HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS DISCOVERY MUSEUM - PDP - 6-10 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORTFort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 16
visually contiguous, pedestrian -oriented streetfronts with no vehicle
use area between building faces and the street. In this instance the
nature of, and programming for, the facility necessitates the
building to be set back further from the streets to visually relate to
the Cache La Poudre River, Lee Martinez Community Park, forest
and wetlands that are to the north and west. If parking were located
between the building and these adjacent features the purpose of
the Discovery Museum would be compromised. Also, as previously
stated, are several existing easements that preclude the ability to
locate the building closer to the streets. Therefore, staff has
determined that the request for a modification of standard is
justified based on the criteria in Section 2.8.2(H)(3) of the Land Use
Code.
4. The Project Development Plan complies with applicable Land Use and
Development Standards contained in ARTICLE 4, Division 4.20 of the
Land Use Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request for a Modification of Standard in
Section 3.5.3(B)(2) of the Land Use Code.
Staff recommends approval of the Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project
Development Plan - #6-10.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 15
located at the northeast corner of Cherry Street and Mason Court. A
neighborhood meeting is required for a Type 2 use and a meeting was
held on February 9, 2010. There were 6 affected property owners and ,
interested parties present at the meeting, along with the developer, the
developer's consultants, and the City's project planner. Concerns of note
expressed at the meeting include: 1) expand the notification area to
include more of the Martinez neighborhood; 2) minimize traffic on Mason
Court, the private street portion between Mason Street North and
Sherwood Street; 3) have other, potentially better, sites for this facility
been considered; 4) from a parking standpoint, how are summer softball
teams and retail businesses (such as Dazbog Coffee) being
accommodated; 5) please work towards a negative carbon footprint; 6)
how to plug the purpose/function of this facility into the historic Martinez
neighborhood, how to create a sense of "buy in"; 7) how to make this
facility accessible to most/all citizens, based on financial ability to pay; 8)
pedestrians crossing Cherry Street. The notes taken at the neighborhood
meeting are attached to the staff report.
FINDINGS OF FACT/CONCLUSIONS
After reviewing the Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan,
staff makes the following findings of fact and conclusions:
1. The proposed land use is permitted in the POL, Public Open Lands
District.
2. The proposed land use is permitted in the CCR, Community Commercial —
Poudre River District.
3. The Project Development Plan complies with applicable General
Development Standards contained in ARTICLE 3 of the Land Use Code,
with the following exception:
Section 3.5.3(B)(2) Orientation to Build -to Lines for Streetfront
Buildings. The proposed museum building does not comply with the
"build -to" line standards as set forth in Subsection 3.5.3(B)(2). The
majority of the on -site parking for the Fort Collins Discovery
Museum facility is located on the south side between the building
and Cherry Street. Section 3.5.3(B)(2) states that build -to lines
based on a consistent relationship of buildings to the street
sidewalks shall be established for new buildings in order to form
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 14
c. Section 3.5.3(C) Variation in Massing.
The Fort Collins Discovery Museum, PDP satisfies the
requirements in this section.
d. Section 3.5.3(D) Character and Image.
The Fort Collins Discovery Museum, PDP satisfies the
requirements in this section.
E. DIVISION 3.6, TRANSPORTATION and CIRCULATION
1. Section 3.6.4(B), General Standard
This section states that all development plans shall adequately
provide vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle facilities necessary to
maintain the adopted transportation Level of Service standards
contained in Part II of the City of Fort Collins Multi -modal
Transportation Level, of Service manual for the following modes of
travel: motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian. The PDP provides
adequate facilities for these modes of travel and, therefore, this
section is satisfied.
2. Section 3.6.4(C), Transportation Impact Study
This section states that in order to identify those facilities that are
necessary in order to comply with these standards, development
plans may be required to include the submittal of a Transportation
Impact Study, to be approved by the Traffic Engineer, consistent
with the Transportation Impact Study guidelines as established in
Chapter 4 of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards
(LCUASS). A Traffic Impact Study for the Fort Collins Discovery
Museum, PDP was submitted to the City for review. The Traffic
Engineer has reviewed the study and determined that it is
consistent with and satisfies the guidelines established in LCUASS.
5. NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING
The Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan contains a
proposed land use that is permitted as Type 2 use, subject to a Planning &
Zoning Board review, in the POL, Public Open Lands District. The
proposal is for a community facility (one building) on an 11 acre site
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 13
STAFF'S ANALYSIS:
The Fort Collins Discovery Museum property will have no
frontage on North College Avenue and is separated from that
arterial street by a distance of approximately 125' and the Union
Pacific Railroad tracks. Therefore, it is not necessary nor
feasible to satisfy the "build -to" line standards set forth in
Section 3.5.3(B)(2) as they would relate to North College
Avenue.
Regarding the ability to satisfy the "build -to" line standards as
they relate to Cherry Street and Mason Court, there is an
access easement for the existing City -owned trail along the east
side of Mason Court and an existing Burlington Northern
Railroad easement along the north side of Cherry Street that
preclude the building placement to meet the standards. The
exception to the build -to line standards set forth in Section
3.5.3(13)(2)(d)4 (stating that "if a larger or otherwise
noncompliant front yard area is required by the city to continue
an established drainage channel or access drive, or other
easement") applies to the Cherry Street and Mason Court
building setbacks.
The majority of the on -site parking for the Fort Collins Discovery
Museum facility is located on the south side between the
building and Cherry Street. Section 3.5.3(B)(2) states that build -
to lines based on a consistent relationship of buildings to the
street sidewalks shall be established for new buildings in order
to form visually contiguous, pedestrian -oriented streetfronts with
no vehicle use area between building faces and the street. In
this instance the nature of, and programming for, the facility
necessitates the building to be set back further from the streets
to visually relate to the Cache La Poudre River, Lee Martinez
Community Park, forest and wetlands that are to the north and
west. If parking were located between the building and these
adjacent features the purpose of the Discovery Museum would
be compromised. Also, as previously stated, are several existing
easements that preclude the ability to locate the building closer
to the streets. Therefore, staff has determined that the request
for a modification of standard is justified based on the criteria in
Section 2.8.2(H)(3) of the LUC.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
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easements and rights of way. There is a 24" north weld
transmission line right of way crossing the site in an east -west
direction, a railroad right of way crossing diagonally across the
southeast corner of the site, and a utility easement roughly
paralleling this railroad right of way. All of these easements
prevent placement of the building in accordance with the build to
line requirements of Section 3.5.3(B)(2). Similar to the
approach to College outlined above, it is our position that
Exception 4 of Section 3.5.3(B)(2)(d) would allow for a deviation
from the build to line standard because of the easements.
Mason Street:
Mason is a two lane minor arterial roadway to the west of our
site. Our site engages Mason Street for a limited distance at the
southwestern corner. Due to the easements described in the
above paragraphs, this is the only street that can be used for
vehicular access to our site. The vehicular access is limited by
the need to maintain a safe distance from the Cherry/Mason
intersection, which limits the available street frontage for our
building. This requirement, when coupled with the easements
that exist in this region of the site prohibit any development of a
street frontage along Mason with our building. Again, we
contend that this is subject to Exception 4 of Section
3.5.3(B)(2)(d) which allows for a deviation from the build to line
standard because of the easements.
In summary, the easements and parameters outlined above
present limited options with regard to building placement on the
site, and prevent the opportunity for our project to comply with
LUC Section 3.5.3(B)(2). We are requesting relief from this
requirement on all street frontages based on the exceptions
listed above. Because of the situations outlined above, this
request appears to be justifiable under LUC Section 2.8.2(H)(3)
which cites "exceptional physical conditions or other
extraordinary and exceptional situations, unique to such
property" that cause the strict application of the standard to
cause "unusual and exceptional practical difficulties, or
exceptional or undue hardship upon the owner of such
property".
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 11
purposes of the Land Use Code as contained in Section
1.2.2. "
The Applicant has proposed that the modification of the
standard would not be detrimental to the public good and that it
meets the requirements of Section 2.8.2(H)(3) of the LUC.
APPLICANT'S REQUEST and SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTATION:
As we have discussed in prior meetings, the easements and
other constraints on the site for the Fort Collins Museum are not
conducive to compliance with the city standard in Section
3.5.3(B)(2) which requires that street front buildings be oriented
to build to lines. This letter is submitted to document the
rationale behind our building's placement on the site relative to
this requirement, and to request a modification of standard to
allow this configuration pursuant to the LUC Section 2.8.2.
