HomeMy WebLinkAboutNIX FARM NATURAL AREA FACILITY - PDP/FDP - 10-01 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSalternative exit/entrance route. As well, this would potentially give patrons of the bike
path an additional point in which to leave their vehicles to utilize the path. As there is not
any public owned parking areas or off street parking in this part of the bike trail, this
would be a great opportunity for the City to provide bike path parking at that facility as
well.
At this time, we do not have any major concerns about the development itself, just the
impact of the increased traffic problem and poor access. We would like to be kept
informed about the advancements of this project and how they might impact our facility
Sincerely,
Mic ael J. ynch, DO
Rdbert . Homb MD
avid M. Abbey, MD
William L. Harrison, MD
„--.%��d
rge A. end,', MD
Debra Schoonover
Practice Manager
CC: Charles Hatchette, MD — GeneralCare Health Services, Inc.
INTERNAL MEDICINE CLINIC OF FORT COLLINS, PC
1100 Poudre River Drive - Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 224 - 9508 - Fax: (970) 224 —1210
Michael J Lynch, Ph.D., DO —Robert C. Homburg, AM — David M. Abbey, MS, MD— William L. Harrison, MD
Jorge A. Allende. MD -James D. Kavalec, PA-C — Priscilla J Virant, PA-C
April 6, 2001
Cameron Gloss
Current Planning Director
City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
RE: Natural Areas Program Proposal
Dear Mr. Gloss,
This office understands that the proposal for the Natural Resources Program to convert
the Nix Farmhouse desires to utilize Poudre River Drive and Hoffman Mill Road as it's
main vehicle entrance rather than the alternative of Timberline Rd. It is also our
understanding that an additional 100 vehicles are expected to access this facility daily.
We have serious concerns about this proposal.
Our office is located at the corner of Lemay and Poudre River Drive. Our driveway is
adjacent to Hoffman Mill Road. We have already written your office with concerns over
increased traffic on Lemay and how difficult it is to pull out onto Lemay from Poudre
River Drive. This has been of increased concern with this intersection as it has already
been the site of multiple accidents, due to difficult access to pull out and poor visibility
because of the type of foliage in the planters.
Already, we are expecting significant increase in traffic along Lemay Ave., with the
Walmart and additional housing that have been or are currently being added. Poudre
River Drive will have increased traffic with the addition of the GeneralCare Clinic that
will also house a physical therapy business. Due to the proximity -of the Poudre River,
and Railroad crossing, improvements of the surrounding streets is nearly impossible.
As our facility mainly services elderly patients, we are gravely concerned about the safety
and welfare of those patients as well as our other patrons, trying to access and leave our
facility.
The alternate solution to have main access from Timberline is ideal. This would allow
for better traffic flow and less possibility for accidents. Currently, Poudre River Drive is
the only public exit out of this area. If there is construction on Lemay (under current
proposal) or other access problem, the residents and businesses and their patrons would
be potentially unable to access their homesibusinesses. This would allow for an
To: Mr. Cameron Gloss, Current Planning Director
From: Charles Hatchette, M.D. GeneralCare Health Services, Inc.
RE: Nix Farm traffic impact
Date: May 27, 2001
Dear Mr. Gloss,
MAY 3 0 2001
After review and reflection on Mr. Sears' reply to the Nix Farm development proposal traffic
impact concerns we have raised, I feel we must renew our objection to this proposal since some
significant planning issues remain unresolved.
Although the estimated traffic volume generated by this development is "estimated" to be 100
trips per day, this estimate was informally generated through conversations with Natural Resources staff
since traffic volume could not be derived using customary references. Trip volume could easily rise if
these informal estimates are inaccurate, or if staffing levels were to increase in the future, or if there were
a future change in the use of this facility. This informal estimate does not include the impact of any
associated activities, such as "trailhead parking".
Development of the GeneralCare Clinic project was contingent upon granting a public assess
easement adjacent to the railroad track to enable the construction of a future bike -path between Old Town
and Prospect Avenue, running along the North side of the railroad tracks. To my knowledge, no planning .
has been done to relate Hoffman Mill Road and this proposed bike path. Issues regarding easement width
and how best to accommodate both the existing road and the path are still unresolved.
At the very least, a street planning effort should be completed before Hoffman Mill Road becomes the
main entrance to a large, permanent new City facility. Where is the logic in allowing this project to move
forward if it is known in advance that access cannot legally be upgraded to current City street standards?
