HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEISTIKOW ANNEXATION & ZONING - ANX110003 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTES (10)Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 12
Member Campana said he'd also like to thank the audience for their input and the time they've put into
that effort. He agrees with Member Schmidt that the annexation and UE zone are appropriate. If a PDP
comes before the Board for a temple, that's the appropriate time to have a lot of the dialogue they want.
Member Lingle asked Eckman if it would be appropriate, if the Board so chooses, to reaffirm the
annexation or should they just be silent on that. Eckman said whatever is the will of the Board is
appropriate.
Member Lingle moved that the Planning and Zoning Board reaffirm their earlier recommendation
on the Leistikow Annexation and recommend to City Council zoning the property to UE — Urban
Estate based upon the Findings of Fact found in the Staff Report starting on page 4. Those
Findings of Fact would be numbers 3, 4, and 5. Member Campania seconded the motion.
Member Schmidt wanted, for the benefit of the audience to know, the level of detail at which the review
was done. When Member Lingle made the motion with the Findings of Fact, we are finding that this
request for the UE zoning is in conformance with the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Fossil Creek
Area Plan. The request is also in conformance with the City of Fort Collins' LUC.
Member Schmidt asked staff if he feels confident in the remarks the applicant made concerning the first
person's discussion about the view sheds. Is that pretty specific in the area plan that it applies to that
particular management area? Shepard said the Fossil Creek Area Plan is a little vague on that. The
Plan contains a lot of broadly worded statements with which the Board may be familiar given their review
of a number of subarea plans. What is clear is the Land Use Framework Map. The map calls out very
clearly for this parcel to be UE without any kind of conservation or any ecological restriction subject to a
PDP going through Article 3 review. Schmidt asked if that map was shown on the applicant's slides.
Shepard said their slide was roughly equivalent.
Member Lingle said he agrees with Member Schmidt and Campana's comments.
Member Smith said he's going to support the motion. He believes the applicant has demonstrated and
the staff has concurred that the annexation and the UE zoning are appropriate. He said our LUC does
provide a lot of very strict criteria. He's been convinced they've met all of those criteria.
The motion was approved 5:0.
Other Business:
None
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m
Steve Dush, CDNS Director Andy Smith, Vice -Chair
Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 11
streets, sidewalks, turn -lanes, traffic signals, etc. The system is growth shall pay its own way.
A member of the audience asked about the Resolution before City Council with potentially a false
statement. Why was that included if it was not appropriate to discuss environmental issues at this point?
Shepard said we have a requirement that every City Council Agenda Item Summary addresses the
issues of financial & economic impacts, environmental impact, what the staff recommendation is, what
the Board recommendation is, and what the public outreach has been. Typically for an annexation and
for zoning, it's hard to address. But rather than risk not addressing them, we add a statement about what
we do know. What we do know is that this annexation is not within 500 feet of a known natural area or
ecological resource. Is it a detailed analysis of the environmental impact; no, because that comes at the
PDP stage.
Member Schmidt asked staff where that 500 feet taken from. Is it from the corner of Trilby and
Timberline? Shepard said it's taken from the property's perimeter. Schmidt said what she thought she
heard the citizen saying is he feels that it is 500 feet to the RMA. Shepard said they've had this
annexation and zoning request reviewed by the City's Environmental Planner. The Planner has been out
to the site and it was her analysis that led to the statement in the annexation impact that it's not within
500 feet of a designated natural resource area.
Member Schmidt said that the first individual that spoke might be under the impression that nothing
happens in FA-1 because he wanted the land to remain in the County. Shepard said for this particular
project a place of worship is allowed by special review. Shepard suggested that Merritt may have a little
more detailed response given his recent experience with the County MRD process. Merritt said the FA-1
Zone allows for more than farming. It allows single family detached residential. It could be 2.92 acres
parcels if it's not serviced by sewer. Because this property is serviced by sewer it could be'/z acre lots.
