HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE GROVE AT FORT COLLINS - FDP - FDP110015 - CORRESPONDENCE - (59),City, Collins
DATE: October 20, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Planning, Development & Transportation
Executive Offices
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins. CO 80522.0580
970.221.8801
970AM2081 -fax
fcgov.com/pdt
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Diane Jones, Deputy City Manager — Planning, Policy and Transportation
FROM: Karen Cumbo, Planning, Development and Transportation Director
RE: Response to Questions re: The Grove's Heating System
Several questions were raised at the October 18 City Council meeting about the heating
system in The Grove student housing project. Several staff members, including
representatives of the City Attorney's office, recall the developer's commitment to not
use all -electric heat.
The Final Development Plans for the Grove are currently under review, but do not yet
reflect the change away from all -electric heating. This is not unusual at this stage of the
development review process. Doug Martine of Light and Power confirms that the
Grove's electric utility system under design assumes no electric space heating. Xcel
reports that the developer has inquired about the availability of natural gas, but has not
yet funded the actual design. This is usually not done until close to the start of the
development. Final Plan review is just getting underway, building plans have not yet
been submitted for review, and the Development Agreement is not yet drafted.
The rates charged for all -electric heat are substantially higher than for a non -electric heat
project. In addition, under a provision of the new Green Building requirements that are
now in effect, electrically heated buildings must be insulated to a significantly higher R-
value and have different construction requirements.
In summary, although the current information provided by the Grove's developer is not
definitive about the use of electric heat, it does not appear that the developer plans to use
electric heat. Staff will monitor this closely as the development review process moves to
completion. If there is any indication that is not the case, Staff will alert executive
management and City Council.