A traffic engineering study in April of last year concluded that:
1. Acceptable pedestrian level of service could NOT be achieved with the proposed design.
2. The level of public transportation service would be in the "D" category, since the closest
present or anticipated bus route is over 1320' distant.
A unique development situation exists for this area, since it is a narrow strip of land that is
sandwiched between the railroad track and the Poudre River, and the ONLY exit (onto Lemay) is
increasingly difficult, especially for southbound traffic. Development of land to the East and Southeast of
the internal medicine clinic may well be impacted by traffic engineering concerns, even without the
burden created by this new facility.
The anticipated addition of physical therapy services to those services already offered by
GeneralCare may significantly increase the daily traffic volume contributed by our facility.
It is NOT our intention to propose any link between Timberline and Lemay, as suggested in Mr.
Sears' letter, nor do we suggest that the only acceptable eastside access route must run between the
existing ponds. Rather, we propose that a comprehensive and formal feasibility study be conducted
regarding a connection between the proposed facility and Timberline Road before this project is
approved, given the adverse impact on existing businesses in the area, and the potential for future
problems. We think it is good planning to address these issues now.
Sincerely,
Charles Hatchette, M.D.
GeneralCare Health Services, Inc.
1025 Pennock Place
Fort Collins, CO 80524
General Care Clinic and our facility is 1,400 vehicles per day. According to the City's Traffic
Engineer this is a low traffic volume for this type of intersection. Our projected 100 vehicles a
day is less than a 10% increase in traffic volume. We feel that this is an insignificant increase to
the existing low traffic volume.
We appreciate your concerns about the heavy traffic volumes on Lemay Avenue and that the
traffic on Lemay Avenue will get worse over time. We feel that the traffic we are adding to
Poudre River Drive will not have a significant impact on the existing access to Lemay Avenue
off Poudre River Drive.
Hoffman Mill Drive is a private drive that is currently being maintained by the City. If Poudre
River Drive is ever extended to the east in the future, Hoffinan Mill Drive may be rerouted to
connect with the extension.
We understand your concern about the safety of your elderly clients trying to access Lemay
Avenue. However, we do not see how the slight increase to traffic on Poudre River Drive will
affect their safety. The traffic volume on Poudre River Drive is very low.
You have suggested that we extend Hoffinan Mill Road to Timberline Road for our access and
for an alternative access to Poudre River Drive. We do not want to do this for a variety of
reasons. Natural Resources purchased the property along Timberline Road for the Kingfisher
Natural Area to restore, protect and enhance wildlife habitat. Having a road between the two
ponds would have a significant impact on the wildlife habitat. Although the City's regulations
allow an emergency access road between the two ponds, the regulations prohibit a street being
built. If Hoffman Mill Road were extended to Timberline, it would not decrease traffic on
Poudre River Drive it would actually increase the traffic volume on Poudre River Drive. If
Hoffinan Mill Road were connected to Timberline, it would greatly increase the value of the
undeveloped land east of Lemay and accelerate the development of that land. Also traffic would
use Hoffman Mill Road as a short cut to avoid Riverside Drive or Mulberry Street.
I hope that I have addressed your questions and concerns, but I would like the chance to meet
with you and discuss your concerns in more detail. I will give you a call to set up a meeting.
Respectfully,
Mark Sears,
Natural Areas Program Manager
Cc: Cameron Gloss, Current Planning Director
Elmer Schneider
Dave Hill
Commu _y Planning and Environmental rvices1lJ recycletl paper
Natural Resources Department
City of Fort Collins
May 23, 2001
General Care Health Services
P.O. Box 2127
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Internal Medicine Clinic of Fort Collins, PC
1100 Poudre River Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Attn: Charles Hatchette, M.D.
Michael J. Lynch, DO
Robert C. Homburg, MD
David M. Abbey, MD
William L. Harrison, MD
Jorge A. Allende, MD
Debra Schoonover, Practice Manager
Re: Access to Natural Areas Facility at Nix Farm Natural Area
I'm sorry that I am so slow responding to your two letters stating your concerns about the
proposed Natural Areas Facility traffic accessing Lemay Avenue. I thought it would be best if I
responded to both letters in this one letter, so that everyone could see my responses to the issues
raised in both letters. There will be a public hearing for this project on June 6, at 4:00 PM, at
281 N. College Avenue, at which you may also voice your concerns. You should receive a
separate letter notifying you of the hearing. I would like to meet with you prior to the hearing in
an attempt to resolve the issues before the hearing. This hearing is the final approval for our
proposed development and we would really like to get approved.