This property is a TDU sending area so 10 acres doesn't necessarily equate to 20 units --there's a
reduction in the number of lots because of the transfer development units. There is also some
commercial activity allowed in FA-1 at the correct location given the availability of transportation
networks. It's a misnomer to think it's just agricultural. Because it's serviced by water and sewer this
property is intended to become urbanized at some point. Merritt said they could have gone forward in the
County but they thought it more appropriate to move forward in the City. It would allow the City's
development standards to govern and guide the development of the site.
Board Discussion
Member Schmidt thanked the citizens for coming and raising the issues. She said it's always good for
everyone to know up front what the concerns will be. As they've heard from the attorney and as the
Board's discussed there are certain guidelines on what the Board can consider tonight with regard to
annexation and zoning. She said the issues they raised will be addressed in great detail as we move
forward with what's submitted. With the condition on the annexation, it could even turn back into
residential.
Schmidt said looking at the issues, the annexation into the city is appropriate. She also thinks Urban
Estate zone is the most appropriate zone. She said the developer takes the risk (with time and money)
so they take steps to understand what the infrastructure can handle. They are listening very carefully to
the input given so they know the direction they need to go and the standards they need to meet. At this
point the detail is not there for the Board to decide what can or cannot happen.
Member Schmidt added why she thinks the annexation is appropriate. The City makes a great deal of
effort to have a lot of codes and standards so that projects that get developed are done to a high level.
It's much more detailed than in the County. There is also a much more extended appeal process. You
have a larger Board here and it goes to City Council for their review.
Planning &•Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
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800 to 1000 feet from that resource management area. They believe any impacts will not necessary be
a result of their development. South of that green line and north of the green dashed line is Urban
Estate. He believes an argument could be made the Westchase development as it currently exists might
have the greatest amount of impact at it abuts directly up to that boundary of the RMA.
Merritt said there's an area of rural/urban estate residential which will stay in the 5 to 35 acre sized
parcels which will act as an additional buffer between the RMA and the Leistikow Annexation. They want
to be concerned about the resource management and the impacts of development adjacent to that. He's
sure when they get to the site -specific PDP work that if there's a requirement for the preservation of
natural sources City staff will request they mitigate any impacts that may be a direct result of the
proposed development.
Merritt said with regards to endangered species, any development that occurs on this property will have
to comply with federal regulations regarding the Endangered Species Act. That will also come at the
time of the Project Development Plan. There will be full opportunity to vet issues of impact related to
development as it might extend to roosting or nesting birds of prey that are present either adjacent to the
site or within the RMA.
Merritt said with regards to transportation issues and the impact of development. He would admit that
today, given the development that exists with Westchase and further north on Timberline Road, there are
inadequacies to the existing transportation network south of Trilby Road. The intersection of Trilby and
Timberline is an incomplete intersection with less than adequate auxiliary lanes. As the Board is aware,
development pays its way. This development will, in fact, do any of the required and necessary
improvements to both the intersection of Trilby and Timberline as well as further improvements south of
Trilby Road directly adjacent to the property. It's his belief that development will only improve; not create
additional congestion.
Merritt said with regard to land use, one gentleman who got up to speak indicated he was not being fully
transparent with regards to what exists. He indicated on a slide that due north of their property is the
existing church. Trilby and Timberline are a part of a major transportation network. It made sense when
Westchase was developed to cluster those non-residential uses at that intersection. They have an
existing church, north of that a day care, and north of that a fire station. He said likewise it makes sense
to use the future development of this parcel as a transitional land use placing the place of worship at that
intersection.
Merritt said with regard to cost impacts, development in Fort Collins pays its way. This project, if it
moves forward, will make the requisite improvements to Timberline & Trilby and any improvements to
utilities (water and sewer) that are necessary in order to mitigate the impacts that this development might
have on the surrounding infrastructure. It should be cost neutral from the standpoint of capital
infrastructure improvements. Any costs to the City will be offset with capital expansion fees and fees
paid at the time of building permit.
Merritt said that concludes his comments and he's happy to answer any additional questions the Board
may have.