Our site has a relationship with three streets: College Street to
the east, Cherry Street to the south, and Mason Street to the
west. This document will address each street and its associated
challenges separately. A reduced scale copy of the plat has
been included for ease of reference related to the discussions
below.
College Street:
College street is a 4 lane major arterial roadway to the east of
our site. The museum site is physically separated from this
street by the railroad right of way and a strip of commercial land
that fronts College. Based on LUC Section 3.5.3(B)(d)4,
exceptions are permitted to the build to line when a "larger or
otherwise noncompliant front yard area is required by the city to
continue an established drainage channel or access drive, or
other easement". Because our property is separated from
College by the railroad right of way, it is our position that this
exception would apply, and therefore the build to line
requirement would not be required along this roadway.
Cherry Street:
Cherry street is a 2 lane collector roadway to the south of our
site. The southern end of the museum site contains a variety of
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 10
As specified in Section 2.8.2 Modification Review Procedures,
(H) (Standards), the decision maker may grant a modification of
standards only if it finds that the granting of the modification
would not be detrimental to the public good, and that:
(1) the plan as submitted will promote the general purpose of
the standard for which the modification is requested
equally well or better than would a plan which complies
with the standard for which a modification is requested;
or
(2) the granting of a modification from the strict application of
any standard would, without impairing the intent and
purpose of this Land Use Code, substantially alleviate an
existing, defined and described problem of city-wide
concern or would result in a substantial benefit to the city
by reason of the fact that the proposed project would
substantially address an important community need
specifically and expressly defined and described in the
City's Comprehensive Plan or in an adopted policy,
ordinance or resolution of the City Council, and the strict
application of such a standard would render the project
practically infeasible; or
(3) by reason of exceptional physical conditions or other
extraordinary and exceptional situations, unique to such
property, including, but not limited to, physical conditions
such as exceptional narrowness, shallowness or
topography, or physical conditions which hinder the
owner's ability to install a solar energy system, the strict
application of the standard sought to be modified would
result in unusual and exceptional practical difficulties, or
exceptional or undue hardship upon the owner of such
property, provided that such difficulties or hardship are
not caused by the act or omission of the applicant; or
(4) the plan as submitted will not diverge from the standards
of the Land Use Code that are authorized by this Division
to be modified except in a nominal, inconsequential way
when considered from the perspective of the entire
development plan, and will continue to advance the
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 9
STAFF'S ANALYSIS:
Staff agrees with the analysis provided in the Special Height
Review Request for the portions of the building in excess of 40'
in height. The views to and through the site will be minimally
impacted, with the view of only one small area of foothills from
properties east of North College Avenue that will be impacted.
The shadows from the building will be completely contained on -
site with the exception of 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on December
21st. In the morning there will be shadows cast over natural
areas to the west and north of the building fora short period of
time; and, in the afternoon there will be shadows cast over a
short stretch of railroad tracks, off -site to the east, for a short
period of time. On -site lighting will be sensitive to the
surrounding natural areas environment and no other buildings
will be adversely affected by the shadows cast by the Discovery
Museum building. The building will be in scale with the
surrounding neighborhoods and privacy will not be
compromised by this facility.
2. Section 3.5.3, Mixed -Use, Institutional and Commercial Buildings
a. Section 3.5.3(B)(1) Orientation to a Connecting Walkway sets
forth the requirement that at least one (1) main entrance of any
commercial building shall face and open directly onto a
connecting walkway with pedestrian frontage. The front (south)
side of the Fort Collins Discovery Museum building contains 2
entries that open directly onto a sidewalk in front of the building
that provides a pedestrian connection between the building and
the public sidewalk on Cherry Street; therefore, the PDP
complies with the requirements set forth in this section.
b. Section 3.5.3(B)(2), Orientation to Build -to Lines for Streetfront
Buildings sets forth the requirements that build -to lines based on
a consistent relationship of buildings to the street sidewalks
shall be established for new buildings in order to form visually
contiguous, pedestrian -oriented streetfronts with no vehicle use
area between building faces and the street. In the case of the
Fort Collins Discovery Museum the primary parking lot is
located between the building and Cherry Street.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 8
views to both the natural and urban areas of the city, which will
work in conjunction with the museum exhibits.
