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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY STATION FOUR - PDP - 33-08 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVES19. Did you mention that you would provide another access to the Spring Creek Trail? A. We are working with Parks and Recreation on how best to improve access to the Trail. 20. Will you be removing the fence? A. Yes. 21. Will you be removing the old barn? A. Don't know yet. 22. So what will be the status of the western portion of the site? A. This has yet to be determined. We are so earty in the process that we cannot say anything definitive. P.F.A. will own the entire site and have control over the acreage. We plan on keeping it as natural and low -maintenance as possible. Rest assured we will not carve out a commercial corner for a developer. 23. What about old Number Four on Devonshire? A. We would like to sell the property to a private entity. 24. It would make a perfect house for a family with two R. V.'s. A. Yes it certainly would. Thank you for the suggestion. Name of Project Poudre Fire Authority Station #4 — New Construction and Relocation to 2604 South Taft Hill Road — Conceptual Review April 4, 2008 New Plat: Poudre Fire Authority Subdivision October 22, 2008 two per shift now over on Devonshire. When the station is equipped with heavy rescue equipment and a brush truck, we will increase the staffing to seven firefighters per shift. 14. Will the new break in the median be available to serve other properties on the south side of Drake? A. No, the median break will be for P.F.A. only. 15. By developing this parcel for a fire station, I think P.F.A. is hindering future development in the area. The property will be taken off the tax rolls resulting in the loss of property tax revenue. There will be more congestion and delay at the DrakelTaft intersection. Fire trucks will cause a major traffic hazard. Overall, the project will have a negative impact on the neighborhood. A. Thank you for your comments. Keep in mind that Stations One (East Mulberry and Peterson) and Two (West Mulberry and Bryan) have similar traffic control signals and are located along a four lane arterial street. We have a similar situation with a new station on South Timberline Road. It is imperative that fire trucks have quick access to the major thoroughfares to in order to provide the five minute response time standard that we strive for. We simply cannot be located internal to a an industrial or business park or residential subdivision and still do our jobs effectively. 16. 1 question the break in the median. The O'Donnell property owners tried for years to get the City to cut a break in the median and were unsuccessful. A. We are aware of this history. The Traffic Operations Department has jurisdiction over the placement of traffic control devices. Our run data indicates that we will not have an impact on the traffic flow on Drake as a result of our activity. We do not have the same traffic impact as a commercial property. 17. Will there be an access off Taft Hill Road? A. No, access will be from a single point on Drake, at a point east of the westbound left turn lane. 18. Does the property abut Spring Creek? A. Yes, and we will comply with the 100-foot buffer requirement for Spring Creek. In addition, we plan on saving the cluster of trees located at the southeast corner of the site. M Centre for Advance Technology. We cover north to Prospect. We cover south to the Loveland boundary. We cover the area around Hughes Stadium which is where most of our calls are. And, we cover the residential area on the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir. What about the impact on the Foothills Unitarian Church during Sunday morning services? A. We will be sensitive to the needs of the church. For example, we presently operate Station Five across Hogan Drive from Saint Peters Lutheran Church and Hogan Drive is a much smaller street than West Drake Road. We respect the need to be as quiet as possible on Sunday momings. We will run the siren only when absolutely necessary, and we will not test any mechanized equipment on Sunday momings. 8. Will there be adequate parking for the community meeting room. A. Yes, we will have adequate parking. 9. How big is the meeting room? A. With the room set up with tables, we can seat about 30 people. 10. When do you think the station will be up and running? A. We are ready to go with design. Then we need to put the project out for bid and select a construction company. At the same time, we will be going through the City's review process. And, it takes nine months to build so we are probably looking at the Spring of 2009 for completion. 11. Will there be excavation? A. Yes, we will excavate for a full height walk -out lower level on the south side of the building. This is where the community room and exercise room will be located. 12. So the new station will have three bays instead of two? A. Yes, the third bay will be for a future engine company. Until then, we will use the third bay for what we call heavy rescue equipment and a brush truck to serve the west side of Fort Collins. 