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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVISITOR'S CENTER AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER - ANNEXATION & ZONING - 3-98 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSPRINCIPLES AND POLICIES FOR THE VISITORS CENTER AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER ANNEXATION Principle NOL-1 Preserve and protect natural areas within Fort Collins and the Community Growth Management Area to provide habitat essential to the conservation of plants, animals, and their associated ecosystems and to enrich the lives of citizens by providing opportunities for education, scientific research, nature, interpretation, art, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, and other activities. Principle NOL-1.1 Natural Areas System. The City will establish a system of publicly -owned natural areas to protect the integrity of wildlife habitat and conservation sites, protect corridors between natural areas, preserve outstanding examples of Fort Collins' diverse natural heritage, and provide a broad range of opportunities for educational, interpretive, and recreational programs to meet community needs. Principle NOL=1.4 Public Programs. The City will seek to develop effective partnerships between the City, other governmental organizations, and the private sector for the protection and preservation of natural areas. It will also seek the cooperation and assistance of citizens, businesses, community groups, conservation organizations, and governmental agencies in the development and implementation of programs to protect and preserve local natural areas. Principle GM-2 The City will consider the annexation of new territory into the City limits when the annexation of such property conforms to the vision, goals, and policies of City Plan. Principle GM-2.1 Annexation Policies. The City Council will weigh the following factors when considering the annexation of new land into the incorporated limits: Statutory requirements. The property must meet all statutory requirements for annexation according to the laws of the State of Colorado. Property to be annexed located within the Community Growth Management Area. The property must be currently located within the Community Growth Management Area boundary, or the boundary must be amended by actions of the City (and County, if necessary) before the City approves the proposed annexation. PMdre River Environmental Learning District Access to the Boxelder Sanitation District facility and the Archery Range will connect to this primaryroad system. A secondary road system will be necessaryto provide an alternate route for emergency services. This road follows the western edge of the upper bench, crosses Boxelder Creek and meets Prospect approximately halfway between the frontage road and SummitYewDrive. Use ofthe southern portion ofthis road- way should be discouraged as it creates somewhat of a barrier between the development on the upper bench and the open space associated with the river. This portion of the road may be more appropriately designed as a fire lane or service drive. The northern loop of the secondary roadway provides necessary access to the Environmental Education Development site that has been identified as a possible location for ahorticulture center, as well as the Visitor Center/ELC Headquarters. The sizes of the roadways have not been determined. 17 1 Poudre River Environmental Learning District Development should also maintain views and wildlife habitat areas. Only those organizations that can demonstrate compat- Ilk with the vision for the Poudre River Environmental Leam- ing District should be allowed to develop within the area De- sign guidelines for architecture, landscaping and signage should be developed to ensure harmony throughout the district devel- oped areas, including the Environmental Education, Regional Commercial, Research and-Development/Office areas, Site ServiceNaintenance and Historic Sites. Environmental Education Development The areas designated "Environmental Education Development" are lands that are anticipated to be developed by a public, quasi -public or non-profit organization for the purposes of education and/or research They may be modified landscapes, such as a horticultural center or xeriscape demonstration garden, or more highly developed, like a science museum, geological rock park, aquarium or 1MAX theater. It is anticipated that these uses may require a large number of parking spaces. They should be developed sensitively in the manner suggested above. Regional Commercial The Regional Commercial area includes uses such as service stations, retail shops, hotels and highway conveniences, and is intended to serve travelers along I-25 as well as people who live in the region. Warehousing is not allowed. The area between the frontage road and the I-25 interchange is easily accessible by vehicles and should serve as an example of how to sensitively develop commercial property with respect to the issues de- scnbed above. Only those businesses that demonstrate compat- ibility with the vision for the district should be allowed to de- velop within the Regional Commercial area Research and Developmend0ffice The Research and Development/Office area includes Cues such as professional offices, high technology companies and clean industry. These uses will not generate as much traffic as the Regional Commercial area and are more appropriate for a more is Poudre River Environmental Learning District Open Lands Amajority of the district is designated as open lands, including the outdoor education core, open space and park or landscape buffers. These green areas are differentiated based on their intensity of development, public use, trails and management Outdoor Education Core The areas designated as "Outdoor Education Core" are the heart of the outdoor environmental education experience and should be designed and developed to accommodate large groups and provide on -site interpretive materials. The Outdoor Education Core provides the link between the proposed ELC headquarters/Visitor Center on Prospect Road with the educa- tional trail and facilities on the other side of the river at the existing main entrance. In the