HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEARTHFIRE PUD, 1ST FILING - FINAL - 31-95D - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - VARIANCE REQUESTNovember 25, 1996
Mr. Steve Olt - Current Planning Department
City of Fort Collins
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins 80524
RE: Hearthfire P.U.D., First Filing; Final Planned Unit Development
Street Tree Variance Request on Hearthfire Way
Dear Steve:
The applicant of the Hearthfire P.U.D. is hereby requesting that Hearthfire
Way be excepted from the City's Street Tree Planting Standards.
Hearthfire Way is a 1620 ft long collector road passing through 22.79 acres
of open space. No lots front Hearthfire Way and only one access point
(for Whiting Petroleum) is anticipated. It is our intention that Hearthfire Way
function as a Scenic Drive in which the motorist, pedestrian and bicyclist pass
through a sequence of visual experiences, culminating with a view of the pond
and wetland in the center of the project. In its present state, the open space through
which Hearthfire Way passes is dominated by large Cottonwood trees and a wetland.
Our plan includes increasing and enhancing the existing wetland and supplementing the
existing Cottonwoods with additional plantings —Cottonwoods and other trees within
the open space in a manner that enhances views and moves people through a sequence
of spaces from light to shade, native grass to wetlands, from open to sheltered areas.
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Street Tree Standards call for the planting of Street Trees along Hearthfire Way at
40 ft on -center spacing. Inherent in this approach is the imposition of a design unity
most appropriate for streets faced with buildings. In addition, an uninterrupted stretch
of patterned trees, as specified by the Street Tree Standards will tend to move motorists
more rapidly through the open area - focusing their attention forward, rather than the
varied spaces they are passing through. We feel it is most appropriate to take our clues
from nature when planting trees along Hearthfire Way. We, therefore, request a
variance from the City's Street Tree Standards to accommodate the existing landscape
adjacent to Hearthfire Way.
We hope the City Staff will look favorably at this variance request and should you have
questions regarding the matter, please feel free to give me a call.
Sincerely,
JIM SE ESIGN Inc.
FA-Z
Fred Haberecht
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cc: Hearthfire Submittal
117E 1Cn Ave o 80524
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MSWUo \HeeMfim\I623. I\November 25, 1996