HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPRING CREEK FARMS NORTH - ODP - 24-00A - CORRESPONDENCE - CITIZEN COMMUNICATION (3)NOV-22-00 WED 10:25 AM FT COLLINS-CITY MANAGER FAX NO. 970 224 6107 P.02
November 18, 2000
Dear Neighbors:
Did you know that:
• The Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board voted (4-3) on Thursdav to change the gin
building? (The Structural Plan currently calls for employment at that
• If developers and the city proceed with their plans, the Drake/Timberline corner could become
home to 9,100 people —equivalent to 8% of the total population of Fort Collins -making it the
• You should have received a letter from the proposed developer of the project at the Northwest
comer informing you of it and the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting? The developer was
required to send these letters. Did you receive one? i did not and neither did anyone else I
have asked.
If these facts concern you, please contact the City Council member for District 2, Karen Weitkunat
at 229-9774, email kweitkunat(acLfort-collins.co.ql. The general number for City Council is 221-
6878. Most importantly, please attend the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 21, in the
Ciry Council chambers at 300 La Porte. (The meeting is probably at 6:30 p.m.; call 221-6878 or Ms.
Weitkunat for confirmation.)
So far, there has been little input or resistance from our neighborhood, a point that was made at the
Planning and Zoning Board meeting. We need to ask questions like:
Why should the city's Structure Plan and Zoning Plan be amended so easily to accommodate a
developer when no one has provided a compelling reason to change the currept proposed use of
The site?
o The developer admits that the Structure Plan as it now exists contains enough high -
density housing sites to meet the City's demand for seven years.
o City advanced planning has testifiedl that it is not concerned about the availability of
high -density housing sites in the City.
o Are we going to change our vision for Fort Collins every time a developer has an idea
that will make it more money faster?
• Why should this small area be buiIt up in one fell swoop to accommodate a full two years worth
of population growth for the entire city?
• Since the Drake/Timberline corner is the first major development area under the new City Plan,
shouldn't it be planned with attention to the details that will make it a benefit to existing
neighborhoods rather than a problem? Shouldn't we be involved in the vlannine when it aeoear
NOV-22-00 WED 10:24 AM FT COLLINS-CITY MANAGER
FAX NO. 970 224 6107 P. 01
CC: Mayor and C Council
Greg Byrne
Nov. 18, 2000
Dear Karen,
RECEIVED
NOV 2 0 2000
CITY MANAGER
On the agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting, will be the proposal for the
development of Johnson's Farm (at the comer of Timberline and Drake). This area is kitty.
comer to lbgdan Farms. 'itv`e want to express our concern forme size and scope of this
development. Realistically, this vacant farmland will be developed and hopefully it will be
in 'a oeyiug w:1F, the Syir� v � lay iViary not Just the d2l3i.j 9Liia'a�(''rCles.
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Of green space and traffic mitigation. The schools in this area are full to bursting and
bu_,skng idds around town seems like a very undesirable option— This entire area is -knug
bombarded with "high density" development. We have been told that there is the potential
for this area to be 40% more dense than the highest density areas currently in Fort Collins.
During your campaign, you stressed the importance of City Council reviewing the first
developments to come under City Plan. Part of City Plan is to keep Fort Collins from
spreading out, but it is incuMbent on our city leaders to make sure that this "new
urbanism" doesn't have too high an impact on existing neighborhoods. If citizens are
going to support City plan, it must be implemented with a lot of thought about "quality of.
life" in surrounding neighborhoods. Understandably, we are worried about the impact on
own neighborhood, Padmood, as well as surrounding areas.
Planning and Zoning-did•vate; �43-to,rezane the area We're notstire tbet a lot of poop, 'In
the affected neighborhoods are aware of this project, and our gut feeling is that the city and
the deve-10P : are tr`png to just get this -through as,quicIdy. as possible.
The number on,- issue seems to be increased traffic along Drake and Timberline. The City
Traffic "expert" assures us that the City will take care of problems that arise but does not
specify how this will happen. He has been very antagonistic and uncooperative working
with Parkwood's neighborhood traffic issues m the past and doesn't inspire much
confidence.
When you consider this proposal, please take our concerns into account. Our preference
would be a lower density development. In addition, additional effort needs to be made on
mitigating impacts on adjoining neighborhoods. These impacts are going to be significant,
and verbal assurances are not enough! . As far as we can tell, there are no fonnal.studies
addressing what happens when almost 10% of the city's population is placed on one
intersection.
Thanks so much for representing our neighborhood on this matter.
sincerely,
12, Lc-- a��
Paul Hudnut and Anmie Hudnut