The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutGRANT STREET CORNERS - PDP - 20-08 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY HALLSteve t - F�vd Re: Council SAR #1740 rant Street Corners infill project Page 3 process While this new project is very unique (one person owning 7 contiguous (large) lots), there are some aspects to it that do not sit all that well, and I am fearful that a similar loophole could greatly diminish the character of Old Town on a scale that we hadnt anticipated. Ultimately, he is replatting all of the lots so that they meet the 10000 sq ft limit so that a carriage house would be allowed. If this project proceeds, it is relegating this entire city block corner to being rental properties in perpetuity There is a changing trend for this neighborhood to be gentrified back into owner -occupied housing, especially considing the proximity to the highly sought after Dunn school district. If this corner becomes very high density rental properties, property values will diminish, and the highly valued community of old town will be sacrificed. Major issues with the project: + one of the new lots will be a 'flagpole' alignment, relegating 30% of the lot to be completely worthless (very narrow and inaccessible) + the house that will front on to grant street does not at all fit in with the neighborhood. the biggest issue is the 2-car garage off of the front of the house. This house will be on the flagpole lot and it would be much more appropriate to place this garage in the back of the lot, retaining the old town architectural style and using the 'flagpole' area of that lot. It certainly does not meet the historic character of the neighborhood. + this will result in much higher density than is really appropriate for the neighborhoods current zoning + the fact that he has enough large lots (>10000 sq ft) to reallocate lots such that they can all have carriage houses is unique, but could be perpetuated throughout other areas of Old Town. I do not have a feel for how many situations like this could be replicated (ie more large lots being replatted so that cariage houses could be developed), it is discouraging to see this being taken advantage of. As I said earlier, this appears to all be within the letter of the law, but probably not the intent. If this is something that you would like to discuss more, please give a call 484-5866, or email eric odell(&hotmail.com . Thanks for your time and attention, and I hope you have a merry christmas! Eric CC: Diane Jones; Felix Lee; Jeff Scheick; Joe Frank; Ken Waido; Mary Donaldson; Polly Bennett; Steve Olt; Steve Roy Steve Olt Fwd Re: Council SAR #1740 ' ant Street Corners infill project Page 2 Debra Debra Unger Executive Administrative Assistant City Manager's Office P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 Tel: 970 221 6266 / Fax: 970 224 6107 >>> David Roy 12/19/2008 4:58 PM >>> ....forgot Steve Olt >>> David Roy 12/19/08 4:57 PM >>> Good evening Eric; it is inappropriate for me to have a discussion about land use issues which are in the process of going through permiting. This is because if a project is approved, or denied, and there is an appeal, I want to be able to hear the case in my quasi-judicial role, and not be disqualified because of a conflict of interest. I am forwarding this e-mail to our City Attorney, and our City Manager, as well as other appropriate staff members. I do appreciate you taking the time to contact me - perhaps we will have a chance to visit with each other in the near future. Please say "hi" to Meegan. I hope that you are both doing well. Happy Holidays to you, as well. Steve; do you agree with my assessment? Darin, can you please make sure we contact Eric? Thank you all. David Name: Eric Odell Sender's e-mail address: eric odell(a)hotmail.com Message Hi David - I hope this message finds you well I attended the public meeting last night to discuss the project being developed by Chris Ray at the corner of Grant Street and Myrtle Street. He is proposing to replat several parcels that he owns on that corner (7 parcels are included in total) so that he can add 1 new detached house that will front Grant Street and 3 carriage houses in the alley (he was careful to call them carriage houses and not alley houses...). Steve Olt was the City staff person running the meeting. As you will probably remember, Meegan and I were very thankful for your interest in handling the alley house issue that you 'carried the torch' on with us/for us several years ago. I am writing today to bring the issue to your attention - even though it apparently fits within the letter of the law, I dont think that the intent is met with this new project, considering many of the discussions that we had during the alley house Steve Oit - Fwd' Re: Council SAR #1740 ant Street Corners infill project Page 1 From: Steve Dush To: Darin Atteberry; Debra Unger Date: 12/23/2008 9:44:32 AM Subject: Fwd: Re: Council SAR #1740 / Grant Street Corners infill project Darin/Debra: No confusion, I wanted to respond for a couple of reasons and am glad I did as I just finished a lengthy discussion with Eric in which he had questions of a more general nature and project specific. From a project specific nature, ie the Grant Street Corners infill project, Eric had concerns with the design of a front loaded unit and the potential architectural monontony of the proposed carriage homes. I indicated that we will work with the applicant (Chris Ray) to see how the code will permits us to address these issues and let him know what can/will be done. Eric was particulary concerned with the front loaded house as Chris Ray indicated to him that he planned to build a similar home near Eric's house in the near future at the corner of Myrtle and Whitcomb. In terms of a general nature, Eric had stated that he was concerned about the project maintaining the old town feel and that the increased density and its associated impacts would be a detriment. Eric was concerned that people could replat their property and an adjacent parcel to gain the requisite lot size and then construct a carriage house. Eric indicated that he thought this was an unintended consequence of the code. I had conveyed to Eric and he acknowledged that as the code is currently the owners can do this development. He stated that he was concerned with a potential propensity for projects like this because it would increase the density. I had asked Eric to identify some of the specifics with Density as this tends to mean a variety of things to different people. Eric identified increased noise (from college kids parrying), traffic, trash and traffic safety. I responded by indicating that these potential impacts, while quite minimal in terms of traffic trips/safety, must be balanced with other competing community objectives such as providing housing (rental and student), reducing vehicle miles traveled thus reducing carbon emissions, and increasing alternative modes of transportation. The discussion was very productive and extremely cordial. I closed the converstation by indicating that we will work with Chris Ray on the project specific issues related to design as outlined above and that I would meet with those directly involved with the creation of the carriage unit /alley house ordinance to get a full understanding of the intent and then Eric and I would chat again. Please let me know if you have any further quesitons, steve >>> Unger, Debra (Darin Atteberry) 12/22/2008 2:25 PM >>> Thanks, Steve (Roy). I'm happy to send Eric your response once you've located/drafted it. (Incidentally, my previous message was addressed to Steve Olt and responded to by Steve Dush. Sorry for any confusion!) Debra >>> Steve Roy 12/22/2008 12:45:43 PM >>> Debra, I'll see if we saved the model response that I recommended Councilmembers use to respond to people who write them about quasi judicial matters and forward it to you. Since I cannot give legal advice to unrepresented persons, I hate to begin a dialogue with Mr. Smith. Perhaps the CMO can send the response. If we didn't save the earlier one, I'll draft a new one and get it to you by tomorrow. >>> Unger, Debra (Darin Atteberry) 12/2212008 8:44 AM >>> Steve, Would you please follow up with Eric per David's request? Please send Darin a brief recap of your conversation that I may forward to David. Thank you,