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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSU ENV. LEARN. CENT. - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 55-98 - CORRESPONDENCE - CORRESPONDENCE-CONCEPTUAL REVIEWe) Depending on the numbers the transportation impact study shows, you may be required to provide right turn and left turn lanes and associated improvements to the Frontage Road and Prospect. f) You will be required to complete improvements to Prospect along the property frontage. This will include ROW dedication to the current standards. Part of Prospect does fall within the State ROW, and those improvements will be per State Code. Please contact Tim Blandford at 221-6750 if you have questions about these comments. 6. Gaylene Rossiter with Transfort stated that there transit service about 1 mile to the west along East Prospect Road and the intersection with Midpoint Drive (Route 10). There are no plans at this time to extend transit further to the east. 7. The Environmental Planner with the Current Planning Department offered the following comments: a) We recommend you use design techniques that will maximize compatibility with the natural environment. This includes avoiding the use of riprap (or at the minimum buried riprap), and revegetating disturbed areas as a result of development with native grasses. b) The proximity of the parking lot to the creek does not comply with the minimum distance requirements of the Land Use Code. The parking lot should be located further to the west if possible. c) We recommend that the ditch/drainageway passing through the parking lot is an open channel. Please contact Rob Wilkinson at 221-6750 if you have questions regarding these comments. 8. The Current Planning Department offered the following comments: a) At an earlier meeting to discuss the proposed project with City staff, the recommendation was made that the issue be brought before various City Boards and Commissions on a "for your information" basis. I've scheduled dates for the Planning and Zoning Board (worksession), Parks and Recreation Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board, and Council Growth Management Committee. The dates are as follows: Planning and Zoning Board —August 28, 1998 Parks and Recreation Board —September 23, 1998 Natural Resources Advisory Board —September 16, 1998 Council Growth Management Committee —September 14, 1998 Please contact Roger Buffington at 221-6854 if you have questions about these comments. 3. The Stormwater Utility offered the following comments: a) This site is located within the Boxelder/Copper Slough basin and is located on inventory grid #15K. b) There are no fees required in this basin. c) The site needs to have some water quality measures prior to the release of drainage water. d) There needs to be some coordination between the site developer and Natural Resources for the use of riprap and its visual impacts on the creek. e) Any grading outside of the limits of the site shown would require a grading easement. f) The standard drainage and erosion control reports and plans are required and they must be prepared by a professional engineer registered in Colorado. Please contact Glen Schlueter at 221-6589 if you have questions about these comments. 4. Light and Power offered the following comments: a) There existing electric system is located south of Prospect Road and the Frontage Road. b) There will be development charges, and we will need to review a site plan and a plat to determine these charges. c) A commercial C1 form will be required. d) We will need to discuss transformer locations. Please contact Alan Rutz at 221-6700 if you have questions about these comments. 5. The Engineering Department offered the following comments: a) The Street Oversizing Fee is $552.19/acre, assuming that this is categorized as a recreational use. Please contact Matt Baker for more specific information regarding the fee. b) Please submit a transportation impact study with the utility plans for review. c) The Frontage Road is considered to be a state highway and therefore, you will be required to improve it to Prospect per the State Code requirements. d) You will need to apply for a State Highway Access Permit through CDOT. CONCEPTUAL REVIEW STAFF COMMENTS City of Fort Collins MEETING DATE: July 20, 1998 ITEM: Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center APPLICANT: Tom Kehler Colorado State University Facilities Management Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-6030 LAND USE DATA: This is a request for the proposed Visitor's Center at the Environmental Leaming Center. It is a joint venture among Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collin, and Colorado State Parks. The building is located on property owned by CSU, and the proposed parking is to be located on the Resource Recovery Farm site, and will be shared parking with the future "Rock Park." COMMENTS: 1. The Zoning Department offered the following comments: a) For parking lots with up to 100 spaces, we require 6% of the interior to be parking lot interior landscaping. b) Please locate bicycle racks near the main entrance of the building. c) You will need to provide four (4) handicapped spaces. It may function better if the two (2) handicapped spaces on the south of the parking lot are moved to the north half, closer to the building entrance. Please contact Jenny Nuckols at 221-6760 if you have questions on these comments. 2. The Water/Wastewater Utility offered the following comments: a) This site is served by ELCO and Boxelder Sanitation. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. PO. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 CURRENT PLANNING DEPARTMENT Commi ty Planning and Environmental rvices Current Planning City of Fort Collins August 11, 1998 Appendix A Tom Kehler Colorado State University Facilities Management Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-6030 RE: Conceptual Review Comments Dear Tom: For your information, attached is a copy of the Staff's comments concerning the proposed Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center that was proposed to the conceptual review team on July 20, 1998. In addition, a copy of a memo forwarded to Frank Bruno prior to conceptual review is attached and outlines in greater detail staff's concerns. The comments are offered informally by Staff to assist you in preparing the detailed components of the project application. Modifications and additions to these comments may be made at the time of formal review of this project. If you should have any questions regarding these comments or the next steps in the review process, please feel free to call me at 221-6750. Sincerely, gHarter, AICP City Planner xc: Eric Bracke Stormwater Utility/Glen Schlueter Frank Bruno Sheri Wamhoff Project Planner File 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020 Final Plan Submittal Requirements The following documents are enclosed under separate cover: 30-copies Diagram 1 30-copies Diagram 2 2-copies Ordinance 98-43 Authorizing City Manager to Enter IGA 2-copies IGA 2-copies Resolution 98-44 (Annexation Finding of Fact) 2-copies Ordinance 44, 1998 (Annexation) 2-copies Ordinance 45, 1998 (Amending City Zoning Map) 2-copies Non -Exclusive Easement Agreement (not signed) 6-copies Traffic Report 2-copies Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 2-copies Geotechnical Engineering Report Drawing Copies 3 0-A0.01 6-A3.01 12-P2.01 42-C 1 6-A3.02 12-E0.01 46-C2 6-A4.01 12-E2.01 12-C3 12-M 1.0 42-C4 12-P0.01 Bob, please let me know when University representatives may need to meet with City staff again. If you have questions concerning this submittal, please contact me at 491-0007. Thank you. Sincerely, Thomas W. Kehler, Landscape Architect/Planner enc: Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Appendix A -City Conceptual Review Comments cc: Ron Baker Frank Bruno Nancy Hurt Mike Lyons 7. ELC site with its curvilinear drive with pick-up and drop-off near the building will be able to accommodate the service. Environmental Planner 7.a. It appears that riprap can be deleted and replaced with native grasses for revegetating disturbed areas as a result of development. 7.b. The design of the parking lot can be redesigned and moved westerly in order to comply with the minimum distance of 100 feet from the top of the Boxelder Creek embankment assuming the City will accept the use of additional land to the west for parking purposes and include this additional area in the easement. Both the initial gravel parking lot and the final build -out for the parking lot will be constructed to comply with this minimum requirement of 100 feet (see Diagrams 1 and 2). 7.c. There is no ditch/drainway passing through the parking lot. We suspect the plans have not been interpreted correctly. The only feature passing through the parking lot is the City's existing concrete irrigation ditch which will be removed by construction of the parking lot. Current Planning Department 8.a. Since the City is an integral partner in this project, we are requesting that City staff, without a representative from the University, attend the various city boards and commissions to provide information about the project. If unusual circumstances develop where a University representative would be needed, we would then be happy to send a representative upon request. 8.b. Project plans and other submittal requirements are enclosed. 8.c. The University is requesting that the City handle the building permit review for approval of the parking lot and purchase the permit since the lot will be built on City property. The University will provide plans and other documents for this review. In addition, permit fees and construction costs associated with expanding the parking lot to accommodate future needs of the "Rock Park" should be assumed by the City as their responsibility. Q Prospect Road and 30 MPH north of Prospect Road. Frontage Road is also two lanes wide south and north of Prospect Road (2-12 ft. lanes for a total pavement width of approximately 24 ft.). Our interpretation of the State Highway Access Code, p. 46, is that no auxiliary lanes will need to be constructed along the Frontage Road for the access drive to the Environmental Learning Center. Not only is the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour (MPH) south of Prospect Road less than the minimum 40 MPH in the code, but in addition, the projected peak hour right ingress turning volumes of 28 in the a.m. and 45 in the p.m. are less than the standard minimum 50 vehicles per hour (VPH). According to Ms. Tesse Jones, the CDOT will require construction of the turn lanes south of Prospect Road as proposed in Option B by Mr. Delich in his Traffic Study. These improvements include construction of two (2) approach lanes for northbound Frontage Road south of Prospect Road: Add another lane on the east side of the road for the through traffic and right turn lane movements. Total width of road to be approximately 36 feet. 2. Use the existing pavement east of the existing road centerline for the left turn movement onto westbound Prospect Road. In addition, the CDOT will probably require some widening of Frontage Road north of Prospect Road in order to properly align the traffic lanes here with the new alignment south of Prospect Road. 5.d. We have confirmed that the access permit will be issued by CDOT. 5.e. Please see our responses 5.b. paragraph 2 and 5.c. 5.f. The project does not include the construction of improvements for the widening of Prospect Road (please see response 5.a.). Regarding dedication of University land for additional Prospect Road right-of- way, the University is willing to dedicate the additional land. With such dedication, it is the University's understanding that we will be reimbursed for the land at its appraised value. Transfort 6. If and when Transfort extends transit service further east along Prospect Road where the Environmental Learning Center will be included in its service area, the 5. expressly extend to the application of the City of Fort Collin's Sales and Use Tax Ordinance on the property annexed pursuant to this ordinance provided, however, that all sales to the State of Colorado, its departments or institutions and the subdivisions thereof, in particular the State Board of Agriculture, in their governmental capacities only, and all sales, the taxation of which is prohibited by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Colorado, shall be exempt from the payment of such sales and use tax. 5.b. Enclosed is a copy of the Traffic Study prepared by Mr. Matt Delich dated March 5, 1997. This study evaluated the access options related to the creation of the Environmental Learning Center for housing three agencies: Colorado State University Environmental Learning Center, City of Fort Collins Visitor Center, and Colorado State Parks. This study was done prior to any discussions about locating a "Rock Park" adjacent and south of the Environmental Learning Center. Therefore, there is no traffic or parking data for the "Rock Park". Since the "Rock Park" is a project that will be located on City property and coordinated by the City, we feel it would be appropriate for the City to provide the traffic analysis information and handle the planning for this phase of the project. The report by Mr. Delich proposed two options for accessing the property. Option A proposed access from Prospect Road and Option B proposed access from Frontage Road. The University, after further input from Mr. Delich and our review of the project with Mr. Eric Bracke on March 14, 1997, selected Option B with access from Frontage Road. It was Mr. Bracke's conclusion that either option was acceptable with the City. The selection by the University was based on operational efficiency and cost. Also, during a later review with Mr. Matt Baker on March 24, 1997, Mr Baker said that CSU access from Frontage Road would be their preference. 5.c. Frontage Road, which is a State highway, is generally regulated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). An exception is Frontage Road, south of Prospect Road, which is located within an easement granted by the City. This easement, which is basically 80 feet wide, is regulated by the City. Our assumption is that development in this area will need to be designed and constructed in accordance with the State Highway Access Code effective August 31, 1998 and with approval from the City. Development of Frontage Road north of Prospect Road, which is located on CDOT right-of-way, will need a permit from the highway department and also constructed in accordance with the State Highway Access Code. It is our understanding that City approval is not required for this latter permit. According to the State Highway Access Code, Frontage Road falls under Category F-R (Frontage Road). Frontage Road speed limits are 35 MPH south of 4. saddle and inspection of the University's trenching and piping for $400 (1997 estimate). The estimated cost for construction of the sewer by the University's contractor is approximately $10,000. Stormwater Utility 3.a. & 3.b. No response requested. 3.c. According to the revised site plan (see Diagram 2), a new water quality basin will be provided southeast of the parking lot to filter -out oils and other debris from the parking lot runoff. Details of the design will be provided by The Sear -Brown Group. 3.d. It appears that most if not all of the proposed riprap for bank stabilization can be replaced with vegetation such as native grasses. Selection of specific plant species will be determined after further review and input from Mr. Wilkinson. 3.e. All grading will take place either within the site limits of the property, or within the boundary of the easement from the City for construction of the parking lot, or within the State's Frontage Road easement. 31The grading, drainage and erosion control plans and reports have been done by the Sear -Brown Group (see sheet C2). A revised C1 Plan, showing the parking lot in its more westerly location, will be submitted later. Light and Power 4.a. No response requested. 4.b. Light and Power has reviewed the plans. The estimated development fee by Light and Power is $13,420 with an estimated installation cost of $13,231 (1997 prices). 4.c. The commercial C 1 form will be provided by the electrician prior to construction. The electrical diagram and electrical panel layout are shown on drawing E0.01. 4.d. The transformer location will be verified with Light & Power. The location is approximately 30 feet north of the building as shown on drawing sheet C-1. Engineering Department 5.a. The University, as a public State institution, is exempt from paying City street oversizing costs.. Furthermore, in the annexation of the property by the City, Ordinance No. 44 (Annexation Agreement) states in Section 5. "Not withstanding the provisions of Section 4 of the Ordinance, the jurisdiction of the City shall 3. RESPONSE TO CONCEPTUAL REVIEW COMMENTS Zoning Department La. Due to budget constraints, the parking lot for the facility will be constructed initially of gravel with a capacity of 62 spaces (see Diagram 1). The types of parking include 3-handicapper spaces, 51-standard vehicle spaces, and 8 spaces for recreational vehicles and temporary bus parking. The capacity of the lot is based on the projected need for the three occupants (Colorado State University, City of Fort Collins Visitor Center and Colorado State Parks) in accordance with the Program Plan dated August 1996. Construction of curb and gutter and asphalt paving of the lot will be accomplished in the future when funding becomes available. We believe the parking for a future "Rock Park" by the Geological Society of America should be planned and built by the City once this portion of the project is finalized. If built, we anticipate this additional parking for the "Rock Park" will be constructed as an addition to the existing parking lot with a build -out similar to the configuration shown in Diagram 2. Of the proposed interim interior gravel parking lot area (34,000 sf), there will be approximately 12.5 % or 4,270 sf of interior landscape area. Of the proposed ultimate interior parking lot area (67,100 sf), there will be approximately 18.8% or 12,636 sf of interior landscape area. 1.b. The location for bike rakes is shown on Diagram 1. I.c. According to the City's Land Use Code, p. 34, a parking lot with 62 spaces requires 3-handicapper accessible spaces. The revised site plan will therefore provide 3-H.C. parking spaces on the north side of the lot near the walkway leading to the building. Water/Wastewater Utility 2.a. We are aware that the site is served by ELCO and Boxelder Sanitation. Both agencies have been contacted for coordination of their work. ELCO will furnish and install a 5/8 inch water meter for an estimated cost of $6,200 and install the fire line for serving the sprinkler suppression system in the building for $750 (both estimates based on 1997 prices). Also, Mr. Kevin Wilson, Fire Marshall, has been contacted about the fire hydrant. Estimated cost for installation of the hydrant, based on 1997 prices, is $8,000. Sanitary Sewer: Boxelder Sanitation will furnish and install the sewer main cut 0 October 7, 1998 City of Fort Collins Current Planning Attention: Mr. Robert Blanchard, Director 281 North College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 80522-0580 Re: CSU Environmental Learning Center Dear Mr. Blanchard: Facilities Management Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-6030 Below is our response to the Conceptual Review Comments from City staff dated July 20, 1998 (see attached Appendix A for copy of review staff comments). With regard to the submittal requirements, several things need mentioning: a. The landscape plan for the project has not been executed to date. This plan will be submitted at a future time. b. No specific subsurface hydrologic study was done for the project (see enclosed Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Geotechnical Engineering Report). C. Civil drawings C1, C2, and C3 (site plans) show the parking lot as designed currently. Enclosed are Diagrams 1 and 2 that depict the interim gravel parking lot and the final build -out for the parking lot in its revised location further west in order to provide the minimum 100 foot natural area buffer between the Boxelder Creek (top of bank) and the parking lot. When there is consensus on this latter location, the University will have the civil drawings revised accordingly. d. An easement agreement for construction of the parking lot on City property is in process, but needs to be revised to incorporate the additional area to the east for construction of the access road and to include the additional land to the west for the revised location of the parking lot. e. The executed deed for dedication of University land for additional right-of-way for Prospect Road will be executed at a later date. f. Since the University is exempt from normal project review by the City, drawings are not stamped with a notarized signature block of Owner's certification of acceptance. g. Enclosed, with other conceptual review documents, are two copies each of City Ordinance No. 44 Annexing the ELC property to the City and the signed IGA between the City and the University. 1. thi(Green Division of Administrative Services Llg its P A R i\ R R T For these meetings, I think it would be appropriate to have you attend to give a summary of the project and the time frame. If possible, it would be beneficial to have reduced copies of the plans that could be sent to the board members in their packets. b) We've discussed that the project will go through a hybrid development review process to facilitate the review and comments from various City staff and outside reviewing agencies. Attached is a set of submittal requirements, and not all of these will be necessary to be submitted, but it will give you a general idea of the level of detail we would like to review. When you have all the plans ready (and the transportation impact study), please call Ginger Dodge at 221-6750 to schedule a time to bring in the submittal. The review process should take around four (4) weeks, and at the end of that time, comments will again be forwarded to you. c) The parking lot portion of the proposal will be required to receive approval as a building permit review. This review will be done as part of the hybrid review process for the entire site so as to not delay the process. The building permit review is required as the parking lot is not located on the same lot as the Visitor's Center. Please contact Leanne Harter at 221-6750 if you have questions about these comments.