View analysis:
Included with this submittal are before and after views of our
building superimposed on the site. From these images, it is
clear that the limited extent of the vertical tower does not have a
negative impact on views to or through the site. The height of
the building is similar in scale to the height of the existing trees
to the west, and therefore, does not reduce any views to the
foothills. The height of the tower allows the desired visibility
from Cherry and College without overpowering the intersection.
Light and shadow:
Because of the footprint of our building, the majority of shadow
cast by this tower falls on the roof of the facility. As indicated in
the attached documentation, there is a limited amount of
additional shadow cast on the eastern side of the building
beyond what is cast by the remainder of the building in this
area. This shadow falls primarily on the service road and rail
right of way, and does not bring a negative impact to the site.
Because the building is not located in close proximity to the
property boundaries, the shadow cast by this tall element has
no impact on any of the neighboring properties.
Privacy and Neighborhood scale:
All in all, our project will not be as tall as some of the
neighboring structures, but the tower element will maintain a
similar height to the Aztlan center and the adjacent residential
development to the west. The character of the adjacent
structures is not such that a specific form or proportion is
dictated, and it is our position that the building as designed does
not detract from the overall character of the area. Because our
site is primarily surrounded by open space and parks, we do not
see this facility affecting the privacy of any of the neighboring
properties.
In summary, our building has been designed to fulfill the goals
of the museum. The information presented above supports our
assertion that this project will not have a negative impact on
views, light and shadow patterns, privacy or neighborhood
scale.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 7
f. Section 3.5.1(G) Building Height Review sets forth the
requirement that all buildings or structures in excess of 40' in
height shall be subject to special review for impacts on views,
light & shadow, privacy, and neighborhood scale as they relate
to the surrounding neighborhood. Although the main body of the
building will range from 21'-6" to 31'-3" in height from grade, the
"tower" element on the building will range from 49'-0" to 58'-6" in
height from grade. The applicant has submitted the required
Special Height Review/Modifications documentation set forth in
Section 3.5.1(G)(1), as follows:
APPLICANT'S ANALYSIS:
As described on our building elevations, the height of the tower
element on the southeast corner of our proposed building
extends to approximately 49' above the average finished grade
around the building. This tower element will also host an
elevator overrun and stair tower, which will bring the total height
of our structure at its tallest point to 58'-6" above average
finished grade. While there are no development standards to
define a maximum building height listed in division 13 of article
14 of the Land Use Code, we recognize the requirement
indicated in section 3.5.1 (G) (1) requiring a special height
review for buildings over 40' in height. This letter is intended to
describe our rationale behind this design element, and to
summarize our findings related to our study of the building's
impact on views, light and shadow, privacy and neighborhood
scale.
Design Rationale:
Our building is designed to interface between the natural areas
to the north, and the urban areas to the south. To support this
goal, the massing tapers in height as the building extends north
and west. Visibility to the building from College and Cherry is
also an important goal of the museum, as the facility needs to
attract and invite visitors, and should be a visible resource for
the community. For this reason, the decision was made to
place the tallest mass to the southeast corner of the building.
This tall massing is also necessary to serve the museum guests
and enhance the visitor experience. The roof of this tower
element will be used for visitor experiences, and will allow for
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 6
2-, and 3-story commercial and residential buildings surrounding
this site. The building footprint will be more compatible with
government buildings to the south in the Downtown — Civic
Center District. The general height of the building mass will not
exceed heights of existing and proposed buildings in the area,
although the proposed "tower" element will reach upwards to
58'-6" in height. This will not exceed the proposed and approved
future building in Penny Flats, which is across Cherry Street to
the south.
b. The proposal satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 3.5.1(C)
Building Size, Height, Bulk, Mass, Scale. The new commercial
building in this PDP (Discovery Museum) will generally have a
larger building footprint than many buildings immediately
surrounding this facility. However, it will be similar to existing
government buildings 1 to 2 blocks south. There is building
articulation in the massing, both in height and how the building
is to be compartmentalized.
c. The proposal satisfies Section 3.5.1(D) Privacy Considerations.
