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Home My WebLink AboutCIVIC CENTER OFFICE BUILDING - PDP - 29-99 - CORRESPONDENCE -Commu y Planning and Environmental Current Planning City of Fort Collins STAFF REVIEW COMMENTS Roger Sherman BHA Design 4803 Innovation Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 RE: Staff review comments for the Civic Center Office Building -vices October 18, 1999 COMMENTS: 1. Water and Sewer Utility Department: a. Please see the redlined plans and the attached comments from the Water and Wastewater department. 2. Stormwater Utility Department: a. Please see the redlined plans and the attached comments from Stormwater department. 3. Transportation Planning: a. Please see the redlined plans and the attached comments from Transportation Planning department. 4. Engineering Department: a. Please see the redlined plans and the attached comments from the Engineering department. Zoning, Natural Resources, TCI, Building Inspection, Traffic Operations, Light & Power, Streets, Water Conservation, Poudre Fire Authority, Park Planning, Transfort: a. Please see the attached comment sheets from these departments. 6. Current Planning: a. Section 2.2.11 of the Land Use Code requires that an applicant submit revisions based on this letter within 90 days or.the project application becomes null and void. Your response to the City's concerns is due by January 14, 1999. A 30 day extension to this deadline is available. All requests for an extension should be directed to the Current Planning Director. If remaining issues are those that do not require plan revisions, a status report verifying continuing efforts toward resolving the issues is required within the same timeline. b. Section 3.2.1(D)(2)(a) of the LUC requires 30 to 40 foot spacing of canopy street trees along streets. There is a one tree gap in this spacing along Maple Street, and a two tree gap in this spacing along Mason Street. If you would like permission to deviate from this standard, you must request either alternative compliance as specified in 3.2.1(N) of the LUC, or you must request a modification as specified in 2.8.2(H) of the LUC. c. Section 3.2.1(D)(1)(c) requires "full tree stocking" along high use or high visibility sides of any building or structure. There are two areas on your proposed plan where you are Jnot satisfying this requirement: 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020 i I/ j. Section 3.2.4(D)(7) of the LUC specifies that on -site lighting shall not exceed 10 foot- candles in any spot on the site (except for loading docks). There are several locations along the sidewalk on the west side of the building that exceed 10 foot-candles. k. Section 3.5.1(J) (2)&(3) require that utility meters, HVAC equipment, vaults, irrigation boxes, transformers, and other utility service functions (such as conduits, and vents) shall be located and screened so that the visual and acoustic impacts of these functions are fully contained and out of view of the adjacent public streets. Please provide a sketch of the northeast corner of the building complete with all of the utility elements and the proposed screening so it can be determined whether or not these requirements are being met. There is currently not enough information provided to make this determination. 1. Please explain what a "translucent awning" is, and label more clearly where they are located. m. Section 4.12(E)(2)(e) and Section 3.5.3(D)(1) of the LUC specify that spandrel glass strip windows are not appropriate as the predominant type of window for buildings in the Downtown Zoning District. Building Design shall contribute to the uniqueness of the zone district. Window design shall be tailored specifically to the site and its context. Section 3.5.1(F)(1) of the LUC specifies that building materials shall be similar or at least compatible with materials already being used in the Civic Center Neighborhood. Please revise the elevations. to use a different type of window than spandrel windows. Be sure and return all your redlined plans when you resubmit. If you have any questions about these or any other issues related to this project please feel free to call be at 221-6750. ours truly, T oy W Jones City anner • The area within 50 feet of the north side of the building is currently under stocked with the required trees. Perhaps landscape islands could be integrated into the layout of the parking lot to allow for the required trees. • The master plan for the entire block that you previously provided indicated that the west fagade of the building will be a high visibility fagade. "Full tree stocking" is required along all high visibility facades. The plan indicates there is a 10 foot wide planting area between the building and the Howes Outfall underground ditch. You either have to locate ornamental trees in this 10 foot wide landscape strip, or request either alternative compliance or a modification to this standard. ` d. Section 3.2.1(D)(3) of the LUC requires that for the number of trees that you are proposing, no more than 25% of the trees may be of one species. You are proposing 44 / trees, so you cannot have more than 11 of any one type. You are proposing 14 Skyline d Honeylocust trees, which exceeds the maximum percentage allowed. Once you have integrated all of the additional trees specified in this comment letter, refer to the chart in Section 3.2.1(D)(3) of the LUC to determine the percentage that applies. e. Section 3.2.1(E)(4) of the LUC requires that trees be planted every 25' between parking NC and the street, and every 40' between parking lots and interior lot lines. The north of the block along Mason is not satisfying this requirement. The area where the parking of lot abuts the west lot line must have trees spaced at least every 40'. f. Section (E)(5)(c) of the LUC requires that all landscaped islands must have a canopy shade tree and must be at least 8 feet in their smallest dimension. The center island'on AL the western edge of the parking lot needs to be widened to at least 8 feet in the smallest \ dimension. All islands (including landscape peninsulas) along the western edge of the parking lot must have a canopy shade tree. Section 3.2.1(K) of the LUC requires that street lights can be located no closer than 40 g. feet to a street light, and no closer than 15 feet to an ornamental tree. The northern most street light on Mason Street is closer than 40 feet to a canopy tree. Check with L&P and v the City Forester if the ornamental pedestrian lights need a specific separation from canopy trees. h. Section 3.2.2(C)(1)(a) and Section 4.12(E)(5)(a) of the LUC require a mid block crossing on Mason Street between Laporte and Maple. Section 3.2.2(C)(1)(a) requires that the �,r . pedestrians crossing to the transit center must be accommodated by using techniques such C%5c as special paving, grade separations, pavement markings, signs or striping, median refuge areas, traffic calming features or other means to delineate this crossing. Section -S�i� 4.12(E)(5)(a) requires that the east -west spine and the north -south spine be included in out your design in accordance with the Civic Center Master Plan. The north -south mid -block pedestrian spine must also be shown on the site plan. Staff does not have the authority to waive these requirements. The Planning and Zoning Board is the decision making body for this issue. If you would like permission to deviate from this standard, you must a modification as specified in 2.8.2(H) of the LUC. i. Section 3.2.4(C) of the LUC specifies minimum lighting levels for certain situations. Walkways along roadsides must be lit to a minimum of 0.9 foot-candles, and parking areas must be lit to a minimum of 1.0 foot-candles. Please see the redlined plans from the Current Planning department for specific areas where these requirements are not being satisfied. The southeast comer and the northeast comer of your site are not satisfying the minimum walkway lighting requirement. The parking lot entrance from Mason, and the row of spaces just south of the parking lot entrance do not satisfy the minimum parking lot lighting requirements. A few spots in the parking lot adjacent to the alley are not satisfying the minimum parking lot lighting requirements. N