HomeMy WebLinkAboutOTTER BOX DISTRIBUTION/WAREHOUSE EXPANSION - PDP & APU - 17-10 - REPORTS - PLANNING OBJECTIVES0 •
There are approximately 30 existing trees located in a cluster at the southwest corner of the site. The
majority of these trees will need to be removed to allow for the building expansion. Tim Buchanan, the
City Forester, has requested that the Applicant plant ten 3-inch caliper trees to mitigate the loss. Since
the site is adjacent to the Boxelder Creek drainage the mitigation trees are planted along the south and
west sides of the property bordering the natural areas. In addition, native grasses, shrubs and more trees
are provided to enhance the natural areas and provide structural diversity for wildlife habitat.
The existing building is well landscaped with foundation plantings and a variety of trees. Additional
plantings are proposed with the building expansion that include foundation plantings along the building
expansion, screening for parking areas and a continuation of street trees along the Southeast Frontage
Road. An outdoor patio space is proposed on the east side of the existing building. The intent is to
provide a pleasant outdoor gathering space for employees. The area is enclosed with a courtyard wall to
screen out parking and provide a sense of enclosure. Casual seating, outdoor furniture and a barbeque
are included.
OtterBox would like to get the expansion under construction as soon as possible in order to keep up with
the market demand for their products. As you can see from their web site, OtterBox is proud to call Fort
Collins their home. The owners of OtterBox along with the entire design team look forward to your
comment, anticipating n August 19`" public hearing. Please don't hesitate to call if you have questions or
need clarification.
Sincerely,
Ripley Design Inc.
Linda Ripley
Principal
Thinking outside of the box for over two decades.
401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200 ■ Fort Collins, CO 80521 ■ tel. 970.224.5828 ■ fax 970.224.1662 ■
www.vfrdesigninc.com
n
LJ
land planning = landscape architecture , urban design � entitlement
July 14, 2010
Mr. Ted Shepard
Senior Planner
City of Fort Collins
Planning Department
281 North College
Fort Collins, CO 80521
RE: Planning Objectives for
OtterBox Distribution Center Expansion Project Development Plan
Dear Ted,
The OtterBox Distribution Center is a 31,338 square foot warehouse/distribution facility located on Lot 9
within Interchange Business Park (IBP) at the southeast corner of State Highway 14 and Interstate 25.
Interchange Business Plark was originally developed in Larimer County and was later annexed into the
City of Fort Collins i 20U"0, The business park was designed to accommodate large lot commercial and
light industrial develo nt. Lots in the business park range from 1-3 acres in size in order to
accommodate parking, loading docks, semi -truck access and outdoor storage yards. When IBP was
approved in Larimer County it was zoned C-Commercial which allowed both commercial and light
industrial uses. When it was annexed into the City it was zoned C- Commercial, however, light industrial
use are not permitted in the C District in the City. Therefore the applicant is requesting the Planning and
Zoning Board to approve a request for the addition of a permitted use. This request is formally submitted
in a separate letter.
OtterBox was created by Curt and Nancy Richardson in 1998 starting with a simple water proof protective
case for cameras. Since that time the Company has moved from waterproof boxes into four lines of
device -specific cases for today's hottest technologies. The company has grown quickly into an
international business tied to the ever expanding field of electronic technology. As a company, OtterBox
has proven to be exceptionally innovative, creative and highly successful. This success has resulted in
the need to expand their existing distribution center located in IBP. The proposal is to expand the existing
facility on to Lot 11, the adjacent lot to the southwest. The 50,385 square foot building expansion will be
a one-story addition that will measure 32 feet to the top of the precast. The existing building is 28 feet
tall. The architecture of the expansion matches the design of the existing building, utilizing precast
panels, aluminum storefront detailing at the entry and providing windows in the same pattern. OtterBox
expects to employ approximately 100 people at the facility after the expansion is completed.
Existing access is from Denrose Court and a second point of access is located along the Southeast
Frontage Road utilizing an existing curb cut. The existing building has shipping /receiving area on the
south side of the building. The expansion will provide for two additional loading docks adjacent to the
existing ones. Emergency access is provided along three sides of the existing building and the proposed
expansion. With the expansion the site will have 74 vehicular parking spaces and 8 bike parking spaces.
It is anticipated that additional bike parking can be provided inside the building to encourage this
alternative mode of transportation.
Thinking outside of the box for over two decades
401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200 ■ Fort Collins, CO 80521 ■ tel. 970.224.5828 ■ fax 970.224.1662 ■
www.vfrdesigninc.com