Shepard said he would just add that the wildlife issue will be addressed at the time of the Project
Development Plan (PDP) under Standards 3.4.1 which have to do with both quantitative and qualitative
aspects of how to protect an ecological resource. The same is true with transportation issues. As
explained at their development review outreach meeting, the subdivisions that are on the edge of the city
(Westchase in this case), there is always a lack of public improvements. There is a lag between
residential development and the ability to provide the entire required public infrastructure simply because
from a fiscal perspective, the City is not in a position to be able to "front" improvements such as roads,
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November 3, 2011
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understands it, people who will be using this temple are encouraged to visit once a month. She said
we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people from Wyoming, Nebraska and Northern Colorado.
She said the only way they can currently get out of the Westchase neighborhood are via two streets —
Fossil Creek Road and Westchase. She thinks it'll make the Timberline much more dangerous. If
there's any way possible way, she'd recommend people using the temple should be rerouted using 1-25
via Carpenter Road.
Sky Rynker, 2202 Westchase Road, asked if we're discussing annexation or are we discussing the
project itself. Vice Chair Smith said we're really discussing the zoning but if you'd like to comment on
annexation, please feel free to do so. Vice Chair Smith said there will be a lot of opportunity for public
input before there's ever a development proposal. Rynker said he understands it will be a place of
worship and that there will be a resident at the parsonage. On the applicant's slides he did not see a
picture of the actual church that is already there (north of the subject property). Are we trying to
minimize the fact that there is already a building there? What he is concerned about is we are not
showing the Kechter Subdivision being annexed and its impacts. He asked if it is not listed as being UE
to the south. Vice Chair Smith advised him to please continue his comments and when Public Input is
closed, staff will respond.
Rynker said to annex as UE and to leave all the other lots in the County where there are fending for
themselves is ridiculous. He lives in this area and he has to answer to his daughters as to why they
need to build such a big building there when they already have a place of worship which they do not
have the right to attend. He said it's going to greatly impact those two developments as well as
everyone else around. He asked the Board please think about it before you ruin the southeast part of
Fort Collins.
Shane McGregor lives at 2220 Fossil Creek Parkway. He lives there with his wife and three children.
He's here in opposition to the proposed project. While he completely understands Mr. Leistikow's right
to utilize his property in whatever capacity he chooses, what is interesting to him in the presentation is
they thought the transition from residential to a rural area would be properly buffered with a temple that
could potentially have one to two thousand people a week coming to it. He said it's on the scale of the
number of people who go to Hughes Stadium for football games. McGregor becomes a little bit
concerned because the roads on Trilby and Timberline are one lane traffic roads and there is no chance
for that road that travels under the railway could expand to accommodate those numbers. He said he
looks at the numbers of homes that have gone up for sale just west of the subject parcel. These are
$500,000+ properties that have seen very little activity since this use was proposed. He doesn't
understand why this happens to be the best location for this use.
David Vigil lives at 6314 Tree Stead Road. He is concerned about building something that large and its
impact on animals —specifically bald eagle and coyotes. We'll be taking away more land and pushing
them into the residential area. Have we really looked at what impact this will have on animals?
Secondly, what kind of expense will that be to the City? There are going to have to widen those roads
and it's going to cost. Have you taken a look at that?
Merritt said he's going to try to walk through the comments made. He'll try to hit those issues of major
concern. The first gentleman that spoke this evening spoke of a document which is actually a
supporting document to the Fossil Creek Area Plan. It has to do with the preservation of Fossil Creek
natural resources. Merritt used a slide that indicated a broken green line — a circular area that
represents the Resource Management Area (RMA) described by the Fossil Creek Area Plan (FCAP).
He said it is that management area that the preservation of critical natural wildlife area is intended. He
said when they speak to view corridors and preservation of the Fossil Creek Resource Area (FCRA); it
is the area south and east of that dashed line to which that document is referring. What you'll notice
from their property (which lies at the intersection of Timberline and Trilby) is that they are in excess of
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November 3, 2011
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study which was reviewed and accepted by the city's traffic engineers) has created a hazardous
situation for our children.