This building is separated from existing mixed -use buildings to
the west by Mason Court and a distance of about 250' - 300';
from the closest buildings in the North College Avenue
commercial corridor by the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and a
distance of about 130' — 150'; and, from existing and proposed
mixed -use buildings in the Downtown — Civic Center by Cherry
Street and a distance of about 400' — 500'. There are no privacy
issues associated with this new commercial development.
d. The proposal satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 3.5.1(E)
Building Materials. The siding materials for the new Fort Collins
Discovery Museum in this PDP will be predominantly precast .
concrete, with an applied trellis system to support plant growth,
and stucco for the main body of the building. The "tower"
element will have a metal panel siding. These materials can be
found on existing buildings in the surrounding area.
e. The proposal satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 3.5.1(F)
Building Color. The color of the metal siding is gray. The color
of the stucco siding is yet to be determined. The color of the
precast concrete panels with an applied trellis system to support
plant growth will be mostly green shades.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 5
b. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.2(C)(5) in that it
provides direct, safe, and continuous walkways and bicycle
connections to major pedestrian and bicycle destinations in the
surrounding area.
c. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.2(D) in that it provides
for safe, convenient, and efficient bicycle, pedestrian, and
vehicular movement to and through the site. Vehicular access
will occur via a curb cut from Mason Court to the parking areas
on -site.
B. DIVISION 3.3, ENGINEERING STANDARDS
1. Section 3.3.1, Plat Standards
The proposal complies with the general plat requirements as set
forth in this section.
2. Section 3.3.5, Engineering Design Standards
The proposal complies with the design standards, requirements,
and specifications for the services as set forth in this section.
C. DIVISION 3.4, ENVIRONMENTAL, NATURAL AREA,
RECREATIONAL and CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
STANDARDS
1. Section 3.4.1, Natural Habitats and Features
The proposal satisfies the natural habitat, features, and buffer zone
requirements set forth in this section.
D. DIVISION 3.5, BUILDING STANDARDS
1. Section 3.5.1, Building and Project Compatibility
a. The proposal satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 3.5.1(B)
Architectural Character. This new development will occur on a
transitional property between the commercial corridor on North
College Avenue and the Mason Street North mixed -use
development, River Rock commons, and the Martinez
neighborhood to the west and southwest. There are existing 1-,
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 4
4. ARTICLE 3 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS of the Land Use
Code
The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable General
Development Standards as follows:
A. DIVISION 3.2, SITE PLANNING and DESIGN STANDARDS
1. Section 3.2.1, Landscaping and Tree Protection
a. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.1(D)(1)(c) in that it
provides "full tree stocking" within 50' of the proposed Discovery
Museum building, according to the standards set forth in this
section.
b. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.1(D)(2)(a) in that
canopy shade (street) trees are provided at a 35' - 40' spacing
in the parkways along Cherry Street and Mason Court.
c. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.1(E)(4)(a) in that trees
are provided at a ratio of at least 1 tree per 25 lineal feet along
Cherry Street and Mason Court, being public streets.
d. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.1(E)(4)(b) in that the on -
site parking areas will be screened from Cherry Street to the
south, Mason Street to the west, and North College Avenue to
the south with appropriate shrub plantings.
e. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.1(E)(5) in that it
provides at least 6% interior landscaping in the parking areas
(containing less than 100 parking spaces), satisfying the
minimum requirement.
2. Section 3.2.2, Access, Circulation and Parking
a. The proposal complies with Section 3.2.2(C)(4)(a) in that it
provides secure and conveniently located bicycle parking in the
amount of 42.3% of the total number of automobile parking
spaces on -site (30 bicycle, 71 automobile), more than satisfying
the minimum requirement of 5%.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 3
2. DIVISION 4.13 PUBLIC OPEN LANDS DISTRICT of the Land Use Code
Community facilities are permitted in the POL District, subject to a
Planning & Zoning Board review. The purpose of the POL District is:
For large publicly owned parks and open lands which have a
community -wide emphasis or other characteristics which warrant
inclusion under this separate designation rather than inclusion in an
adjoining neighborhood or other District designation.
This proposal complies with the purpose of the POL District as it is a
community facility intended to provide services and programs designed for
the entire community of Fort Collins, as well as the northern Colorado and
southern Wyoming regions.
