HomeMy WebLinkAboutNORTHEAST CORNER OF EAST PROSPECT ROAD & I-25 - REZONING - 16-07 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 10
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve rezoning of 25.17 acres of Commercial (C) and
118.17 acres of Public Open Lands (POL) to Employment (E) on the southwest corner of East
Prospect and 1-25, # 04-04A. Member Smith seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Member Schmidt asked if staff was comfortable with the reduction of I -Industrial land inventory.
Staff member Waido responded yes.
Northeast Corner of East Prospect Road and 1-25
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve changes to the 1-25 Subarea Plan based on the
matrix found on pages 13-16 of the staff report. Member Smith seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve changes to the Structure Plan Map on the
northeast corner of East Prospect and 1-25. Member Rollins seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Member Schmidt wanted to thank the applicant for taking the time to meet with the neighbors to
consider their concerns and for working with affected interests on the water issues and creek
mitigation.
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve rezoning of the northeast corner of East Prospect
and 1-25 as listed on page 19 of the staff report. Member Wetzler seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Other Business:
None.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 a.m.
Cameron Gloss, Director David Lingle, Chair
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 9
former City Engineer Don Bachman, Cache la Poudre Irrigation Company, Poudre Valley
School District and a local developer, they developed a cross section profile of future Prospect
ROW which is in use today.
• Greeley Water Extension & Transmission Project (GWET)
GWET is a 60" diameter waterline delivering water from their pre-treatment plant NW of Fort
Collins to Greeley. In its nominal configuration, the bottom of the pipeline is to be placed on
top of approximately 2 feet of gravel and covered with at least 60" of soil making the total
depth of their pipeline excavation and backfill approximately 12 feet. The 2007 segment of this
project included a crossing of Prospect Road at McLaughlin Lane, a crossing of 1-25 at a
location north of Prospect and completion to a point in the vicinity of the Fort Collins Airpark.
The 1-25 crossing is particularly complicated since three irrigation company canal crossings,
the Boxelder Creek crossing, a Boxelder Sanitation District sewer line crossing as well as
various other utility crossings are located in close proximity to one another.
The White's facilitated several public/private meetings with representatives from Greeley,
Timnath, Boxelder Alliance, City Transportation/Engineering and Stormwater Departments, the
Poudre Valley School District, Boxelder Sanitation District, CDOT, a group of affected
landowners, and others to discuss details of the project. They worked closely with Poudre
Valley School District personnel regarding crossing of the GWET project across the District's
and White's properties.
Public Input
None
Member Schmidt noted on the SW side employment zoning is proposed rather than commercial
because of the buffering needed for the Boxelder Ditch. On the other side of the interchange it
appears there would be more commercial. Staffinember Waido replied yes, with the loss of
commercial on the west side, they looked to the east for increased commercial zoning. That came
after working with stakeholders who agreed that commercial with employment buffering would be
preferred.
Member Schmidt asked it this would not continue to be an activity center? Waido responded we
would also amend our activity center boundary to coincide with the outside periphery of the
commercial zone. There would need to be a commercial mass to produce the revenue needed to
improve the infrastructure (including funding for the interchange.)
Member Schmidt said she is in support of the changes, the main reason being the changes driven by
the Town of Timnath. With the increase in the intensity of use, it would be an appropriate thing to
provide services in the interchange area —connect the whole region with good land use patterns.
Southwest Corner of East Prospect Road and 1-25
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve changes to the 1-25 Subarea Plan based on the
matrix found on pages 8-12 of the staff report. Member Campana seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Member Schmidt made a motion to approve changes to the Structure Plan Map on the
southwest corner of East Prospect and 1-25. Member Campana seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 8
Stokes provided the following background information. The Natural Resources Department's Natural
Areas Program completed purchase of the Resource Recovery Farm (RRF) as a scenic and open
lands buffer in 2003. At the time of purchase, the eastern portion of the RRF was not described as an
area of interest to the Natural Areas Program in the Natural Areas Policy Plan, nor the various
community separator plans adopted by the City. Because the eastern portion was not shown in these
plans, and because it has low natural resource values, Natural Areas Program staff embarked on a
planning process to help guide the property's ultimate management and disposition status.
In August of 2005, the Natural Resources staff shared a series of options for the RRF property with
the City Council and requested policy direction. The City Council indicated its general preference for
a higher level of "commercial" use for the property. Based on Council's perspective, the Natural
Resources Department staff concludes that rezoning a substantial portion of the property (118 acres)
from POL, Public Open Lands to E, Employment would be in the best interests of the City They are
retaining a buffer around Boxelder Creek.
The rezoning would allow the property to be used for economic development purposes. At the same
time, it would allow the property to be developed in a manner that preserves aesthetically pleasing
views from 1-25 as well as protects adjoining areas with high natural values (namely Box Elder Creek
and the Running Deer Natural Area). The rezoning excludes Boxelder Creek, it will remain zoned
POL.
Wendi Birchler of Norris Design, representing the property owners (Rick & Dave White) reported they
have been very involved is a series of planning related studies/projects for the interchange, the
surrounding area, and along the 1-25 corridor.
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Listed below is a summary of their involvement ������li �il�l�llll' II��h�IiI�I�IIIpII Illor"'
• Boxelder Creek Regional Storm water Alliance. They've served from the inception of the
Boxelder Alliance until present as the representative for a group of private property owners
including landowners, the City, Town of Wellington, Larimer County, and the Colorado Water
Conservation Board, who equally funded the storm water master plan.
• The Whites attended North 1-25 Environmental Impact Study Technical Advisory Committee
meetings. They've organized group of landowners in the neighborhood of 1-25/Prospect and
advised them of interchange issues. They met regularly with City Transportation staff as well
as CDOT and consultants on the North 1-25 EIS project. With City Transportation staff and
other property owners, they've influenced the proposed alignment and details of the
Prospect/1-25 interchange to the advantage of the City. They facilitated meetings between
North 1-25 EIS and Boxelder Creek Storm water Alliance to resolve mutual issues. They
researched and resolved historic preservation issues with the North 1-25 EIS team.
• Prospect Road Improvements. The Smiths organized a group of local property owners
concerned about issues pertaining to future Prospect Road improvements. They coordinated
regularly with City Transportation and Engineering staff. They facilitated series of
public/private meetings with the City, Town of Timnath Engineer, and local property owners to
address future improvements to Prospect before they became problems. These issues
included : Boxelder Creek crossing of Prospect west of 1-25, Greeley Water Extension &
Transmission Project (GWET) crossing of Prospect, Boxelder Sanitation District sewer
crossing of Prospect at McLaughlin Lane, Relocation of the Timnath Inlet canal to allow future
widening of Prospect, Prospect / County Road 5 intersection issues, Boxelder Creek
stormwater overflow canal crossing of Prospect (the Grand Canal). With the Town of Timnath,
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 7
was planned for the potential location of a regional/community shopping center. The
NE quadrant of the Prospect interchange was designated as a mix use activity center
with commercial, industrial, and residential uses.
• Employment and industrial districts adjacent to 1-25 are to be designed in a manner as
to maintain a perception of openness through the corridor.
• Secondary uses (retail and highway -oriented commercial uses) typically permitted in
employment/industrial districts will be required to be set back at least'/4 mile from 1-25
to avoid a commercial strip appearance along 1-25.
• Detached single-family residential development is prohibited within 1/4 mile of 1-25.
• Low density, mixed -use neighborhoods are to be concentrated within'/2 mile of
Mulberry Street.
• The balance of areas planned for residential development were to be urban estate
developments.
• The City's Resource Recovery Farm is to be preserved as open space.
• The subarea eventually would be served with multi -modal transportation options. A
supplemental street system will facilitate movement within the subarea, thus,
diminishing the need to utilize 1-25 for short trips.
• Most undeveloped land within the subarea is expected to annex prior to development.
Regulations contained in the Land Use Code both applicable to the 1-25 corridor and more generally
throughout the community are intended to have employment/industrial districts designed in a manner
to maintain openness through the use of: setback requirements, maximum building frontage
allowances, restricting building heights, and proper management of floodplains. Minimum building
setback requirements are 205 feet from the centerline,of I-25. Maximum building frontage allowance
is 50% at the 80 foot minimum setback from the property line, which can be expanded to 60% at an
increased setback of 120 feet. Building heights are restricted to 44 feet within 600 feet from the
property line adjoining 1-25.
The Prospect interchange represents a key community gateway, combining a balance of economic
development and open space preservation. It is logical the interchange maximize the ability for the
development of a mix of commercial and employment uses. Changes in the surrounding
neighborhood warrant consideration. Land use plans by other jurisdictions are changing the character
of areas east of 1-25 from the rural, low -density residential, areas to more intense urban uses.
Interchanges are desirable sites for regional serving retail uses. Competition for sales tax dollars is
different in 2007.
The City's development standards will require adequate public utilities and infrastructure to be in place
to assure an orderly development pattern. Prospect interchange will not be funded by CDOT or
FHWA. Local revenue sources must be found for interchange improvements.
