HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOOPER HOME (1309 NEWSOM ST.) - SPAR - SPA120001 - MINUTES/NOTES - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING (3)Answer: (Applicant) PSD is waiting for the City planning and zoning
review/ recommendations
54. Question: (Resident) How do we find out about PSD Board meetings?
Answer: (Applicant) They are posted on our website.
55. Question: (Resident) Will PSD look at the neighborhood covenants and
City Code before going to the Planning & Zoning Board?
Answer: (Applicant) Yes, we will.
56. Comment: (Resident) I appreciate the "NIMBY" comment but my opinion
is that the Mason Street Corridor is a better location for this
use.
57. Comment: (Resident) I'm pro -neighborhood and looked closely at our
covenants when we bought our house.
58. Comment: (Resident) Take a look at 508 West Drake Road. It's a nice
big house for $193,000.
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44. Comment: (Resident) There have been hundreds of homes in the
community over the past few years that would have been
more viable for this use. Your building will be 6 feet from my
property line and that is of concern to me.
45. Comment: (Resident) My first impression was that you wanted to be
near Lesher School. That is obviously not the case.
46. Comment: (Resident) The notification letter should not have been left to
the City to send. The information in the letter is not correct.
More people probably would have attended this meeting if
they had correct information about what PSD is proposing.
47. Comment: (Resident) In general, if we want a vibrant, healthy
neighborhood we need good schools. This facility will
provide that.
48. Comment: (Resident) This lot and other lots in the area are just too
small for this use.
49. Question: (Residents) You are intent on closing on the property, going
through the City process, and opening this school facility. Is
that the bottom line?
Answer: (Applicant)PSD will follow procedures set in place and
consider all of the recommendations.
50. Question: (Resident) What is the inspection/objection deadline?
Answer: (Applicant) That date has passed.
51. Comment: (Resident) I am hearing that the neighbors here tonight have
no problems with the kids or the proposed use, they just
don't want it here. That is the vernacular for "NIMBY".
52. Question: (Resident) Is it still considered a school if it's an instructional
program?
Answer: (Applicant) That will be decided by the planning and zoning
board.
53. Question: (Resident) Is there any compelling reason for the PSD Board
to back away from this program in this location?
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37. Question: (Resident) The house is on a relatively small lot. What are
the student outdoor activities?
Answer: (Applicant) They are very infrequent. The students are more
involved in community activities and recreation elsewhere.
There may be a handful of days in which they will be in the
backyard for a barbecue, etc.
38. Question: (Resident) Why this residential location versus another type
of location?
Answer: (Applicant) Residential properties are preferred as they
simulate a real -life environment for students to practice life
skills so as to best prepare them for success on their own
upon completion of the program....
39. Question: (Resident) Could this facility be used for something else in
the evenings?
Answer: (Applicant) Typically, there could be nighttime activities in all
PSD facilities.
40. Comment: (Applicant) Cooper Home is not a vocational school. It is a
life skills training facility.
41. Comment: (Resident) We have a concern about PSD changing the use of
this property. ;
42. Question: (Resident) Has PSD already changed the use of the existing
Cooper Home on East Stuart Street?
Answer: (Applicant) Yes, the existing Cooper Home has been
operating for about 4 years as an 18 - 21 year old day facility
for these students.
43. Question: (Resident) Please address the summer months. What will be
the use of the facility?
Answer: (Applicant) PSD will maintain the property year around. If
some students qualify for extended school year services, the
site would be in use through the month of June. We do not
run recreation programs in this facility in the summer
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28. Comment: (Resident) The students are not the problem here. PSD has
not evaluated the neighborhood, the potential impacts on the
neighborhood, and the kids/ students.
29. Question: (Resident) Has PSD closed on the property?
Answer: (Applicant) No, the closing is scheduled for the end of March.
30. Comment: (Resident) There is a mix of owner -occupied and rental
properties in University Acres. We are all for these students,
just not in this area.
31. Question: (Resident) Is this already a done deal since PSD does not
really have to follow the recommendation of the Planning &
Zoning Board?
Answer: (Applicant) No, we do not consider that to be the case.
32. Comment: (Resident) Most of us moved into our homes to be close to
schools in the area. It has helped raise our property values.
This small, specialty school will not have a negative impact
on the neighborhood.
33. Comment: (Resident) We would be more in favor of this property
continuing to be a residence.
34. Question: (Resident) What is the timing for the opening of this school?
Answer: (Applicant) Assuming the district is able to finalize the
purchase of the home on Newsom, the facility should be
ready for use at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.
35. Question: (Resident) What is the cost to PSD for the real estate?
Answer: (Applicant) PSD has a full -price offer of $225,000 on the
property.
36. Question: (Resident) What is the scope of the budget for this facility?
Answer: (Applicant) We do not own the property yet so that is yet to
be determined.
C.
22. Question: (Resident) Is a traffic study required and, if so, will PSD
provide one?
Answer: (Applicant) The City's traffic engineer will make that
determination. PSD will provide one if asked.
23. Comment: (Resident) A better place for this school would be in an area
close to the Mason Street Multi -modal Transit Corridor. The
RL District is not appropriate.
24. Question: (Resident) Is Foothills Gateway a partner or competitor of
this facility?
Answer: (Applicant) The goal is to have these students ready and able
to live and work in the community. Most of the students will
need on -going support that may be available from Foothills
Gateway. However, due to limited funding, Foothills
Gateway's has a long waiting list (approx. 10 yrs. from their
eligibility date). The school district is not in competition with
Foothills Gateway, but rather preparing students to live and
work in the community with their family's support until such
time that Foothills Gateway is able to provide services.