center of the core an interpretive amphitheater is proposed. Of all the open lands in the district, the Outdoor Education Core is the most developed, and is anticipated to have the highest level of public use. The extension of the City's multi- purpose trail along Prospect Road can be accommodated along the norther edge ofthe Outdoor Education Core. Lighting of selected destinations may be appropriate within the Outdoor Education Core, however, the fixtures should be designed to minimize glare and light spillage beyond the area intended to be lighted. Open Space The areas designated "Open Space" are lands that are to remain in a primarily natural condition or in agricultural use. Priority in these areas is placed on conserving and studying the natural resources and performing research over providing access to the Public. Therefore, trails should be carefully sited along the river and only foot traffic (no bicycles) should be permitted in the areas immediately adjacent to the river The construction of a rail fence and an entrance stile may be necessary to ensure that bicycles do not enter this area The City multi -purpose trail is shown passing through less sensitive open space areas along Boxelder Creek and near the southern edge of the open space 13 Poudre River Environmental Learning District intended to provide locations for a variety of workplaces, including light industrial uses, research and development activi- ties, offices and institutions, as well as supportive secondary uses such as hotels, restaurants, convenience shopping child care and housing. The Public Open Lands District is for large publicly owned parks and open lands which have a community - wide emphasis. The Land Use Code also shows land along Prospect Road zoned as Transition District where the only permitted uses are those existing at the date of the plan adop- tion. Most of the Poudre RiverEnvironmental Learning District that is within city limits is zoned as River Conservation District, where the City requires preservation ofidentified natural areas and a 300 foot setback for development adjacent to the river. In this zone buildings can be a maximum of two stories and a 50 foot landscape setback from streets is required. Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA), Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FEW, (1996) The Site Inventory map shows the area in the 100-year flood - plain according to recent FEMA maps (March 1996). All development in the floodplain must occur on pads that elevate the development 18" above the flood elevation, and no develop- ment (fill within the floodplain) is allowed that would cause more than a 6" rise in the flood elevation by constricting the floodplain. Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Policy Plan (1997) The Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Policy Plan was recently adopted by City Council. Final versions have not yet been printed. This document indicates that an open space corridor along the Poudre River is desirable and that the multi -purpose paved 02H should continue from the ELC to the south, generally along the Poudre River corridor. Additional provisions for natural surface trails parallel to the paved trail should be consid- ered to provide alternative recreational experiences for commu- nity residents as well as lessening conflicts that are currently occurring on the trail system between walkers, in -line skaters and bicyclists. The Strauss Cabin Park Preserve, discussed earlier in this document, is also described in more detail in the Plan. 11 Poudre River Environmental Learning District Existing Policy The following plans and policies have been considered in the Direction preparation ofthe Conceptual Land Use Plan: • Natural Areas Policy Plan (1992) • Prospect Road Streetscape Plan —An element of the Fort Collins Comprehensive Plan (1993) . • Fort Collins CrMLAN (1997) • Flood hWurance Rate Maps, prepared by the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (City ofFort Collins Stormwater Utility) • City ofFort Collins parks and Recreation Policy Plan (1997) The City of Fort Collins Long Range Planning Office staffhave indicated that the above documents are the only plans and policies that are relevant in the study area. Other planning efforts Cr, e., stormwater improvements for the Poudre River Dramageway) are still in progress. This conceptual land use plan precedes those efforts. Natural Areas Policy Plan (1992) The Natural Areas Policy Plan was developed to inventory significant natural areas in the Urban Growth Area and recom- mend alternative strategies and actions to conserve and enhance these areas. This plan recognizes the value of the great blue heron rookery south of the ELC and states, "Protection of this site is imperative because herons do not readily use a new nest site once the nest trees are destroyed."p.4-20. The planalso recommends enhancements to gravel ponds, control of exotic species, enhancements to riparian area and an interpretive themes of man's use of water, changes in natural habitats, or successional patterns after mining. The plan also contains goals, objectives and policies regarding such things as management, recreation and public information Prospect Road Stmetscape Program (1993) The Prospect Road Streetscape Program is a management plan awned at upgrading the visual quality ofthis major entryway into the City. The Prospect Corridor and the interchange area 9 Poudre River Envimumental Learning District Union PacificRailmod The UP. Railroad owns and operates a rail line that traverses the southern one-half of the district from northwest to southeast This line is used for transporting freight and is used twice a day at most The line presents a major circulation and visual barrier between the river and properties to the south Its presence combined with the lack of trails and facilities contribute signifi- cantly to the low level of public use on the south side of the river between County Road 9 and Interstate 25. Western Mobile has constructed a conveyor system over the track in the vicinity of the historic Sherwood Overland Trail Stage Stop site to trans- port mined materials to their south site, nearer their headquarters and crushing operations. Adjacent Land