The Nix farmhouse will be remodeled into an office building for some of our Natural Areas
Program staff and a new maintenance facility will be built for our maintenance staff. We
anticipate very few visitors coming to our facility, therefore we do not need to be visible to the
public. Since our facility will be a long way from Lemay Avenue we did not want to encourage
the use of our site as a trailhead parking lot. The maximum future daily traffic in and out of our
facility is anticipated to be 100 vehicles a day, with a maximum number of 29 vehicles in an
hour. Most of our staff work ten-hour days so our traffic will be spread out from 6:00 AM to
6:00 PM seven days a week rather than 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. They will be driving almost
exclusively cars and pickups. The existing traffic on Poudre River Drive is approximately 1,000
vehicles per day. The projected future traffic on Poudre River Drive including traffic from the
281 N. College Ave. 0 PO. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 • FAX (970) 224-6177
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To: Mr. Cameron Gloss, Current Planning Director MAR 2. 9 2001 D
From: Charles Hatchette, M.D. GeneralCare Health Services, Inc.
RE: Neighborhood information meeting By
Date: March 27, 2001
Dear Mr. Gloss,
Thank you for hosting last night's meeting about the Nix's Farmhouse conversion currently being
proposed by the Fort Collins Natural Resources Department. My wife and I enjoyed the hospitality and the
information about this proposed development.
After reflection, I still have concerns about the traffic impact from the proposed development, and would
like to summarize these for your consideration.
1. Traffic problems could easily develop at the corner of Poudre River Drive and Lemay Avenue due to
current and future development, even without the additional burden of approximately 100 cars per day
anticipated by this project. Southbound exits from Poudre River Drive onto Lemay will remain a traffic
engineering problem, due in part to the proximity of the rail crossing and the Riverside Avenue signal.
2. Truck traffic on Hoffiman Mill Road is already quite heavy due to the City recycling operation. My
understanding is that Hoffman Mill Road cannot be brought up to current City street standards because it
meanders into the railroad right-of-way over much of its length. Additionally, easement and road width
issues are complicated by a proposed bike path along the North side of the right-of-way, and by houses
that are located quite near the tracks.
3. City planners have recently given serious thought to returning parts of Hoffman Mill Road to private
ownership. This in itself would seem to argue against making it the main entrance to the proposed
development.
On a more general note, I wonder if the public interest in a visible, accountable and accessible Natural
Resources Department is well served by this plan. Since the proposed access to this publicly -funded facility is (for
all practical purposes) so hidden, it may be difficult for members of the general public to even find this facility, as
it is currently being considered.
A simple solution exists. Development of the existing road that joins Timberline would provide visible
access, signage, and possibly even parking areas for bike path users. I understand the City already owns this land,
and that an unpaved access road to the farmhouse is already available for fire department use. Suggestions that
such a road would not be "natural enough" are somewhat suspect, to say the least.
Thank you for considering these comments. Overall, this development project seems quite worthwhile, and
we hope to be kept informed as it moves forward.
Sincerely,
Charles Hatchette, M.D.
Copies: Elmer Schneider 2334 West Ridgecrest Road
Dave Hill 3500 JFK Parkway
Michael Lynch, Ph.D., D.O. 1100 Poudre River Drive
Robert Homberg, M.D. 1100 Poudre River Drive
David Abbey, M.D. 1100 Poudre River Drive
William Harrison, M.D. 1100 Poudre River Drive
file
Nix Farm Natural Areas PDP Neighborhood Meeting
Monday, March 26, 2001
Nix Farmhouse-7:00 pm
Comments:
Q: Could site access be provided from Timberline Rd. rather than Lemay
Ave?
A: Natural Resources does not want to adversely impact the reclaimed
adjacent Kingfisher Natural Area and legal access to Lemay Ave. already
exists.
Q: Is Lemay Ave. adequate to accommodate traffic generated from this site
as well as the existing offices and that under construction?
A: The Traffic Impact Study (TIS) indicates that there is adequate capacity.
Q: How will the new bicycle path parallel to the Great Western railroad track
be accommodated? Should it be at the UP/SP tracks instead?
A: Natural Resources will dedicate easements necessary for a future path,
but no alignment as been finalized. The City's Transportation Department
has presented no other alternatives.
1
No Text
Nix Farm Natural Area- . acility, Project Development Plan, File .. 10-01
June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 7
Utility meters, trash collection, and other service functions are
incorporated into the overall design scheme of the site so that these uses
are screened and out of view of high visibility areas.