This is deeply concerning when you consider a report entitled, Dangerous by Design 2011, which
was recently presented to Congress at the introduction of The Safe and Complete Streets Act of
2011. The report documents the more than 47,700 pedestrians killed and 688,000 pedestrians
injured in the U.S. between 2000 and 2009 -- equivalent to a vehicle striking a pedestrian every
seven minutes. Children are disproportionally represented in these statistics. During an eight year
period, children who were walking or biking to destinations including schools and parks
accounted for 25 — 30% of all traffic deaths.
Any development will exacerbate existing traffic issues within the area. Pedestrian safety
necessitates that infrastructure corrections must precede proposed developments, 1) in order to
make sure they are implemented and, 2) in order to save children's lives. Westchase residents
have already experienced the city's lack ability and/or resolve with regard to correcting traffic
issues that resulted from inadequately reviewed traffic studies. The city proposed the installation
of speed bumps to resolve the issue that exists on Fossil Creek Pkwy but they will not proceed
until a majority of residents respond to a survey, in favor of the proposed installation. The last
report from our HOA indicated a total of 183 responses out of the 415 households in the
Westchase neighborhood. Seventy percent of respondents support the installation based on a
response rate of 40 percent. These are significant numbers. But the city determined this data is
insufficient to justify proceeding with the traffic correction. Personally, I think the city should
reevaluate their definition of "affected population" since many in cul-de-sacs and side streets are
not exposed to speeding traffic in front of their homes. Regardless, residents are forced to
contend with traffic issues that resulted from poor traffic planning.
The proposed development for the Leistikow Annexation contains a parking lot, roughly the size
of Lowe's Home Center. It will be open from early morning until late at night, five days a week. It
is foolish to assume that the traffic generated by this development, a development that exits
directly into the Westchase neighborhood, will not deleteriously impact traffic issues that already
exist. The infrastructure must addressed early in this process and it must be properly designed
and in place before the development proceeds.
Eric Sutherland, 3520 Golden Current, said the materials regarding the annexation that went to City
Council did not place a cost to the taxpayers. He said all the materials have been mute as to what costs
would be for paved right-of-way, its maintenance, and perhaps other improvements. Another issue is
transportation. He said the Board has seen displaced intersections along Trilby Road. Staff represents
that this does not create a situation with interlocking left hand turns. It appears two cars making a left
hand turn will need to negotiate with each other and that is not a good safety practice. Sutherland said
as the applicant stated the entire boundary of the annexation is predicated on a streetscape. He
doesn't think that it's properly evaluated. Sutherland asked whether it might not have been a good idea
for the annexation to receive the same notification procedure that was required under the LUC for the
zoning component. He doesn't believe the residents of this area got a fair "shake" relative to adequate
notice. Wouldn't it also be a good practice to go a little bit above what's required? He believes it would
be an improvement of public process.
Nancy Korb, 2215 Andrews Street, said she lives very close to Timberline —a block and a half from the
fire station at the corner of Westchase and Timberline. She would like to address the issue of traffic.
She is very concerned about traffic coming down Timberline to go to the temple if that is what's to be
built there. The intersection at Harmony and Timberline is already a "failed" intersection and the
number of people who will be taking that route to go to the temple will be significant. As she
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November 3, 2011
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Mandatory criteria are it must be consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and/or warranted by
change conditions within the area.
Mr. Hirning read the following comments into the record:
was disheartened to learn of the October 20, 2011 Planning and Zoning board meeting.
understand the Leistikow Annexation decision was invalided, since residents were not properly
notified of the meeting. However, the video record shows the applicant made his case, the issue
was discussed and the board issued a decision in support of the applicant during that meeting.
These events serve to propagate the impression that land use decisions are made before
resident concerns are given due consideration. In this case, residents who oppose this issue are
burdened with the task of undoing a decision that has already made.