Uses Little ofthe land surrounding the district has been developed. The majority is still used for agricultural purposes or has been preserved as Natural Areas by the City ofFort Collins. The CityNatural Areas that are adjacent to the district include: Prospect Ponds (25 acres), W.R.E.N. Pit (48 acres), Arapahoe Bend (278 acres), and Riverbend Ponds (219 acres). The Archery Range, which is within the district, is also classified as a Natural Area and was mentioned earlier. Areas that have been developed adjacent to the Poudre River Environmental Learning District include the City of Fort Collins Wastewater Treatment Facility to the west and low -density residential properties along Summit Yew Drive to the north Future commercial develop- ment, including retail businesses and hotels, is planned near the Prospect Road/1-25 interchange. Natural Features Most of the district is located within the Poudre River valley (approximate elevation 4,900 feet at this site), defined by the river walls (steeper slopes) on either side. The eastern wall of the river has a 10-foot drop from the bench adjacent to I-25 to the floodplain and lower terraces along the river. Boxelder Creek flows from Prospect Road, near the frontage road, to the south just below the western edge of this upper bench. Except 7 Poudre River Environmeabd Learning District extend the trail to Greeley as part of the larger regional trail system. Clearly the location of the trail beyond the ELC will be an important factor to consider in this land use plan. A natural surface trail begins from the northern edge of the ELC parking lot as well, crossing a footbridge to a looped trail system through the ELC. Amajor ditch, which diverts water from the Poudre River to Fossil Creek Reservoir forms the western edge of the primary ELC campus. The diversion structure itself is located on the ELC property. A secondary informal access is located offProspect Road, near a recently constructed fishing pier. CSU also owns a five -acre parcel further east on Prospect Road that will be developed as a joint visitor Center and Environmental Learning Center Head- quarters. Partners in this effort include the Colorado State Parlor and the City of Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau. This location has been envisioned as anew entrance to the ELC, however CSU does not own the land between the 5 acre parcel and the existing ELC lands. The majority of the ELC property is separated from the city property by a privately -owned, gravel access road that runs from Prospect Road, across the Poudre River to gravel muting activities south of the site. A small portion of the ELC site is also located on the eastern side of this road. Currently, the road is used only for ELC maintenance. ArcheryRange The City ofFort Collins owns and operates an approximately 50-acre site south of the Resource Recovery Farm as an ar- chery range. The site is primarily in a naturalized condition with improvements limited to restrooms, parking lot and archery targets. The site is depressed in elevation from I-25 and is not readily visible. Strauss Cabin The Strauss Cabin is a 2-acre historic site located at the south- eastern edge of the district at the end ofHorsetooth Road. Poudre River Environmental Learning District Resource Recovery Farm and provides access to an area that is currently being mined for gravel. Another bridge crosses Boxelder Creek, providing access to the lower, western -most fields on the Resource Recovery Farm site. The Resource Recovery Farm is irrigated through a network of ditches that transport untreated water. A major ditch, the San Dike Irrigation Ditch, flows southwest from I-25 to the southern edge of the site, whereupon it crosses I-25 again to deliver irrigation water to other users downstream. This ditch may be somewhat of a development constraint, depend- ing upon the parcelization of the property; however it offers the potential for continued use of raw water for irrigation, a practice that should be incorporated in the Poudre River Environmental Learning District Platte River Power Author- ity has a 100-foot easement for high voltage transmission lines that run east to west across the entire district. No structures or tall tress may be placed under these Iines. The upper bench along Interstate 25 is highly visible to travelers, making the real estate commercially valuable. Thus, the north- east comer of the plan area, by Prospect Road and I-25, is prime commercial property because it is accessible and visible. The visual quality of this area is also critical to the overall image of the Poudre River Environmental Learning District and the City of Fort Collins, and should be carefully designed to express the values of the City and the District The lower bench area is a moderately visible zone with less access, but much of the land is not in the floodplain and could potentially be developed According to City personnel, the Resource Recovery Farm property will be available for development within four or five years (approximately the year 2001). However, part of the land along the Frontage Road might be available for development sooner. The City's goal is to recoup their costs for the property through leasing or selling a portion of the site for development, allowing the remainder to stay in open space or to be developed for other public uses. Poudre River Environmental Learning District ]Introduction - The Poudre River Environmental Learning District is located in Fort Comm, Colorado, a city of approximately 100,000 people and the home of Colorado State University (CSU). More than 1,200 acres of natural and reclaimed land and wildlife habitat serve as the backdrop for a unique blending of resource values and facilities that emphasize science and the environment to provide a recreational, hands-on, interactive student and family learning experience. The possibilities sparkthe imagination, with a visitor center, CSUEnvironmental Learning Center, commu- mty horticulture center, science museum and much more. Ad- joining land Parcels target businesses with interests and products that complement the goals of the learning district The 1,200 acre district spans both sides of the Cache La Poudre River (Poudre River) which is arguably