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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFRONT RANGE SECOND REZONING - 20-06 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORTFront Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment September 21, 2006 P & Z Meeting Page 6 RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends approval of the Structure Plan Amendment. Staff recommends approval of the Front Range Second Rezoning #20-06. ATTACHMENTS • Vicinity Map • Existing Structure Plan — Site and Surrounding Context • Proposed Structure Plan — Site and Surrounding Context • Existing Zoning — Site and Surrounding Context • Proposed Zoning — Site and Surrounding Context Front Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment September 21, 2006 P & Z Meeting Page 5 This was not a deciding factor in Staffs evaluation. Anecdotal information indicates that a recently built superstore in north Loveland has severely deflated market demand for a supermarket -anchored NC district at this location. Is the rezoning request compatible with existing and proposed uses surrounding the subject land and is it the appropriate zoning district for the land? Yes, as covered by evaluation of the Structure Plan Amendment. Essentially, the original City Structure Plan found Commercial designation appropriate for the South College corridor; and development standards are in place to achieve urban compatibility. Will the rezoning have adverse effects on the natural environment? No. Under either existing or proposed zoning, the same standards for protecting the natural environment will apply. Will the rezoning result in a logical and orderly development pattern? Yes, as explained under previous discussion noting the site as part of the South College Commercial Corridor. FINDINGS OF FACT/CONCLUSIONS After reviewing the Front Range Second Rezoning and Amendment to the Structure Plan, File #20-06, staff makes the following findings of fact and conclusions as explained above: 1. This request for a Structure Plan amendment adequately demonstrates a need to change the designation, in response to the request. Such a change would be consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. 2. This rezoning request is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan based on the Structure Plan amendment. 3. The proposed C - Commercial Zoning District is appropriate for this property as an extension of the South College Commercial Corridor. 4. The proposed rezoning would not result in significantly adverse impacts on the natural environment. 5. The proposed rezoning would result in a logical and orderly pattern. Front Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment September 21, 2006 P & Z Meeting Page 4 "In determining whether to recommend approval of any such proposed amendment, the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council may consider the following additional factors: (a) whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment is compatible with existing and proposed uses surrounding the subject land, and is the appropriate zone district for the land; (b) whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment would result in significantly adverse impacts on the natural environment, including but not limited to, water, air, noise, stormwater management, wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and the natural environment'; and (c) whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment would result in a logical and orderly development pattern." Purpose Statements of the Zone Districts. For convenient reference, the purpose statement of the C, Commercial (Section 4.17 of the Land Use Code) zone district states: The purpose of the C District is to be "a setting for development, redevelopment and infill of a wide range of community and regional retail uses, offices and personal and business services. Secondarily, it can accommodate a wide range of other uses including creative forms of housing. While some Commercial District areas may continue to meet the need for auto - related and other auto -oriented uses, it is the City's intent that the Commercial District emphasize safe and convenient personal mobility in many forms, with planning and design that accommodates pedestrians." 5. Staff analvsis - rezonina request. /s the request consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan? Yes, if the Structure Plan Amendment is supported, then the zoning logically follows. Zoning this site as part of the South College Commercial Corridor is an appropriate fit with City Plan. Have conditions changed in the neighborhood to warrant the rezoning? Front Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment September 21, 2006 P & Z Meeting Page 3 2. Context of the Proposed Structure Plan Amendment The City Structure Plan is the primary basis for zoning decisions. An amendment is a prerequisite to this rezoning request. To recommend approval of this proposal, staff and the Planning and Zoning Board have to find that: 1) the existing Structure Plan is in need of change; and 2) the proposed changes would promote the public welfare and be consistent with the vision, goals, principles, and policies of City Plan. These are the applicable criteria, contained in Appendix C of City Plan. 3. Staff Evaluation - Structure Plan Amendment Staff finds the requested Commercial Corridor designation acceptable primarily on the grounds that the City has already found this site to be part of the South College Commercial Corridor on the original 1997 City Structure Plan, consistent with all aspects of Ciuty Plan; and that is still a valid perspective. The supermarket -anchored NC district initiative which was the driving force behind the previous rezoning, is no longer a factor. The need to change the designation to Commercial Corridor is to expand flexibility in commercial land use while still allowing most of the uses permitted in the current set of zone districts. Some factors behind the requested change are the imminent construction of a super center supermarket a few miles south of the subject property, in Loveland; and the continuing influence of commercial corridor uses on the east side of College. 4. Rezoning Request In order to recommend approval of this request, staff and the Planning and Zoning Board would have to find that the rezoning is: (a) consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan; and/or (b) warranted by changed conditions within the neighborhood surrounding and including the subject property. The above criteria are found in subsection 2.9.4[H][2] of the Land Use Code, as mandatory requirements for quasi-judicial rezonings. In addition, the following subsection 2.9.4[H][3] lists additional factors that may be considered, as follows: Front Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment September 21, 2006 P & Z Meeting Page 2 This request would revert the 45-acre subject area to C, Commercial zoning, and thereby consolidate the whole 58-acre area into C, Commercial zoning. (The difference of 13 acres is already zoned Commercial.) Maps of the designations are attached. RECOMMENDATION Approval. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The main considerations in staff support for this request are: 1: The request is to simply revert back to Commercial zoning, which has previously been found appropriate. 2: When the current NC/MMN zoning configuration was approved in 2000, staff found it to be appropriate, but also found that the Commercial zoning in place at that time was appropriate as well. In other words, either land use/zoning scenario could be appropriate and consistent with City Plan; and either provides a needed land use designation. 3: Freestanding development has occurred on four acres at the northwest corner of South College and Trilby, within the NC area, in a manner more consistent with Commercial zoning than NC zoning. Staff believes these considerations adequately support a conclusion that the Structure Plan needs to be changed in response to this request. BACKGROUND AND EXPLANATION: 1. The Site: Adjoining existing zoning and land uses are as follows: N: Larimer County C. FA; suburban subdivision; hwv. commercial strip S: Larimer County C, FA; large lot subdivision; 2 lots converted to commercial E: Larimer County C; highway commercial strip W: Larimer County FA; suburban subdivision: supported living facility The property was annexed into the City of Fort Collins as part of the Timan First Annexation on June 7, 1988. Fort STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 16 MEETINGDATE 9/2I1n6 STAFF stave Olt PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD PROJECT: Front Range Second Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment, #20-06 APPLICANT: Commercial Building Services, Inc. c/o Ivar Larsen 7561 South Grant Street, Suite A-4 Littleton, CO 80111 OWNERS: Lithia Real Estate Inc. 360 East Jackson Street Medford, OR 97501 Front Range Limited Partnership 3573 East Sunrise Drive, Suite 233 Tucson, AZ 85718 COL College and Trilby, LLC President Hunt Douglas R.E. Services P.O. Box 320342 Tampa, FL 33679 Southgate Church, Inc. 6541 South College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80525 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is a request for a City Structure Plan amendment and rezoning of 45. acres located along the west side of South College Avenue from Trilby Road to Skyway Drive. t±, The 45 acres are part of a larger, 58-acre land area. The current City Structure Plan and zoning map both designate an integrated pattern of NC, Neighborhood Commercial, and MMN, Medium Density Neighborhood, and C, Commercial Corridor, for this land area. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT