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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBRIDGEWATER FARMS ANNEXATION & ZONING, UGMA AMENDMENT, STRUCTURE PLAN AMENDMENT - 5-03 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PROJECT NARRATIVEY- Water, sewer, emergency services and schools can adequately serve the property. Water will be provided by ELCO and the water source will be from a main located adjacent to the property. Sanitary sewer will connect into an existing main along the property. The applicant is sensitive to water conservation and will utilize a gray water system for irrigation of open space areas by either using existing ditch water or on -site wells. PRINCIPLE GM-6: Development will pay its "fair share" of the cost of providing needed public facilities and services. Policy GM-6.1 Fees and Development Regulations Policy GM-6.2 Limited -Income Housing The proposed development will be paying its fair share of the cost of providing desired public transportation connections. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity for much -needed affordable housing as identified in the 1999 Priority Affordable Needs and Strategies Report. Bridgewater Farms Annexation Page 6 1/21/03 Providing a variety of housing opportunities in close proximity to employment centers enhances the viability of those employment based uses and the local economy. PRINCIPLE HSG —1: A variety of housing types and densities will be available throughout the urban area for all income levels. Policy HSG-1.2 Housing Supply Policy HSG-1.4 Land for Residential Development Policy HSG-1.5 Special Needs Housing The Bridgewater Farms Annexation represents an opportunity for a variety of housing types and densities. In addition, the applicant is interested in developing a variety of price ranges including affordable housing. PRINCIPLE HSG —2: The City will encourage the creation and expansion of affordable housing opportunities and preservation of existing housing stock. Policy HSG-2.2 Incentives Policy HSG-2.3 Development Practices Policy HSG-2.5 Distribution of Affordable Housing The Bridgewater Farms Annexation will provide affordable housing that will help maintain proportional balance to the wages of the City's labor force in addition to dispersing this type of development throughout the Fort Collins region. PRINCIPLE GM-2: The City will consider the annexation of new territory into the City limits when the annexation of such property conforms to the vision, goals, and policies of City Plan Policy GM-2.1 Annexation Policies While the property is not located within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA) it is eligible for voluntary annexation according to Colorado Revised Statutes requiring at least 1/6 of the property be contiguous with existing City limits. The Bridgewater Farms Annexation is contiguous on its' west and south boundaries. The required infrastructure standards will be met by improving the surrounding County Roads and building internal public streets to current City standards. All utilities and storm drainage systems will be to City or applicable district standards. PRINCIPLE GM-5: The provision of adequate public facilities and the phasing of infrastructure improvements will be important considerations in the timing and location of development. Policy GM-5.1 Phasing of Development Bridgewater Farms Annexation Page 5 1/21/03 to complement the large amount of land designated for Employment. It represents the kind of ideal land use transition that the Structure Plan achieves in other parts of the City. PRINCIPLE T-1: The physical organization of the city will be supported by a framework of transportation alternative that maximizes access and mobility throughout the city, while reducing dependence upon the private automobile. Policy T-1.1 Land Use Patterns Policy T-1.2 Multi -Modal Streets Policy T-1.4 Adequate Facilities Policy T-1.3 Street Design Criteria The Bridgewater Farms Annexation proximity to employment opportunities and to the planned commercial core would encourage residents to utilize alternative modes of transportation. PRINCIPLE T-5: The City will acknowledge pedestrian travel as a viable transportation mode and elevate it in importance to be in balance with all other modes. Direct pedestrian connections will be provided and encouraged from place of residence to transit, schools, activity centers, work and public facilities. Policy T-5.2 Connections Projects developed within the Bridgewater Farms Annexation would provide a network of sidewalks and trails connecting pedestrian and bicyclists to schools, shopping, employment and recreational opportunities. PRINCIPLE CAD-1: Each addition to the street system will be designed with consideration to the visual character and the experience of the citizens who use the street system and the adjacent property. Together, the layout of the street network and the streets themselves will contribute to the character, form and scale of the city. Policy CAD-1.1 Street Design Standards Policy CAD-1.2 Street Layout The proposed street system for projects within the Bridgewater Farms Annexation would conform to City street standards. The pattern and layout of the public streets would be simple, direct and interconnected street trees would be used to enhance the visual appearance and to provide shade for pedestrians. PRINCIPLE ECON-1: The City will pursue a balanced and sustainable economic development program. Policy ECON-1.3 Infrastructure and Capital facilities Bridgewater Farms Annexation Page 4 1/21/03 • There are no significant physical or cultural barriers or constraints for development on the property. • The property will generate development impact fees, providing funding for future parks and trails in the area. • The City can take advantage of the property taxes generated by the development. • If the property were to develop in the County, density would be significantly lower than the 5 dwelling units per acre required in the City, making it more difficult for public transportation to be viable in this northeast portion of Fort Collins. In conclusion, we believe that the proposed Bridgewater Farms Annexation meets the criteria for annexation and zoning as well as criteria for Amending the Structure Plan and Growth Management Area. We believe it is in the best interest of the community to annex the Bridgewater Farms