D. Transportation and Circulation [3.6]
1. Transportation Level of Service Requirements [3.6.4] — The
Transportation Planning Department has determined that the project
meets the applicable Level of Service (LOS) requirements for vehicular,
bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities.
2. Transit Facilities Standards [3.6.5] — There is an existing Transfort route
that goes down Riverside Avenue and Lemay Avenue. Employees can
utilize this existing system including the existing bus stops. Transit will
function at LOS D, within the acceptable service level.
FINDINGS OF FACT/CONCLUSIONS
After reviewing the Nix Farm Natural Areas Facility, Project Development Plan, staff
makes the following findings of fact and conclusions:
1. The proposed land uses are permitted in the (P-O-L) Public Open Lands
District.
2. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable district standards
of Section 4.10 of the Land Use Code, the (P-O-L) Public Open Lands
District.
3. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable General
Development Standards contained in Article 3 of the Land Use Code.
4. The Subdivision Plat conforms to the provisions of the Land Use Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Nix Farm Natural Areas Facility, Project
Development Plan and Subdivision, Current Planning File # 10-01.
List of Attachments:
Attachment A: Site Vicinity Map
Attachment B: Neighborhood Meeting Comments
Attachment C: Correspondence
Nix Farm Natural Areas , acility, Project Development Plan, File ft 10-01
June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 6
3. Solar Access, Orientation, Shading [3.2.3] — The proposed plan is
designed in a way that protects its roofs access to sunshine between
9am and 3pm on December 215f. The physical elements of the
development plan are located and designed in a way that will not cast a
shadow onto structures within the site or on adjacent property greater
than allowed in this section.
4. Site Lighting — [3.2.4] —As required the applicant is using lighting fixtures
that are concealed and fully shielded featuring sharp cut-off capability
which reduces up -light, spill -light, glare and unnecessary diffusion on
adjacent property. The maximum and minimum lighting on -site lighting
levels are in compliance with this section.
B. Engineering Standards [3.3]
1. Plat Standards [3.3.1]
• Public Sites, Reservations and Dedications [3.3.1(C)] —A
series of easements will be dedicated in conjunction with the
Final Plat. 30 foot -wide access and drainage easements will
correspond with the private drive encircling the facility.
Further, this easement will be widened to 42 feet and
expanded to include emergency access rights between
Timberline Road and the facility. A drainage easement is being
dedicated south and east of the facility to accommodate an on -
site water quality pond.
2. Water Hazards [3.3.3] — The PDP has been reviewed by and complies
with the requirements of the Stormwater Department.
3. Engineering Design Standards [3.3.5] — This project complies with all
design standards, requirements, and specifications for all of the
commenting departments and agencies.
C. Building Standards [3.5]
Building and Project Compatibility [3.5.1] — The proposed new
construction and building rehabilitation has been designed to complement
the architectural and site characteristics of the historic Nix Farm. An
application has been received for local landmark designation of the main
farmhouse. City Council consideration of this request will be heard at its
February 5, 2001 hearing.
The City's Landmark Preservation Committee has evaluated the
submitted building elevations and provided comment through a
complimentary review process. The latest plans incorporate changes to
roof materials and design that will make the new maintenance facility
evoke a more agricultural theme and be more sympathetic to the existing
Craftsman style bungalow and historic dairy barn.
Nix Farm Natural Areas racility, Project Development Plan, File * 10-01
June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 5
provided. Patterned crosswalks at the private drive add to
pedestrian safety and demarcate the continuous walkway
system. This requirement is therefore satisfied.
• Access and Parking Lot Requirements [3.2.2(D)] — Vehicle
areas are clearly separated from walkway areas (see above).
Unobstructed vehicular access is provided from the public
street to all parking spaces. The private drive and all off-street
parking areas are surfaced with materials in conformance with
City specifications. Asphalt of a standard thickness will be
overlaid with 3/8" chip seal coat to achieve the appearance of
a gravel road, in keeping with the rural character of the site.
The project therefore complies with access and parking lot
requirements.
• Parking Lot Layout [3.2.2(E)] — The parking lot provides well-
defined circulation routes for vehicles, bicycles and
pedestrians. Landscaped peninsulas define parking lot
entrances and the end of parking aisles. The proposed plan
provides continuous, direct pedestrian access with a minimum
of driveway and drive aisle crossings.
• Required Number of Spaces for Type of Use [3.2.2(K)] — The
proposed office building has 4499 square feet of office use
which is limited to a maximum of 3 parking spaces per 1000
square feet of gross leasable area or .75 per employee on the
largest shift (seven employees are intended to occupy the
office building). Vehicle Servicing and Maintenance Facilities
permit a maximum of 5 spaces per 1000 square feet. The
proposed Maintenance Building is 6000 square feet. The K-9
Training facility, which is used on an occasional basis, and the
two storage buildings and greenhouse, would be considered
"low intensity" uses with a maximum parking ratio of 2 parking
spaces per 1000 square feet of floor area.
The site plan shows 23 parking spaces, thereby satisfying the
maximum parking space limitation.
• Handicap Parking - [3.2.2(K)(4)] — The applicant has provided
two handicap spaces, therefore the application satisfies this
requirement.
• Parking Stall Dimensions - [3.2.2(L)] — The standard parking
stalls are 9'x19'. The stall length requirement is 19 feet long
unless the stalls allow for a 2' overhang with a curb or wheel
stop provided. The proposed parking lot is in conformance with
the stall size requirement.
Nix Farm Natural Areaa . acility, Project Development Plan, File,. i 0-01
June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 4
• Foundation Plantings [3.2.1(E)(2)(d)] — All exposed sections of
building walls have planting beds of at least 5 feet in width.
The landscape plan therefore satisfies the foundation plantings
requirement.
• Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping [3.2. 1 (E)(4)] —Parking lots
with six (6) or more spaces shall be screened with walls,
fences, berms and/or plant materials a minimum height of 30
inches and shall be at least 70% of the length of the parking
lot. The landscape satisfies the parking lot perimeter
landscaping requirement.
• Screening [3.2.1(E)(6)] — Landscape and building elements
are placed to adequately screen areas of low visual interest
and visually intrusive site elements including the trash
enclosure area.
• Utilities [3.2.1(K)] — The landscape and utility plans have been
coordinated and the required tree/utility separations have been
provided, thereby satisfying this standard.
2. Access, Circulation and Parking [3.2.2]
• Safety Considerations [3.2.2(C)(1)] — Pedestrians are
separated from vehicles and bicycles to the maximum extent
feasible, thereby satisfying this requirement.
• Curbcuts and Ramps [3.2.2(C)(2)] —A ramp is provided for the
handicap parking spaces to give access to the front doors,
thereby satisfying this requirement. All other Federal ADA
requirements are met.
• Bicycle Facilities [3.2.2(C)(4)] — Two bicycle racks are being
provided north of the office building, thereby satisfying this
requirement.
To meet Level of Service requirements for bicycle/pedestrian
facilities, a trail connection will be made connecting the facility
to the Poudre River Trail system.
An easement will also be dedicated to accommodate an 8-foot
wide bicycle/pedestrian path on the southeastern edge of the
property line. The final alignment has not been identified, but
will generally parallel the Great Western railroad tracks and
connect to Hoffman Mill Rd.
• Walkways [3.2.2(C)(5)] — A walkway system, connecting the
maintenance building, offices and the Poudre River path, is
Nix Farm Natural Areas , acility, Project Development Plan, File,. 10-01
June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 3
The Natural Resources Department has considered the request to establish the
primary access route to Timberline Rd. and found it to be in conflict with the
Natural Area Protection Standards of Division 3.4. The Kingfisher Point Natural
Area, within which the access road would lie, has been included on the Natural
Habitats and Features Inventory Map. The expressed purpose of the standards,
under Section 3.4.1(B); is to "ensure... that the physical elements of the
development plan are designed and arranged on the site (that) will protect the
natural habitats and features on the site and in the vicinity of the site". Further
"(t)he project shall be designed so that the character of the proposed
development in terms of use, density, traffic generation, quality of runoff water,
noise, lighting and similar potential development impacts shall minimize the
degradation of the ecological character or wildlife use of the affected natural
habitats or features". From the perspective of the Natural Resources staff, a
primary entrance through the Kingfisher Point Natural Area would be in direct
conflict with the purpose of the natural resource protection standards.
2. Division 4.10 of the Land Use Code, Public Open Lands District (P-O-L)
The proposed use of "public facility" is a permitted use in the (P-O-L) Public
Open Lands Zoning District subject to administrative review.
