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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE ON HORSETOOTH (AFFORDABLE HOUSING) - PDP - PDP160025 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning 8 Zoning Board October 13, 2016 Page 5 Board Deliberation Member Schneider, Member Carpenter, Member Hobbs, Member Heinz, and Vice Chair Hart each stated that he/she will be supporting this project, complementing the City staff and design team. Member Heinz made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve modification 1 to section 3.5.2(Dx1) orientation to a connecting walkway, based upon the findings of fact In the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Schneider seconded. Vote: 5:0. Member Carpenter made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve modification 2 to section 3.8.30(C)(2)(b) access to a park, central feature, or gathering place, based upon the findings of fact contained in the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Hobbs seconded. Vote: 5:0. Member Hobbs made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve modification 3 to section 3.8.30(DN1) block requirements for multi -families, based on the findings of fact contained in the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Carpenter seconded. Vote: 5:0. Member Schneider made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve modification 4 to section 4.5E(1)(a) development standards for streets and blocks, based upon the information and findings of fact contained in the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Hobbs seconded. Vote: 6:0. Member Hobbs made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the Village on Horsetooth PDP160025, based upon the findings of fact contained in the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Schneider seconded. Vote: 5:0. The Board took a 10-minute recess at 7:20pm; they reconvened at 7:30pm Project: Landmark Apartments Expansion PDP Proiect Description: This development plan proposes 68 apartment units (139 bedrooms) in 5 buildings on a 3.7-acre site in the SE quadrant of the Prospect Road/Shields Street intersection. The site is a panhandle -shaped infill property located between Landmark Apartments and the historic Sheely Neighborhood. The northern portion of the property is the "handle" of the pan and abuts Prospect Road with 110 feet of frontage. The property slopes down significantly from Prospect Road to the 95-foot-wide Canal Importation Basin stormwater channel which bisects the southern portion of the property, dividing the property into two main parts. Hobbit Street terminates at the west property line near the southwest comer of the property. The owner of the subject property is the owner of the existing Landmark Apartments to the west, and the proposed plan is presented as an integrated addition to the existing complex, with shared access to all facilities and grounds. 122 vehicle spaces are proposed, slightly exceeding the requirement for 120 spaces. A Modification of a standard is requested to the standard requirement that residences be placed directly in relation to street sidewalks. The project provides a main walkway spine along parking lot drives in lieu of extending a street into the site. Planning & Zoning Board October 13, 2016 Page 4 He went on to say that this project will have minimal effects on traffic and connectivity, and this plan will help meet a defined community need for affordable housing. Public Input Chris Johnson, 321 Urban Prairie, is representing Bike Fort Collins and stated his support of this project. Nancy McDuffie, 5151 Boardwalk, is in support of the affordable housing proposed. She likes the project, the landscaping and trails, especially providing opportunities for low-income residents. Marilyn Heller, 4888 Glen Lake in Loveland, is in support of this project. She especially likes the 30% AMI and the use of the flood disaster recovery money. Denise Rogers, a neighbor, is in strong support of this and more affordable housing in Fort Collins. She served on a past FC Affordable Housing Board and stated that FC has been far behind. She feels this is an economic and sustainability issue, and she asked the Board to approve this project. Cathy Mathis, currently the Board Chair of Housing Catalyst, stated the benefits of this project and her support. Gawin Stong, 1442 Patterson Place, has some concerns about screening headlights going to the east side of the property. He is also concerned with the number of parking spaces and anticipates an abundance of cars going through the area. He discussed a safety concern related to the path that is next to the 4-foot fence adjacent to the canal. He questioned whether the project has any provision for anyone in the 30-50 AMI range. Finally, he is concerned about ongoing maintenance of the project. Joseph Moore, 814 W. Mountain Avenue, spoke in support of the development. He likes the economically -diverse citizens within Fort Collins, and he believes this is a thoughtful project for the area, saying the lack of affordable housing is a huge stumbling block to citizens thriving. Applicant and Staff Response Planner Frickey responded to the headlight screening, saying that the plan does meet the requirements for this, since the headlights will be facing west. He added that, with the parking area being more than 200 feet away from the nearest building, headlights should not be issue. Ms. Fritz also responded that there will also be some hedge plantings added to the area in question. Regarding the canal safety, she stated that they strive to balancing access with safety. Regarding AMI levels, potential residents will have to demonstrate both a minimum and maximum income level to qualify for the 30% AMI level. Board Questions Member Heinz asked about the potential 30 parking sites; Ms. Fritz showed where those would be (using slides). Regarding the headlight question, Ms. Fritz stated that she feels the distance between the buildings and the parking areas is adequate mitigation, along with the planned hedge. Member Hobbs also asked about the on -going maintenance; Ms. Fritz described their in-house maintenance (including contracts for landscaping/snow removal). Member Heinz asked about the unit mix with respect to accommodating families; Ms. Fritz described their intent of finding a balance between meeting family and community needs. Vice Chair Hart asked about the path location and potential safety concerns; Ms. Fritz responded by describing the area, including the grading, detention, and location adjacent to the canal. The location is simply a design matter; Ms. Fritz added that the canal and trails tie into the path and street system and add to the overall connectivity. Planning & Zoning Board October 13, 2016 Page 3 Recommendation: Approval Staff and Applicant Presentations Secretary Cosmas reported