HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAST SKYWAY REZONING - 19-07 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning & Zoning Board
October 18, 2007
Page 7
Member Schmidt said she believes they are wrestling with spot zoning. What's happening now is
allowed in UE. We're not totally saying it's commercial so keep it that way —it could be either UE or
commercial. The impression is rezoning is happening because the applicant would like to intensify
commercial uses. She keeps coming back to maybe we should wait for Structure Plan changes which
are anticipated in the next 18 months. That would allow us to look at the whole in more detail.
Member Rollins agreed. The South College Corridor Plan is going to happen —let's put off rezoning
questions until that work is done.
Member Schmidt asked Deputy City Attorney Eckman if the motion language is deny versus not
recommend. Eckman recommended to not approve would be the most straightforward.
Member Schmidt made a motion that the Planning & Zoning Board not approve the East
Skyway Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment, # 19-07. Member Rollins seconded the
motion.
Member Schmidt said she'll like to see any rezoning as part of the larger South College Structure Plan
work.
Member Smith said that while he struggled with it, he believes it should be considered in the larger
context.
Motion was approved 5:0.
Project: Interstate 25 & State Highway 392 Interchange Improvement Plan
Project Description: This is a request for a recommendation to City Council for acceptM ce of the I-
25/SH 392 Interchange Improvement Plan and related item s,,mcluding
amendments to the City of Fort Collins Master StreetPlan:"
Recommendation: - _Recommendation to City Council for acceptance of the Interstate 25/SH 392
Intelchange Improvement Plan and related items, including amendments to the
City 6T-Fort Collins Master Street Plan.
Senior City Planner Pete Wray reported'lhe interchange at the junction of Interstate 25 and Colorado
State Highway 392 serves as both the southeastern gateway to Fort Collins and the western gateway
to Windsor. The interchange bas failed to function at an acceptable Level Of Service (`C") for the past
several years. This being -the case, numerous meetings and discussions involving the elected officials
and staffs of Fort CoUins, Windsor, Larimer County, the Stakeholder Group, North Front Range
Metropolitan Plarirting Organization (MPO), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT),
have occurred over the past several years in an attempt to address this failing inter rn
The irpportance of this interchange from a functional standpoint in providing mobility and access to
e>dsflng and future development, and gateway into both jurisdictions is significant. Although the
Planning & Zoning Board
October 18, 2007
Page 6
Chair Lingle asked Staff member Wray if he had any responses to the issues raised in public input.
Wray responded that at neighborhood meetings (summarized and included in the agenda packet,) the
majority of neighbors are in support of the rezoning —only Mr. Schumm is opposed.
Member Schmidt asked for more information on Aran Street. Does it currently run north and south?
Wray responded Aran Street is a proposed future connection on the back side of the Kelmar strip
starting at the U-Hall property and extending to Trilby. It would separate the commercial and
residential zones. Schmidt asked if the right-of-way currently exists. Wray responded no. It would
happen as projects come forward —the appropriate dedication would take place then. Schmidt asked
if a commercial development was proposed in the Skyway area, would they be the party responsible
for the dedication of the street. Wray responded that it would depend on the specifics of the proposal.
Chair Lingle asked Wray what is the approximate street frontage for 209 Skyway/RL. Wray
responded 60-80 feet. Lingle has a concern about that remaining UE but for a different reason —it is
narrow. Because of the street configuration of Boyne Court to Colby Street, if there would be an
allowable street coming from Skyway drive to the south, it is likely the development of residential
would be limited to one lot on Skyway and a second lot off the south. Wray agreed. There's a
potential for two, maybe three lots there.
Lingle went further to state —the access would be difficult. What that tells him is there would be
pressure in the future to have that area rezoned C and push commercial development further east.
He'd rather see it included in the larger UE parcel to the south and used in some sort of cluster
development proposal where that narrow strip could be dedicated open space —which would provide
more protection from commercial to the residential units to the east. It is a guessing game but it's a
walk through on the potential for development in that area.
Member Schmidt agreed. She liked to see the rezoning more connected to the UE zone, part of the
Structure Plan, and leave some flexibility on how it could be laid out for the future. She understands
why the commercial needs to be cleaned up now but she'd like some flexibility for the rest.
Member Rollins asked Wray if he'd considered leaving the large building on the west part of the
property as UE? Wray responded they did consider that and their findings were the small engine
repair business (a large garage) is a part of the home. Rather than split it they thought it would be
better to calculate the setback from the edge of the building. Rollins asked if the house, with the
small engine repair business, an allowable use in UE. Wray responded yes.
Member Schmidt asked if a separate use could be added in the commercial zone. Wray responded
that if another use is requested it would trigger a commercial development review. Staff would look at
the proposed use and whether an enclosed building is required. Additional improvements such as
sidewalk, curb, gutter, fence improvements, and right of way requirements might also be required
based on the scope of the proposed development.
Chair Lingle said he thinks there are basically two questions. 1) Is the property basically residential or
commercial in nature? If commercial in nature and rezoned to C, would the Board be allowing an
appropriate amount of intensification that is detrimental or not? 2) If appropriate to go with
Commercial, is the 60-80 feet along UE (or proposed RL) an adequate buffer to the existing
residential to prevent a further encroachment of commercial? I think that commercial should not go
any further east than the proposed line and having that strip east remain in UE is probably more
appropriate right now. Then allow 225 E. Skyway to be RL and the POI_ piece POL.
Planning & Zoning Board
October 18, 2007
Page 5
Chair Lingle asked, "In the existing UE, what is the status of 209 Skyway and the Montessori school —
are they considered legal non -conforming uses?" Wray responded that the property is legal as a
private residence with a home occupation small engine repair business and a detached warehouse for
personal use. The Montessori school is allowed in UE and in Low Density Residential. The
recommendation for the zoning change was made given the commercial uses to the west and LMN
uses to the north.
Chair Lingle noted the line between the C and LR did not follow the parcel line; did the demarcation
come from a legal description? Wray said yes. Lingle said it appeared near the eastern edge of the
commercial area. Wray reported the line was drawn 20 feet from the existing home to allow for
setback In the event the owners wanted to subdivide, it would be compatible with other lot sizes in
the area. Chair Lingle said it appears the impact from 209 Skyway would be to the south as opposed
to the east.
Member Schmidt said she was comfortable with 209 Skyway in C but has reservations with the
proposal to rezone property east on Skyway as LMN. The existing zoning is UE, we're changing it to
RL but the Structure Plan will be LMN. Her preference would be to leave as UE until the Corridor
Plan is completed.
Wray said after Phase I of the Southwest Annexation, staff has had a chance to further review the UE
zoning (found in rural settings) and think it would be more suitable along the edges. In the larger
context, given the mix of uses and what else is on Skyway, LMN would aid in the transition more than
UE.
Public Input
Brian Schumm, 805 Molina, shared his reservations about the migration of commercial zoning to the
east. There are reasons the County, and now the City, should give pause to how the area is zoned.
The existing Structure Plan seems appropriate —the proposal is a patchwork of zoning —inconsistent
with the Structure Plan. If we are going to allow commercial east of the Kelmar strip, then all
properties on the east side should have the same opportunity to be commercial. Action now
predetermines what will be studied and determined in the Corridor Plan study.
Randy Whitman, 209 E. Skyway, noted the previous speaker (Mr. Schumm) is not directly affected by
zoning for the area. His business has been approved in the County. The past few years, he's been
trying to work with the County and then because of the IGA (intergovernmental agreement,) with the
City. What staff member Pete Wray says makes perfect sense —it is commercial south of them in the
Larimer Humane Society and Transfort area. If Aran Street does go in, it will provide perfect access
for commercial and a nice transition into the neighborhoods. He supports the request to amend the
City Plan Structure Plan Map, and to rezone the two properties on East Skyway Drive.
