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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS HOTEL, PARKING GARAGE - PDP - PDP150018 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning & Zoning Board October 8, 2015 Page 7 Board Questions and Staff Response Board members asked about the future occupation of the associated retail spaces, the modification impacts, and long- and short-term parking needs of patrons. Lary Hofmockel, with Walker Parking Consultants, stated that compliance with the City code would require elimination of an entire row of the parking spaces planned; therefore, the modification is important. He added that the hotel -level parking is considered long-term parking. There was in-depth discussion about the size of parking spaces with respect to the various hotel levels and the parking needs. Josh Birks, Economic Health Director for COFC, informed the group that his team has worked with Parking Services regarding the modifications to standards and he believes they are consistent with the other facilities in town. Board members also asked about the parking stall degrees relative to the distance when accessing the stall and the justification for needing 20 feet for pulling out of an angled stall (pertains to the request for modification for angled drive aisle standards). Planner Lorson suggested that perhaps the code should be updated to better reflect the standards and requirements. Board members also asked who owns this structure for future maintenance and security. Mr. Birks responded that there are several owners of the parking areas (FC Hotel, Bohemian, and the COFC). Each owner will operate will operate different floors, and a Condo Association will be established to specify the maintenance of garage. Board members inquired about the progress in wayfinding, and Planner Lorson responded that there would not be wayfinding established with this application. He acknowledged that this is currently part of the Downtown Plan discussion. He added that the code standards have been reviewed extensively and tests were done to ensure larger vehicles would be accommodated. Chair Carpenter asked about the safety factors for drive aisle widths from an auto and a pedestrian standpoint. Board members asked about the projected bike parking and whether alternative compliance was being proposed and whether the P8Z Board would be the final decision maker for this project. The P8Z Board is the final decision maker, however, it will be heard by the City Council eventually from a legislative standpoint. Mr. Bieker also confirmed that this will be a public parking facility. Board Deliberation Each Board member presented their opinion: Chair Carpenter supports; Member Hart supports but has some concerns with the modifications; Member Hobbs supports, especially the public/private partnership, but still has some concern with the proximity to the transient population; Member Schneider does not support the modification related to large and small vehicles, coupled with the low demand for this parking garage; Vice Chair Kirkpatrick supports and would like to see a future review of the land use code standards for parking; Member Hansen supports this project; and Member Heinz supports but still has concerns over whether another parking garage is needed. Member Hart made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the modification of standard to subsection 3.22(L) of the Land Use Code related to the size of parking spaces based on the findings of fact on page 10 of the staff report Member Hansen seconded the motion. Vote: 6:1 with Member Schneider dissenting. Member Hobbs made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the Fort Collins Hotel Parking Garage PDP#150018 based on the findings of fact on page 10 of the staff report Member Hansen seconded the motion. Vote: 7:0. Planning & Zoning Board October 8, 2015 Page 6 Member Hart made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the modification of standard to section 3.8.30(F)(1) of the Land Use Code to allow a portion on the required 26' buffer yard abutting single-family homes to be reduced to 20' based on the findings of fact on page 10 of the staff report Member Hobbs seconded the motion. Vote: 6:0. Member Hart made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the Affinity at Fort Collins PDP #150010 based on the findings of fact found on page 10 of the staff report Member Heinz seconded the motion. Vote: 6:0. The Board took a break at T 55pm and resumed at 8:05pm. Project: Fort Collins Hotel Parking Garage Project Description: This project proposes to construct a 3-level mixed -use parking garage with 325 parking spaces and 3,200 square feet of retail space at the comer of Chestnut and Jefferson Streets (363 Jefferson Street). The parking garage is proposed as a public -private partnership between the City of Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority, and the developers of the Fort Collins Hotel (Bohemian Companies, McWhinney, and Sage Hospitality). 113 parking spaces will be dedicated to the Fort Collins Hotel (approved by the Planning and Zoning Board on August 10, 2015) and 212 parking spaces will be public parking managed by the City. Recommendation: Approval Secretary Cosmas reported that two items had been received since the work session: the LPC findings of fact and conclusion from their September 28 h hearing recommending approval, and an updated modification request from 4240 Architecture, Inc., regarding the size of the parking stalls. Staff and Applicant Presentations Planner Lorson gave a brief overview of the project, showing slides of the site map, renderings and the overall project dimensions. He stated that the right-of-way improvements are consistent with those pertaining to the Fort Collins Hotel. He also reviewed the modification request details, answering some questions that were previously brought up at the work session regarding the number of parking spaces used seasonally by existing Fort Collins garages and showing capacity images of each. Lou Bieker, 4240 Architecture, also reviewed some of the major points of the project, incorporating the role of the hotel and the River District into the overall design. He also illustrated some of the colors and textures planned for the hotel, as well as the external landscaping plans for the project. Public Input None noted. Planning & Zoning Hoard October 8, 2015 Page 2 CDNS Interim Director Leeson presented the items on both the Consent and Discussion agendas. Public Input on Items Not on the Agenda: Belinda Voit, 2542 Sandstone Drive, stated her concern about traffic flow issues located at Sandstone Drive between Ziegler Road and Timberline, which has become a shortcut to avoid travelling other intersections. She presented a map of the area and discussed the issues occurring now. She requested that Staff look back at the previous traffic study and consider the pedestrian interaction with traffic congestion. Director Leeson will do some follow-up. Consent Agenda: 1. Draft Minutes from September 10, 2015, P&Z Hearing Public Input on Consent Agenda: None noted. Member Hart made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the October 8, 2015, Consent agenda, including the draft minutes from the September 10 , 2015, Planning and Zoning Board hearing. Member Hansen seconded. Vote: 7:0. Discussion Agenda: 2. CSU Medical Center, Site Plan Advisory Review, SPA #150005 3. Affinity at Fort Collins 4. Fort Collins Hotel Parking Garage 5. Midtown Urban Renewal Plan Modification Project: CSU Medical Center, Site Plan Advisory Review, SPA #150005 Project Description: This is a request for a Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) by Colorado State University to construct a new medical center at the northwest the corner of South College Avenue and West Prospect Road. The project includes a 113,000 square foot, four-story building within an approximately 4-acre site. The site is located in the Community Commercial (CC) zone district. Recommendation: Approval Jennifer Carpenter, Chair Kristin Kirkpatrick; Vice Chair Jeff Hansen Gerald Hart Emily Heinz Michael Hobbs Jeffrey Schneider City Council Chambers City Hall West 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14 on the Comcast cable system The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for assistance. Regular Hearing October 8, 2015 Chair Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Carpenter, Hansen, Hart, Heinz, Hobbs, Kirkpatrick and Schneider Absent: None Staff Present: Leeson, Yatabe, Olson, Wilkinson, Shepard, Burnett, Holland, Mapes, Lorson, Langenberger, Virata, Ragasa and Cosmas Agenda Review Chair Carpenter provided background on the board's role and what the audience could expect as to the order of business. She described the following processes: • While the City staff provides comprehensive information about each project under consideration, citizen input is valued and appreciated. • The Board is here to listen to citizen comments. Each citizen may address the Board once for each item. • Decisions on development projects are based on judgment of compliance or non-compliance with city Land Use Code. • Should a citizen wish to address the Board on items other than what is on the agenda, time will be allowed for that as well. • This is a legal hearing, and the Chair will moderate for the usual civility and fairness to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak can be heard.