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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPRING CREEK FARMS NORTH - ODP - 24-00A - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY HALLHopefully you will give serious consideration to these fairly modest suggestions. We understand the inevitability of the growth in the Ridgen Farm area. However, this is an enormous level of development, one in which many ways defines the "quality" of growth in this city, and we are very concerned that it be done tastefully, with minimum impact on existing neighborhoods and in a way that provides additional community -scale amenities such as parks, open space, recreation and bike trails. Jane W. Jackson cc: City Council Parks and Recreation Department William L. Jackson Jane W. Jackson 2418 Creekwood Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525 December 12, 2000 Troy Jones, City Planner _ Fort Collins Planning Department �' T'' `' , D P.O. BOX 580 Fort Collins, CO D C 2, 0 Dear Mr. Jones, We are residents of Parkwood East and attended the recent series of information meetings on the planned development at the Rigden Farm area. This letter is to follow-up on input we informally provided during the meetings. We support requiring the following amenities as part of this development to help minimize its impact on our neighborhood, in general, and Edora Park specifically. We understand that development "amenities" are either a part of the city "code" or are otherwise "up to the developer." I encourage city planners and officials to communicate the community's interest in these amenities to the developer. Edora Park already is severely over crowded, especially on "youth sports" weekends. It lacks adequate parking and level terrain for youth sports. The only access from Rigden farms is through Parkwood East. It is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that the new Rigden Farm population (estimated between 8,000- 10,000) NOT be dependent on Edora Park for municipal park services such as youth soccer fields, youth baseball, picnic facilities, etc. We believe the developers should be requested to dedicate between 30-50 acres for municipal park, sports, recreation and open space services. If it is unrealistic to request this of the developers, perhaps the city could pursue open space funds or bonds for this purpose. 2. The attractiveness of this development, especially from Drake Ave., and Parkwood East is of great importance to us. We suggest trees be planted along the railroad tracks on the east side of the tracks. Furthermore, we suggest that a wide (wider than the "code" requirement) tree -planted city strip be required along the north side of Drake Ave. A new "detached" bike path should connect the bike path along the west side of the railroad tracks with the Poudre Trail at the east end of Drake. Such a path did not appear on any of the planning documents presented at the recent community meeting. 4. A new elementary school on the east side of Timberline is absolutely necessary. Mr. & Mrs. Jackson December 22, 2000 Page 2 I urge you to come to the upcoming City Council meetings on this proposed rezoning to state your concerns. Sincerely, John F. Fischbach City Manager /khh cc: Mayor and City Council Members Greg Byrne, Director of Community Planning and Environmental Services City M. _.ager City of Fort Collins December 22, 2000 William & Jane Jackson 2418 Creekwood Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Jackson: The City Council, Troy Jones, City Planner, and I have heard from several neighbors in the vicinity of the property known as the Johnson Farm Rezone. This is a letter to attempt to address some of the concerns that neighbors have with the proposed rezoning and development in this area. Let me start by letting you know that City Council has continued the discussion and decision of the Johnson Farm Rezone until January 2 and 16, 2001. The reason they decided to continue the item is that they wanted to make as informed a decision as possible. By continuing the item, they will have the opportunity to watch the video tapes and read the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Board hearing (where they recommended approval by a vote of 4 to 3). They felt that this issue deserved our deepest understanding of not only the Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation, but the neighbors' concerns as well. It is my understanding that some of the neighborhood concern is centered around the amount of growth that is anticipated to take place in the vicinity of Drake and Timberline. Another concern that many of the neighbors appear to have regarding this rezone is that additional residential units at this location will increase traffic within the Parkwood and Parkwood East neighborhoods. I understand that the City Traffic Engineer and the neighbors disagree on the degree to which this traffic will increase within these neighborhoods. I assure you that City Council will not only listen to our staff, but will also listen to the arguments of the neighbors. It is only through being completely informed and considering all available information that we can make a fair decision. This is a decision that City Council must make based upon the applicable criteria, and the evidence and arguments received at the hearing. 300 LaPorte Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6505 • FAX (970) 224-6107