3. DIVISION 4.20 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL — POUDRE RIVER
DISTRICT of the Land Use Code
Community facilities are permitted in the CCR District, subject to an
Administrative review. The purpose of the CCR District is:
For downtown fringe areas in the Cache La Poudre River corridor
with both public street frontage and river frontage. This District
provides locations for redevelopment or development of moderate
intensity uses that are supportive of Downtown, subject to
floodplain restrictions. Such redevelopment or development shall
be compatible with the scenic, cultural, natural and historical
context of the River and Downtown.
A main purpose of the District is to foster a healthy and compatible
relationship between the River, the Downtown and surrounding
urban uses. Any significant redevelopment shall be designed as
part of a master plan for the applicable group of contiguous
properties.
This proposal is in conformance with the purpose of the CCR District as it
contains a small, triangular -shaped piece of land located at the southeast
corner of the property that is bounded by North College Avenue, Cherry
Street, and the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks. However, this portion
of the property that is in the CCR District has no river frontage and is
planned to contain only street trees and other trees to be used as a visual
buffer between the Discovery Museum and the adjacent streets.
Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan - #6-10
April 15, 2010 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
Page 2
standards located in DIVISION 3.2 - SITE PLANNING and DESIGN
STANDARDS, DIVISION 3.3 - ENGINEERING STANDARDS, DIVISION
3.4 - ENVIRONMENTAL, NATURAL AREA, RECREATIONAL and
CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS, DIVISION 3.5 —
BUILDING STANDARDS, and DIVISION 3.6 - TRANSPORTATION and
CIRCULATION of ARTICLE 3 - GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS, with the following exceptions:
- Section 3.5.3(B)(2) Orientation to Build -to Lines for Streetfront
Buildings. The proposed museum building does not comply with the
"build -to" line standards as set forth in Subsection 3.5.3(B)(2). The
applicant has submitted to the City, for review, a request for a
modification of this standard.
district standards located in ARTICLE 4 - DISTRICT STANDARDS,
DIVISION 4.13 POL, PUBLIC OPEN LANDS DISTRICT and DIVISION
4.20 CCR, COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL — POUDRE RIVER DISTRICT.
Community facilities are permitted in the POL District, subject to a
Planning & Zoning Board (Type 2) review. Community facilities are
permitted in the CCR District, subject to an Administrative (Type 1) review.
However, if any portion of a proposed development plan is subject to a
Type 2 review then the entire plan must go through a Type 2 review, with
the decision -maker being the Planning & Zoning Board.
COMMENTS:
BACKGROUND
The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows:
N: POL, CCR; natural area, Cache La Poudre River
E: CCR; Union Pacific Railroad, North College Avenue
S: D; vacant retail buildings, undeveloped land (Block 23)
W: POL, LMN; existing park, mixed -use development (Lee Martinez
Community Park, Mason Street North)
The property was part of the Original City of Fort Collins.
The property was platted as Blocks 24 & 25, Map of the Town of Fort
Collins in January, 1873.
F Collins
1 EM NO
MEETING DATE io
STAFF
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
PROJECT: Fort Collins Discovery Museum, Project Development Plan -
#6-10
APPLICANT: OZ Architecture
c/o David Schafer
1805 29th Street, #2054
Boulder, CO. 80302
OWNER: City of Fort Collins
200 Mathews Street
Fort Collins, CO. 80521
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This is a request for a community facility on approximately 11.5 acres. There will
be one building, which will be primarily 21'-6" to 31'-3" in height from grade.
There will be a "tower" element that will be 49'-0" to 58'-6" in height from grade. A
total of 71 on -site surface parking spaces (cars and buses) will be provided. The
property is located at the northeast corner of Cherry Street and Mason Court, just
west of North College Avenue. The Union Pacific Railroad tracks run along the
east side, between the property and North College Avenue. The Cache La
Poudre River is just to the north of the property. There is a City -owned natural
area and Lee Martinez Community Park to the west of the property. Vehicular
access to the site will be from Mason Court. The property is in the POL, Public
Open Lands District and the CCR, Community Commercial - Poudre River
District.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This Project Development Plan (PDP) complies with the applicable requirements
of the Land Use Code L( UC), more specifically:
the process located in DIVISION 2.2 - COMMON DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW PROCEDURES for DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS of
ARTICLE 2 - ADMINISTRATION;
Current Planning 281 N College Av PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
fcgov.com/currentplanning 970.221.6750