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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRIGDEN FARM, 5TH FILING, TRACT I, SETTLERS GREEN - PDP - 56-98J - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUESTFebruary 13, 2001 Troy Jones Planner City of Fort Collins 281 North College Fort Collins, CO 80524 Dear Mr. Jones: We are requesting that the solar lot orientation for this project be reviewed under the alternative compliance guidelines. The proposed site layout provides for 46% of the lots meeting the standard definition of "Solar Oriented Lot". We believe however that the proposed layout with most of the other 54% of the lots having the side lot lines at approximately 23 degrees from true south better accomplishes the purposes of this section of the land use code. As an architect I have long been interested in both passive and active solar homes. Unfortunately I have had few opportunities to actually design these homes, primarily due to the aesthetic issues that come with solar design. Most home owners object to the look of most active and some passive solar designs. It is for this reason that I believe that the best chance of accommodating solar design is to orient the sides of the houses to the south. This way the solar aspect of the house design is not on the primary facade of the house. I believe that this will result in a less objectionable front facade and in more buyers willing to entertain the possibility of a solar system. Therefore it is our contention that this layout better accomplishes the purposes of this section which state: "It is the city's intent to encourage the use of both active and passive solar energy systems for heating air and water in homes and businesses, as long as natural topography, soil or other subsurface conditions or other natural conditions peculiar to the site are preserved" We further believe that this alternative design enhances neighborhood continuity and connectivity in the following ways: By allowing lots to curve around a central "pocket park" and green belt, pedestrian way, we intend to give this subdivision a focal point. This pocket park and green belt, pedestrian way will allow neighbors to circulate more readily throughout the project. It also establishes a central focus for the project, a place where neighbors can meet one another and interact. We believe that this layout is integral to accomplishing these goals. We therefore strongly believe that this layout would better provide continuity and connectivity than would a design that complied with the solar lot orientation requirement. Sincerely, Mikal S. Torgerson Architect, M. Torgerson Architects 211 Jefferson Fort Collins, CO 80524 970.416.7431 1.888.416.7431 Fax: 970.416.7435 Email: mikol@orchifex.com ft://wwworchifex.com