Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWEST PLUM STREET PUD - PRELIMINARY ..... FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING - 10-96 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITIZEN COMMUNICATION (5)RE(. VED APR 9 8 1996 PwZa`Z- the houses closest to Plum will have their back yards facing Plum Street while all our front yards face Plum Street. Effectively, we will be viewing their back yard activities (where the most intimate domestic events take place) from our front windows. While we understand that the developer intends to create a small autonomous community in the PUD, the design effectively creates a visual and symbolic barrier to the larger neighborhood. This PUD should not be a separate community but exist as part of the larger community. The best solution is to extend the existing grid system of streets so that the PUD houses are oriented the same as those that surround it. If this cannot be done, we suggest that along with decreasing housing density, the developer reorient the houses on Plum Street so that their back yards face the back yards of the houses on Timber Lane and Rocky Road. The architectural design of the houses within the PUD should also be compatible with houses in the surrounding neighborhood. There are very few two-story houses in this neighborhood. It consists mostly of one and one -and -one -half -story split level houses from the 1960s and 1970s. Thus, the overall neighborhood profile is relatively low and horizontal. This quality should be retained. We suggest that two-story houses be replaced with one -and -a -half story houses and that the developer avoid the vertical, neo-Victorian style so popular in some new developments. This would also retain some of the view and the light to existing houses. We commend the developer for some features of the PUD that will enhance the neighborhood. For instance, the landscaping within the PUD and especially the trees within a parking strip facing Plum improve the overall streetscape. Plum Street has alot of pedestrian traffic (especially dog walkers) and the parking strip will provide some barrier from traffic. The current, narrow sidewalks that directly abut the street are far too narrow and dangerously close to traffic, which will become worse with the new development. Front porches and recessed garages are architectural features that give the feeling of community, unlike some small houses that place the garage directly in front on the street. Thank you for soliciting our comments. As you are both well aware, such infill developments as the West Plum PUD in previously empty pastures are an emotional issue. We understand that we cannot stop change despite our longing for the open space to remain. But we also firmly believe that what is built within our existing neighborhood must be compatible, visually and socially, with its surroundings. We urge you as city planners and developers to seriously consider our concerns. We look forward to talking to you at future meetings. Sincerely, �a� mite., A,a t, r_ 1,, Janet Ore Mark Fiege 2524 W. Plum Ft. Collins, CO 80521 RFCFIvj,�40 March 31, 1996 Mitchell Haas, City Planner Community Planning & Environmental Services City of Fort Collins 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Ft. Collins, CO 80522-0580 Dear Mr. Haas and Mr. Viita; APR 08 1998 fme lGFZ Thank you for soliciting community comment on the proposed PUD on W. Plum Street. We live directly north across Plum from the site and so are very interested in what will be built. Judging from the presentation on January 25, 1996, we have two main areas of concern we hope the developer will remedy: the density of housing and the development's overall compatibility with its surrounding neighborhood. Our biggest concern is the high density of housing proposed for the site and the problems that such density will bring with it. Because the current proposal packs in 16 houses on only three acres with lot sizes between 50 X 90' and 50 X 125', we think the development is too densely occupied. Density of housing should replicate the surrounding neighborhood which has lot sizes considerably larger (ours is almost 100' X 100')_ To preserve the neighborhood's character, this infill development should not exceed the density of the overall neighborhood_ We feel very strongly that the PUD's plan should be modified to reduce its density. Such high density will bring with it the attendant problem of greatly increased traffic and subsequent deterioration of air and noise quality. The PUD will generate substantially increased traffic on what is currently a very quiet street. We would like the developer and the city to take all measures possible to diminish the amount of traffic and preserve air quality. We have a few suggestions. Require all residents in the PUD to hire a single garbage hauler. Now at least four different garbage companies have garbage trucks and recycling trucks rumbling down our street. This is way too many to enter such a small development. For maximum traffic efficiency, ideally the PUD should extend the street grid rather than utilize a cul-de-sac. Knowing this won't happen, we suggest clear pedestrian access to Elizabeth Street. This could diminish needless car trips and encourage riding public transportation. The PUD homeowners' association should restrict off-street parking within the PUD and on Plum Street, allowing cars parked only in driveways. This would encourage fewer personal cars and prevent a street full of parked cars. Such parking restrictions are especially important for Plum Street which is our front yard but PUD houses' back yard. We are also concerned with the general incompatibility of this small infill development with the larger neighborhood. Most of houses in this area face a grid system of streets. Though we have some small cul-de-sac streets, they have only six or so houses. In the proposed PUD, all sixteen houses will face inward on the cul-de-sac. In fact,