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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHARMONY 23 - PDP - PDP160031 - MINUTES/NOTES - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING (3)Neighborhood Meetw ] Notes - Page 15 Comment: Worried about air quality, some people like me have allergies and issues with pollutants. Response (Applicant): I understand your frustration. If this project didn't get built, another one would, which would also bring traffic. Office use would generate more traffic on a daily basis than this development would. Question: Will there actually be 4 turn lanes on Harmony as shown on the site plan? Response (Applicant): Once the intersection is fully built out, there will be numerous turn lanes in all directions of the Harmony & Strauss Cabin intersection and other intersections along Strauss Cabin. Question: Will there be a dedicated turn lane off Harmony for right turns onto Strauss Cabin as part of this project? Response (Applicant): Yes, there definitely would be as part of this project. Question: What is the distance from Harmony and Strauss Cabin to the last access point for the development? Response (City): About a % mile. Response (Applicant): There will not be cars accessing the site at the far southern access point of the development across the street — that will only be for the property to the east. Comment: I'm concerned about environmental impacts on birds of prey that cross over the water. Response (City): The City required an analysis of the property for wildlife use and ecological issues, which the applicant has submitted. There are a few significant habitat features on the site, including the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Ditch, Boxelder Ditch and isolated wetland areas. Impacts to these features will all be considered in the City's review. Question: Does the City have requirements related to prairie dogs? Response (City): Yes, the City has requirements related to prairie dog management and eradication, and there are more significant requirements if the prairie dog colony is larger than 50 acres in size, which would not apply to this project. Neighborhood Meeting Notes - Page 14 Response (Applicant): Our recommendation is to put in a roundabout at Strauss Cabin and Kechter as a result of this project. Question: What is the average rent proposed to be? Response (Applicant): Comparable to Terra Vida Comment: With Terra Vida, the developer indicated that higher rents would result in renters that take better care of the property. Response (Applicant): I would say that Terra Vida is a nice apartment complex. Comment: It's not, the renters do not pick up after their dogs which has become a major issue. Response (Applicant): We will have a professionally managed property. Comment: They are a professionally managed property too, they just aren't managing it well. All these things sound good in theory, but that's not what happens. A lot of noise at night, young people, partying. Response (Applicant): It would be a good idea for us to visit Terra Vida and make sure we don't make the same mistake. Question: Is there any plan to connect a trail under Harmony Road and connect up to Horsetooth, such as along the horse path along the ditch. Response (City): The bridge where the ditch crosses under Harmony was just re -done, so it will not likely be redone to accommodate a trail any time soon. There has been talk about eventually putting a trail under Harmony at the transit center in conjunction with flood control projects. Response (Applicant): The Parks and Recreation Trail Master Plan includes a trail that will eventually connect to the north across Harmony at a signalized intersection, which will help connect the trail system. Right now there is a trail planned to the east on JD Padilla's property. Comment: I hope you knock down the speed limits to 30 mph. People drive a lot faster than the 40 mph speed limit in this area, which is dangerous. Response (City): A roundabout could help people would slow down on Strauss Cabin as well. Comment: Because Strauss Cabin is such a steep road, it's very common to see people going 70 mph coming north because it's downhill. Question: When do you propose to break ground? Response (Applicant): Next summer or fall Question: Is there any potential to consider lowering the density? Response (Applicant): At this point, probably not. The farther you get into the project, the costs go up and there are unexpected things that crop up. Question: Why do you have meetings like this if you don't care what we say? Response (Applicant): It's not a vote, but we do care about getting input, but it's more for us to understand about how the neighborhood is working and do what we can to not repeat other problems. We have added 6 units to serve as a retaining wall against the ditch. Comment: It was a lie to say that the number of units would be lowered at the previous meeting. Office and commercial uses would actually generate more traffic than residential units would. Comment: A couple of times a year as the ponds begin to freeze, we get very heavy fog and it keeps the ozone buried at a low level, which is unhealthy. Neighborhood Meeti i Notes - Page 13 Question: Could the apartments be built without a light if the project to the east isn't built? Response (Applicant): The traffic analysis had to consider at least the first phase of the project to the east as part of the background traffic Comment: This is now more apartments than were proposed at the last meeting, it seems to be growing. Much more traffic with two cars per apartment. The noise, air, traffic is already a nightmare. Question: This goes against the entire plan of the city — this was originally slated for only 25% residential. Not connected to any neighborhood, seems to go against the City's plan and intent for neighborhoods. How is this a neighborhood as Fort Collins defines a neighborhood? Response (City): You do have a point. This is a disconnected parcel. We occasionally see properties in the city where connections cannot be made (e.g., a railroad or a ditch) and the requirements recognize that. One thing that may help with this is the approved development across the street which will have some shops and services when it's built. Response (Applicant): Fort Collins promotes multi -family housing in close proximity to areas where people can shop, work, recreate. Across the site is a natural area, up the hill are a number of places to find employment, there's shopping close by. This is not as connected as we would like and if the ditch weren't there then we would be making more connections. Comment: What's frustrating