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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRAILHEAD ANNEXATION & ZONING - 43-02 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - APPLICANT COMMUNICATIONTrailhead development demonstrates the ability to help provide a solution to a community -wide need. • The land is better suited for residential. The is site situated high above the neighboring properties, providing a good view of the front range. In addition, there is significant open space and mature vegetation on the property, providing an ideal situation for residents. As with the neighbor to the east, Waterglen, on - site well water is available for lawn irrigation and management of open space. • Since the adoption of the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan in March of 1999, the northeast Fort Collins truck route is no longer believed to be a viable alternative along East Vine Drive. In order to be consistent and cohesive with the surrounding LMN land uses indicated on the current City of Fort Collins Structure Plan, an LMN zoning district is more appropriate in this location than employment. • The connectivity that the Minor Arterial street provide will encourage development to the north, which had been a long-term goal of the City. Without this residential development, this connection would not occur. We believe that it is in the best interest of the community to recognize the shift in dynamics in this portion of the Mountain Vista area and to acknowledge that the Trailhead project can help solve community -wide needs and goals such as connectivity and affordability. The visions and goals set forth in the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan are not compromised by this change from employment use to residential. In conclusion, we feel that the City of Fort Collins Structure Plan is in need of change and that the proposed plan amendment will promote the public welfare and will be consistent with the vision, goals, principles and policies of City Plan. Trailhead Annexation Page 3 10/15/02 Annexation Justification Incorporating this property into municipal boundaries results in the following benefits to the City: • The property is located within the Fort Collins Growth management Area (GMA) and is eligible for voluntary annexation according to Colorado Revised Statutes requiring at least 1/6 of the property be contiguous with existing City limits. Approximately 5,798.81 feet of 9,055.23 feet of the total property is contiguous to the existing City limits. This contiguity occurs through common boundaries to the east and south of the site. • The City of Fort Collins Master Street Plan identifies a proposed Minor Arterial street that will be constructed through the site, thus creating an important and desirable transportation link between Mountain Vista Drive and the East Mulberry Corridor. • Other utility and infrastructure improvements will be constructed to City standards, including improvements to East Vine Drive as required. • 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. Proposed Zoning and Structure Plan Amendment Justification The applicants and landowners are requesting an amendment to the City of Fort Collins Structure Plan, as outlined in Appendix C of City Plan. This site is designated as an Employment District on the City of Fort Collins Structure Plan and the Mountain Vista Subarea Framework Plan. The request is to modify both of the above plans to create a Low Density Mixed Use Neighborhood District — LMN. We believe an Employment District is not be the best use of this land for the following reasons: • The adjacent Waterglen residential project has been one of the fastest -growing affordable developments in the City this past summer, with the majority of the lots sold. Waterglen is attractive, reasonably priced, provides a variety of housing options and lifestyle choices which all contribute to the success of this development. The Priority Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies report identifies the necessity for additional affordable housing in Fort Collins and the Trailhead Annexation Page 2 10/15/02 October 15, 2002 Planning and Zoning Board Members Bob Barkeen City of Fort Collins Planning Department 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Trailhead Annexation, Zoning and Structure Plan Amendment Dear Bob, VF RIPLEY ASSOCIATES INC. Landscape Architecture Urban Design Planning 401 West Mountain Avenue Suite 201 Fort Collins. CO 80521-2604 PHONE (970) 224-5828 FAX (970) 224-1662 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 Trailhead Annexation. The property consists of 88.79 acres and is located on East Vine Drive, 1/4-mile west of Interstate 25. East Vine Drive borders the site to the south, the Waterglen development to the east and farmland to the north and west. The northern boundary of the project runs in a northeasterly direction, paralleling the Burlington Northern Railroad spur and the Latimer and Weld Canal. Surrounding zoning is LMN to the east, T to the south, and Latimer County FA1 to the west and north. The property is currently zoned FA1 Farming in Latimer County. The property is presently being used for agriculture and the Fort Collins police Department for training. The proposed zoning is Low -Density Mixed - Use Neighborhood District (LMN). The property is contained within the Mountain Vista Subarea Plan and is currently designated as an Employment District (E) on the Mountain Vista Subarea Framework Plan and the City of Fort Collins 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 Trailhead development will include a variety of housing choices for the community, with approximately 379 dwelling units proposed. These include small lot single- family detached, attached duplex houses and multi -family units containing three to six dwellings in a building. In addition, the developers plan to create an opportunity for affordable housing by integrating lower - income residences into the surrounding neighborhood. A centrally -located neighborhood center is situated within walking distance of all dwellings. It includes a small park with grassy areas and walking paths, a community building, and a daycare facility. Generous amounts of open space and trails are incorporated along irrigation ditches and throughout the site so residents can easily walk or bike to the neighborhood center as well as the proposed City-wide trail system. Trailhead Annexation Page 1 10/15/02