HomeMy WebLinkAbout627 WHEDBEE STREET DUPLEX - BASIC DEVELOPMENT REVIEW - BDR170004 - CORRESPONDENCE - (5)Mercedes Gil and Joe Bakel
627 Whedbee St
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-224-2153
Joe Olson
Interim Director of Infrastructure Services
281 North College Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins. CO 80522
Hello Joe:
As part of our Building Development Review, where we are changing our old town basement into a rental
unit, we have to give the city a Deed of Dedication for Easement to allow the city access to the front and back
10 feet of our property for utilities or future development. I understand the easement concept, and I'm fine with
it. I also understand that when a large housing development is built in a previously undeveloped area, the
developer (and eventually the buyers) should pay the city for the cost of bringing appropriate utilities to that
area.
However, what I don't understand is why adding a single -person rental unit to a home in an already high
density neighborhood requires giving any additional easement rights to the city. I'd think that you already have
easement rights. In particular, it makes no sense to me that we're giving the city the rights to our land and
paying them $500 (2x$250) for the right to take our land. Usually, I'd expect the money to flow in the other
direction.
I have two objections here - $250 (or $500) for a processing fee is ridiculous. This amount would be a
hardship to many people to generate at a moment's notice.
Second, does this additional easement really make sense given the situation that I'm describing? We want to
comply with city building regulations, as we want to insure that we're creating a safe situation in our
house. However, I completely understand why many folks choose not to make their rentals legal once they
discover some of the requirements.
I'd like to request that you and the Planning, Development, and Transportation Service Unit review the
Dedication of Easement process, particularly as it applies to individual remodeling requests.
Additionally, I'd like you to also review the appropriateness of the $1000 Transportation Review fee. Again,
this is an exorbitant number when tied to an additional 1-bedroom rental unit in a high density neighborhood.
Thanks and regards,
Mercedes E. Gil