one ofthe most significant natural landscapes in the region. The planning area includes property owned by CSU, the City ofFort Collins and Private individuals, and is immediately adjacent to Interstate 25. The map entitled Jurisdictional Boundaries shows the extent of the Planning area and land ownership. Because of its high visibility to local, state and interstate travelers, the appearance of development that occurs in the district and the preservation of views to the Poudre River will be critical to the image and visual quality of the community. Specifically, the district is defined as the area west ofI-25, south ofProspect Road, east of County Road 9 and north of Horsetooth Road. It encompasses approximately 1 'Yi mile of the Poudre River, and includes portions of Boxelder Creek, numerous ponds, natural and constructed wetlands and relics of natural prairie, as well as irrigated agricultural lands and a few private residences. Although portions of the district have not been annexed into the City of Fort Collins, the entire district is within the City ofFort Collins Urban Growth Area This means that Larimer County will refer all development proposals to the City for comments and developments must adhere to city design standards. This land use plan for the Poudre River Environmental Leaming District resulted from a collaboration between Colorado State University, the City ofFort Collins Water Utilities Department, Poudre River Environmental Learning District Conceptual Land Use Plan Prepared for: Colorado State University City of Fort Collins EDAW, Inc. April 1997 Vicinity Map VISITOR CENTER AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER ANNEXATION AND ZONING 01/09/98 N 1" =1000' The Visitors Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation & Zoning, #3-98 February 19, 1998 P & Z Meeting Page 4 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Board forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation with a zoning of POL-Public Open Lands. The Visitors Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation & Zoning, #3-98 February 19, 1998 P & Z Meeting Page 3 FINDINGS OF FACT/CONCLUSION: 1. The annexation of this area is consistent with the policies and agreements between Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins, as contained in the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area. 2. The area meets all criteria included in State law to qualify for annexation by the City of Fort Collins. 3. The requested POL-Public Open Lands zone district is in conformance with the policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan and the City Structure Plan. The Visitors Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation & Zoning, #3-98 February 19, 1998 P & Z Meeting Page 2 COMMENTS: 1. Background The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: County FA -Farming; C; E; LMN; UE (Interstate Lands Rezoning) -primarily vacant S: RC; Environmental Learning Center site E: C; vacant W: County FA -Farming; vacant The Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation is approximately 5 acres in size, located south of Prospect Road (to the west of the Resource Recovery Farm). The site was identified in the Poudre River Environmental Learning District Conceptual Land Use Plan (April 1997) as the future location for the Visitor's Center. (A copy of that plan is attached for reference.) The construction of the Visitor's Center is a joint project among the City of Fort Collins, Colorado State University, and the State of Colorado. It is anticipated that construction on the Visitor's Center could start in spring, 1998, with completion in the spring of 1999. This is a voluntary annexation, located within the Urban Growth Area of the City of Fort Collins. The City may annex property located within the Urban Growth Area Boundary (UGA), provided that the property has 1/6th contiguity with the existing City boundary. According to the policies and agreements between the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County outlined in the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Urban Growth Area, the City will agree to consider for annexation property in the UGA whenever the property is eligible for annexation according to State law. The proposed Environmental Learning Center Annexation does comply with this requirement. 2. Zoning The proposed zoning for the annexation is the POL, Public Open Lands zone district. The POL zone is for large, publicly -owned parks and open lands which have a community -wide emphasis or other characteristic which warrant inclusion under this separate designation rather than inclusion in an adjoining neighborhood or other district designation. The POL zone district designation is consistent with the policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan and the City Structure Plan and is compatible with the existing uses and surrounding zoning. ITEM NO. 4 MEETING DATE 3 5/98 STAFF Leanne Harter2 City of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD STAFF REPORT PROJECT: Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center Annexation and Zoning, #3-98 APPLICANT: Colorado State University OWNERS: Colorado State University PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is the voluntary annexation and zoning of an area of approximately 5 acres in size, located south of Prospect Road, north of the existing Environmental Learning Center. The site is owned by Colorado State University and the primary use will be the Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center. The proposed zoning for this annexation is POL-Public Open Lands zone district. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the annexation and zoning of POL-Public Open Lands zone district. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is the voluntary annexation and zoning of an area of approximately 5 acres in size, located south of Prospect Road, north of the existing Environmental Learning Center. The site is owned by Colorado State University and the primary use will be the Visitor's Center at the Environmental Learning Center. The proposed zoning for this annexation is POL-Public Open Lands zone district. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT