HomeMy WebLinkAboutBELLA VISTA REZONING ..... SECOND P & Z BOARD HEARING - 45-01 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning and Zoning Board Minutes
February 21, 2002
Page 7
Member Colton commented that he was somewhat uncomfortable with the contextual
height section of the code. He felt that a change in height should be viewed as a
modification and it should be reviewed as a Type II review before this Board. He felt
that there should be more specific criteria about what it means because he felt that as of
now it is "up in the air."
Member Torgerson moved to recommend to City Council approval of the Bella
Vista rezoning from T, Transition to MMN, Medium Density Mixed -Use
Neighborhood, #45-01.
Member Carpenter seconded the motion.
Member Craig commended the neighbors for their diligence in keeping up with
the process. She felt they brought up an issue, which obviously the Board is not
real happy with, and that is contextual heights. She hopes that they follow up on
the Type 1 process and stay involved with the project.
Member Torgerson also suggested that the neighbors might want to contact the
Neighborhood Resources Office for assistance and understanding of the process.
Chairperson Gavaldon stated that he would be supporting the MMN, however he did
share the same concerns about contextual height.
The motion was approved 7-0.
Project: Poudre School District 2004 High School — Site
Plan Advisory Review
Project Description: Request for a site plan advisory review of a 94-
acre campus for the 2004 High School. The
site is located on a portion of the Webster
Farm that lies north of McClelland Creek. This
parcel is south of Rock Creek Drive, east of
Ziegler Road, north of Kechter Road, and west
of Cambridge Avenue.
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Planning and
Zoning Board advise the Poudre School
District Board of Education that the location,
character and extent of the proposed 2004
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
February 21, 2002
Page 6
Member Craig felt that the definition was important for her to make her decision in that
the definition of MMN is not tall commercial buildings. Whether she can make her
decision tonight on this or not, she feels that if it has not been pinned down, it shows
that this is an area that we should be concerned about and maybe should be
addressing.
Planner Olt responded that the MMN zoning district carries with it a three-story
maximum building height. But, there is a section in Article 3 of the Land Use Code that
is non -district specific that would allow an applicant to submit a proposal and staff would
be required to review that proposal on "any" zoning district in the city of Fort Collins.
Member Craig appreciated that, but it bothered her that it kind of changes the definition
of what we wanted in MMN if we start looking at taller buildings just because there is a
taller building in the commercial zoning district, whether we really want taller buildings in
MMN.
Planner Olt responded that it is not relevant to the MMN. It would be no different if this
property were being requested to be rezoned to RL. They could still make a request
through the contextual height section of the code for a taller building.
Member Meyer asked what the process would be if they want to go over the three
stories.
Planner Olt replied that they would have to submit a request with their Project
Development Plan, and reminded the Board that it was not being discussed tonight.
The applicant has submitted a request that is being reviewed, a reference to Section
3.8.17, contextual height. That request also is not a modification to a standard;
therefore this Project Development Plan would still be reviewed as a Type 1 Review.
Deputy City Attorney Eckman clarified Member Craig's question regarding the
contextual height. Contextual height does make reference to "adjacency" not "abutting"
or "adjoining" properties. When it talks about the allowed contextual height it may fall at
any point between the zone district maximum height limit, which in this case is three
stories, and the height of a building that exists on lots that are "adjacent" to the subject
lot. "Adjacent" means "near by," but it doesn't necessarily have to be "abutting."
"Abutting" or "adjoining" means "touching upon."
Planner Olt added that the building would also be reviewed, other than the contextual
height section, for compatibility in Section 3.5.1, which any project is subject to,
regarding height, mass, scale, shading, shadowing, privacy, architectural compatibility.
This project will be reviewed against that criterion as well.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
February 21, 2002
Page 5
Chairperson Gavaldon asked Planner Olt to review for anyone who may not know what
MMN is and what are some of the uses allowed.
Planner Olt replied that MMN is Medium Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood. "The
purpose is intended to be a setting for concentrated housing within easy walking
distance to transit and a commercial district. Secondarily, a neighborhood may also
contain other moderate intensity complimentary and supporting land uses that serve the
neighborhood. These neighborhoods will form a transition and a link between
surrounding neighborhoods and the commercial core with a unifying pattern of streets
and blocks. Buildings, streets, bike and walking paths, open spaces and parks will be
configured to create an inviting and convenient living environment."
"This District is intended to function together with surrounding low -density
neighborhoods (typically the LMN zone district) and a central commercial core (typically
a NC or CC zone district). The intent is for the component zone districts to form an
integral, town -like pattern of development, and not merely a series of individual
development projects in separate zone districts."
Planner Olt elaborated on the permitted uses in an Administrative, Type 1 review, you
can have a full range of residential type uses going from single family detached, two-
family single family attached, which are multi -family but are on individual lots, multi-
family dwellings, mixed -use dwelling units. That would be a building that has residential
plus at least one other type of use. You can have institutional civic type uses like
churches, parks, schools and community facilities. Commercial uses are things like a
bed and breakfast, convenience retail store without fuel sales, artisan, photography
studios or galleries or child care centers.
As Type II, or Planning and Zoning Board uses, you can have group homes, fraternity or
sororities, institutional uses. Commercial retail uses are personal and business service
shops, offices, financial services, clinics, and small animal vet clinics. That would
complete the permitted use list for the MMN zone district.
Kim Straw, Cityscape Urban Design reported that she could not get too specific, but
they have a range of commercial and office type facilities that are permitted within the
code and they don't know at this time what will go into this project.
Member Craig asked about the discussion that was held regarding what "adjacent to"
meant and was it ever pinned down what that meant in terms and definitions.
Planner Olt replied that as of today, "adjacent" does not mean "abutting" or
"contiguous." It will be further pinned down when we get into the project; it is not really
relevant to the rezoning determination.
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Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
February 21, 2002
Page 4
Jeff Emmel, who lives in Cove Island, stated that he supports the MMN zoning. He
would think that any project that develops on this property would have to meet the
standards in the MMN zoning and considers the surrounding residential neighborhood.
Tim Brookey with Aspen Leaf Apartments spoke to the Board. Mr. Brookey came to
make sure that the Project Development Plan was not being reviewed tonight and
wanted to make sure that the impact of this development on Aspen Leaf Apartments
was going to be addressed.
Will Stutheit, lives in Warren Landing and asked what the requirements for the MMN
district were for commercial business.
PUBLIC INPUT CLOSED
Chairperson Gavaldon asked that staff and the applicant respond to the questions
raised during public input.
Planner Olt addressed the question regarding height limitations in the MMN zoning
district. Section 4.5 (E)(1)(d), building height states "buildings shall be limited to a
maximum of three stories." Planner Olt also referenced Section 3.8.17, contextual
height, which will come up and be better served at a later date. Even though there is a
three-story height limit in the MMN zoning district, there is a section in the city code
dealing with building height called contextual height. Section 3.8.17(A)(3), deals with
contextual height relative to existing buildings that would allow an applicant to "propose"
buildings taller than the maximum height in "any" zoning district. It is a non -district
specific standard in the code. If an applicant would request a city review of a building
height other than what is permitted, we would review it based on that section of the
code. It is project specific and has nothing to do with rezoning the property. Zoned
MMN, the maximum building height is three stories and rezoning this property would
carry a three-story limit with it. At such time as the Project Development Plan is
reviewed it would be brought before an Administrative Hearing Officer or the Planning
and Zoning Board for approval.
Planner Olt addressed the question regarding the uses of the proposed project. He
stated that there has been an article in the paper regarding the Project Development
Plan, but this is the rezoning. He thought that it maybe appropriate to briefly ask the
applicant what non-residential uses are proposed. To his knowledge, there is about
20,000 s.f. of non-residential uses proposed in the development plan. The development
plan is not being discussed tonight. There are some commercial uses allowed in the
MMN zoning district, they are not high -impact uses, they are more business service,
and office oriented type of uses.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
February 21, 2002
Page 3
Project: Recommendation to City Council for Bella Vista
Rezoning, #45-01
Project Description: Request to rezone 2.959 acres from T, Transition to
MMN, Medium Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood.
The property is located at the northeast corner of
Stanford Road and East Horsetooth Road. The
property is currently vacant.
Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence:
Steve Olt, City Planner gave the staff presentation. Planner Olt stated that the
property was originally annexed into the city in 1977 and placed in the T,
Transition zone. The property was zoned T, Transition based on the owner not
knowing what type of land use might occur on this site. The site remained in the
T, Transition zone, and in 1997 when the city did a city-wide rezoning through
City Plan the property remained in the T, Transition zone. The applicant is now
asking for a rezoning from T, Transition to MMN, Medium Density Mixed -Use
Neighborhood.
Planner Olt reviewed the criteria for rezoning. He stated that the request for the subject
property complies with the designation on the City Structure Plan as "Medium Density
Mixed -Use Neighborhood." The request also satisfies the applicable review criteria of
Section 2.9.4 (H) of the Land Use Code, and staff is recommending approval of the
request for rezoning.
Kim Straw, Cityscape Urban Design gave the applicants presentation. She stated that
this is a small piece of ground that is surrounded by MMN Structure Plan zoning, which
supports the requested designation.
PUBLIC INPUT
Tom Kitze, representing the Landings HOA asked what the height limitations for the
MMN zoning district were. There seems to be some confusion on that and their
understanding was that it was a three-story limitation in that zone. The applicant has
gone to the contextual height section 3.8.17 and is going across to a different zone and
a different block to get his contextual height, the Marriott Hotel, which is a whole city
block away from his property. He asked for some clarification of what the MMN allows.
They do believe that MMN is the proper zoning.
Council Liaison: Karen Weitkunat
Chairperson: Jerry Gavaldon
Vice Chair: Mikal Torcerson
Staff Liaison: Cameron Gloss
Phone: (H) 484-2034
Phone: (W) 416-7435
Chairperson Gavaldon called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Roll Call: Colton, Meyer, Bernth, Carpenter, Craig, Torgerson, and Gavaldon.
Staff Present: Gloss, Olt, Shepard, Jones, Stringer, Wamhoff, Virata, Bracke,
Baker, McWilliams, and Williams.
Agenda Review: Director of Current Planning Cameron Gloss reviewed the Consent
and Discussion Agendas:
Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the December 7, 2000 and February 1, 2001
Planning and Zoning Board Hearings (Continued)
2. Resolution PZ02-02 — Easement Vacation
3. #56-980 Rigden Farm, 6th Filing — Modification of Standards (Pulled to
Discussion — Torgerson)
4. #45-01 Recommendation to City Council on Bella Vista Rezoning
(Pulled to Discussion — citizen)
Discussion Agenda:
5. Poudre School District 2004 High School — Site Plan Advisory
Review
6. Johnnson Property — Overall Development Plan
A citizen asked to have Item #4, the Bella Vista Rezoning pulled to discussion.
Member Torgerson asked to have item #3, Rigden Farm, 61h Filing, Modification of
Standards pulled to discussion.
Member Carpenter declared a conflict on Item #2, Resolution PZ02-02 — Easement
Vacation.
Member Colton moved for approval of Consent Item #2. Member Craig seconded
the motion. The motion was approved 6-0.