Danielel Kanczes, 1560 Blue Spruce, asked if any homes will be torn down? Wray responded this
was a proposal to amend the Structure Plan map and rezoning —there would not be any demolition of
existing homes.
Andrea Phillipe, 209 E. Skyway, said the proposal has a lot to do with progress. Over the past nine
years, they been trying to work first with the County and now the City to get the property rezoned.
They're happy that now it is only one entity with whom they will need to work. The property is ready to
be commercialized and would be an asset to Fort Collins.
End of Public Input
Planning & Zoning Board
October 18, 2007
Page 4
the northern 1/3 of the property and retention of Urban Estate on the remaining southern 2/3 of the
property.
The site consists of two properties located at 209 and 225 East Skyway Drive, as well as Claire Court
with its 9 fronting houses. The two properties along Skyway were recently annexed and zoned in
April 2007 in Phase I of the Southwest Enclave Annexation. Claire Court was already within the city
limits. The first property at 209 E. Skyway Drive is 3.6 acres and includes a single-family detached
home with a home occupation, and a separate metal warehouse used for personal storage. The
existing business is a small engine repair operation. The second property located at 225 E. Skyway
Drive is 4.8 acres and includes an existing private Montessori School and parking lot, with a horse
pasture extending behind the school facility. Claire Court is an existing cul-de-sac with nine single
family detached houses.
This overall item is a recommendation to City Council on a sequence of two actions. The first action
is to amend the City Structure Plan map as a Minor Amendment to City Plan under its criteria found in
Appendix C. The second action is to then rezone the two properties along Skyway to be consistent
with the Structure Plan, under the criteria of Section 2.9(H)(2) and (3) of the Land Use Code.
The changes are recommended because the properties along Skyway do not reflect the character of
Farming or Urban Estate designations —they are more in character with both commercial uses in the
area and the existing residential neighborhood to the north and east. They believe the Commercial
designation is a substantive aspect of proposed changes and reflects the transitional, mixed -use
character of area including existing U-Haul and Trucking business on Kelmar Strip to the west and
north, the existing single-family homes across Skyway, the Montessori School to the east, the two
vacant lots that abut to the south (which also appear candidates for future rezoning,) and the
properties to the south/southeast: City natural area, Humane Society headquarters, City Transfort
facility and large -lot residential in Lynn Acres subdivision. Additionally, future commercial changes
appear likely and would trigger improvements to property such as landscaping, sidewalk, fencing and
meeting LUC development standards. New commercial use and required improvements would
enhance the street frontage and appearance on East Skyway.
Staff also believe the Low Density Residential Designation is minor editing of the Structure Plan Map
and more appropriate for remaining eastern portion of 209 and 225 E. Skyway than Urban Estate
because of the existing Montessori School located between residential, the existing homes on Claire
Court already zoned RL, and future development of residential will match the existing neighborhood
across the street and the Claire Court area.
Staff is recommending this item move forward for a decision by City Council now rather than wait until
the South College Corridor Plan is completed in 18 months.
Deputy City Attorney Paul Eckman noted what appeared to be an error on the Structure Plan map, a
panhandle extension of UE into the POL zone. Wray responded that error was discovered at the
Board's work session and would be corrected prior to City Council review.
Member Smith said Wray noted it was not appropriate to have UE between Commercial and
Residential; would the same logic not apply between RL to POL? Wray responded that POL reflects
public ownership of that property and is appropriate for City acquired land. Smith said his concern is
the character of the property. Wray responded that the zoning designation is consistent with other
publicly owned land and reflects an assembly of City acquired property. When looking at Skyway,
they discovered the map did not reflect the particular POL parcel accurately. These recommended
changes reflect the correct configurations.
Planning & Zoning Board
October 18, 2007
Page 3
cern, he believes, is he thinks the structure is too flat and too big. He believes that impreas(on
com m the review of the elevation drawings. He believes with a better understanS[Kj of the
complexity 6Nheelements of design, some of his concerns will be allayed. They f dnt to be good
neighbors and will it best meeting with their architects to reconfigure. I w ll be a challenge,
given the areas for which reduckons might be considered are the bedroomt and bathrooms. His goal,
however, is to make the neighbor a and not an opponent of the0oject.
Public Input
None.
Member Schmidt made a motion th& PTanning & Zoning Board ap i e the six modification of
standards for 220 E. Olive Street, #27-07, including the two conditions uding the one being
the approval of all affect titilities at the time of the review of the P.D.P an at_the time of
submittal for P.D. a architectural elevations for the west elevation shall demoTstrate
compliance Section 3.5.1(G) — Building Height Review and Section 3.5.1(H) — Land tise_
Transitiort: Member Smith seconded the motion.
Matron was approved 5:0.
Project: East Skyway Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment,
# 19-07
Project Description: This is a request to amend the City Plan Structure Plan Map, and to rezone two
properties on East Skyway Drive, initiated by City staff. The Plan amendment
will change the existing land use designation for two properties from Urban
Estate to Commercial and Low Density Residential. The rezoning change is as
follows:
1. The first property is located at 209 East Skyway Drive and the existing
zoning is Urban Estate. The proposed zoning includes a change to
Commercial on the west 2/3 of the property, and a change to Low Density
Residential on the east 1/3 of the property.
2. The second property is located at 225 East Skyway Drive, with an existing
zoning of Urban Estate. The proposed zoning is a change to Low Density
Residential on the north 1/3 of the property and retains the remaining south
2/3 of the property as Urban Estate.
Recommendation: Approval
Hearina Testimonv, Written Comments and Other Evidence
Senior City Planner Pete Wray reported this is a City staff initiated action. The Plan amendment
would change the existing Structure Plan designation for the subject properties from Urban Estate to a
combination of Commercial and Low Density Mixed Use Neighborhood, along with partial retention of
Urban Estate. The corresponding rezoning changes are as follows: 1) the first property is located at
209 E. Skyway Drive. Existing zoning is Urban Estate. Proposed zoning is a combination of
Commercial on the west 2/3 of the property and Low Density Residential on the east 1/3 of the
property. 2) The second property, at 225 East Skyway Drive, abuts the first property on the east, with
existing zoning of Urban Estate. The proposed zoning is a combination of Low Density Residential on
Chairperson Lingle called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Roll Call: Lingle, Rollins, Schmidt, Smith, and Wetzler
Excused Absences: Campana, Stockover
Staff Present: Gloss, Eckman, Shepard, Wray, Jackson, Leavitt, and Sanchez -Sprague
Agenda Review. Director Gloss reviewed the Consent and Discussion Agendas. Of special note —
staff has requested Item # 2, 220 E. Olive Street -Modification of Standards # 27-07 be pulled and an
additional condition added (it will be read into the record later.) There were two errors on Item # 3, the
Three -Mile Plan for the City of Fort Collins —the adoption dates for the Timnath Comprehensive Plan
was June 2007 and the Loveland Comprehensive Plan was 2005. Item # 4, East Skyway Rezoning &
Structure Plan Amendment was continued from the September 20'h meeting. Item # 6, 1225
Redwood Street Minor Amendment would normally be an administrative review by staff but because
of its potential compatibility issues with the neighborhood, it has been referred to the Board.
Citizen participation:
None
Chair Lingle ask members of the audience and or the Board if they wanted to pull any items off the
consent agenda. No additional items were moved from the Consent Agenda,
Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes from the September 20, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
3. Three -Mile Plan for the City of Fort Collins
Discussion Items:
2. 220 E. Olive Street — Modification of Standards, # 27-07
4. East Skyway Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment, #19-07
5. Interstate 25 —State Highway 392 Interchange Improvement Plan
6. 1225 Redwood Street— Minor Amendment, # 30-02B
Member Schmidt moved for the approval of the Consent Agenda, which includes Minutes from
the September 20, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing and Three Mile Plan for the City of
Fort Collins. Member Wetzler seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 5:0.