25. Question: (Resident) Is there an application qualification process for
this school?
Answer: (Applicant) No, there is not.
26. Comment: (Citizen) I am a mother of one of these students. I promise
you that they will be the first one to assist you if needed.
27. Question: (Resident) Why does PSD want Cooper Home to be in a
house and not a school?
Answer: (Applicant) These youths are 18 - 21 years old, out of school,
and need to be in a life skills training setting. They will not
be in the house all day because they will be out doing other
activities in the community.
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16. Question: (Resident) Why the change in the nature of the students in
this new facility?
Answer: (Applicant) The Cooper Home (on Stuart) is currently being
used in the same way but it is not handicapped accessible.
17. Question: (Resident) Why does PSD think it is best to buy this house
and go through expensive remodeling to make it ready for
this many students?
Answer: (Applicant) First indications show that minimal remodeling
will take place inside the residence and this style of house
better fits the program needs. Residential properties are
preferred as they simulate a real -life environment for
students to practice life skills so as to best prepare them for
success on their own upon completion of the program. The
house on Newsom is near 3 bus routes.
18. Question: (Resident) Have churches been approached to provide space
in their facilities for this use?
Answer: (Applicant) No, that does not satisfy PSD needs.
19. Question: (Resident) Is the current Cooper Home facility still owned
and used by PSD?
Answer: (Applicant) It is still owned and used by PSD.
20. Question: (Resident) Section 4.4 of the City's Land Use Code requires
that no side yard for a school be less than 25 feet in width.
The current side yard setbacks from the property lines are 6
feet. Does PSD have to satisfy the code requirements?
Answer: (City Planner) PSD is subject to statutory State regulations.
They are not subject to the City's Land Use Code
requirements.
21. Question: (Resident) We have neighborhood covenants that specifically
prohibit this use. Will PSD pursue this use anyway?
Answer: (Applicant)PSD is investigating the covenants in place.
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8. Comment: (Resident) You are commercializing our neighborhood with
this facility.
9. Comment: (Applicant) This site was selected because of public
transportation nearby and the functionality of the site.
10. Question: (Resident) How many of these students will drive their own
vehicle?
Answer: (Applicant) Due to their disability, most of the students do
not have the knowledge or skills to ever get a driver's license.
They will, use public transportation and PSD vehicles.
11. Question: (Resident) Where is the public transportation in that area?
Answer: (Applicant) There are 3 City bus routes in the area.
12. Question: (Resident) Will the white bus be parked at this site all the
time?
Answer: (Applicant) No, it will be parked primarily at Lesher Middle
School.
13. Comment: (Resident) It is almost impossible to get out onto East
Prospect Road in this area.
Answer: This program does not affect the traffic on Prospect
14. Question: (Resident) Will some students be brought to this facility and
picked up by their families in other vehicles?
Answer: (Applicant) That is very infrequent now and will continue to
be.
15. Question: (Resident) This facility is really for 18 - 21 year olds that
have finished school?
Answer: (Applicant) Yes that is correct. These students are eligible to
receive services until the age of 21. They have completed
their course work at the high school and have goals to
address transition to the world of work and community
living.
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2. Question: (Resident) Why not use existing school facilities in the
neighborhood? (comment) This will be spending tax dollars
inappropriately. This use will lower our property values.
The school district is not considering the neighbors.
Answer: (Applicant)
1) The existing property on Stuart St. is not handicapped
accessible. There is no room for the program at Barton or
Lesher.
2) There have been several offers on the house to date,
mostly being short sales. A short sale would diminish
your property values.
3. Comment: (Resident) Short sales do not significantly diminish property
values, the change -of -use does.
Response: (Applicant) Short sales do impact property values.
4. Question: (Resident) We are concerned about noise with this proposed
change -of -use. Why do you have to move Cooper Home from
its existing location on East Stuart Street?
Answer: (Applicant) The existing property on Stuart St. is not
handicapped accessible. Residential properties are preferred
as they simulate a real -life environment for students to
practice life skills so as to best prepare them for success on
their own upon completion of the program.
5. Comment: (Resident) Our concerns center around parking in the area.
Response: (Applicant) There is not a parking lot at the current Cooper
Home location. There are very limited parking needs with
the new facility.
6. Comment: (Resident) There is a current parking problem with Lesher
Middle School. Traffic is the area is a problem now.
7. Comment: (Resident) Lesher teachers are parking at or near our front
doors. The number of people and associated noise with this
facility is a potential problem.
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NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING
PROJECT: Cooper Home Transition Program
DATE: February 21, 2012
APPLICANT: Poudre School District
CITY PLANNER: Steve Olt
Current Planning
The purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to provide information about
converting the existing house at 1309 Newsom Street into a transitional
program for Poudre School District. As proposed, the District would provide a
school in a residential setting for students between the ages of 18-21 yrs. with
developmental disabilities and/or significant learning disabilities. These
students are served in a program known as the Cooper Home Learning for
Living, presently housed at 740 East Stuart Street. Approximately 20 students
are being served in this program, which has been in its present location for
about 40 years. In addition, there would be one (1) full-time teacher, two (2)
paraprofessionals and one (1) employment specialist. The school would operate
during the normal school hours during the normal school year. There would
be little activity during evenings, weekends, and school holidays. If there are
students who qualify for extended school year provision of services would run
through the month of June. .
A Site Plan Advisory Review development plan has not yet been submitted to
the City of Fort Collins for review.
................. QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS, RESPONSES .................
1. Question: (Resident) How do you handle bathrooms with that many
people?
Answer: (Applicant) There are 2 bathrooms and not all of the students
will be there all the time. PSD will be doing some remodeling
to the house.
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