Staff is recommending changes to the 1-25 Subarea Plan and the City Plan, Structure Plan map and
the following rezoning:
• 143.34 acres located in the southwest corner of East Prospect Road & Interstate 25 into the
E, Employment District.
• In the northeast of 86 acres of I, Industrial to 66 acres of C, Commercial and 20 E,
Employment and approval of rezoning 19 acres from UE, Urban Estate to E, Employment to
create a 39 acre E zoned buffer between the C, Commercial zoned area (a total of 96 acres)
and residential areas to the north and east.
Chair Lingle asked Natural Resources Director John Stokes to outline the natural resource value of
that land. Member Schmidt also asked if there would be enough buffering of the Boxelder Creek.
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 6
all development must either build the improvement or have funding appropriated that will cover
improvement costs.
The regulations covering rezonings in the City of Fort Collins are contained in Division 2.9 of the Land
Use Code. Section 2.9.4 (H) (2) indicates the following:
Mandatory Requirements for Quasi -Judicial Rezonings. Any amendment to the Zoning Map
involving the zoning or rezoning of six hundred forty (640) acres of land or less (a quasi-
judicial rezoning) shall be recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Board or
approved by the City Council only if the proposed amendment is:
(a) consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan; and/or
(b) warranted by changed conditions within the neighborhood surrounding and including
the subject property.
Section 2.9.4 (H) (3) of the Land Use Code indicates the following:
Additional Considerations for Quasi -Judicial Rezonings. 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 natural functioning
of the environment;
(c) whether and the extent to which the proposed amendment would result in a logical and
orderly development pattern.
Interstate 25 Subarea Plan
Concurrent with the development of the 1-25 Subarea Plan, was a multi -jurisdictional cooperative
planning effort to develop the Northern Colorado Regional Communities 1-25 Corridor Plan. The
planning boundaries of the two efforts overlapped. The regional plan studied the 1-25 corridor from
County Road 52 on the north to an area south of the Town of Berthod, while the subarea plan studied
the area from County Road 52 to County Road 32 (Carpenter Road). The most significant difference
between the two plans is that the subarea plan (adopted in November 2001) dealt with land uses in
more detail than the regional plan. The regional plan was based on existing land use plans of the
participating jurisdictions. The regional plan focused on developing a set of design standards, a
transportation element, and open lands/natural areas policies.
In 2003, the City adopted the 1-25 Subarea Plan as an element of City Plan. The key points,
conclusions, and policies of the 1-25 Subarea Plan are summarized as follows:
• The 1-25 Subarea Plan mainly deals with the area located east of 1-25 from around the
Prospect Road interchange on the south to County Road 52 on the north, and County
Road 5 on the east.
• No change in the City's GMA boundary was proposed.
• Two activity centers were identified: one at the Mulberry Street interchange and the
other at the Prospect Road interchange. The NE quadrant of the Mulberry interchange
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 5
Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence
Chief Planner Ken Waido reported staff is recommending changes to the I-25 Subarea Plan and the
City Plan, Structure Plan map and the rezoning of 143.34 acres located in the southwest corner of
East Prospect Road & Interstate 25 into the E, Employment District.
In the northeast corner, staff is recommending approval of the amendments to the 1-25 Subarea Plan
and the City Plan Structure Plan map and the rezoning of 86 acres of I, Industrial to 66 acres of C,
Commercial and 20 E, Employment and approval of rezoning 19 acres from UE, Urban Estate to E,
Employment to create a 39 acre E zoned buffer between the C, Commercial zoned area (a total of 96
acres) and residential areas to the north and east.
The review of land uses and zoning around the Prospect Road/1-25 interchanged is based on:
1. City Council direction indicating the Council's general preference for a higher level of
"commercial" use for portions of the former Resource Recovery Farm property located in the
SW quadrant of the Prospect Road/1-25 interchange. Staff has concluded that rezoning a
substantial portion of the property, 25 acres from C, Commercial and 118 acres from POL,
Public Open Lands to E, Employment (for a total of 143 acres of E, Employment) would
encourage new businesses and expansion of local businesses while preserving the area as an
attractive community gateway and would be in the best interests of the City.
2. Simultaneously, the City received a rezoning request from the owners of property in the NE
quadrant of the Prospect Road/1-25 interchange requesting a change in zoning of 86 acres of
I. Industrial.
Staff decided to review the land uses around the interchange as a result of the rezoning requests from
the City and the private property owner to determine what would be the best land use pattern for the
area around the interchange for the City as a whole, independent of the specific rezoning requests.