Annexation to balance the mix of land uses in the northeast, to insure the vitality of the commercial core planned for the Mountain Vista Subarea, to provide an opportunity for affordable housing, to offer opportunities for people to live close to employment opportunities and shopping, and to insure that the site develops at densities that make alternative transportation viable. City Plan Principles and Policies achieved by the proposed Trailhead Annexation and Structure Plan Amendment PRINCIPLE LU-1: Growth within the city will promote a compact development pattern within a well-defined boundary. Policy LU-1.1 Compact Urban Form The project is adjacent to existing City limits. Given its' proximity to employment opportunities and the proposed commercial district in the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan, it is more appropriate for this property to develop at 5 dwelling units per acre rather than at rural densities allowed in the County. PRINCIPLE LU-2: The city will maintain and enhance its character and sense of place as defined by its neighborhoods, districts, corridors, and edges. Policy LU-2.1 City -Wide Structure Policy LU-2.2 Urban Design With the northeast part of the City growing in activity, the Bridgewater Farms Annexation represents an opportunity to increase housing opportunities in the northeast Bridgewater Farms Annexation Page 3 1/21/03 ustification for Annexation, Zoning, and Structure Plan Amendment The Development Review process for Annexation and Zoning requires a statement addressing why it is necessary and desirable for the City of Fort Collins to annex the area and a description of the zoning classification being requested. In addition, since we are requesting an amendment to the City's Structure Plan the following criteria applies: 1) demonstrate that the Plan is in need of the proposed amendment; and, 2) demonstrate that the Plan Amendment will promote the public welfare, and be consistent with vision, goals, principles and policies of City Plan. We believe the following statements provide the requested information and summarize the justifications for Annexation, Zoning and the Structure Plan Amendment (which requires expansion of the Growth Management Area). • While the property is not located within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA) it is eligible for voluntary annexation according to Colorado Revised Statutes requiring at least 1/6 of the property be contiguous with existing City limits. The Bridgewater Farms Annexation is contiguous on its' west and south boundaries. • The Bridgewater Farms Annexation is located along the northern boundary of the Mountain Vista planning area. The land use designations in the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan include a large amount of land designated for Employment and Industrial uses and a significant core commercial area. In addition, there are well over two hundred acres of land designated as Natural Area and Institutional/School use. The Bridgewater Farms Annexation developed as Low Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood would help balance the land use mix in the Mountain Vista planning area and help assure the vitality of the commercial and employment districts. • Residential development in close proximity to Commercial and Employment districts creates opportunities for and encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, allowing people to work, shop and recreate in close proximity to where they live. • The property is less than 2 miles from the Mountain Vista Drive/I-25 Interchange, thus providing convenient interstate access for commuters. • The Priority Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies report identifies the necessity for additional affordable housing in Fort Collins. The applicant is interested in providing affordable housing as one component of the Mixed -Use Neighborhood planned for the Bridgewater Farms Annexation. • The Poudre School District has indicated an interest in securing a future school site school on this property. Bridgewater Farms Annexation Page 2 1/21/03 'v= FRiPIeyASSOOIATEs INC Landscape Architecture Urban Design Planning January 21, 2003 Planning and Zoning Board Members Cameron Gloss City of Fort Collins Planning Department 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Bridgewater Farms Annexation: Annexation and Zoning, Structure Plan Amendment, and Urban Growth Area Boundary Extension Dear Cameron, In accordance with Section 2.12 of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code, this letter is a formal request to annex and zone the property known as the Bridgewater Farms Annexation. The property consists of 464.90 acres and is located west of Latimer County Road 9 and south of Larimer County Road 54. The property is currently outside of the Urban Growth Area Boundary. Property to the west is zoned LMN and is currently being proposed as a low -density residential development. The property is adjacent to undeveloped property on the north, east and south. The property is currently zoned FA1 Farming in Latimer County. The property is presently being used as a sod farm. The requested zoning for the Bridgewater Farms Annexation is Low -Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood District (LMN). The property is contiguous to the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan. Since the property is currently located outside of the Urban Growth Area Boundary it does not have a proposed zoning classification in either the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan or on the City's Structure Plan. The applicants are requesting an LMN District in order to create a diverse neighborhood and provide an opportunity for quality affordable housing in the northeast part of town. The Bartran development will include a variety of housing choices for the community including single- family lots and multi -family projects. In addition, the applicant plans to create an opportunity for affordable housing by integrating lower -income residences into the project. It is the applicant's intent to create a residential community consistent with the City's Principles and Policies, as well as the Vision and Goals of the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan. Phone 970224.6828 Fax 970.224.1662 401 West Mountain Ave. Suite 201 Fort Collins, CO 80521-2604 viripley.com