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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLARIMER COUNTY COURTHOUSE - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 37-98A - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESLarimer County Courthrn IDAW, Inc. Project Development Plan bubmittal i16F'012.01 Submittal Requirement l.b., cont'd. August 11, 1998 vii. Narrative description ofhow, conflicts between land used or disturbances to wetlands or natural area are being avoided or mitigated No known land use conflicts or disturbances to natural areas exist on the project site. viii. Written narrative addressing each concern4ssue raised at the neighborhood meeting(s), if a meeting has been held (See attachment 6, dated: June 29, 1998.) ix. Name of the project as well as any previous name the project may have come through conceptual review with. Larimer County Courthouse Larinim County Courthou, EDAW, Inc. Project Development Plan Submittal 06F012.01 Submittal Requirement l.h., cont'd. August 11, 1998 I Description of the proposed open space, buffering, landscaping, circulation, transition areas, wetlands and natural areas on site and in the general vicinity of the project. The proposed park site occupies the center of Block 31 adjacent to the proposed Larimer County Courthouse which will occupy the northeast comer of the site. The site is bordered on the south by existing public and privately operated buildings. To the west, a portion of the existing parldng lot large enough to hold approx. 35 cars ,will be maintained. No wetlands or natural areas have been identified on the existing site. The proposed park will consist of a hardscape plaza adjacent to the southwest axis of the courthouse, which serves as a focal point for the circulation going through the site. The plaza is meant to act as a transition space between the open space and the more formal environment of the courthouse. This plaza will incorporate an interactive water feature, which will strengthen the parks relationship to the courthouse axis and then evolve into the natural forms expressed in the landscape. The function of this is to serve both as a metaphor symbolic of justice, its meaning to the community and to physically lead people through the space. The open spaces reconstructs a natural area in which park users can engage in a number of activities. It also serves as a detention basin to meet onsite stone water retention. Its bowl shape is directed toward the plaza and water feature so that the space is adaptable for outdoor performances. - Circulation through the site is emphasized by a major walkway which winds through the site's north -south axis. Secondary circulation paths enter the site from the east and west. All circulation paths pass through the central plaza which then tie into the downtown streetscape. This provides the opportunity to link the downtown area and the courthouse public and open space for various activities. Statement of proposed ownership and maintenance of public and private open space areas; applicant's intentions with regard to future ownership of all or portions of the planned unit development. The site is owned by Larimer County. The design and construction of the Courthouse and park will be funded by Larimer County. The park will be maintained by the City of Fort Collins. iv. Estimate of number of employees for business, commercial, and industrial uses. It is estimated that there will be a total of 250 employees for the entire facility. Description ofrationale behind the assumptions and choices made by the applicant. The project has been designed to help achieve the goals and objectives of the Fort Collins Civic Master Plan It has also been designed in cooperation with the City of Fort Collins Planning, Parks, Forestry and Maintenance Departments and the Latimer County Staff. vi. The applicant shall submit as evidence ofsuccessful completion of the applicable criteria, the completed documents pursuant to these regulations for each proposed use. The Planning Director may require, or the applicants may choose to submit, evidence that is beyond what is required in that section. Any variance from the criteria shall be described (See attached Submittal dated: August 11, 1998.) Larimer County Courthouse EDAW, Inc. Overall Development Plan Submittal #6F012.01 Submittal Requirement 3.d. Larimer County Courthouse Statement of Planning Objective The courthouse was designed as a five -story building in order to maximize future expansion, maintain area for the public park, anticipate further building uses and to best maximize efficiency in blocking and stacking of the court's program. Within these five stories, the stacking of the departments within the various floors has been determined based upon the volume of public access required. The departments with the least public access have been located on upper levels while those departments which have maximum public visitation have been located in the lower portions of the building. The first floor will house the District and County Court Clerks, Probation, Traffic Court and Law Library; the second floor will consist of the District Attorney, Jury Commission, Judicial District Administration and Municipal Court and Clerks; CASA will be located in the third floor and the Public Defender will be located on the fourth floor. County courts are located on the third floor while the District Courts are located on the fourth and fifth floors. The Courthouse layout utilizes three completely separate circulation routes for the principal participants in the courtroom. The maintenance of separate circulation routes is mandatory for operation of a safe courthouse. The main building entry faces the intersection of Mason Street and LaPorte Avenue, with a secondary access to the courts on the southwest side of the building fronting on the public park At these locations, there is access for the public and employees via security checkpoints consisting of courtrooms, departmental space and public counters at judges' staff areas, which serve as reception areas for the judges. The public circulation route has a distinct exiting system separate from the private circulation system. Statement of appropriate City Plan principles and Policies achieved by the proposed plan. The proposed Larimer County Courthouse conforms with the following Land Use Principles and Policies;-LU-1 Compact Urban Form, LU-2.1 City -Wide Structure, LU- 2.2 Urban Design, T-5 Pedestrian Connection and Activity Center, CAD-1.3 Streetscape Design, CAD-1.4 Street Tree Design, CAD-1.7 Street Art, CAD-2 Civic Buildings and Grounds, CAD-4 Crime Prevention and Security. The proposed Courthouse also adheres to the policies of the Downtown District and promotes policy DD-1.2 After -Hour Activities. The project also falls within the land uses of the Canyon Avenue Sub -District DD-1.9 Primary Government Center in the Downtown. The project will serve as a focal point and destination in the Canyon Avenue Subdistrict In conclusion, this project will serve as a focal point and destination in the Canyon Avenue Subdistrict and should further strengthen the character of the downtown district of Fort Collins.