HomeMy WebLinkAboutLDS TEMPLE - PDP - PDP120029 - REPORTS - CORRESPONDENCE-HEARING (17)From: Courtney Levingston [maiIto: CLevi ngston(@fcgov.coml
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 6:34 PM
To: 'Eric.M.Adams@wellsfargo.com'; Devin Hirning (devin(CD-hirning.us); Linda Archer
(Igarchereyahoo.com)
Cc: mtingeyP-comcast.net; merrittk landmarkltd.com
Subject: LDS Temple neighborhood meeting notes
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Attached are the meeting notes from the LDS Temple neighborhood meeting on October 15, 2012.
Please be aware that this document is intended to simply be meeting notes, not minutes or a
transcript of the meeting.
Sincerely,
Courtney Levingston, AICP, LEED AP ND
City Planner I City of Fort Collins
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO
970.416.2283
2
Courtney Levingston
From: Devin Hirning <devin@hirning.us>
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 9:20 AM
To: Courtney Levingston
Cc: Sarah Burnett
Subject: RE: LDS Temple neighborhood meeting notes
Courtney -
I sincerely thank you and your team for your efforts in this regard. This clearly gives an indication of
the city's willingness to be more transparent in the development process.
I understand that this is not a transcript but I do have a few points to make. First, in the question
related to what Urban Estate is you added the note, "(such as the LDS Temple)," which I don't recall
hearing and should have probably be dropped if included. Section 4.2.6.3 of the Land -Use Code
reads, "The following uses are permitted in the U-E District, SUBJECT TO PLANNING AND
ZONNING BOARD REVIEW:" [emphasis added]. Section 4.2.B.3.b.1 reads, "Places of worship or
assembly." There is no mention of an LDS Temple and it is entirely possible, if not probable, that the
intent of this section was to include traditional places of worship which are open to all. This becomes
clearer when you consider Section 2.1.1.c of the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan which reads,
"Provide neighborhood centers as a focal point for neighborhood activity. Provide a Neighborhood
Commercial Center to serve surrounding neighborhoods including a grocery store or supermarket
and other neighborhood oriented retail services." Clearly, the temple is not "neighborhood oriented"
as evidenced by the church's press release in the Coloradoan from October 17, 2012 which reads,
"According to a church official, the site would attract more than 200,000 Mormons from Colorado,
Wyoming and Nebraska each year."
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20121017/NEWS01 /310170039/LDS-church-releases-Fort-Collins-
temple-rendering. Including the statement as written in your meeting notes could be interpreted as an
attempt to avoid controversy or an inclination in favor of the developer.
Along those same lines, neighbors were obviously concerned about their input having an impact.
Either Ted or one of the other city staff -members mentioned sections of the code that include
"neighborhood fit" and "lighting restrictions" as two areas that might be subject to neighbors'
comments. That statement is missing and could leave neighbors with the already evident perception
that this process is impervious to their input.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Devin