13. Will the new station have more firefighters on duty? A. Yes, we plan on staffing the new station with three firefighters per shift versus the to what is existing at this time. A 50 foot buffer zone on around the trees along Spring Creek Trail will be maintained. Currently the existing trees that are on the site are not native to Colorado. But have been deemed they are healthy and should be used in the currently landscape plan with the exception of the apple trees that are located on the northeast of the site, the volunteer elms, and the volunteer Russian olive trees that are located in the middle of the site near the spring creek bike trail. Neighborhood Meeting The meeting began with a description of the proposed project. The project consists of building a new fire station for the purpose of relocating Station #4 to 2604 South Taft Hill Road (O'Donnell property). The site is approximately five acres and located at the southeast corner of West Drake Road and South Taft Hill Road. The existing house may or may not be demolished. The new station would allow P.F.A. to lower the response times in the designated coverage area. The new station would also provide a community meeting room. In addition, the new station would feature three vehicle bays and be larger than the present one located on 2030 Devonshire Drive. QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS Has P.F.A. purchased the land yet? A. We have an offer in to the seller. 2. How many false alarms does Station Four receive? A. Last year, about 4% - 6% of our total calls were false alarms. 3. What are your plans for the west half of the site? A. We would like to keep this area naturalistic and low maintenance. We are working with Parks and Recreation on improving access to the Spring Creek Trail. While we think this area will remain open and natural, it won't be improved or maintained like a park. 4. What about traffic control? A. We plan on working with the Traffic Operations Department to create a break in the median and set up a traffic signal. This median break would be for P.F.A. only. The signal would be like the one on Taft now at Devonshire that could only be activated by P.F.A. and able to stop traffic in both directions. After passing through that signal, the fire trucks are equipped with Opticon technology so we can activate the signals at Drake and Taft, and Drake and Constitution. 5. How big an area does Station Four serve? A. We cover east to Shields but we respond as a back up to medical calls at The Worthington and the other Columbine Care facilities at the measures. In this case, the existing conditions of smooth grass and alfalfa shall remain. Which ever condition the grasses eventually take, the proposed irrigation for this area shall be installed and used only during the establishment period and during seasons with extreme drought. The maintenance should be very low and include only periodic, semi annual or annual mowing following establishment. Native shrubs dot the slope and provide erosion control, habitat and screening of the parking lots from the trial below. The plantings in the detention area shall be a combination of grass types, depending on the wetness zone. It is intended that an opportunity for the establishment of more wetland species of plants will be included if possible in the area surrounding the outlet. It is additionally worth noting that Tim Buchanan, the City Forrester, has walked the site and determined that the only trees worth keeping are the large Crack Willows (a non native species) located on the south east corner of the site. The decision was made to remove the steps to the lower level on the outside, east of the building. The handicap accessible ramp remains. This was a cost saving decision. Space was left to allow the installation of rudimentary steps should the need arise in the future. The patio on the south side was developed with a porous surface of buff colored breeze or small stone fines compacted to form a smooth even surface. Large landscape boulders help form the edge between the patio and the native grass landscape surrounding it. The treatment of this edge is important and it is necessary to transition between two very different uses. To this end a 5-4 foot wide panel of shorter native grasses will be installed between the patio and the taller prairie grasses. Maintenance of both the patio and the surrounding boulders and planting should be minimal. Natural Habitats A 100 foot environmental buffer must be maintained to Spring Creek. A portion of the site falls within the FEMA-designated Spring Creek 100-year floodplain and floodway. No buildings, parking facilities or fill are allowed in the floodway. Onsite detention of storm development will be required and design of the site must conform to the drainage basin design of the Spring Creek Drainage Master Drainage Plan as well as the City's Design Criteria and Construction standards. Erosion will be limited through the use of plantings and minimal site grading. Care will be taken when grading along the east boundary of the property, not to get into the root systems of the neighbors trees. Retaining walls will be incorporated to keep the grade at or close Y use of the open space within the site and the open space and bike trail adjacent to the site. Care will be taken to make the view from the bike trail to fire station and the parking to be hidden with strategic plantings that block parking lot views but does not interfere with the solar access needed for the building. View corridors from the building will take advantage of the foot hills with close up views of the trial and Spring Creek. A progression in the landscape from the north to south of the lot developed starting with the areas of highest maintenance and water use were located along Drake Street. In keeping with the convention of turf and shade tree design already established along this transportation corridor, we proposed a ribbon of bluegrass between the existing sidewalk the proposed internal drive. This area will also contain some shade trees and shrubs to screen the west parking along with some additional shade trees to compensate for the unavoidable removal of two existing street trees which currently occupy the space where the proposed entrance drive must be located. Irrigation in this area shall be low water pop-up heads with a 40% water savings over standard pop-up systems. Moving south within the lot, we proposed a large planting bed containing xeric and native trees, shrubs and perennials. This bed will provide seasonal interest, habitat and food for wildlife while requiring little semiannual maintenance and a rip irrigation system. The same treatment is applied in the other large planting bed just west of the east property line, between the east parking and the edge of the property. The only other formalized planting bed is located just north of the building on the west side. This bed follows the same criteria as the aforementioned beds, while meeting the additional requirement of screening for the dorms on the north side. Materials in these beds include irrigation equipment, landscape weed fabric, shredded wood mulch and a minimal amount of metal edging. We are attempting to find a local source for the mulch material. The remaining portion of the landscape is design as a native collection of local grasses and shrubs punctuated with shade trees around the building on the south and west sides where they will provide shade and cooling for the building in the summer. It is in this area that the existing conditions of the site will have the greatest affect. Currently the site is an old field dominated by non native smooth brome grass and alfalfa. Both species are invasive and extremely difficult to eradicate. It is the intention of this design to re-establish any areas affected by the construction with native species of upland and tall prairie grasses, sedges and (orbs. However, it is imperative that the existing non native invasive species be systemically eradicated if the proposed natives are to have any chance at establishment. This will most certainly mean the use of a systemic herbicide, such as Roundup, in multiple applications. Given the close proximity to Spring Creek, it is uncertain whether the City will approve such Site Usage This station is open 24 hours a day. Poudre Fire Authority has 3 companies assigned to this station with a shift changes every 24 hours. Each company employees 3 to 4 Firefighters for each shift. This station has been design with the concept that an additional 3 companies will be assigned to this stations in the future, which will increase the number of employees on site to 6 to 8 during a 24 hour time period. A community training room has been added to the walkout basement. Poudre Fire Authority has this same scenario at several of the stations and they approximate the visitors to the site will be around 24 to 30 during a one week time period. Design Rational The Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) has identified the need for replacement of the current Station #4 located at 2030 Devonshire. Justification for this replacement includes: • When the current facility was constructed, it was considered to be temporary in nature but has been in operation for over 20 years • The current station is located near the edge of the response area. The station needs to be more centrally located within the response area to assure a response time within stated five minute response time target for PFA • The current facility is a one company station. The station needs to accommodate two companies (engine and heavy rescue). PFA has identified that this new facility should meet the requirements for LEED Gold certification. The new fire station will accommodate two fire fighting companies, Engine and Heavy Rescue. The building will consist of an approximate 13,000 s.f. one-story building that will include living quarters (dayroom, dining, kitchen, offices, sleeping rooms) and an apparatus area (four apparatus bays, hose storage, bunker storage, decontamination, shop, grounds storage and an exercise room). There will be an additional 2,800 s.f. at a basement level that will contain a training/community room, storage and utility spaces. The "residential designed style building" has been oriented on the site to maximize north/south facing glazing and to reduce east/west facing glazing. The layout of the facility places the apparatus area adjacent to the nosier exposure of Drake Road while the living area fronts to relatively quieter exposure of Spring Creek south. This layout also allows for the least amount of paving required to allow for drive