HomeMy WebLinkAboutRIGDEN FARM/SPRING CREEK FARM - REZONE - 56-98 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFFCommu i Planning and Environmental F' ' Aces ` fecycledcave,
Natural Resources Department
MEMO
November 19, 1998
At the Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB) meeting last night, the board discussed a
proposal that is being made to the Planning & Zoning Board at their meeting tonight. This
proposal is a request to change the Structure Plan for a parcel of land know as Rigdon Farm,
located southwest of Drake Road and S. County Road 9, from its current designation as Urban
Estate to the higher density LMN designation. The board unanimously approved a motion to
send a memo to the P&Z Board stating opposition to the proposed change to the Structure
Plan for the Rigdon Farm area.
The NRAB objects to this proposal for two reasons. First, any increases to the approved
population density are likely to create additional impacts to the natural areas that are located
along the Poudre River to the east of Rigdon Farm. We recognize that these natural areas are not
in very close proximity, and that there are gravel mining facilities and a road that provide some
buffering from the new development. None, the less, these highly valuable sites along the river
were intended to be protected by the Structure Plan through placement of lower density Urban
Estate lots. Higher densities would create unacceptable disturbance from humans and their pet
cats and dogs. Changes to the Structure Plan should not be made that will weaken our ability to
protect natural areas.
Secondly, we object in principal to arbitrary changes being made to the Structure Plan. The
Structure Plan is the product of an immense amount of community work, and changes should
only be made that have been very carefully reviewed and that have sufficient cause. The
developer's proposal to redesignate this parcel is not critical to the functionality of the area, and
is simply motivated by self-interest. We cannot see any benefit to the community from this
proposal, and urge the P&Z to leave the Structure Plan unchanged to as great an extent as
possible.
Please feel free to contact the NRAB if you would like more information about our concerns
cc: Mayor and Council Members _(
John F. Fischbach, City Manager
281 N. College Ave. • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 • FAX (970) 224-t