that, since the work session, 8 emails were received in support of this project, 2 emails received with concerns about long-term affordability, the number of affordable housing projects already approved, traffic, water/sewer, storm water detention, roads and utilities. In addition, we also received an internal email string between Planner Frickey and Kurt Friesen, Director of Park Planning and Development. Planner Frickey gave a brief overview of this project, including the 4 proposed modifications requested and how the City Land Bank program works. He also explained the selection process for choosing a developer for this project. Kristin Fritz, with Housing Catalyst (Fort Collins Housing Authority) is the Project Manager, and she gave an in-depth presentation of this project, describing the history of this development and how she feels that her company is the right fit for this project. Housing Catalyst, the developer, owner, and property manager, is the new sponsor of the Bike Share Program, which will be a part of this development. She showed renderings of the buildings, indoor and outdoor amenities, adjacent trails and walking paths, and parking areas. She listed the number and type of units being offered. She noted that the plans properly comply with the City codes and requirements. She also reviewed the grant opportunities that her company was able to utilize during this process. She confirmed that this project will be 100% affordable; all planned units fit within the AMI requirements. Residents will be required to pay rent, and this property will operate as a regular apartment complex with an on -site manager. Ms. Fritz discussed the landscape buffers and how the connectivity of surrounding schools and trails are incorporated into the design of this project. She detailed the traffic issues and the plans to mitigate the cost of constructing more roads, which could lessen the ability to provide affordable housing (including a club house) and would conflict with safety and community support. Because this site is an infill parcel (one of the last sections to be developed), changing the streets would not make sense; instead, she explained that providing good pedestrian and bicycle access would be a better fit. Since the site was historically used as rodeo grounds and currently houses bams and horse pastures, the project was designed based on this history. Outdoor areas and green space will be family -oriented and provide active recreation for the residents. In addition, she suggested that community gardens would be included and would act as a gathering area as well. She gave an overview of the project status to date, including public outreach. Based on those neighbor concerns, several changes were made to the project plans to accommodate those concerns; Ms. Fritz reviewed those changes, adding that construction is slated to begin in May 2017. Ms. Fritz stated reviewed each of the four modifications being requested, saying for each that she believes the plan is safer, more convenient, maintains great connectivity, is not detrimental to the public good, provides good access, and addresses a community need for affordable housing. She stressed that the overall design goal for this project was to create a sense of community and that the proposed site plan is best for the neighborhood. Planner Frickey provided an analysis for the Board, discussing each of the modifications: • Modification 1 — Orientation to connecting walkway • Modification 2 —Access to a park, central feature, or gathering place • Modification 3 — Block requirements • Modification 4 — Development standards for streets and blocks Planning & Zoning Board October 13, 2016 Page 2 Planning Director Gloss reviewed the items on the Consent and Discussion agendas for the audience. He detailed each project, noting that the applicant for the Landmark Apartments Expansion project has requested to continue this project to the November 10'h hearing, since they are having some unanticipated items to resolve. Public Input on Items Not on the Hearing Agenda: None noted. Consent Agenda: 1. Draft Minutes from September 8, 2016, P8Z Hearing 2. West Elizabeth Enhance Travel Corridor Plan — Recommendation to City Council 3. Worthington Town Homes PDP Public Input on Consent Agenda: None noted. Member Schneider made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the October 13, 2016, Consent agenda as presented. Member Heinz seconded the motion. Vote: 6:0. Vice Chair Hart asked the audience if anyone had any comments for the Board regarding the continuation of the Landmark Apartments Expansion project. Member Heinz made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board continue the Landmark Apartments Expansion project PDP160013 to the November Ioth 2016, hearing. Member Hobbs seconded the motion. Vote: 5:0. Discussion Agenda: 4. Village on Horsetooth Affordable Housing 5. Landmark Apartments Expansion PDP (continued to the November 10"', 2016, hearing) 6. Brick Stone Apartments on Harmony Project: Village on Horsetooth Affordable Housing Protect Description: This is a request for a Project Development Plan for the Village on Horsetooth, the first development on City Land Bank property. The proposed development includes 96 new units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. Apartments will be separated into nine residential buildings and all units will have private outdoor spaces. Nine residential buildings are to be constructed within (6) 2- story buildings with twelve (12) units and three (3) 2-story buildings with eight (8) units. Unit types will consist of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units. Bedroom and unit mix as follows: 6 one -bedroom/ 1 bath, 66 two -bedroom/ 1 bath, 22 three-bedroom/2 bath, 2 four -bedroom/ 2 baths. Area Median Income (AMI) target totals 43 units at 0-30% AMI, 53 units at 51-60% AMI with 96 units in total (100% affordable). This development is located on an 8.3-acre site in the LMN (Low- Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood) zone district. Kristin Kirkpatrick, Chair Gerald Hart, Vice Chair Jennifer Carpenter Jeff Hansen Emily Heinz Michael Hobbs Jeffrey Schneider City Council Chambers City Hall West 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado Cablecast on FCTV Channel 14 8r Channel 881 on Comcast 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 13, 2016 Vice Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Carpenter, Hart, Heinz, Hobbs and Schneider Absent: Kirkpatrick and Hansen Staff Present: Gloss, Yatabe, Prassas, Frickey, Lewin, Wray, Mapes, Blochowiak, Langenberger, Hanh, Wilkinson, and Cosmas Agenda Review Vice Chair Hart provided background on the board's role and what the audience could expect as to the order of business. He described the following procedures: • 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.