is to be told one thing and see something else, since at the Planning and Zoning Board hearing for the modification, the applicant was open to reducing the number of units, and now the number has increased. Seems like an effort in futility to come to these meetings and things will go ahead as planned even if there is opposition. Question: Is the density the same as or less than Terra Vida? Response (Applicant): Less than Terra Vida. This proposal is not particularly high density; under 15 dwelling units per acre. Comment: Now people from Terra Vida park everywhere, it's been a total failure because there's not enough parking. Comment: The minute people from your apartment complex start parking in the neighborhood, we will be calling the City planner. Response (Applicant): A lot of parking is already required, and we're providing more than required. Comment: Terra Vida said the same thing and it's now a disaster. People are parking on the street instead of inside the garages. People are using their garages for storage instead. Question: Will Strauss Cabin be wide enough for parking on both sides? Response (City): On -street parking will not be allowed on Strauss Cabin. Comment: People will park on Strauss Cabin. People will be parking in our streets and cul-de-sacs. Comment: Traffic gets backed up twice a day at the intersection of Strauss Cabin and Kechter. Response (Applicant): That is currently a stop sign controlled intersection. The recommended solution is a roundabout at that intersection, which would eliminate the queueing situation that occurs now. A stop sign would not be as efficient as a roundabout. Comment: I disagree, I think a 4-way stop would be more efficient than a roundabout. Question: Would that be built in concert with the light at Strauss Cabin and Harmony? Neighborhood Meeting Notes - Page 12 o Proposed multi -family, for rent development (apartments) 0 364 dwelling units, mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units o Primary access would be from Strauss Cabin Rd, with a second point of access farther south on Strauss Cabin Rd o Project would include a community clubhouse and pool, sheltered decks overlooking open space, two open spaces with trail connections, dog park and dog wash area, playground, and sidewalks to eventually connect to the south and west in the future o Bike parking throughout o More parking proposed (635 spaces) than required (597) o All buildings would be 3-story, mix of 24-unit buildings and 36-unit buildings o Designed to be more modern looking, with hipped roofs and clean, modern architectural lines o Backs of the garages on some buildings will serve as retaining walls against the western side of project o Landscaping will reflect the Poudre River landscape, including cottonwood trees and native plants o See a need for more housing units in Fort Collins Questions & Answers Question: How wide is the setback from the Fossil Creek Inlet Ditch? Response (Applicant): A little over 50 feet Question: Will there be a privacy fence along the bottom? Concerned about kids climbing into the ditch. Response (Applicant): There will be a retaining wall at least, and there may not be a fence if needed. Question: Will the roundabout align with 1D Padilla's project to the east? Response (Applicant): There will not be a roundabout on Strauss Cabin; the roundabout will be interior to the project. The intersection will align with the project to the east. The intersection will start as a full -movement intersection (with right and left turns allowed from all directions) in the short-term, but will eventually become right -in -right -out only when the project to the east is fully complete. Question: Are there plans to put a stoplight in at Harmony and Strauss Cabin? Response (Applicant): Did traffic counts, difficult to turn onto Strauss Cabin and Harmony, eventually expect intersection to be signalized, which might be warranted by this project and the project to the south Comment: It seems like you are backpedaling compared to what was said at the last neighborhood meeting. Response: It would not be the developer's decision, it would be up to the City once the traffic study has been reviewed. It may be needed with this project. Response (City): Once the stoplight is warranted, the City will install a signal. Question: Is it warranted now? Response (City): This is currently being studied. Question: What is the timeline for breaking ground on the project to the east compared to this project — how does the traffic study factor that in? Response (Applicant): The traffic analysis for this project will consider the project to the east as already built. ,,.F�o�rt`�t Development Review Center 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 970-221-6750 frPnvrom10Pv, 1nnmP.nrRPv1Pw NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING NOTES These notes capture staffs interpretation of questions, comments and ideas from the meeting. PROJECT: Harmony 23 Apartments Development Plan DATE: Monday, September 26, 2016 STAFF: Sarah Burnett, Neighborhood Development Review Liason Clark Mapes, City Planner Nicole Hahn, Traffic Operations APPLICANT: Linda Ripley —Plan ner/Landscape Architect Presentations: • City Staff: Sarah Burnett, (City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Services) opened the meeting and explained the review process. o Clark Mapes (City Planner), Nicole Hahn (Traffic Operations) and Rebecca Everette (Environmental Planner) are also here to answer questions o A conceptual review has already been held for the project, but a formal submittal has not been made. o A previous neighborhood meeting was held about a year ago for a request to approve a modification for 100% residential uses on the project, which was subsequently approved by the Planning & Zoning Board. o Anyone with questions or looking for information at any point during the process can contact Clark Mapes (the assigned City Planner) or Sarah Burnett (insert contact info) o Everyone who signs in tonight will be added to the notification list for this project. o The purpose of this meeting o The notes from the meeting tonight will be included in the formal package that eventually goes to the Planning & Zoning Board (the decision making body for the project). • Applicant Team: Linda Ripley (Ripley Design, Inc.), Jake Steel (developer), Matt Delich (traffic consultant) o Overview of the proposed project o Site is located at the southwest corner of Harmony Rd and Strauss Cabin Road; triangular piece of land below the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Ditch o The Boxelder Ditch also crosses the site and would be relocated with this project