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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE DISTRICT @ CAMPUS WEST - PDP - PDP120003 - CORRESPONDENCE - PLANNING OBJECTIVES-7 enhanced paving/paver , benches, planting pots, bike racks, etc. We will be proposing significantly more bike racks than the required 5% of vehicle spaces. Our goal is to include upwards of 50%. The landscape design objective for The District at CSU is to contribute towards a livable, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally responsible community. The building frontages will have foundation planting to break up the scale and mass of the architecture and will be incorporated in raised bioretention planters. The development will have transitional architecture and be surrounded by street landscaping and hardscape. Substantial entry plazas and courtyards are integrated around the footprints of the buildings. Community services may include a 24-hour fitness center. a library/technoloov center_ studv lo�nternet cafA. cnnference rooms, theater room, resort -style pool, clubroom, business cen er, an on -site ma There are a few modifications and alternative compliances that will be pursued for this project. Since the development is proposing four bedroom units, the issue of unrelated occupants arises. The developer would li se in the occupancy limit per LUC Section 3.8.16(E)() The on -site amenities, close proximity to campus, ample parking and improved rent affordability support this request. In addition, the residential building setback per LUC Section 3.5.2(D) will need to be minimized from the standard 15'. With an enhanced streetscape, the closer setbacks will give the project a more urban feel that typically occurs with higher density housing in urban infill areas. Formal requests will be written at time of PDP. We believe The District at CSU will be a valuable asset to the entire community. This project will provide much -needed off -campus student housing and alleviate the single- family home occupancy issues facing the community. The proposed design compliments the surrounding residential and commercial uses, it replaces a dilapidated student rental housing stock with safe, modern, and energy efficient units, helps further the CWCCDPSR recommendations, and offers significant improvement to the currently deficient multi -modal transportation corridor along West Plum Street. Furthermore, the project embodies the City's vision for redevelopment and infill by•locating near the campus with a compatible student housing project. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to working with you during the development review process. Sincerely, Brent Cooper Ripley Design, Inc Thinking outside of the box for over tvvc decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200 u Fort Collins, CO 80521 o tel. 970.224.5828 o fax 970.224,1662 0 i www.vfrdesigninc.com land planning o landscape architecture o urban design n entitlement August 17, 2011 Ms. Emma McArdle City of Fort Collins Planning Department 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Planning Objectives for The District at CSU Dear Emma: The District at CSU is intended to be an all-inclusive student housing apartment project consisting of 210 units. The site is located on approximately 4.48 acres of land west of Colorado State University, in the 700 block of West Plum Street. The property is zoned Community Commercial District (CC), which encourages five -story construction. There are several existing single -family homes that were built primarily in the mid 1950's that are currently rented to students. The intent is to remove the houses and replace them with four buildings and a parking structure. Three of the buildings are proposed to be 4 stories in height (Buildings 01,02 and 04). Buildings 01 and 02 are located on Plum Street between Aster and City Park. Building 04 is located on Scott Avenue. These 4- story buildings are proposed to be 55'-8" (see elevs) in height. Building 03 is a 5-story I li building with a clubhouse on the first level residential units above. This 5-story building G J is pro4'-5" in height. A parking structure is located between buildings 01 ��. and 02 Mnothe North side of Plum Street. The parking structure is 5 stories containing 610 spaces and is proposed to be 63'-4" high. A pair of 1-story liner buildings are incorporated on the south side of the parking structure facing Plum Street. These liner buildings serve as community offices and study rooms while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the parking structure. Since the property is in the TOD overlay district, no minimum residential parking is required; however, adequate parking is essential from a leasing standpoint. The site will be designed with the pedestrian in mind by utilizing a series of sidewalks and ramps along all streets. Currently, pedestrians are using the bike lanes, as there are very few sidewalks on the north side of Plum Street. The project provides enhanced sidewalks that exceed the LUC standards, reinforcing the streetscape as a comfortable pedestrian route and gathering area with an urban residential feel. Taking direction from the recommendations of the Campus West Community Commercial District Planning Study Report (CWCCDPSR), anticipated streetscape elements could include Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100 o Fort Collins, CO 80521 o tel. 970.224.5828 o fax 970.224.1662 0 www.vfrdesigninc.com