A resolution came before the Fort Collins City Council on November 1, 2011, concerning this
Leistikow Annexation (Agenda Item #21). The Planning and Zoning Board rightfully declined to
include their decision in this resolution and I thank them for this action. But despite a lack of input
from residents, city staff recommended the adoption of this resolution on first reading. Though the
resolution was eventually pulled from the city council agenda, a similar resolution will appear at a
future city council meeting and should reflect decisions made tonight. The resolution contains a
section on Environmental Impacts which contains the following statement, "The site [the Leistikow
property] is not within 500 feet of a known natural habitat or feature." I would like to know why this
section was included and who did the research to back up their conclusion.
It is a well-known fact that the Fossil Creek Reservoir is a nesting ground for bald eagles. Bald
eagle nesting sites are protected by federal law. The Fort Collins Audubon Society is currently
investigating reports of an eagle's nest located near the intersection of Trilby and Timberline.
Since the Leistikow property abuts this intersection, it is very possible that it contains this and
other nesting sites. Regardless of the Audubon's findings, based on the known existence of bald
eagle nesting grounds in this area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency must be consulted in order
to assess whether a development on this site violates federal regulations. The'statement that
appeared in Tuesday's resolution is at the very least premature and indicates poor research, poor
judgment or both.
The video of this board's meeting on October 20, 2011 included a discussion related to traffic
impacts of the proposed development on the Leistikow property. I disagree with statements that
were made and I disagree with the apparent conclusions. There are known and existing traffic
issues involving the Westchase neighborhood. First, the only way to exit Westchase is by using
the high -traffic Timberline Road. Second, the East/West routes for pedestrian traffic consist of
Trilby and Kechter roads — two roads that have shoulders less than two feet wide in places, falling
significantly short of the current requirement of six feet shoulders according to Larimer County
Urban Street Standards. It should be emphasized that these three roads are the only routes
available to children who must bike to schools and the nearest parks.
There is another issue. Steve Gilcrest and members of the City of Fort Collins Traffic Engineering
department have met with the Westchase HOA in response to a number of complaints that span
several years. These complaints relate to the amount and speed of traffic within the Westchase
neighborhood, the bulk of which come from Fossil Creek Pkwy. At a Westchase HOA Board
Meeting, members of the city staff explained that the narrow and winding, Fossil Creek Pkwy,
was never designed to be a primary entry/exit point for the neighborhood. However, this street is
THE primary entry/exit point for residents-- experiencing twice the traffic of the next busiest
entry/exit point. This demonstrates that developers' traffic studies are not crystal balls. In this
case, the failure of the developer's traffic study to adequately predict traffic patterns (a traffic
Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 6
its Transfer Density Units (TDU) Program. That timeframe assumes that the setting and the receiving
area for the Fossil Creek Plan will have been satisfied by that point. The ten year timeframe has been
agreed to by the Larimer County Planning Department. This is a receiving area for density. Although
non-residential uses are allowed and exempt from the TDU, residential subdivisions must comply with
the TDU Program.
Member Lingle said when we get down the road in terms of deliberation he'd like to verify the Findings of
Fact listed in the Staff Report include # 1 and 2 related to annexation (he's assuming we'll exclude those
tonight) and # 6 (condition related to approval of the annexation) so that would also be excluded . City
Deputy Attorney Eckman indicated yes.
Member Schmidt wanted to verify that all the areas that are now FA-1 in the County would be zoned UE
— Urban Estate and will provide buffer with the rural lands. Shepard said correct but as the applicant
indicated, the Fossil Creek Area Plan Qointly adopted by the City and the County) requires that a County
subdivision be approved in the County for the purpose of the TDU Program. The county subdivision will
be approved to urban standards. After approval and recording, the subdivision will be annexed into the
City once the TDU Program has been completed. The actual development of the subdivision will be
under the City as will building permits and building permit fees.
Member Schmidt wanted confirmation that density would remain the same under UE — Urban Estate.
Shepard said correct. He said the County TDU Program is calibrated such that there will be no greater
than UE density in a County approved subdivision.
Public Input
Jonathan Anderson, 1230 Paragon Place, is confused by Merritt's description of how this all fits into Fort
Collins Plan because he read the Fort Collins Land Conservation/Stewardship Master Plan. This area is
specifically designated on Page 19 as the Fossil Creek Corridor 3—our guide for Fossil Creek corridor
resource, habitat, view shed separator-- says our principal goal is to protect the wild life at the Fossil
Creek Nature Reserve (FSNR). This land is next door to the FSNR. Anderson said Fort Collins intention
is to preserve this area, to expand the City's control and to not develop. Its intention is to protect the
view shed of the foothills. You can look from the nature area and see Horsetooth. This temple or any
building that's over 1 story high is going to interfere with that view. He's opposed to the annexation
because he thinks the County should have controlled it to preserve the County park and the habitat that's
there. He's opposed to changing the designation from FA-1 because means we'll have buildings and
such on this property and it opens it up to limited use buildings which can be up to three stories high. It's
going to interfere with the view shed. It seems crazy, inappropriate and inconsistent with the City's
Master Plan to allow it to develop in such a manner. It should remain FA-1 for the wildlife. This is not the
right development here.
Devin Hirning, 2214 Fossil Creek Parkway, asked if the traffic issues could be discussed. Vice -chair
Smith asked Deputy City Attorney Eckman what areas were appropriate for deliberation. Eckman said
the question of annexation now can be open. On the question of zoning, he referred to the LUC
Sections 2.9.4(H) where guidance could be found. He said optional criteria in considering zoning is:
• whether the proposed zoning is compatible with existing and proposed uses surrounding the
subject land and is the appropriate zoned district for the land
• whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment would result in significantly adverse
impacts on the natural environment including but not limited to water, air, noise, storm water
management, wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and the natural functioning of the environment
• whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment would result in a logical and orderly
development pattern.
Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 5
N: L-M-N;
N: U-E;
E: FA-1;
S: FA-1;
W: FA-1;
Westchase P.U.D.
Westchase P.U.D.
(Larimer County) Leflar M.R.D.
(Larimer County) Leistikow Amended M.R.D.
(Larimer County) Paragon Estates P.U.D.
He said the city limits are delineated by a pink line. The parcel meets contiguity requirements and the
guiding documents used in formulating this proposal were the City's Structure Plan and the Fossil Creek
Reservoir Area Plan. The Fossil Creek Area Plan identifies this area to be zoned as Urban Estate (UE)
with residential and some non-residential uses. Their intent is to buffer and to transition to the more
urban development to the north from the less dense uses on the east and south. Merritt said directly
north is the LDS (Latter Day Saints) church, a day care center and a fire station.
Merritt said as noted at the October 20th Hearing they are annexing to the far west right-of-way of
Timberline Road. The property is annexing two parcels —one is approximately 2.3 acres for the public
right-of-way of Timberline Road and the other is a 15.7 acre development parcel. It's being annexed and
zoned UE with the intention of non-residential uses; in particular a place of worship, a parsonage, open
space, and public right-of-way for the future extension of Majestic Drive (which is located west of their
property). The little "panhandle" south of Majestic Drive (and shown in orange) is the temple parsonage.
It's accessory use to the place of worship. Merritt said that due west is an area in which they will provide
open space thereby allowing them to control the view corridors as you head north on Timberline to the
future place of worship. He said UE is the most appropriate zoning district given the guidance of the
Fossil Creek Area Plan and the City's Structure Plan. Those documents view UE uses as other than
residential. The use of place of worship is allowed. He said in the months to come they plan to bring a
site -specific development plan for the temple site itself.
Member Lingle noted for the record that questions he asked on October 20 were all relevant to the
annexation and not to zoning. It is his impression they do not need to revisit issues related to
annexation. Deputy City Attorney Eckman said in the interest of fairness, he'd like to err on the side of
allowing the public, the applicant and staff to speak on both annexation and zoning. He said it's not
appropriate to speak to a site specific development plan which will come later with the submittal of a
Project Development Plan (PDP).
Member Schmidt said her question and impression from the last hearing is that the amount of land they
are annexing is sufficient to address their obligations as far as road widening, and infrastructure
improvements. Merritt said the site -specific development plan they will be doing will help them to
identify and vet the issues related to the impacts of the specific use. They have tried to consider what
right-of-way would be necessary for both Timberline Road and Majestic Drive with the parcel submitted.
