areas to protect the integrity of critical conservation sites, protect corridors between natural areas, preserve outstanding examples of Fort Collins' diverse natural heritage, and provide a broad range of opportunities for educational, interpretive, and recreational programs to meet community needs. 2. Integrate natural areas into the developed landscape by directing development away from sensitive areas and using innovative planning, design, and management practices. 3. Provide diverse educational, interpretive, and recreational programs to promote understanding and enjoyment of natural areas by the Fort Collins community. 4. Develop effective partnerships between the City, other governmental and non- governmental organizations, and the private sector for the protection and preservation of natural areas. 3 5. Develop and maintain a data inventory on local and regional natural areas to aid the City and the public in decisions about these areas, and management of publicly- owned lands. POLICIES The following policy statements will guide actions by the City of Fort Collins to achieve the recommended goals and objectives for natural areas. Once adopted by the Planning and Zoning Board and approved by City Council, the policy statements are official statements of intent that set a future course of action for the City. As such, the policies give direction for land use and conservation decisions, and for the development of master plans, work plans, City programs, budget recommendations, and other implementation strategies. Due to budget limitations, City Council priorities, and other factors, not all policies will be implemented at the same time. Definition Natural areas are defined as areas of land or water that contain or support the continued existence of geological, paleontological, ecological, or other natural features that are (1) important to the conservation of natural resources that are classified as endangered or threatened, sensitive to impact from human activity, or otherwise in need of protection; (2) important to the conservation of natural resources that provide environmental protection, recreational, educational, scientific, aesthetic, or economic benefits; and (3) unique or rare examples of our natural heritage. Public Land Management PL-1 Acquire and manage land and water to preserve, protect, and enhance natural areas. PL-2 Implement a system of land conservation acquisition considerations by examining the following factors (listed in no priority order). ♦Willingness of current property owner to sell ♦Ecological value and importance ♦Appropriate recreation opportunities ♦Costs of acquisition ♦Long-term stewardship costs ♦ Expected threat to the integrity of the natural resource values of a property (development, agricultural conversion, etc.) ♦Geographic proximity to Fort Collins PL-3 Coordinate natural areas and other open land programs within the City and region to maximize public benefit and explore ways of integrating natural areas protection into ongoing City programs. 4 PL-4 Manage, maintain, and enhance public natural areas to ensure the ongoing conservation of plants and animals that are in need of protection and their associated ecosystems; control the invasion and spread of undesirable nonnative plants and animals; improve aesthetics; and provide opportunities for public use. PL-5 Manage conflicts between people and natural areas through site design, public information and education, habitat manipulation, and plant and animal population management techniques. PL-6 Involve citizens in planning the management of public natural areas. Private Land Mana eg ment PR-1 Use the City's regulatory powers to (1) direct growth away from sensitive natural features, (2) encourage the integration of natural areas into the developed landscape, and (3) preserve and protect the resources and values of natural areas. PR-2 Encourage and assist efforts by private landowners and organizations to integrate natural areas into new development and to protect, restore, or enhance privately-owned natural areas. Recreation,Interpretation,and Education RE-1 Provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, formal and informal education, and interpretive programs on local natural features to the community. Cooperation With Others CO-1 Seek the cooperation and assistance of citizens, businesses, community groups, conservation organizations, and governmental agencies in the development and implementation of programs to protect and preserve local natural areas. Public Information PI-1 Collect, maintain, and distribute up-to-date information on the location, values, status, and management needs of local and regional natural areas. Program Funding PF-1 Seek alternative funding sources to implement natural area policies and programs, including private, State, and Federal grants, and donations of money, property, and in- kind services. Program Evaluation PE-1 Report periodically on the status of natural areas in the community. 5 � L Maori WEN -firms �FTI Ing