HomeMy WebLinkAboutJOHNSON FARM - REZONE - 24-00 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITIZEN COMMUNICATION0r
There are a number of objectives of City Plan. Higher density housing is not the only
objective. City Council is chartered with stewardship of the spirit and integrity of City
Plan. When Fort Collins is fully developed will it reflect the goals of City Plan? In the
case of the Johnson farm re -zone why not wait for two, three, or even five years to
approve a change in the Structure Plan to see if businesses will use the land. I believe it
was stated at the council meeting that there exists a five to seven-year supply of
appropriately zoned land at other locations. City Council must ensure that the proper
balance is maintained between the sometimes conflicting objectives of City Plan to
ensure that as many of the objectives of City Plan are achieved as possible.
Sincerely,
Monty Seitz
2404 Brookwood Drive, Parkwood, Fort Collins.
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January 12, 2001
Dear City Councilmember:
The vote by City Council on January 2, 2001 to change the structure plan for the Johnson
Farm raises a number of issues that I would like City Council to consider:
The "need" for this development was justified only by the developer. I believe it should
be the responsibility of the city planning staff to conduct a serious critique of a
developer's market analysis and it should be the responsibility of City Council to ensure
that an appropriate review was conducted. What are the weaknesses of a market
analysis? What are the alternatives? I doubt if many developers really care what Fort
Collins looks like in 20-30 years.
The impact on Fort Collins children should be carefully weighed in any structure plan or
zoning change. The impact of busing and re -districting is difficult for many children and
even traumatic for some. This is a major issue for many Fort Collins parents. And
contrary to what was implied at the city council meeting there is not a definite location
for the new high school - and the new junior high school is planned to be near Timnath.
Busing is planned for the Johnson farm development(s) and potentially significant re-
districting is again being discussed. Lesher Junior High School and Fort Collins High
school are already at capacity. I believe City Council should do everything in its power
and ability to help minimize busing and re -districting
An important aspect of the City Plan is a vision of the future with a corresponding
predictability. The "bargain' that was struck with the residents of Fort Collins promised
predictability. The perceived relative ease at which the structure plan was changed for a
significant area of land has many residents concerned. Will the rest of the city plan be
changed as easily to meet the needs of developers?
The Drake and Timberline quadrants and adjacent quadrants to the west are already
among the densest areas of Fort Collins, and are planned to become even denser. (Please
refer to the planning staff's TAZ maps for verification.) Serious traffic problems will
undoubtedly increase. Prospect and Drake between College and Timberline will become
overburdened (according to the city planning staff), and I believe cut -through traffic will
be likely to increase significantly. What is the overall planned density for a quadrant, and
its adjacent quadrants? How much density is too much? City Plan does not address these
issues and I believe City Council should.
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