Member Lingle said the question he had related to that was -- even though the street design will be
coming later, he wanted to verify with staff whether Engineering had reviewed the proposed off -set
intersection on Trilby to the extent that the shape and the amount of land in the annexation was
appropriate. The answer was yes. Shepard said correct, the alignment is specifically designed so that
Majestic would intersect Trilby at a 90 degree and that the off -set is in the right direction so there won't
be interlocking, conflicting left turns.
Shepard said he'd like to remind the Board and citizens present there is a condition of approval for the
annexation. The condition, which is recommended for 10 years, states should the subject parcel
develop in a residential fashion, the owner will then be required to request disconnection from the City
and the property would revert back to the County for the purpose of the County being able to implement
Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 4
of Public Input
Director Dus d the only thing he'd like to add is this zone change is in the Growth
and it does comply the City Structure Plan.
Board Discussion
Member Lingle said their charge tonig to establish the a
annexation was found to be compliant with a requireme
that property in the UE — Urban Estate District. ms
City Structure Plan. He said the potential purch r of
deliberations.
Area
oprqpeCe zoning for the property. The
Tonight, the recommendation is to place
appropriate to him because it follows the
ropertv is irrelevant to the Board's
Member Schmidt said she agre She thinks the UE is appropriate la�n it is a voluntary annexation
request. She has no iss ith it.
Member Lin moved to recommend to City Council that the Courtney Zoning, NX110004 be
approv ith UE, Urban Estate zoning, as recommended by staff. Member Schmi conded
th otion. The motion was approved 5:0.
Project: Leistikow Annexation and Zoning, # ANX110003
Project Description: This is a request to zone 18.04 acres located east of Timberline Road and south of
Trilby Road. The property is a portion of the Leistikow Minor Residential Division
as approved in Larimer County and addressed as 6732 South Timberline Road.
The entire abutting segment of street right-of-way for Timberline Road is included
in the annexation boundary. This is a 100% voluntary annexation. The property is
partially developed with one house and currently zoned FA-1, Farming in Larimer
County. In accordance with the City Plan's Structure Plan Map and the Fossil
Creek Reservoir Area Plan, the requested zoning for this annexation is U-E, Urban
Estate. The surrounding properties are currently zoned L-M-N, Low Density Mixed -
Use Neighborhood and U-E to the north (Westchase P.U.D.) and FA-1, Farming in
the Larimer County to the east and south.
Recommendation: Staff recommends the property be placed in the U-E, Urban Estate Zoning District
Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence
Chief Planner Ted Shepard said this is a request to zone as Urban Estate 18.04 acres located east of
South Timberline Road and south of Trilby Road. The site is within the boundary of the Fossil Creek
Reservoir Area Plan. The primary purpose of zoning is to facilitate the future development of a place of
worship. As approved by the Board at their October 20, 2011 Hearing, the parcel would be placed in the
Residential Neighborhood Sign District. At that meeting a condition of approval of annexation was to
recommend the parcel would require disconnection in the case of residential development for the benefit
of implementing Larimer County's Transfer Density Units Program.
Applicant's Presentation
Ken Merritt, Landmark Planners, Engineers and Landscape Architects, reviewed the site map graphic
with the Board. He said the parcel is located on the southeast corner of Trilby and Timberline Roads. It
is approximately 18 acres of property within the Leistikow Amended MRD (Minor Residential
Development). Merritt described the surrounding zoning as:
Planning & Zoning Board
November 3, 2011
Page 2
Sutherland said that ethical observation is interesting in light of certain circumstances. He reviewed a
sequence of events that outlined his experience when he learned that the City Manager was intending to
purchase property that was being annexed into the City. He made inquiries relative to any disclosure
that represented a potential conflict of interest. He was not able to obtain the disclosure that was said to
be on file. He said the essence of our civil society is built around standards of ethics. Disclosure isn't
just an ethical "thing"; it's a standard of conduct. When disclosures happen, all kinds of good things
happen. He'd like to see more of a conversation of what is ethical and what is not.
