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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIN-SITU - MODIFICATION OF STANDARDS - 46-02 - MEDIA - APPEAL TO CITY COUNCILCouncil in-mtu is serious about the environment. It would: ■ Replace the site's non-na- tive plant species and weeds members with native groundcovers, off base shrubs and trees that are drought -tolerant and promote wildlife activity (now non-exis- L II) 1 W lth Mein tent there). ■ Create an on -site wetland and e _b� wildlife habitat that could also Our local economy is a lot like serve to demonstrate its water - a well — you don't miss the wa- quality monitoring instruments ter until the well runs dry. ■ Create a connecting walk - Despite our recent great way to the Poudre River Trail to economy, the "water level" in to- day's economic well is getting encourage bicycle commuting and walking trips to downtown. lower. Sales tax revenues have ■ Use its technology to mom - declined, we just "lost" the re- for the quality of water in the gional hospital complex to Love- Poudre and provide the data to land, and we're having problems the city — without charge. with jobs. As allowed by our land use What can be done? Maybe a code, In -Situ asked our Planning new firm in Fort Collins? One, that and Zoning Board (P&Z) for two would not only modifications to land -use stan- help our econo- k dards to achieve its goals. In proposed a longer - y prove o>envi�� prove than -standard, one-story, nar- row building that runs perpendi- ronment and �� cular to the river to present min- about imum faces to both street and nnesatreucta� business nv er. To allow for such environ- help protect the mentally friendly siting, the building would encroach into environment? An UOUg the 300-foot buffer zone along the river. Land use code Stan organization that Hiutehinson would bring 50 or dards already allow up to 20 per - so Community high -paying, � cent encroachment; the siting would require 30 to 45 percent. high-tech jobs to. our town? How On Dec.19, P&Z voted 7-0 to about a firm with an international approve the modifications and reputation that wants to locate allow In -Situ to come here. near Old Town? Sound too good So Fort Collins will have a to be true? crown jewel of a high-tech, envi- Well, a 65-person firm called ronmentally oriented business, "In -Situ" wants to move here. Es- right? Wrong. On Jan. 21, Coun- tablished in 1975 in Laramie, Wyo, the company designs and builds = cil members Eric Hamrick and 7 David Roy filed an appeal of world -class environmental mono- - mrs approval. They want to toring instruments to "improve the Check out their n stop In -Situ from coming here. Why? Their filing states it's be - world we live in:, Web site at www.in-situ.com; ; cause Fort you'll be impressed. code standarnnoNease auver The four -acre site the compa- mind P&Zs rigorous assessment ny has chosen was formerly used to store semi -trailers and and unanimous vote of approval. Even P&Zs Glen Colton, a staunch V old Poudre alley Creamery environmental guardian, voted ap- trucks. North of the Poudre Riv- er at 105 E. Lincoln St It's zoned [ proval, stating "... this is a great company and ... would be good to community commercial — It's vacant;' just ,Fort Collins." '' Have Hamrick's and Roy's'o$- Poudre River. and non-native grasses. t 'demonstrated anti -business and .weeds In -Situ wants to create an ar- I chitecture that fits into the natu- ' . anti -growth stands led them to un- dermne the P&Z process to blind- ral environment, with low visual ly reject a firm like In -Situ? If In - impact and minimum blockage Situ is unacceptable, what business of views of the river. The facility could possibly ever locate here? only about City Council will vote on, the itself would occupy one-fourth of the site. There are Hamrick -Roy appeal at its Feb. 4 no manufacturing byproducts. meeting (Hamrick and Roy get to In -Situ only does research; de- ° vote, too.) This is an extraordinary sign, marketing, and assemblyof event — the first such appeal initi- parts provided by vendors. _ i ated by any council member in more than seven years.