through bays. In addition, parking is clustered around the response and return aprons to reduce the amount of drive paving required. The paving will be concrete rather than asphalt. The sighting of the building and the choice of plantings will accentuate site lines to and from the building, making the best Strategic planting of shade trees will reduce the potential heat generated by the parking areas on the south and southwest sides of the building. Vehicular access will be allowed onto West Drake Road at the east side of the property as a right -in, right -out maneuver only. Based upon anticipated low levels of traffic generation, acceleration and deceleration lanes will not be required. A cut through the center median at West Drake Road will be allowed for emergency vehicle access. This cut will need to be controlled by a gate across the median. A traffic light signal will also be required to control traffic in the east and west bound lanes. Current vehicular access points on Drake will need to be abandoned. Water and sewer services will be provided by the City of Fort Collins. A 12-inch water service main is located in West Drake Road. A 15-inch sanitary sewer is located near the south edge of the property. Water taps are anticipated to consist of separate taps for an automatic sprinkler service and for domestic service. An 8" main will be installed into the site to a single fire hydrant. Fire lines and domestic services will tap into this new main. The sanitary sewer service is anticipated to consist of a 6" line. City of Fort Collins Light and Power will provide electrical service from a duct bank along Taft Hill Road. Gas will be provided by Xcel Energy and telephone by Qwest. Site Maintenance The median and the grass area along the south side of West Drake Road will continue to be maintained by the City of Fort Collins. There will be three trees that will need to be removed from the median to accommodate the emergency access to the west bound lane of West Drake Road. The irrigation will be disrupted at this area, and will be included in the contract documents to repair and keep in working order. At the new drive access to the relocated fire station, again trees and irrigation will be disrupted. Irrigation and tree replacement has been integrated into the landscape. As you look at the location of the trees, located near the access to West Drake Road; please be cognitive of the fact that the Fire fighters do need clear views from the engine as they pull out into the traffic on east bound and west bound traffic on West Drake Road. Because of the height of where the driver sits in the engines, the driver historically is looking into the tree canopies. The trees have purposefully been pushed down for site lines. The areas directly to the south of the sidewalk on West Drake Road (East bound) will be maintained by Poudre Fire Authority. Currently, the lot to the west of the property is also owned by Poudre Authority. No improvements at this time will be done to the lot. The existing orchard type grasses and trees will remain. Poudre Fire Authority will mow and keep this area in the natural state it currently is in. Architecture Planning Interiors P.O. Bar i306 Fon Collins. C 0 805E Ph. 9.'Q.407.0070 Statement of Planning Objectives City Plan Principles Belfor Watkins Group and their Associated Sub Consultants have used the following infomration to begin the design process for the Relocation of Fire Station #4 at 2604 South Taft Hill Fort Collins • Land Use Code adopted on July 17, 2007, as included supplement number 25. • Article 2, Administration Division 2.1 thru 2.7 • Article 3, General Development Standards Division 3.1 thru 3.8 • Article 4, District Division 4.6 Medium Density Mixed use Neighborhood District Project Description Fire Station #4 will be situated on an approximate 2.8-acre site located near the southeast comer of South Taft Hill Road and West Drake Road. This site constitutes the east most parcel of two parcels owned by PFA at this corner. The use of the west most parcel is unknown at this time. The property is also bounded by Spring Creek and Spring Creek trail on the south edge. The topography is moderate to steep sloping to the south. The property as currently zoned M-M-N, Medium Density Mixed - Use Neighborhood. The proposed use is permitted as a Public Facility subject to Administrative (Type One) Review. A conceptual review was conducted with the City of Fort Collins Preliminary Design Review Team on April 1, 2008. The approach to the landscape plan for the Poudre Fire Authority #4 Fire Station will employ current best practices for efficient low energy consuming systems, while achieving an aesthetic congruent with the character of the open space surrounding the site. In the planting areas the plan will use low water or xeric plantings and native grasses where ever possible, direct timed watering such as drip irrigation, a minimum of 3" of organic mulch and water retaining polymers in the foundation planting beds. The landscape design will maximize seasonal interest through the selection of plants with more than one season of interest. Maintenance will be reduced through the use of more trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses than perennials and annuals.