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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRIVERWALK ANNEXATION & ZONING - 27-09 - CORRESPONDENCE -are identified as two-lane arterial streets which require a total right-of-way dedication of 84 feet. 4. The maximum allowable height in the H-C zone for non-residential buildings is six stories. For Riverwalk, a modification of standard was contemplated to allow additional height. 5. The "Riverwalk" concept is a significant paradigm shift in the vision and approach, to allow for intensive urban development of low-lying river valley property at the edge of the city. The proposed shift reflects significant changed conditions and new information. 6. The ability to proceed to complete the requirements of the State Mined Land Reclamation Board in accordance with the state permit is preserved and may proceed without City approval. Any work beyond the scope of the state permit must comply with the City's requirements for either a Stockpiling Permit or a Project Development Plan. Staff Involvement: Ted and Clark were involved in the annexation and zoning, the pre -application hearing, worksessions and various pre -submittal meetings with a variety of potential end -users and consultants. Adopted Structure Plan: The Structure Plan Map currently indicates that the northwest quarter is Employment, the northeast quarter is Poudre River and the south one-half is Rural Lands. Steps to Future Development: 1. Amend the Harmony Corridor Plan, along with its Standards and Guidelines, to clarify the strategy and approach to land use. allow a higher level of urban activity with particular attention to the maximum allowable height. 2. Rezone the parcel(s) from T-Transition to H-C, Harmony Corridor. 3. Overall Development Plan for the entire parcel. 4. Preliminary Development Plan for Phase One. 5. Final Compliance Plan for Phase One. Issues that were raised previously: 1. Much of the area lies within the Poudre River 100-year floodway and flood plain. This is due to a breach of the river that breaks out of the primary channel, flows south, overtops Harmony Road and spills into the subject site. These flows have to be accounted for in a properly sized conveyance channel that returns these flows back into the Poudre River at a point downstream. Conveying these flows across Harmony Road, under Kechter Road and under 1-25 will require coordination with the City of Fort Collins and State of Colorado. In addition, part of the area is currently open water in gravel -mined pits, and a significant amount of fill would be required to create developable land. The owner has been made aware that the flood overtopping of Harmony Road raises issues of possible participation with the City on a major capital project to eliminate the overtopping. 2. Poudre River Wall. The west side of Strauss Cabin Road contains the Poudre River Wall. This is a significant topographic feature and is specifically identified as needing to be integrated into any development in a sensitive manner. 3. Harmony Road is classified as a six -lane arterial street which requires a total right-of-way dedication of 141 feet. Both Strauss Cabin Road and Kechter Road October 27, 2009: Applicant requested Council change zoning of south '/z of property to T-Transition and included a condition that property be rezoned within one year. February. 16, 2010: City Council adopted resolution to authorize acquisition of 128 acres of the site for water storage and natural areas. Conditions associated with purchase were not met by the property owner, so acquisition did not take place. May 25, 2010: Following resolution of annexation issues with Timnath, a second Work Session was held with City Council to discuss the proposed Harmony Corridor Plan amendment for the "Riverwalk" concept, partly as a reminder of the issues discussed at the 2008 Work Session. Council feedback was again mixed; and Council again directed staff to proceed with public process and preparation of needed plan amendments. The process was subsequently stopped due to land ownership issues. October 5, 2010: City Council adopted on first reading an ordinance to remove the requirement to rezone from T-Transition within one year of the initial zoning. October 19, 2010: City Council adopted on second reading an ordinance to remove the condition that required the property to be rezoned within one year. Adopted Harmony Corridor Plan: Designates the area as "Basic Industrial Non -Retail Employment Activity Center" with a specific designation as "Special Urban Opportunity — Gateway Development with Orientation to Natural Character." A chapter in the plan is devoted to the "Gateway Area". It describes issues and alternative concepts, and concludes that "additional work is required to develop a strategy." The plan is accompanied by Standards and Guidelines for development, but they do not address the Gateway Area. '7AN• 1 o, t 0 1 3 Riverwalk History Pc, 4. P, it a'7- a °1 March 25, 2008: At a Work Session, City Council discussed a proposed Harmony Corridor Plan amendment to allow for an intensive mixed use multi -story pedestrian district based around complete reshaping of the land and water (the "Riverwalk" concept.) Council feedback was mixed; but Council direction was to proceed with public process and preparation of needed plan amendments. October 14, 2008: City Council adopted a resolution regarding the Town of Timnath's interest in annexing Riverwalk even though the parcel was located in the City of Fort Collins Growth Management Area. The City then began a series of annexations to bring Riverwalk into the City. (This started the debate with Timnath regarding growth management boundaries.) February 17, 2009: City Council held a pre -application hearing on the Riverwalk project, at the applicant's request. Council reviewed a concept plan for development of mixed -use 293-acre development of retail, office, employment, education, hotel, health and wellness uses along with water feature. At that time, 25 acres of site were in City limits. August 8, 2009: Resolution to initiate annexation and zoning was passed. September 17, 2009: P & Z Board reviewed annexation and zoning and recommended approval. October 6, 2009: City Council adopted the Annexation and Zoning on first reading, zoning the north 'h of site into T-Transition Zoning and south 'h into POL — Public Open Lands. October 20, 2009: City Council adopted a & z on first reading.