3. Article 3 of the Land Use Code — General Development Standards
The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable General Development
Standards as follows:
A. Site Planning and Design Standards [3.2]
1. Landscaping and Tree Protection [3.2.1]
• Full Tree Stocking [3.2.1(D)(1)(c)] — Full tree stocking is
required in all landscaped areas within 50 feet of any building
along high use or high visibility sides. Full tree stocking is
formal or informal groupings of trees planted at 30' to 40'
spacing intervals for canopy shade trees, or at 20' to 30'
spacing intervals for coniferous evergreens or ornamental
trees. The proposed landscape plan satisfies this standard.
• Street Trees [3.2. 1 (D)(2)] — Street trees are required at 30 to
40 foot spacing along adjacent streets. Not applicable; the
property does not front a public street.
• Minimum Species Diversity [3.2. 1 (D)(3)] — Based on the total
proposed number of new trees (56), the applicant would be
allowed to have up to 25% of any one species (14), but has
only proposed a maximum of 12 of one species, therefore
satisfies the minimum species diversity requirement.
Y
Nix Farm Natural Areas . acility, Project Development Plan, File 0-01
r June 6, 2001 Type 1 Hearing
Page 2
COMMENTS:
Background
The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows:
N: POL; Cache la Poudre River, Poudre River Trail.
S: I; Hoffman Mill Rd., Great Western railroad tracks (formerly
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe), Riverside Avenue,
E: POL; Kingfisher Point Natural Area
W: CCR; Asphalt Recycling Facility, Medical Offices
SW: NC; Intersection of Riverside Avenue and Lemay Avenue,
Riverside Shopping Center
The property was annexed in September of 1967 as part of the First Lemay
Annexation.
The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas program intends to create a new facility
that will blend into the rural character of the property. Two historic houses are
located on the site, as well as a barn and shed that were part of the original farm.
The program includes remodeling of the shed and barn as storage facilities, use
of the smaller house as a City of Fort Collins K-9 Training Facility, conversion of
the larger house as Natural Areas Program offices, construction of a
maintenance facility, greenhouse, and nursery for the Natural Areas maintenance
staff. Landscaping would feature plant species that both reflect an agrarian
theme and are predominantly native.
Site access will be from Hoffman Mill Rd. to the west along a private drive access
easement. A secondary point of access will be provided from Timberline Rd. that
will be limited to emergency use. This emergency access drive is within the
existing Hoffman Mill Rd. right-of-way between the two lakes located on the
Kingfisher Point Natural Area site.
Some neighboring property owners have raised issues about the proposed site
access from Lemay Avenue. Comments received at the neighborhood meeting
and through written correspondence (see Attachments B and C) indicate a
preference for the Nix Farm Facility to take primary access from Timberline Rd.,
through the existing gravel road. Concerns have been expressed that an access
to the west, onto Lemay Ave., will add to traffic congestion and safety issues at
the nearby intersections of Poudre River Dr/Lemay Ave. and Riverside/Lemay
Ave.
The Traffic Impact Study (TIS) concluded that the Level of Service at these
intersections would be at or below Level of Service (LOS) D, the City's critical
threshold for traffic impact, including the additional traffic generated from the Nix
Farm facility. This analysis was based on recent peak hour traffic counts and
forecasted traffic impacts of the GeneralCare Medical Clinic.
I
ITEM NO.
4h� MEETING DATE 6/6/01
ATM STAFF Cameron Gloss
Citv of Fort Collins HEARING OFFICER
STAFF REPORT
PROJECT: Nix Farm Natural Areas Facility- Project Development Plan and
Subdivision, File # 10-01
APPLICANT: Jim Sell Design, Inc.
153 W. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
OWNER: City of Fort Collins
Natural Resources Department
281 N. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Project Development Plan and Subdivision review for a public facility use containing
offices, maintenance facilities, greenhouse, and nursery, to serve the City of Fort Collins
Natural Areas program. The site is located northeast of Hoffman Mill Rd and south of
the Cache la Poudre River, adjacent to the Kingfisher Point Natural Area.. The property
is located in the Public Open Lands (P-O-L) zoning district and comprises 27.479 acres
in area. Over 60 percent of the site will remain as open space.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The proposed Project Development Plan is permitted in the P-O-L zone district subject
to a Type 1 review. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable district
standards of Division 4.10 of the Land Use Code Public Open Lands District. The Project
Development Plan complies with all applicable General Development Standards
contained in Article 3 of the Land Use Code. The Subdivision Plat conforms to the
provisions of the Land Use Code.
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750
PLANNING DEPARTMENT