Member Schmidt said she'd like to make a comment that addresses the concerns raised. Many have
been on the Board for some time. Although they don't formally ask for conflicts of interest in a meeting,
during their work session those issues come up. There are forms that need to be filled out relative to
conflicts. If it comes up in a meeting, that individual usually leaves the room. It is not something the
Board overlooks.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman said we follow Robert's Rule of Order and we also follow our Charter which
trumps RRO. Our charter requires that if you have a personal or financial interest in the decision, you
have to disclose on the forms mentioned by Member Schmidt. That must be disclosed at the
commencement of the meeting if not before. What's he's seen is Board members disclose that quite a
while before. The Board member will declare the conflict and explain why they need to recues them —
removing themselves from the room and returning when that item is finished.
Consent Agenda:
1. Courtney Zoning, # ANX110004 —MOVED TO DISCUSSION
Vice Chair Smith asked the Board and members of the audience if they'd like to pull items from the
Consent agenda. A member of the audience requested that Item 1, Courtney Zoning, # ANX110004,
be moved to discussion.
Discussion Agenda:
1. Courtney Zoning, # ANX110004
2. Leistikow Zoning, # ANX110003
Courtney Zoning, #ANX110004
on: This is a request to zone 3.13 acres, being the property kno as the Courtney
Annexation, located east of Ziegler Road and south ast Horsetooth Road.
property is Lot 3 of the Strobel M.R.D. and is ressed as 3256 Nite Court,
which ' t the east end of Charlie Lane. P ons of street right-of-way for Nite
Court and a Lane are included i annexation boundary. The property is
developed and is in FA1 - F ing District in Larimer County. The requested
zoning for the annexation i — Urban Estate. The surrounding properties are
currently zoned FA1 arming ' he Larimer County to the north, east and
south; and, UE — an Estate in the Ci the west.
Recommendation: St ecommends approval of the request for the property a placed in the UE —
rban Estate Zoning District.
Vice Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call: Campana, Hatfield, Lingle, Schmidt, and Smith
Excused Absences Carpenter and Stockover
Staff Present: Dush, Eckman, Olt, Shepard, and Sanchez -Sprague
Agenda Review
Director Dush reviewed the agenda and stated the reason for the Special Hearing tonight is that the
Planning & Zoning Hearing items related to the Courtney and Leistikow Zoning were not properly noticed
for the October 20, 2011 hearing —mailings to affected property owners, as required by the Land Use
Code (LUC), were not sent. That has since been corrected and we are here tonight to make
recommendations on the zoning portion.
Dush added annexation notification requirements fall under the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS). That
process was followed for the Hearing on October 20. The recommendations relative to annexation were
forwarded to City Council and they were initially reviewed and approved by City Council at their
November 1 meeting.
Citizen participation:
Jonathan Anderson, 1230 Paragon Place, said he'd attended a County Hearing on this question where
the Robert's Rules of Order (RRO) were not followed. He reviewed the Fort Collins website and noted
Fort Collins is committed to the RRO. Upon reviewing the agenda items, he said a council should call for
conflict of interest. He would encourage the Board to review the agenda and for the Chair to call for
conflicts of interest should they or an extended family member have a financial interest or would benefit
from the projects presented. It's important to him because the County did not follow RRO. It looked bad
and led to some hard feelings by the citizens in attendance. He would appreciate it if individuals would
disclose any conflicts of interest if they have them.
Eric Sutherland said his comments would follow the previous speaker, who is a gentleman he does not
know. He referred to a comment made by Mayor Pro Tern Ohlson relative to the prescriptive LUC which
we currently employ to make decisions related to land use. It was built on the idea that if you comply
with the standards, you "skate". If you don't there's a mechanism whereby decision makers (in some
cases the Planning & Zoning Board) make the decision whether or not standards can be modified to
allow a particular development. Sutherland said it doesn't really matter how much "juice" (favoritism or
influence) you have, it's supposed to be prescriptive —it levels the playing field.