The amendments to the plans are related to the rezoning requests but are independent actions. If the
amendments to the plans are approved, the rezoning requests are simply implementation actions to
the plan amendments.
The fundamental policy issue to be addressed in the southwest rezoning request is should City plans
be amended and zonings changed to covert an area currently preserved as open space to an area
that will permit the development of employment land uses in the SW quadrant of the Prospect Road/1-
25 interchange?
The fundamental policy issue to be addressed in this northeast rezoning request is should City plans
be amended and zoning changed to allow for the development of a regional/community scale
shopping center in the NE quadrant of the Prospect Road/1-25 interchange? A regional/community
shopping center in the NE quadrant will help contribute tax revenues necessary to fund Prospect
Road/1-25 interchange improvements and related infrastructure. Given the high infrastructure cost to
development from all four quadrants around the interchange, this property will need to contribute
funding to improve the interchange.
The rezoning needs to be viewed independently from the City's Adequate Public Facilities (APF)
requirements: All development plans for parcels impacting the Prospect interchange must include a
Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA). The TIA will determine whether traffic generated by the
development will result in reduced level of service (LOS) at the interchange and the physical
improvements that will need to be constructed to mitigate the impacts. In order to begin construction,
Planning & Zoning Board
September 20, 2007
Page 4
Meeting to continue past 11 p.m.
Member Wetzler made a motion to continue the meeting until all time -sensitive agenda items
were completed. Member Schmidt seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.
The following two projects were considered together
Project: Southwest Corner of East Prospect and 1-25 Rezoning and Plan
Amendments, # 4-04A
Project Description: SW --This is a request to amend the 1-25 Subarea Plan and the City Plan
Structure Plan map, and rezone property located at the southwest corner of
East Prospect Road and Interstate 25. The plan amendments and the rezoning
will change commercial and open space lands to an employment district
designation.
Recommendation: Approval of the amendments to the I-25 Subarea Plan and the City Plan
Structure Plan map and the rezoning of 25.17 acres of Commercial (C) and
118.17 acres of Public Open Lands (POL) to Employment (E).
Project: Northeast Corner of East Prospect Road and 1-25 Rezoning and Plan
Amendments, # 16-07
Project Description: This is a request to amend the 1-25 Subarea Plan and the City Plan Structure
Plan map, and rezone property located at the northeast corner of East Prospect
Road and Interstate 25. The plan amendments and the rezoning will change
industrial and urban estate space lands to commercial and employment district
designations.
Recommendation: Approval of the amendments to the 1-25 Subarea Plan and the City Plan
Structure Plan map and the rezoning of 86 acres of I, Industrial to 66 acres of
C, Commercial and 20 E, Employment and approval of rezoning 19 acres from
UE, Urban Estate to E, Employment to create a 39 acre E zoned buffer
between the C, Commercial zoned area (a total of 96 acres) and residential
areas to the north and east.
Chairperson Lingle called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Roll Call: Campana, Lingle, Rollins, Schmidt, Smith, Stockover, Wetzler
Staff Present: Gloss, Eckman, Shepard, Stanford, Waido, Stokes, and Sanchez -Sprague
Agenda Review. Director Gloss reviewed the Consent and Discussion Agendas. Of special note --
Item # 4, Poudre Valley Hospital Parking Structure and Medical Office Building Project Development
Plan, #14-07 is continued from the August meeting. Also, staff recommends Item # 7, East Skyway
Rezoning and Structure Plan Amendment, #19-07 be continued until the October 18, 2007 meeting.
Citizen participation:
None
Chair Lingle ask members of the audience or the Board if they wanted to pull any items off the
consent agenda. A member of the audience asked that Old Oak Estates Annexation and Zoning,
#25-07 be removed from the Consent Agenda.
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Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes from the August 16, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
2. Collinwood North Major Amendment, # 24-07 Zoning, # 21-07
Discussion Items:
3. Old Oak Estates Annexation and Zoning, #25-07
4. Poudre Valley Hospital Parking Structure and Medical Office Building Project Development
Plan, #14-07
5. Southwest Corner of East Prospect Road and 1-25 Rezoning and Plan Amendments
6. Northeast Corner of East Prospect Road and 1-25 Rezoning and Plan Amendments
Member Schmidt moved for the approval of the Consent Agenda, which includes Minutes from
the August 16, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing and Collinwood North Major
Amendment, # 24-07 Zoning, # 21-07. Member Campana seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7-0.