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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBENNETT ROAD BUNGALOWS - PDP - 42-01 - REPORTS - CITY STAFFneed of the service area as defined in the Policy Plan. In addition, funding is limited due to the lack of new development in this area. The WCNP agrees that there is adequate parkland overall, but does not feel there is sufficient neighborhood parkland for this area. The area is currently served by Avery Park, City Park and Rolland Moore Park. Both City Park and Avery Park are with 1/3- % mile of the proposed park location. The Policy Plan recognizes that Community Parks provide neighborhood park benefits to people living near them and therefor no additional neighborhood parkland would be required for this section of the City. Although the Policy Plan states that new, mini -neighborhood parks should be developed in existing residential areas, staff believes the focus should be on those sections of the City that have a deficit. Staff agrees that there is a need for parkland in the section bounded by Shields, Prospect, Drake Street and College Avenue and will pursue acquisition and development of a new mini -park site as development occurs in this area. The WCNP also has a number of suggestions for improving parks and trails in the area. Staff will work with the neighborhood on implementing and finding funding sources for these suggestions. f 1 City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library, and Recreational Serv'-es MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Board THRU: Wally Piccone, Manager of Park Planning and Development FROM: Janet Meisel Burns, Landscape Architect* RE: West Central Neighborhood Plan - Park Analysis The West Central Neighborhood Plan (WCNP) is a planning document that encompasses several individual neighborhoods that have been grouped together to develop a "subarea" plan within the City. The planning boundaries include approximately 3 square miles in an "L" shaped configuration and are bounded by Mulberry, Drake, Taft Hill Road, Shields, Lake Street and College Avenue. The plan has been developed by a neighborhood committee and City planning staff. A Draft Plan is included for your reference and the following sections pertain to the plan recommendations; page 6, Goal OS 2, page 10, Policy D1 and Map 5. In addition Appendix A, pages A-7, A-16, A-50 and Appendix B, page B-17 include the committees thought regarding parks in the plan area. The Draft Plan recommends that the city acquire and develop at least two new neighborhood parks in this area. Park Planning staff has completed an analysis of the Draft Plan and proposed park locations and offers the following recommendations: The two proposed parks are located on the west and east sides of the planning area. The eastern park is located in the C.S.U.R.F. Property behind the Holiday Inn (See Map 5). The park location is proposed in the Spring Creek drainage basin and is located within a proposed natural area. The proposed park site lies within a square mile that is deficient in neighborhood parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The neighborhood parkland need is between 0.1 acres and 2.9 acres. Staff agrees with this proposed park location and will begin working with C.S.U.R.F. and future development proposals to determine anew park location. Staff would like to pursue joint acquisition of a park site, if this area is chosen for the Horticulture Center. The second park site is located on the western edge of the plan area and fronts Taft Hill Road and Glenmore Drive. The proposed park site lies within a square mile section that does not need any additional parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The proposed park also does not meet the location criteria and exceeds the parkland 281 North College Avenue • PO. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80524 • (970) 221-6640 • FAX (970) 221-6586 Marilyn Barnes moved to recommend the site located in the C.S.U.R.F. Property to be built with parkland fees from the service area of the park and based on the current policy plan; Jessica MacMillan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). Marilyn Barns moved that no additional parkland money should be used to acquire or develop parks in the WCNP area that does not have a parkland deficit. If more parks, which the City would maintain are desired, the Board would support a decision to use the property north of Bennett School, but funding should come from the neighbors or the General Fund. However, if money comes from the General Fund, it should not delay or interfere with the development of Hickory Park. Diane Thies seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). A memo from the Board to City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board will be prepared regarding this motion. Request to Combine November/December Meeting on November 18,1998 Paul VanValkenburg motioned to combine the November and December meetings on November 18 at 281 North College; Jessica MacMillan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). Other Business • Paul VanValkenburg asked if it is planned to dredge Sheldon Lake. Virgil Taylor said that it may be done in the future if Storm Drainage staff feel the lake has to be made deeper. A wall is being placed at the north end for the time being to take care of erosion problems. Cattails have also been planted in the wetland area to help clarify the water. • Marilyn Barns stated that she has heard people do not like Miramont Park. • Jessica MacMillan asked about Ridgeview Park. Wally Piccone said that it is moving along and that the art pieces are set up. Positive response has been received from the public. Jessica asked about drainage, and Wally said it will be taken care of through completion of the park improvements. • Rebecca Chavez said the drainage by the ditch in City Park is not good. Virgil Taylor said that the irrigation company is presently working on the downstream area and that it will be looked into next year. • Diane Thies mentioned that several people are complaining about not being able to reserve rooms at the Senior Center and that staff is not always consistent with giving directions. Mike Powers will look into the room reservation problem. Marilyn Barnes said that volunteers are often used at the desk, and that may be the reason for vague directions. • Mike Powers stated that Ron Daggett, Poudre School District Facilities, was unable to attend tonight's meeting. F West Central Neighborhood Plan Janet Meisel -Bums explained that the Draft West Central Neighborhood Plan recommends that the City acquire and develop at least two new neighborhood parks in a three square mile area bounded by Mulberry, Drake, Taft Hill Road, Shields, Lake Street and College Avenue. After completing an analysis of the Draft Plan, Park Planning staff recommends acquisition of parkland on the east side of the planning area. The eastern park is located in the C.S.U.R.F. Property behind the Holiday Inn. The park location is proposed in the Spring Creek drainage basin and is located within a proposed natural area. The proposed park site lies within a square mile that is deficient in neighborhood parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The neighborhood parkland need is between 0.1 acres and 2.9 acres. Staff agrees with this proposed park location and will begin working with C.S.U.R.F. and future development proposals to determine a new park location. Staff would like to pursue joint acquisition of a park site if this area is chosen for the Horticulture Center. The second park site is located on the western edge of the plan area and fronts Taft Hill Road and Glenmore Dive. Staff does not recommend acquisition of this site. It lies within a square mile section that does not need any additional parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The proposed park also does not meet the location criteria and exceeds the parkland need of the service area as defined in the Policy Plan. In addition, funding is limited due to the lack of new development in this area. The WCNP agrees that there is adequate parkland overall, but does not feel there is sufficient neighborhood parkland for this area. The area is currently served by Avery Park, City Park and Rolland Moore Park. Both City Park and Avery Park are within 1/3 to 1/2 mile of the proposed park location. The Policy Plan recognizes that Community Parks provide neighborhood park benefits to people living near them and, therefore, no additional neighborhood parkland would be required for this section of the City. Although the Policy Plan states that new, mini -neighborhood parks should be developed in existing residential areas, staff believes the focus should be on those sections of the City that have a deficit. Staff agrees that there is a need for parkland in the section bounded by Shields, Prospect, Drake Street and College Avenue and will pursue acquisition and development of a new mini -park site as development occurs in this area. Jessica MacMillan asked if the C.S.U.R.F. Property is along the creek. Janet said that it would be alright to locate it in the flood plain area as only benches would be placed in the park. Dean Hoag asked if a park could be located on this property if the Horticulture Center is located at Lee Martinez Park instead of on this site. Janet said that a good park could be placed on the property. Rebecca Chavez expressed concern about Hickory Park, a site identified some time ago. Janet said that it is planned to design the park in 1999-2000 and build a portion of the park in 2000- 2001 using money from the General Fund. The new proposed park would be built and developed with money acquired from parkland fees and would not delay the development of Hickory Park. 4 No Text City' - nager's Office City of Fort Collins November 29, 2001 Dr. Don E. Unger Superintendent Poudre School District 2407 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 Dear Don: Over the past several years, we have had discussions with the neighborhood surrounding Bennett School concerning their desire for a park on a four -acre parcel of land directly across the street to the north of the Bennett School. This property has recently come on the market for sale. The neighbors have approached the City and asked us to again investigate the use of the property for a park. Our normal process is to build one neighborhood park in each square mile of the city. This is done through fees collected on new housing developments. However, since we have already purchased and developed a park in this square mile of the city, we do not have parkland funds available to acquire and develop this property. We would have to use General Fund tax dollars to make this work if the Council chooses to provide additional parkland in this square mile. We would like to know your interest in having a part: on this site and secondly if the School District can contribute to the purchase and development of this property for a park. We would be happy to work with your staff and particularly the Bennett School staff to maximize the use of this property for their needs should we be able to form a financial partnership on the property. The Council will be reviewing data on this issue during December and will have a study session on January 8, 2002. At that time, the Council will determine their interest in pursuing this property. I would appreciate hearing from you about your interest in the site and any financial contributions that you might be able to make toward this project should the Council decide to pursue it. Please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jolt Fischbach City Manager , /Itg cc: Michael Powers, Director of CLRS 300 LaPorte .-kv enue • PO. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 805222-0580 • (970) _2?1-6505 • FAX (970) 224-6107 • TDD (970)?7-4-6001 www.fc-ov.com ATTACHMENT B • JA ; g, pgwe, RECEIVED December 11, 2001 F vi DEC 18 2001 � Clty of Fo ® n{,s1„ rt Collins John F. Fischbach POUDRE SCHOOL City Manager DISTRICT City of Fort Collins 300 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 Dear John, The Poudre School District has been aware of the neighborhood's interest in the property across from Bennctt Elementary for several years. We reviewed the possible purchase of the land for inclusion as an item for the 2000 Bond Initiative. It's location across Bennett School Road creates safety issues if either used for additional field use or parking. For those reasons, the concept was dismissed. Funds were made available for the remodel of the schools Annex building, additional parking, ventilation, playground equipment and technology. I have been present at the City sponsored neighborhood meetings where the Bennett Road Bungalows projects were discussed. At the last meeting held on November 8 in Bennett Elementary, I spoke with a contingent of neighborhood representatives that brought up the idea of sponsoring the park idea again. One of the schemes proposed was the purchase of the land and the vacating of Bennett School Road to create a joint school district and park site. The development of the Bennett Road Bungalows adds traffic and parking issues to an area with similarly existing conditions. Entering onto or driving from Bennett School Road from Shields Street has been difficult for years. To implement our parking solutions will require taking part of the school playground to accomplish. These concerns favor the plan proposed by the neighborhood. While the school district can support the concept, there are no funds dedicated to the purchase of this land. The $175 million of bond funds and interest were directed to specific projects prior to the election. The school district would consider reviewing the funds allocated for the playground and parking improvements, for similar improvements, in support of a compatible joint development. The total funds allocated for these projects are $261000. Please feel free to contact me at my office if you have any questions; (970) 490-3527 or email, wfranzen@12sd.kl2.co.us E ely,anzen 71 Executive Director of Operations Poudre School District DATE: January 8, 2002 J 4 ITEM NUMBER: 3 • The Parks and Recreation Board believes this to be a desirable location for a park. However, since this neighborhood is adequately served based on City standards, it recommends that funding sources other than Parkland funds be used. DATE: January 8, 2002 J 3 ITEM NUMBER: 3 park near the Horticulture site. The Board supported the park near Bennett School with the condition that Neighborhood Parkland Funds not be used for the acquisition or development of the site. The Board felt the area was adequately served with parkland and other areas of the City had greater needs for parkland. Please see Attachment A highlighting the minutes from the Parks and Recreation Board meeting. The City has since purchased a park site in the Center for Advanced Technology along with the Horticulture Center site. This park is funded by fees on new homes in the area east of Shields Street and South of Prospect. The vacant land north of Bennett School is zoned RL (Low Density Residential). In addition to housing, this zoning permits uses such as schools and parks. The West Central Neighborhood Plan recommends the land be developed as residential or as a park. The Plan cites the City's Capital Improvement Program and Poudre School District funds as some potential funding sources for the conversion of this property to a park. The City has received a letter from Mr. Bill Franzen; Executive Director of Operations for Poudre School District stating that the District does not have funds dedicated to the purchase of this land. However, the District would consider reviewing funds allocated for playground and parking improvements in support of compatible joint development. The total funds allocated for these projects are $261,000. Please see Attachment B for the full text of this letter along with the City's inquiry about the District's interest in participating in the purchase and development of this property as a park. The vacant four acres across the street from Bennett School has recently been looked at for residential development. The acquisition cost will be based on negotiation and market value. In May 2001, the landowner told staff that they did not wish to donate the land for the park. To develop the four acres into a park with irrigated turf, landscape, sidewalks, drinking fountain, and small shelter would cost about $215,000. Maintenance of the park would cost about $23,160 per year. SUMMARY: The following summarizes the primary issues that Council may wish to consider in making this decision. • Cost to acquire this property is not known at this time. • Cost to develop the property is estimated to be $215,000. • Current parkland funds available in this service area are $30,000. • Future development in this service area is expected to generate $100,000 in additional Parkland funds. • Poudre School District may be able to participate in future development of the site. • Should the Council wish this site to become a park, acquisition will need to occur immediately. The General Fund will need to fund the majority of the cost for acquisition. • Design and development of the park will need to be funded from the General Fund or from a capital project -funding source, and could occur at a later date. • Annual maintenance costs are anticipated to be $23,160 (in 2002 dollars) and would most likely be a General Fund cost. • While additional parkland is always good, this neighborhood is adequately served based on the City's standards for number of acres of parkland. DATE: January 8, 2002 2 ITEM NUMBER: 3 Avery Park is a 17.9-acre neighborhood park located at the intersection of Castlerock Drive and Clearview Road. The land for the park was acquired by the City in 1960 and developed in 1962. Funding for acquisition and development was from the General Fund. The park contains a multi- use, irrigated turf area, landscaping, basketball court, playground, open space area (storm water detention area) and walking path. See Map 3 showing Avery Park. In 1974 a Neighborhood Parkland Fee was implemented City wide to fund neighborhood park acquisition and development. The fee is collected on each new home when it is built. A review of residential homes in the Avery Park service area confirms that the large majority of the homes in the area were constructed before Parkland fees were implemented. Map 4 shows areas within this neighborhood developed prior to the inception of parkland fees in 1974. The development of the "Bull Farm area" on the north side of Elizabeth Street; an area near Shields Street and University Avenue; and an area near Taft Hill Road and Moore School were developed after 1974 and paid parkland fees. In 1996, a restroom was added to the park at a cost of about $95,000 paid from parkland fees collected from 1974 to 2000 within this neighborhood. Fees collected during this time amounted to approximately $125,000. Residential construction in 2001 and the future development of an area near the intersection of Mulberry Street and Taft Hill Road should result in about another $100,000. At that point, this square. mile will be built out for the most part. If current and future parkland fees collected in this area are not used for Bennett property, Park Planning and Development staff plans improvements to Avery Park. These plans include Shelter and plaza area; ADA sidewalks; irrigated turf; formal walking path with resting areas and additional trees. Total cost of these improvements will be approximately $105,000. The 1996 Parks and Recreation Policy Plan analyzed each square mile of the City and identified areas that had a deficiency in parkland based on the standards. In addition, City Plan projected the number of residential housing units that might .be developed in the future on undeveloped land in each square mile of the City. This information was used to identify current and future parkland needs throughout the City. The area served by Avery Park and City Park does not require additional parkland to meet the standards. Map 5 shows which areas of the City need additional parkland and which are adequately served based on the standards. The West Central Neighborhood Plan explored the need for parks in the study area. Park Planning and Development staff worked with the citizen group involved in the formulation of the Plan. Staff explained the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Standards for parkland level of service and that this area was adequately served based on these standards. The group working on the Plan chose to continue to pursue adding additional parkland within the West Central Neighborhood. The citizen's group identified three potential park sites: the Bennett site, a site known as Young's Pasture and an area in the Center for Advanced Technology. Map 6 shows the location of these proposed parks. The City's Park and Recreation Board reviewed these identified park sites in the West Central Neighborhood Plan at its October. 28, 1998 meeting. The Board did not support the park identified as Young's Pasture. The Board recommended the acquisition and development of the AGENDA IT&A SUMMARY -M NUMBER: 3 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: January 8, 2002 FROM: Michael Powers SUBJECT: Discussion regarding the potential purchase of a 4-acre property directly North of Bennett School for a future park site and, if Council direction is to proceed, identify funding for acquisition, development and maintenance. RECOMMENDATION: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Councilmember Tharp has requested information about the possibility of developing a park on the vacant land across the street and north of Bennett School. The West Central Neighborhood Plan identified this parcel as a possible location for a park. The City's Parks and Recreation Policy Plan indicates this area of town is adequately served by Avery Neighborhood Park and City Park. Very few Neighborhood Parkland Fees have been collected in this square mile. The majority of the funding for the acquisition of this site will need to come from the General Fund. The acquisition cost will be based on negotiation and market value. Total cost for design and development are estimated to be in the range of $215,000. Ongoing maintenance for this site is estimated to be $23,160 per year. These funds would need to come from the General Fund or a future capital project -funding source. KGROUND: City Council was involved in the adoption of two documents that effect discussions of the Bennett Park issue directly. The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan was adopted by Council in December 1996. This plan establishes the standards for parks throughout the community. The second document is the West Central Neighborhood Plan which was adopted by Council as amended on May 18,1999. Both the West Central Neighborhood Plan and the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan are elements of City Plan. The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan contains guidelines for the development of parks. The standard for neighborhood parks is 2.5 acres per 1,000 population in the service area. The service area for a neighborhood park is typically the area within one square mile. The community park standard is 4.5 acres per 1,000 population and serves about 20,000 people and a four square mile area. Community parks also fulfill neighborhood parkland requirements within a''/z mile radius. Both City Park and Avery Park serve the West Central Neighborhood. Map 1 is an overview of all parks and open areas owned by the City within the general area of the West Central Neighborhood. Map 2 shows the area served by Avery Park and City Park.